Program Facts and History

Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Fact Sheet

Q: What is the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP)?
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a farmer-driven initiative to ensure the long term economic vitality of Northern NY’s agricultural production sector and agriculture’s important contributions to the protection and enhancement of the region’s environment and rich natural resource base and to communities in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Who is the NNYADP?
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is farmer-driven. A farmer panel with representatives from each of the region’s six counties oversees program direction. Farmer panels identify and prioritize the challenges and opportunities that face Northern NY’s agricultural sector and select and oversee research, education and technical assistance projects that can be practically applied for the benefit of farms across the region.

What is the focus of the NNYADP?
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program focuses on practical research, education and technical assistance that support farms, agricultural businesses and the communities in which they reside across New York’s North Country (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.)

What types of research, education and technical assistance projects are being conducted by the NNYADP?
Northern New York Agricultural Development Program projects span the diversity of farming enterprises that characterize the region: dairy, meat animals, fruit, vegetable, ornamentals, greenhouse and maple production. The projects focus on production practices, business planning and analysis, marketing, value-added enterprises, environmental protections, crop variety trials, the development of new production enterprises and other areas of interest and need to NNY farmers.

How is NNYADP funded?
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program grants program is supported by funds from the NYS Senate through the long term leadership of Senators James W. Wright and Elizabeth O’C. Little, and with the support of other Senators and NYS Assemblypersons from the region and other areas of the state.

The program receives support (funds, time, land, expertise, etc.) from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, the six Northern New York Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations, the W. H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, cooperating farms, agribusinesses across the region, and others.

How do I learn more about NNYADP?
For more information about the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program contact:

Program Co-Chairs
Jon Greenwood, 315-386-3231
Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523

Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office

R. David Smith at Cornell University, 607-255-7286

Program History

Dr. Robert F. Lucey (1926-2004)

Dr. Robert F. Lucey founded the Northern New York agricultural research program that has since been named the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP).

In the 1960s, Dr. Lucey had a vision of Northern New York as an agricultural production powerhouse. In 1961, Dr. Lucey prompted the New York State Legislature to appropriate funds to Cornell University to establish a research station at the State University of New York Agricultural and Technical College at Canton. Dr. Lucey established strong working relationships with that college and with the William H. Miner Agricultural Institute in Chazy, NY, and the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm in Essex County. He connected researchers, students, farmers and Extension educators for the task of evaluating the Northern New York factors that affect dairy farming and field crops.

Bob Lucey was a man who could see fifty years ahead of his time. He had the foresight to see the opportunities and the research needed to move agriculture in Northern New York forward into the 21st century, says Jefferson County beef farmer and NNYADP committeeman Don Holman.

The goal behind Bob Lucey's program was to find the right crops to fit the Northern New York climate, soils and harsh winters. Bob's work was instrumental in improving plant genetics and crop selection to make farming viable in Northern New York, says dairyman and NNYADP committee member Bob Andrews.

Dr. Lucey helped make this region a focus area for Cornell by opening a revenue stream in support of regional research, says Town of Lowville Supervisor and NNYADP committeman Arleigh Rice.

NNYADP committee member Frances Moore worked with Dr. Lucey on variety trials on her Franklin County farm. She says, I think he would be pleased to see the continuing support between the college and the local farmers.

St. Lawrence County Extension Field Crops Educator Peter Barney says Dr. Lucey earned farmers' respect with his practical approach, and by being a good listener and a concerned researcher who spent a lot of time in the North Country regularly checking his test plots.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program received its name in 1982. Dr. Lucey had established a program advisory committee of the region's farmers, agricultural leaders and educators. Today, the Program remains farmer-driven and current projects include research of dairying; raising beef, vegetables and organic crops; product marketing, and applying technology.

Dr. Robert F. Lucey died May 7, 2004, leaving behind eight children, 11 grandchildren and a legacy of vision and success for NNY agriculture.