Senator Nozzolio Announces $21,075 For Agricultural Development In Ontario County

Albany – Continuing his commitment to Central-Finger Lakes Region agriculture, New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R/C-Fayette) today announced $21,075 in State funding for Cornell University at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. The grant is being awarded as part of the Grow New York Food and Agriculture Industry Development Program.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the Central-Finger Lakes economy and we must do everything possible to support efforts to enhance the industry,” said Senator Nozzolio. “Combining the agriculture industry with scientific research is helping farmers bring products to market faster, stimulating economic development and ultimately creating jobs. This funding will help maximize that potential and will help continue the cutting edge research that is being done at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva.”

The funding will allow Cornell University to conduct research on the production of premium quality cold-pressed grape seed oil from the by-product of Concord grape juice production.

The Grow New York Food and Agriculture Industry Development (FAID) Program provides up to $60,000 in matching funds to public and private agencies, organizations, businesses, educational institutions, local governments and individuals submitting proposals that capitalize on the State’s unique resources and strategic location to maximize the economic vitality of New York’s agricultural industry.

Eligible projects involve new product development; alternative production, processing, distribution and marketing methods or technologies; the introduction of new technologies; or
organizational methods that further the development of New York’s food and agricultural industry. All projects should have a time frame for completion of approximately one year or less, and should generate benefits for large numbers of producers and consumers.

FAID is part of Governor Pataki’s Grow New York initiative, which incorporates numerous programs designed to enhance the economic vitality of agriculture in New York. Over the past three years, Grow New York has provided a total of more than $3.3 million in competitive grants for nearly 200 agricultural projects including FAID, farmers’ market improvements and farmland viability.

Agriculture is one of New York’s largest and most vital industries, encompassing 25 percent of the State’s landscape and generating more than $3 billion for our economy each year. Currently, New York State has 7.6 million acres of farmland with 37,000 farms.