The Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement program recently awarded $30,000 in grants to 12 programs
Grants funded in April 2010:
American Farmland Trust (AFT) will use its $3,500 grant to analyze a regional supply chain of dairy consumption and dairy marketing opportunities and to identify barriers to success in the dairy industry. Staff from AFT and Tufts University’s Agriculture, Food and Environmental Program will work together on this two-year project.
With its $5,000 grant, Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County will develop a leadership and communications skills training program for agricultural producers and professionals from the Capital District and Hudson Valley. The program will include nine workshops for up to 50 participants.
A $500 grant to the Dartmouth YMCA Program will support a summer day camp that features a young farmers’ program with local farmers as camp mentors.
The Eastern States FFA Planning Committee will use its $8,000 AgEnhancement grant for the Eastern States FFA Star program, which will run during The Big E in September 2010. Through this program, FFA representatives from 14 states compete in four categories: Star Farmer, Star Agribusiness, Star Agricultural Placement and Star Agriscience.
Eden Regional Farm Museum will use its $1,500 grant to promote local food production in a five-county area while educating the nonfarm public about the business of agriculture.
The New England Green Pasture’s $4,000 grant supports agricultural programs at The Big E, such as Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year and Salute to Agriculture.
The New Hampshire 4-H Foundation uses its $3,000 grant to sponsor a trip for 25 teens from Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. The day gives the 4-Hers a first-hand look at career opportunities on a number of different farms, ag research facilities and ag businesses.
A $1,000 grant will help NOFA-NJ develop a curriculum and training program to help farmers establish and operate farm markets.
NY Pork Producers Empire Swine Youth Program applies its $1,000 grant to a multi-faceted event that helps young people challenge their knowledge of the swine industry and their management and interviewing skills. The event is held at the New York State Fair.
The New Hampshire Institute of Agriculture and Forestry will use its $1,000 grant to pilot a project on the production of four-season greenhouse vegetables and fruit.
The Last Green Valley will use its $1,000 grant to develop a Web site of resources to help Connecticut and Massachusetts farmers advance agriculture in their 35-town area.
A $500 grant will help Regional Dairy Extension provide in-service training for northeast and mid-Atlantic dairy Extension agents.
Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement is a regional grant program funded by Yankee Farm Credit together with CoBank, Farm Credit East and Farm Credit of Maine. Since its 1996 inception, the program has awarded $1,112,656 through 418 grants.
Click here for more information.
