NY Farm Viability board members return to office in difficult budget year
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
The New York Farm Viability Institute board of directors returned its officers and members to one-year terms at the board’s annual organizational meeting, held on March 24th in Syracuse.
John Lincoln, a dairy farmer from Bloomfield and past-president of New York Farm Bureau, was re-elected chairperson of the Institute’s board of directors.
Seven farmer-driven organizations representing the diversity of New York agriculture each nominate a representative to the NY Farm Viability Institute board, annually. The board elects its own officers.
Each year, the board directors award grants to applied research and outreach education projects that work with farmers to improve profitability and develop models for all farms. Since 2005, the Institute awarded more than $15 million to provide farmers with business planning services, access to food scientists to develop shelf-stable products made from farm produce, test new plant varieties, reduce fertilizer use, promote animal well-being, and more.
“Many of us from agricultural groups felt it was important to have some continuity to see NY Farm Viability Institute through this difficult year for so many New York agricultural programs,” said Lincoln, who operates Linholm Dairy.
On April 1 the Institute suspended project operations, in response to a state budget proposal that dramatically reduced funding to the Institute. The proposal from the governor’s office provided no new funds for the Institute in 2010-‘11, and failed to re-appropriate funds awarded in previous years that are funding more than 100 ongoing projects.
Since 2005, the Institute received annual appropriations from the state legislature and Department of Agriculture and Markets, ranging from $2 million to $5 million. The legislature is reportedly drafting revisions to the governor’s proposed budget.
“We are hopeful that state funding to the NY Farm Viability Institute is restored, and soon, so we can get on with this important work that keeps New York among the top agricultural production states in this country,” Lincoln said.
The Institute’s unique program selection model puts all grant proposals before review panels comprised of farmers who rank ideas based on likelihood for success and the urgency of the idea in meeting a need or opportunity for farming, including bioenergy, crops and forage, dairy, equine, fruit, green industry, livestock, maple, and vegetables. The Institute works to direct state dollars where they are needed the most and can help farmers remain competitive, representatives said.
To date, 82 Institute-funded projects have completed. According to final reports, those projects worked with 2,118 farmers, and led to $26 million in new sales, $10 million in reduced farm costs, and $14 million in capital investments. In other words, the $7 million in grants brought about $50 million in annual economic impact at the farm.
In addition, farms created 230 jobs.
Other officers returned to office included Jim Bittner of Appleton, who was re-elected vice chairperson. Bittner is president of the New York State Horticultural Society and operator of Singer Fruit Farm.
Dave Wood of West Charlton was re-elected secretary/treasurer. Wood, who is also the chair of New York Farm Viability Institute Dairy Committee, operates Eildon Tweed dairy farm.
Larry Eckhardt, past president of the New York State Vegetable Growers Association, operates Kinderhook Creek Farm in Stephentown.
Steve Griffen, a member of the Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations, operates Saratoga Sod in Stillwater.
Ron Robbins, a member of the New York Corn Growers, operates North Harbor Dairy in Sackets Harbor.
Ted Stetler, a member of the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association, operates Marcellus Nursery.
Three non-voting advisors also serve on the board of directors. Jerry Cosgrove is deputy commissioner of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. Michael Hoffmann, is director of the Cornell Agricultural Research Station, and represents Cornell University and Cooperative Extension. Jim Van Riper is vice president for academic affairs at Morrisville State College, and represents the State University of New York agricultural colleges.
