The NY Farm Viability Institute is one of a growing number of groups that use an outcome-based program model.  We fund projects that are designed to lead to tangible, measurable change at the farm – especially change that relates to long-term farm profitability.

Why profitability?
We believe farms that are financially viable are sustainable.  They are equipped to carry on through multiple generations, and to continue agriculture’s long tradition of business and agricultural innovation, environmental stewardship, animal care, community involvement, and more.

To encourage diversity in projects, and solutions to barriers and opportunities facing New York agriculture, we encourage project leaders to address farm profitability in different ways.  Examples include: new revenue, decreased operating expenses, capital investment, jobs created, farm startup, new acres in agriculture, and more.

What is an outcome-based program?
Outcome-based programs are a paradigm shift for many project leaders and stakeholders.

Outcome-based program models say that the work doesn’t end with the number of hours clocked in research, the number of fact sheets published, or the number of people that attended a workshop.  It’s about going one step further and examining how those tools – the how-to guides, educational websites, field trials, trained experts available to answer questions, and more – helped bring about change on the farm.

Outcome-based funding models gained a foothold in the social sciences arena.  Nonprofits, public service groups, and philanthropists challenged themselves to measure efforts to bring about social good – reducing unemployment, smoking cessation, etc. – with a bottom line: what is the result of our efforts?

We all at one time or another may struggle with how to translate our work into numbers.  I’m trying to breed a new variety of “x”.  Farmers love my workshops.  My work can’t be measured in terms of dollars and cents.  These, and similar statements, are familiar.

The Farm Viability Institute was founded around the drive to promote research and outreach that address needs and opportunities on New York farms - right now.  We fund projects that promise results on farms in the near term, three years or less.  We fund projects that promise answers to practical questions.  It’s not just about the what, but the why?

Why develop a new breed of plant?  Why hold a workshop?  Why reduce fertilizer?  The answer: farm sustainability.    

Sharing success
Grants from the NY Farm Viability Institute are not cash handouts.  They are reimbursements for work completed. 

We don’t typically buy equipment, farm construction, seeds, plants, etc.  We pay for demonstration trials, workshops, expertise, consulting, coordination, and more.  The NY Farm Viability Institute is looking to invest money in developing techniques, systems, resources and infrastructure that allow for replication of proven ideas on many farms.  We are looking to develop knowledge, expertise and resources that will continue to benefit the state’s agriculture, long after the grant is exhausted.