COBLESKILL, N.Y. — The First Annual Empire State Entrepreneur Expo, presented by the Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill, was held May 12, featuring 25 regional vendors showcasing more than 85 products ranging from beverages to dairy products, meats to maple, and more. The Institute welcomed over 100 attendees to campus to taste, try, and buy the products.
Distributors were also invited to attend the event, giving producers the opportunity to explore possible partnerships and reach a wider customer base. Guests were able to rate their favorite products, with awards presented to the most exceptional producers at the conclusion of the event.
Best in Show: Bee Hollow Farm
Best Beverage Product: B-Blossom Catering
Best Confectionary Product: Vêsucré
Best Dairy Product: SUNY Cobleskill Dairy Processing Center
Best Fruit Product: B & B Well
Best Grain Product: New Moon Farmstead
Best Health and Beauty Product: B & B Well
Best Honey Product: Bee Hollow Farm
Best Maple Product: Fieldridge Farms
Best Meat Product: Old Homestead Farm & Beers and Steers Tavern
Best Technology Product: GrownBy
Best Vegetable Product: B-Blossom Catering
The Institute for Rural Vitality would like to thank SUNY Cobleskill for its support as well as President Marion A. Terenzio and Provost Dr. Susan J. Zimmermann for their personal support of the event. Additionally, the Institute would like to thank Richard Ball, Commissioner of New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, for his support and attendance.
About the Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill:
The Institute for Rural Vitality addresses the region’s most pressing issues to develop and enact sustainable solutions to enhance community and economic vitality in rural New York. It supports research opportunities for faculty and students as well as internships and applied learning opportunities. Since its inception in 2018, the Institute has served 578 farms and food businesses and has assisted 21 beginning farmers in entering the local and regional food market. Through this support, entrepreneurs have been assisted in the development of 46 unique business plans and 60 distinctive marketing plans. Visit www.cobleskill.
–Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill