News

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced that eligible applicants can now apply for the $5 million New York State Grown & Certified Agricultural Producers’ Grant Program. Funded through the 2017-18 New York State Budget, the program is part of the Regional Economic Development Councils process. It was created to assist New York State agricultural producers meet food safety standards and join the New York State Grown & Certified program. 

Western New York Beginning Farmers and Homesteaders Discussion Group

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program created the Western New York Beginning Farmers and Homesteaders group.  This Group has continued to be successful and has created an online learning community which you may join by visiting www.facebook.com/groups/wnybfah. 

In consideration of the number of Northeast farmers selling their beef product directly to the public, and those consumers being especially interested in local sourcing of their food, the national beef checkoff has just launched the Northeast Beef Directory through a partnership with the Virginia Beef Industry Council.  This new website, includes robust educational resources that inform consumers about their options for choosing beef.

The first place winner of the 2017 New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship is Carolyn Wright of Franklinville, NY.  She is a member of Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau in District 1 and will receive a $1,500 scholarship from New York Farm Bureau. Wright grew up on her family’s dairy farm and maple operation.  Recently, she was the Western New York Maple Ambassador where she spent the year promoting maple syrup. She has also been very active in FFA.