News Release 

Date: May 14, 2008

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, communication specialist
Telephone: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
Cell phone: (315) 427-2714
Email: rschuelke@nyfvi.org


NYFVI to hold 5 grant-writing workshops for project funds

Workshops planned this spring around New York State target people and groups seeking grant funds for farm-based applied research and outreach education.

The New York Farm Viability Institute will hold grant-writing workshops:

- 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 23 at Farm Credit of Western New York, 4363 Federal Drive, Batavia, NY 14020

- 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 29 at Cornell Cooperative of Extension of St. Lawrence County Learning Farm, 2043 State Highway 68, Canton, NY 13617

- 9 a.m.-noon June 3 at Cornell University Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center, 3059 Sound Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901

- 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 5 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County, 18 Seward Ave. #300, Middletown, NY 10940

- 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 6 at Cornell University Industrial Labor Relations fourth floor, Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14853

Each workshop provides an overview of the Institute's grant funding and project model, expectations of leaders of funded projects and operation of the online application and project management system. There will be opportunity to ask questions and provide commentary on the Institute's grant programs.

The New York Farm Viability Institute will be seeking proposals for innovative projects that help farmers increase profits and provide models for other farmers to follow. Formal Requests for Proposals to the Institute's annual grant programs will go out on May 30.

Eligible grant applicants include farmers, producer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies and businesses. Applicants may represent nonprofit or for-profit sectors.

Projects should work New York State resident farmers and outcomes should benefit agriculture in New York State.

The Institute offers several unique grant programs.

- Agriculture Innovation Center: projects focus on business planning, business structure, marketing, marketing planning, distribution, business expansion, business transfer, keeping/ expanding land in agricultural production, and developing or enhancing value-added product recipes and techniques. Proposals due: July 15

- Energy Management and Bioenergy: projects include practical applied research and outreach education on energy issues from the farmer's perspective, including on-farm energy conservation, bioenergy feedstock production, balance and integration of energy systems and animal agriculture, integrated food and energy systems, and bioenergy systems optimization. Proposals due: July 15

- Education Innovation Network: projects offer new approaches or innovation in outreach education, including technical assistance, information transfer, and implementation of new technology, production practices and management strategies. Efforts should focus on outreach to underserved audience, or dissemination of underutilized information and technology. Proposals due: July 31

- Applied Research Partnership: projects emphasize practical, on-farm efforts designed to produce measurable benefit to participating farms within the lifespan of the project, including testing theory in farm conditions, adapting technology for not-yet-tested conditions, etc. Proposals due: Sept. 9

Proposal approval dates vary, but begin in late September and conclude in early 2009.

For maximum funding amounts and other grant details, consult the full request for proposals for each grant program. As of May 30, the Requests for Proposals will be available on the website www.nyfvi.org.

Attendance at grant writing workshops is encouraged, but not required, to apply for NYFVI funds. Register online for grant writing workshops at http://db.nyfvi.org. There is no cost to attend; lunch provided. For more information, call (315) 453-3823.

The New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit group that receives state funds.




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.nyfvi.org.