New York Farm Viability Institute Website Press Releases 

Date: May 15, 2007

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
(315) 453 3823 extension 103
(315) 427-2714

rschuelke@nyfarmviability.org

Farm Viability Offers Four Grant Writing Workshops This Spring

A series of workshops planned this spring will describe opportunities for funding farm-level research projects through the New York Farm Viability Institute.

The Institute is a nonprofit organization that directs research projects that result in profit increases for farmers. Past-funded projects have created business plans, developed value-added products and explored manure management, reduced fertilizer and pesticide applications, an on-line farmers market, livestock-meat marketing and others.

Workshops are geared for persons interested in applying for grant funding as a project leader.

· 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. May 22, Room 229 ILR Conference Center, Cornell University, Ithaca
· 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 24, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County, 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville.
· 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 5, Pioneer Center Lounge, SUNY Alfred
· 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 7, Room 107 Spader Greenhouse, Morrisville State College, Morrisville

New York Farm Viability Institute Outreach Coordinator David Grusenmeyer will facilitate the grant writing workshops, which will include a review of the Institute’s grant opportunities, funding priorities and 2007 grant cycle timeline. Descriptions of past-funded projects will be provided.

The workshops will include explanation of the Institute’s commitment to outcome-based funding. General terms and concepts of the Rensselaerville Institute's Outcome Funding Framework model will be described. Variations of the Rensselaerville Institute's Outcome Funding Framework model are currently used by the Farm Viability Institute, as well as Northeast Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education, and USDA Risk Management.

Tips on writing successful proposals, an overview of the proposal evaluation ands fund ranking processes, and reporting responsibilities for funded projects will be described.

The Farm Viability Institute provides funds for projects that include farmer participation and address barriers and opportunities identified as high-priority issues by producers. Projects explore business and production models and technology with a focus on increasing profits for participating farmers and providing templates for other producers.

Projects are selected for funding by the Institute’s farmer-member volunteer board of directors.

The Institute will accept grant applications from May-Aug. Funding decisions will be made before year-end. For more information, visit www.nyfarmviability.org.

All workshops are free admission and include lunch and handouts. Online registration is required at http://db.nyfvi.org.


New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute is funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfarmviability.org.