BINGHAMTON – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County and Cornell’s Stocker Cattle Initiative will share the first surge of funding through New York’s $5 million Southern Tier Agricultural Industry Enhancement program.

It was announced Thursday that more than $1.1 million in state grants will be awarded in the Southern Tier – $500,000 to the Cooperative Extension for a one-stop Ag Development Center and a Taste NY Market in Broome County; and $627,055 for the Stocker Cattle Initiative for training and research.

Both projects intend to provide education and training to farmers, support farms’ expansion and diversification, and improve economic viability in the region.

The $5 million Southern Tier Ag Industry Enhancement Program was incorporated in the 2015-16 state budget. It is part of the state’s larger $30 million Southern Tier Agricultural Industry Enhancement Program that funds ag-related industries in Chenango, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Alleghany, Steuben, Schuyler, Thompkins, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, and Delaware counties.

In a statement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said funds awarded to the Southern Tier is a shot in the arm for the region’s ag industry.