New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) Awards $1 Million in Grants to Advance New York Agriculture

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Reducing inputs, improving yields, testing new production practices, and fighting pests naturally are some of the goals for the projects researchers will test in the field next year thanks to recent grant awards. The knowledge gained will help farmers across the state improve their bottom line.

The New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) Board of Directors is proud to announce it is investing $1 million in 14 projects to improve farm profitability in NY State. For this funding cycle, NYFVI received 42 applications, requesting almost $4 million.

"I was very impressed with the quality of proposals we received," said Jim Bittner, Chair of the Board of Directors of NYFVI and owner of Bittner-Singer Orchards. "The emphasis on outcomes and creating farm-level impacts was outstanding."

In order to ensure the best possible use of resources, all proposals were evaluated by NYFVI's extensive farmer review network. The volunteer board, comprised of seven farmers from across the state as well as advisors from Cornell University and SUNY Morrisville, made the final funding decisions. Project work will begin in the coming months.

"I would like to thank Governor Cuomo, the legislature, and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for entrusting us with these funds," said Bittner. "We had to make some hard choices, but I think we are investing in important work that will create true benefit for New York State agriculture."

The 14 projects selected represent a cross section of NY agriculture, with research funded in the dairy, field crop, greenhouse, hops, sod, grapes, and viticulture industries. In addition, funded economic development projects will help growers choose the most profitable farmers markets, successfully access capital in the Catskills, improve their workplace communication skills, and implement sustainable viticulture practices.

A full list of projects can be found at www.nyfvi.org.  Two highlights are:
Testing a Promising New Canopy Management Technique to Reduce Management Costs in Vineyards
A novel approach to pruning and vine management, successful in France, could save growers of Vinifera grapes in the Finger Lakes and Long Island grape regions up to $500 per acre.  But how will it affect vine size, fruit composition, wine quality, and production costs in New York?  That's what Dr. Justine Vanden Heuvel of Cornell University will receive $112,547 to find out. It's an important question, as economic analyses suggest that some Finger Lakes growers are losing up to $1,390 per acre per year.

Alfalfa-Grass Management to Maximize Milk Production from Dairy Cattle
Cornell University professor, Dr. Debbie Cherney and her team of extension educators will receive $82,388 to identify the "perfect bite" of alfalfa-grass mixtures to maximize milk yields in dairy cows. Currently about 90% of the alfalfa in NY is planted with perennial grass. Unfortunately, many of these grasses grow faster than alfalfa, leading to difficulty in timing harvest for maximum nutrition and yield. Cherney's work will test new grasses, as well as test a new tool that utilizes software to identify optimum harvest windows.

The New York Farm Viability Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and receives generous support from Governor Cuomo, the NY State Legislature, and NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Learn more about the New York Farm Viability Institute and the projects we've funded at www.nyfvi.org.

Press Contact:  Aileen Randolph (315) 453-3823 extension 102, mobile (315) 415-4426 Email

SOURCE New York Farm Viability Institute