Ag council reviews programs
NORWICH – County planners tapped a set aside pool of economic promotion and development funds again this week by awarding the Chenango County Agriculture Development Council $4,150.
Council Chairperson J. Rebecca Hargrave made the budget request in order to fund programs in 2007. Council activities include awarding individual farms microgrants for promotional purposes, agricultural events at the Chenango County Fair and professional improvement conference sponsorships.
Last year, $200 mini-grants were awarded to five area farms: Herm N’ Dell Greenhouse, Plymouth; Country Morning Maple Products, Columbus; Warm Wind Farms, Coventry; Antique Valley Jerseys, Greene; and Promised Land Farm, New Berlin. Most of the funds were used to purchase signage directing traffic to the farms as well as direct marketing brochures and business cards.
Also in 2006, the council surveyed livestock producers to determine the need for a slaughterhouse in Chenango County. One hundred and seventy surveys were mailed and about 80 returned, mostly from farmers in Greene, Sherburne, Oxford and Guilford. The majority were beef producers, followed by dairy, sheep/lamb, poultry, swine and goats.
The numbers collected point to a total increase of 378 percent for all livestock production within the next five years. Nearly half of those raising beefers, which represented the majority of farms responding, stated they expected an increase in production within the same time period. Beef livestock production has a total expected increase of 168 percent.
“It was exciting to see that the outlook for livestock is good,” Hargrave told the committee.
The majority of producers currently use a custom slaughterhouse, while 39 percent use a U.S.D.A. inspected facility. However, 48 percent said they would use a U.S.D.A. inspected facility if one were available within 40 miles.
“That seems to be a fairly reasonable distance to travel,” Hargrave said.
Supervisor Jerry L. Kreiner, R-Plymouth, asked Hargrave what had kept a slaughterhouse business proposed for the county a few years ago from opening. Hargrave said the business, located on state Rte. 12 South between Oxford and Greene was “on hold.”
“The funding did not work out for him,” she said.
The Ag Development Council also receives funding for programs from the Appalachian Regional Commission and other state and federal granting agencies.
The standing committee last month awarded Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin $50,000 for engineering studies for an upcoming $13 million building project. Taxpayers contribute $90,000 annually to the economic development fund.
Natoli said she would like to see “as many (entities) as possible” apply for the fund. “I’d like to draw it down to zero every year,” she said.
Council Chairperson J. Rebecca Hargrave made the budget request in order to fund programs in 2007. Council activities include awarding individual farms microgrants for promotional purposes, agricultural events at the Chenango County Fair and professional improvement conference sponsorships.
Last year, $200 mini-grants were awarded to five area farms: Herm N’ Dell Greenhouse, Plymouth; Country Morning Maple Products, Columbus; Warm Wind Farms, Coventry; Antique Valley Jerseys, Greene; and Promised Land Farm, New Berlin. Most of the funds were used to purchase signage directing traffic to the farms as well as direct marketing brochures and business cards.
Also in 2006, the council surveyed livestock producers to determine the need for a slaughterhouse in Chenango County. One hundred and seventy surveys were mailed and about 80 returned, mostly from farmers in Greene, Sherburne, Oxford and Guilford. The majority were beef producers, followed by dairy, sheep/lamb, poultry, swine and goats.
The numbers collected point to a total increase of 378 percent for all livestock production within the next five years. Nearly half of those raising beefers, which represented the majority of farms responding, stated they expected an increase in production within the same time period. Beef livestock production has a total expected increase of 168 percent.
“It was exciting to see that the outlook for livestock is good,” Hargrave told the committee.
The majority of producers currently use a custom slaughterhouse, while 39 percent use a U.S.D.A. inspected facility. However, 48 percent said they would use a U.S.D.A. inspected facility if one were available within 40 miles.
“That seems to be a fairly reasonable distance to travel,” Hargrave said.
Supervisor Jerry L. Kreiner, R-Plymouth, asked Hargrave what had kept a slaughterhouse business proposed for the county a few years ago from opening. Hargrave said the business, located on state Rte. 12 South between Oxford and Greene was “on hold.”
“The funding did not work out for him,” she said.
The Ag Development Council also receives funding for programs from the Appalachian Regional Commission and other state and federal granting agencies.
The standing committee last month awarded Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin $50,000 for engineering studies for an upcoming $13 million building project. Taxpayers contribute $90,000 annually to the economic development fund.
Natoli said she would like to see “as many (entities) as possible” apply for the fund. “I’d like to draw it down to zero every year,” she said.
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