New York Farm Viability Institute Website Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE: June 13, 2006
Contacts: Richard Halpin, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County,
315-788-8450
R. David Smith, New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc., 315-453-3823
See county-by-county farmer comments at the bottom of this release
NYFVI Awards $140,000 Grant to North Country Farm Profitability Project
The New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc. has awarded $140,000 to Cornell
Cooperative Extension Associations of Northern New York for a two-year,
multi-county project that will develop new alternative product strategies
for making North Country farms profitable. The “New Strategies for North
Country Farm Profitability” project will provide to farmers already involved
or interested in alternative farm-based agricultural ventures the expertise
of more than 20 Extension educators in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence,
Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties.
Educators will provide technical support and business planning assistance to
help farmers transition to and begin new enterprises, including livestock
(beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, heritage breeds, grass-fed); and fruit
and vegetable businesses, fresh and value-added.
Project Development Coordinator Richard Halpin, executive director of
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, says current farmers are
the project’s primary focus, but adds that the region is attracting
newcomers pursuing non-traditional farming and small farms are the biggest
growth area for new and expanding livestock operations.
“Our vision of the region’s agricultural economy is a future where
traditional agricultural pursuits, particularly dairy, are strong and
thriving, while strong companion farm enterprises provide additional
opportunities for farm profitability. Strategic business planning will
result in productive, profitable, sustainable use of the land resources of
Northern New York,” Halpin says.
New York Farm Viability Institute-funded projects must respond to
farmer-identified obstacles and opportunities. Halpin notes that the new
project has been designed to complement regional efforts by the Northern New
York Agricultural Development Program, North Country Dairy Viability
Initiative, the Come Farm with Us Program, the Northern New York Farmer’s
Partnership and Extension-based programs.
Specific areas that will be addressed by the new project include animal
health and nutrition, business planning, product pricing, cooperative and
collaborative marketing, and alternative marketing venues, e.g., on-farm
retailing and website selling.
“Combining livestock expertise with business management expertise meets a
regional need with an innovative approach that supports our long-term goals
to increase the profitability of regional farms and farmers and expand
agricultural options for regional landowners,” Halpin says.
A project director is currently being sought to guide the “New Strategies
for North Country Farm Profitability” project. For more information on the
“New Strategies for North Country Farm Profitability” project, contact
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, 315-788-8450.
The farmer-led, farmer-driven, not-for-profit New York Farm Viability
Institute, Inc. has three grant programs providing funds for agriculture
innovation, extension innovation and applied research. The Institute funds
projects for agricultural producers of all sizes and all commodity areas.
Current projects include dairy, maple, sod, grapes, vegetables, and fruit
trees. To learn more about the New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc.,
visit www.nyfarmviability.org or contact the New York Farm Viability
Institute, Inc., 159 Dwight Park Circle #104, Syracuse, NY 13209,
315-453-3823. # # #
EDITORS: Please use any or all of the county-by-county farmer comments
below.
Jefferson County beef producer Don Holman successfully transitioned
from a 700-acre dairy operation to beef production about 1990. He says,
“Talking with someone who is doing what you think you want to do can provide
real numbers and a true assessment of what the business end of an idea
involves. Often, people starting something new do not know the right
questions to ask. Younger people can learn a great deal from the experience
of the established farmers.” Holman adds that the regional project could
promote cost-saving measures such as combined-load livestock trucking and
quantity purchasing of supplies.
In Lewis County, Steve Ledoux of the Adirondack Beef Company agrees,
“There has not been a regionwide effort of this sort before. This project
will be strong resource for alternative livestock producers in the North
Country.”
In St. Lawrence County, beef producer George Erdman says, “This
project could jump start the beef industry which I feel has great potential
in the Northern New York.”
In Franklin County, former dairyman Dave Rotman successfully
transitioned to growing raspberries and raising sheep in 2000. He says,
“Livestock marketing and alternative agriculture are quite different than
producing milk. Those in transition need to know where to go for resources,
good leads, licensing information, and marketing assistance. This North
Country project offers hope and options for developing an enterprise with
more pricing control for the farmers who pay attention to the details and to
producing a quality product. My wife and I are always trying to fine tune
our operation and this project provides a great opportunity for us to
develop new value-added products.”
In Clinton County, Simon Conroy produces natural beef and runs
Conroy’s Organics farm store selling natural and local products on a former
dairy farm. For him, the regional project will help him meet the growing
demand for natural and local products. He says, “Our biggest challenge is
finding enough suppliers for natural pork, chicken, lamb and locally grown
produce, so more people diversifying into different niche farming
alternatives will help us stock our store.”
In Essex County, Bob Perry and Mark Wrisley of Adirondack Organic
Grains grow grains for livestock and human consumption. Perry says the
regional project will help create markets closer to home and help put the
next generation on the farm. He says, “There is a lot of interest from my
son Adam and Mark’s sons Derrick and Clayton in new trends and opportunities
that they could pursue on the farm – from organic beef to biofuels and
alternative heat source production. This project will help explore their
options.”
See Also:
June 28, 2006
New Strategies for North Country Farm
Profitability Project Names Coordinators