July 26, 2006

Contact: Jon Greenwood, 315-386-3231; Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523;
R. David Smith, NNYADP, 607-255-7286;

NNY Agricultural Development Grant Applications Due September 1

Farmers, educators, researchers and business people with ideas for improving agricultural production and profitability across Northern New York are invited to apply for a grant for 2007 through the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program by September 1, 2006. A 32-farmer committee guides the Program that sets research and outreach priorities, reviews grant proposals and selects projects that will benefit agriculture across the six-county Northern New York region (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties). The NNYADP grants encourage collaboration between farmers, educators and researchers and support on-farm demonstration projects.

�We are looking for projects that will provide practical information and resources for farmers engaged in our region,� says Program Co-Chair Jon Greenwood of Greenwood Dairy, Canton. �Our grants have supported traditional and alternative agricultural enterprises and are now available for research into new opportunities for agriculture, such as biofuel crop production.

�Our recent grants and our 2007 research priorities recognize the increasing diversity of agriculture across Northern New York. We have currently funded projects that are helping dairy and beef farmers, maple producers, and crops, fruit and vegetable growers, and we look forward to the needed and innovative ideas the next round of applications will bring,� says Program Co-Chair Joe Giroux, a Plattsburgh dairy farmer.

The Program currently has 24 projects underway, addressing alfalfa snout beetle control research; crop trials for corn, forage grasses, small grains, and organically-grown sunflowers, flax and dry beans; soil health management; agricultural environmental stewardship; and maple, meat and cold hardy grape production.

The 2007 NNYADP research priorities include current project interests plus new crops for energy production and biofuels; extending the season for production of vegetables, small fruits and other horticultural crops; variety trials for tree fruits and small fruits; and the production of straw.

Grant applications must be filed electronically on or before September 1 to Program Coordinator R. David Smith. The project grant proposal form and a complete list of research priorities are online at www.nnyagdev.org.