PRESS RELEASE: December 23, 2005 
Contact:  NNYADP Co-Chairs Jon Greenwood, 315-386-3231; 
Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523

NNY Agricultural Development Program Names 2006 Projects

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has named several research and education projects specifically designed to help farmers in the state�s six northernmost counties in 2006. Projects will address issues and opportunities for the dairy industry and for crop, livestock, maple and fruit production.

The Program will award $400,000 to underwrite research and outreach by Cornell University and Cooperative Extension educators. Projects will be carried out on farms throughout the region and at sites, such as the Cornell Baker Research Farm at Willsboro and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence Learning Farm and Education Center in Canton. Project results will be shared with farmers and agribusiness owners in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties.

�These projects represent the needs and interests of Northern New York farmers and are designed to evaluate solutions and identify opportunities specific to our climate, soils and practices,� says Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Co-Chair Jon Greenwood, Greenwood Dairy Farms, Canton, NY.

The projects include research on best management practices for manure management, soil health, meat animal marketing, harvesting haylage and alfalfa, cropping options for growing organic grain, and growing sugar maples and cold-country grapes. Crop variety trials will evaluate corn silage and corn grain hybrids, small grains, and forage soybeans.

�This Program provides vital research and information to regional farmers, from the traditional variety trials testing crops right here in the region to new studies looking at improving production and profitability,� says Program Co-Chair Joe Giroux, Giroux Farm, Plattsburgh, NY.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program�s 33-member advisory committee of farmers from across the region represents the diversity of agriculture in the North Country. Committee members request, review, select and prioritize project proposals.

The Northern New York Development Program began in the 1960s with funds from the NYS Legislature. The 2006 Program has been funded with the long-term support of NYS Senator James W. Wright and NYS Senator Elizabeth O�C. Little.

"I am pleased to continue to support this worthy program aimed at assisting Northern New York's hard-working farmers," said Senator Wright.

"I'm pleased to support this important program for our farmers," Senator Betty Little said. "North Country agricultural needs are unique and to remain competitive we need this type of comprehensive research and sharing of information. This ongoing learning process benefits our farmers whose success is essential to the local economy."

The Program also receives support � funds, time, land, expertise � from Cornell University�s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell�s Agricultural Experiment Station, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, the six NNY Cornell Cooperative Extension associations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating farmers and others. 
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