Farm Credit Awards Efforts to Develop and Promote Northeast Agriculture

September 21, 2020

The Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program, a joint effort of Farm Credit East, Yankee Farm Credit and CoBank, recently provided $60,550 in grant funding to 19 organizations to assist their efforts to support young and beginning farmer initiatives, encourage youth leadership development, and promote northeast agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing.

The most recent grant funding supported projects and programs that enhance agricultural education and food security programs, conduct research to enhance the industry, educate consumers and community leaders, recognize industry leaders, and support producer training and development.

Recipients implementing projects to develop the next generation of producers include the New York State Junior Holstein Association, Sackets Harbor Ag Education and Awareness Center and New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom. Several of the youth and beginning farmer development programs, including KNOX Inc., The Campaign Against Hunger, The Horticultural Society of New York and U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants FARM program, aim to include a more diverse group of individuals than have traditionally been involved in agriculture.

Cornell University Agricultural Workforce Development plans to use funding for research and extension education on agricultural labor issues, while New York FarmNet plans to use funding in part for outreach to underserved communities. Farm Commons will use funds to develop producer workforce management training materials, while the Food Shed Alliance and Connecticut Farmland Trust plan to use grant funds to preserve and help farmers obtain farmland.

Additionally, America’s Gleaned Seafood, The FarmLink Project, New York Restoration Project and Mill City Grows aim to use grant awards to improve food security in the Northeast by connecting at risk populations with local producers, and the New York State Agricultural Society will use its grant to recognize Century Farms at its Annual Forum.

The Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program was created in 1996 to support projects that promote and enhance the region’s agricultural community. Since inception, the program has provided more than $2.5 million in grant funding to over 900 projects. Submissions for the next round of grant funding are due by December 1. Visit FarmCreditEast.com/AgEnhancement to learn more.