New York Farm Viability Institute Website Press Releases 

September 24, 2007
Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
(315) 453-3823 extension 103
(315) 427-2714
rschuelke@nyfvi.org

Farm Viability Institute awards nine grants for agricultural innovation projects

Business planning, food marketing, livestock processing and organic feed for dairy cows are some of the issues facing New York farmers that will get closer exploration in projects funded by the New York Farm Viability Institute.

The Institute’s board of directors selected nine projects for grants totaling more than $900,000. The one- and two-year projects will work directly with New York farmers to increase farm profits and provide models for others to follow.

``These projects reflect the Farm Viability Institute’s commitment to funding project work that encourages innovation and creativity in addressing the barriers and opportunities that face New York farmers,’’ said John Lincoln, chair of the board of directors. ``At the same time, each project has a clear mission to meet tangible and measurable goals during the life of the project, such as increasing sales of farm goods through better marketing, and helping farmers access tools, like business planning, that will help them run more sustainable businesses.’’

The New York Farm Viability Institute is a nonprofit group that funds on-farm applied research. The Institute funds research on farms of all sizes, production practices and agricultural commodities. Projects work in all sectors, including agro-forestry, aquaculture, bio-energy, dairy, equine, field crops and forage, fruit, green industry, livestock, and vegetables.

The volunteer board of directors is comprised of farmers nominated from organizations that reflect the diversity of agriculture in New York State: New York Farm Bureau, Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations, New York State Nursery and Landscape Association, New York State Horticulture Society, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, New York Corn Growers Association, and the New York Farm Viability Institute Dairy Committee.

Project selection is competitive. Projects were ranked on the degree to which they proposed farmer participation, farm-level benefit, outreach efforts, collaboration and measurable goals.

Selected projects are:

- Chenango Bounty: Mobile Farmer’s Market, Chenango County Agriculture Development Council: $28,630
Establish a food delivery program featuring vegetables, honey, cheese and other items from Chenango County farms.

- Farm to School, Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council: $16,554
Work with Hudson Valley apple growers to increase sales of apples, cider and other apple products within local schools.

- Vegetable Marketing, Upstate New York Growers and Packers: $189,090
Increase sales for fruit and vegetable growers across upstate New York through collaborative marketing and distribution of fresh and value-added food, and expand the group to include more growers and new markets.

- New York Livestock Producers Processing and Marketing Assistance, Hudson Mohawk RC&D Council: $88,968
Work with New York livestock raisers to improve accessibility to processing facilities and increase markets for meat

- Organic Dairy Initiative, Cornell University Small Farms: $150,546
Increase availability of organic grain for organic dairy farm and increase market opportunities for grain growers

- Enhancing Farm Viability via Business Planning, New York Farm Net: $216,208
Assist 75 farmers statewide in developing business plans for viability in new ventures

- Value-Added Local Food Promotion, Center for Agricultural Entrepreneurship: $79,458
Increase sales and markets for 10 central New York producers through targeted approaches with consumers, retailers and distributors

- Quality Improvement and Market Expansion of Maple Value-Added Products, Cornell University Maple Program: $90,521
Deliver training to maple producers to improve quality of maple value-added products and increase profitability through increased sales and sales of higher-end products

- Taste the Regions: Gift Basket Marketing of New York Products, New York Farms: $49,500
Farm-based value-added producers will increase sales through regional New York themed gift basket marketing

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 receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfarmviability.org.