The Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program was founded in 1996 as a way for the northeast Farm Credit associations to support local agriculture and to foster agricultural growth. It is a joint effort between Yankee Farm Credit, Farm Credit East, and CoBank. Since 1996, the program has awarded nearly 600 grants and disbursed over $1.5 million dollars to recipients. The grants are awarded three times per year--in April, August, and December.
NYS Ag Society - Awarded $4,300 to support the Century Farm Family recognition program for 2015. The program recognizes "Century and Bicentennial" farm families, and gives a brief history and overview of each family at an event that is covered by state and local media.
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) - Awarded $2,500 to help support the group's annual "working" conference, which will take place this year from November 10-12 in Saratoga Springs, NY. NESAWG's primary focus is on developing farming and food systems that are sustainable, viable, and socially responsible.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets - Awarded $3,000 for their annual Human Resource Management Training for producers in Vermont. The training will include two one-day workshops, one in White River Junction and one in Burlingon, and will concentrate on honing an employer's ability to hire the right people and build a strong employee team.
Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) - Awarded $1,000 to help fund the YDLI dairy leadership program. The program offers guidance, support, and training to young adults (ages 22-45) who are actively involved in dairy production or any ancillary industries. YDLI is a national program coordinated by the Holstein Association in Brattleboro, VT.
NOFA NJ - Awarded $1,000 to support the business and technical workshops offered by the organization. The workshops assist new and beginning organic farmers and small-scale producers in the early stages of their careers by providing them the requisite education, training, and knowledge to establish viable farm enterprises.
NJ Ag Society - Awarded $3,000 for the "Learning Through Gardening" program. The program's goal is to increase agricultural literacy by implementing school gardens and teaching students how to grow fruits and vegetables. The program will take place throughout the 2014-15 school year.
Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) - Awarded $2,000 to help fund a project that will aid refugee farmers in growing and developing their farm businesses. The program has three goals in mind: providing day long workshops, providing follow up technical support, and training two crew leaders who will directly help the refugees in growing, harvesting, and marketing their crops.
New York Farm Bureau Fusion Forum - Awarded $1,000 to support the New York Farm Bureau's "Fusion Forum." The Fusion Forum will be held in March 2015, and attendants will be provided with several talks and workshops that aim to encourage both personal and professional growth by helping one to find his/her passion and purpose.
NH Ag in the Classroom - Awarded $2,000 to develop, publish, and distribute a book for elementary school students. The book will focus on the importance of agriculture in New Hampshire. A copy of the book will be distributed to 316 elementary schools throughout the state.
Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension - Awarded $2,000 to conduct the first phase of an academic study aimed at identifying the economic feasibility and impact of shared-use kitchens in northwestern New York. The proposed facility would be located at the Orleans Country 4-H Fairgrounds, and would serve 5 counties.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County - Awarded $2,500 to aid in the Extension's hosting of the 2-day "Hoptoberfest" workshop in October. The workshop is aimed at new and beginning growers of brewing grains and brewers, and training will focus on growing and marketing brewery hops and grains, as well as a "how to" on starting a microbrewery.
American Farmland Trust (AFT) - Awarded $1,000 to support the first pilot training of the Local Agriculture and Land Use Leadership Institute program, which provides valuable knowledge and skills about land use and policy to participants. The training program is being provided via a partnership between AFT and Cornell's Community and Rural Development Institute.
Cornell University Junior Dairy Leader Program - Awarded $5,000 for the Junior Dairy Leader Program. The program focuses on career awareness and personal/professional development for young people (aged 16-19) interested in the dairy industry.
Strafford Country Conservation District - Awarded $1,000 to help the District host 3 half-day workshops throughout New Hampshire in the fall of 2014. The workshops will provide farmers with information about soil health, no-till practices, and cover cropping.
Green Peas TV - Awarded $1,500 for the "Farm to Table to Body" project, which aims to increase awareness about the role of agriculture in America. The project will create a network of involved elementary school teachers, and will bring agricultural education back into the classroom with the aid of modern technology.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project - Awarded $3,000 to help the project develop, produce, market, and distribute a "Guide to Farm Financing Video." The video, which will be 15-20 minutes in length and is expected to launch in August 2015, will educate farmers and allow them to improve the economic viability of their farming operations.
Massachusetts Forest Alliance - Awarded $2,000 to develop a report that examines the extent and economic importance of the Massachusetts's forest products industry. The report hopes to accurately capture the state of the MA forest industry today and objectively map and measure progress and growth.
The deadlines for submitting grant proposals to the Northeast AgEnhancement Program are April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st.
If you or someone you know is interested in submitting a funding proposal, please contact Ruchel St. Hilaire in the Williston office at (802)-879-4700. Send all proposals for funding to AgEnhancement@YankeeACA.com. For more information, including the application process and requirements, visit: https://www.yankeeaca.com/en/About-Us/Industry-Support/AgEnhancement-Grants.
