ENFIELD, Conn. — Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program recently awarded $44,250 to 20 organizations to promote northeast agriculture, support young and beginning farmer initiatives and fund agricultural youth programs.
The program is a joint effort of Farm Credit East, Yankee Farm Credit and CoBank. Since its inception in 1996, Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement has awarded more than $1.9 million through 711 grants.
Recent grant recipients
The most recent grants highlight Farm Credit’s ongoing partnership with organizations that make a significant difference in the lives of people involved in all aspects of agriculture.
- Eastern States Future Farmers of America (FFA) Star Farmer received a $10,000 grant to support its 2017 recognition program.
- An $8,000 grant to the New Hampshire Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture will support creation of a tool kit for farmers and municipal decision-makers to foster local farm-friendly regulatory environments.
- A $5,000 grant was awarded to Cornell University Cooperative Extension to conduct the next phase of a Cornell study to determine best management practices to retain Hispanic dairy workers and the potential impacts of immigration reform on dairy farm businesses.
- The Vermont Holstein Association received a $3,000 grant to support the Northeast Youth Show Calf Summit, offering youth the opportunity to learn about selection, nutrition, health and showmanship.
- A $2,000 grant to the Granite State FFA will support recognition awards for achievement in agriculture, leadership, character and scholarship.
- The New York Holstein Association received a $2,000 grant to support the Richard Keene Memorial Dairy Judging Contest at the 2017 Spring Dairy Carousel.
- A $2,000 grant to the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network will be used to host four webinars on key farm development topics that benefit small and emerging New England farms.
- New Hampshire Ag-in-the-Classroom received a $1,500 grant to create a comprehensive educational maple production curriculum for students.
- A $1,000 grant to the Glynwood Center will support training and development of new Hudson Valley farmers.
- Gulf of Maine Research Institute received a $1,000 grant to identify strategies and develop initiatives to create a vibrant and robust aquaculture industry.
- Historic New England will use its $1,000 grant to develop short films on the critical role of the Grange in the Northeast’s rural heritage and to foster new connections between granges, local farmers and communities.
- A $1,000 grant to the Intervale Center will support beginning farmer and land access programs.
- Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners’ Association received a $1,000 grant to support next generation farmer training on building farm and food processing businesses.
- A $1,000 grant to the New Jersey Junior Breeder Loan Program will support a symposium for young farmers on the future of animal agriculture, biosecurity and farm safety.
- New York Farm Bureau received a $1,000 grant to support its Celebration of Agriculture Conference for grassroots leaders.
- New York Guernsey Breeders’ Association received a $1,000 grant to support the 2017 National Guernsey Convention in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
- A $1,000 grant to UMaine Cooperative Extension will support the development of educational materials on child safety for farm families.
- Central New York’s Fiber Artists and Producers, Inc., Frost Valley YMCA Farm Camp and Mill City Grows Inc. also received funding to support their programs.
Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program
- Created: 1996
- Total grant dollars since 1996: $1,943,113
- Total projects supported: 711
- Proposal submission dates: April 1, August 1, December 1
- Contact: Jill Eyre, Farm Credit East, 615 Minot Avenue, Auburn, Maine 04210
- Phone: 800.831.4230
- Send funding proposals to: AgEnhancement@FarmCreditEast.com
- For more information: FarmCreditEast.com/Industry-Support.aspx
—Farm Credit East
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