Senator Young’s Efforts For Grape Research Lab Take Shape

Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C-Olean) recently attended a special groundbreaking for the new Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland. Senator Young had announced that she was able to secure $5.36 million in the budget passed by the State Legislature for the Fredonia Vineyard Lab in 2006.

"Cornell University has provided premier research and services through the Vineyard Lab for many years, not only to local farmers, but to growers across the State and the Great Lakes region. Necessary upgrades to the facility have been stalled for quite a while, but I was able to have the funding included in this year’s budget so we can get improvements underway," Senator Young said.

"Wine and grapes are a growth industry in New York State. Last year, it had a $6 billion impact on our state’s economy. In our region, it boosts tourism and the economy in general," she said. "Our focus is to continue to do the right thing and to pull people together to support it. I
believe agriculture, together with tourism, will be the two economic engines that will help the growth of this area."

"The experiments and research at the Vineyard Lab are invaluable. Annual savings to grape growers through integrated pest management advancements are $1.4 million, and the yearly increase in farm income from improvements in vineyard management practices are $5 million. Science-based production, management and marketing techniques are needed for industry competitiveness in an increasingly global marketplace," Senator Young said.