Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Press Releases

July 1, 2005

Contact: Jon Greenwood, Canton, 315-386-3231; Joe Giroux, Plattsburgh, 518-563-7523

NNY Agricultural Development Program Seeks Grant Requests by August 15

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) is seeking proposals for 2005-06 research and education grants to benefit the six northernmost counties of New York State. Applicants must provide details on how the benefits of the research projects will reach farmers in each of the six Northern New York counties: Essex, Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Jefferson. Funding for the regional grants program come from the New York State Senate�s North Country Agricultural Development Program sponsored by Senator Jim Wright and Senator Elizabeth Little.

The NNYADP farmer committee identified its priority areas for integrated research and extension projects for 2005-06 with help from farmer focus groups held in 2004 and 2005 and from suggestions submitted by Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and private sector agricultural professionals working in the Northern New York region. 

Among the priorities identified by the farmer-driven program is a continuing emphasis on the agricultural environmental management of crops and livestock, soil health studies and variety trials for corn, soybeans and small grains. Research priorities also include developing high value crops by testing new varieties of vegetables, production of grains, marketing of fruit, such as cold hardy grapes; and maple production. 

More recently identified research priorities include biofuel production from renewable energy crops, branding and marketing of locally-produced agricultural products, and a study of the pathogenic risks posed by wildlife that have access to fields and food storage areas. A complete list of priorities is on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program�s website under 2005-06 Research Priorities at www.nnyagdev.org.

Applications are due August 15. The project proposal form for 2005 NNYADP Research and Education grants is online at www.nnyagdev.org. For more information, contact NNYADP Co-Chairs Jon Greenwood, Canton, 315-386-3231, or Joe Giroux, Plattsburgh, 518-563-7523.

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