The New York Farm Viability Institute announced the award of $1 million in funding for 14 projects that aim to help farmers across the state improve their bottom line by reducing inputs, improving yields, testing new production practices, and fighting pests naturally.
One of the highlighted projects is 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.
Other projects of horticultural interest include:
- Effective aphid management in greenhouse crops by optimizing biological control and nutrient inputs (Neil Mattson, Cornell University)
- Promoting Participation in the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing Program (Bedell Cellars)
- Defining Farmers Market Benchmarks to Improve Producer Profits (Farmers Market Federation of NY)
- Improving Crop Quality and Production Capacity for NYS Hop Growers (Steve Miller, Madison County CCE)
View full list of funded projects.
The Institute also announced the opening of its 2015 competitive grants program. Application deadline is November 16, 2014. More information.