Farm Credit Awards $26,000 to 11 Northeast Farm Programs
The Northeast Farm Credit associations and CoBank recently awarded a total of $26,000 to 11 organizations as part of the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program. The grants help recipients carry out programs that promote Northeast agriculture, support youth programs, and generate a greater understanding of the Northeast’s vital agricultural, commercial fishing, and forest products industries among the nonfarm public.
The program is a shared effort of First Pioneer Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Western New York, Yankee Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Maine, and CoBank. Individual awards are granted in April, August, and December each year.
Since its inception in 1996, the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program has awarded more than $984,365 to 352 grant recipients. In 2009, the four Northeast Farm Credit associations and CoBank will reach their $1 million milestone in grants that they have awarded to hundreds of organizations over the past 13 years … an impressive landmark for Northeast agriculture and Farm Credit.
Recent Grant Recipients:
Cornell Dairy Fellows Program will use this $5,000 grant to provide an in-depth understanding of the dairy industry for its current class of Fellows. Cornell Dairy Fellows is a comprehensive undergraduate program that is nationally recognized as one of the best training opportunities for students considering careers in the dairy industry.
New Jersey Agricultural Society’s $5,000 grant will support the New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program. This two-year program offers a solid foundation of skills and experiences to help young farmers and agribusiness professionals become productive organizational and community leaders.
Northeast Cooperative Council will apply its $5,000 grant to the 2009 Future Cooperative Leaders Conference. The conference provides a valuable opportunity for future cooperative leaders to learn more about the unique operating features and issues facing their cooperatives.
Allegany-Steuben Holstein Club, Inc.’s $2,500 grant will fund the Junior Convention portion of the 2009 New York State All-Breed Convention. The convention will be held in Corning, N.Y.
Harvest New England is the cooperative marketing program of New England’s state departments of agriculture. This $2,000 grant supports the 2009 Agricultural Marketing Conference and Trade Show, a three-day event covering valuable skills to help Harvest New England members increase their direct sales to consumers and the viability of New England agriculture.
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association will use its $1,500 grant to update and distribute information on Connecticut’s Public Act 490, a law that allows Connecticut farms, forests, and open space land to be assessed at its use value.
Granite State Dairy Promotion will use its $1,000 grant to market locally produced cheese products developed by the New Hampshire Cheesemakers Guild.
New York Holstein Association will apply its $1,000 grant to support cattle judging contests for youth at the New York Spring Dairy Carousel. This event is scheduled for April 2009.
New Jersey Junior Breeders Fund Inc. will use this $1,000 grant to run its 2009 Junior Breeder/Young Farmer Symposium, an annual day-long opportunity for attendees to focus on agricultural careers through discussions, presentations, and hands-on sessions.
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of Vermont will apply its $1,000 grant to NOFA Vermont’s 28th Annual Winter Conference, a two-day conference in February that offers more than 60 workshops for organic famers and gardeners.
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of New York will apply its $1,000 grant to its annual NOFA-NY Winter Conference. A full agenda of dynamic keynote speakers, 70 exhibitors, and dozens of educational exhibits will attract organic farmers and gardeners to Rochester in January.
Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program
Created: 1996
Total grant dollars since 1996: $984,356
Total projects supported: 352
Proposal submission dates: April 1, August 1, December 1
Contact: Robert A. Smith, First Pioneer Farm Credit, 2668 State Route 7, Suite 21, Cobleskill, New York 12043
Phone: 518.296.8188
E-mail: AgEnhancement@FarmCreditWNY.com
