Via Cathy Heidenreich, extension berry specialist:
Find an application for funds to increase the cooling capacity on your farm or to/from market here.
The goal of this project is to decrease farm waste, expand product shelf-life, product quality, food safety, and profitability on farms in NY. These dollars have been allocated to improve agriculture and farm economies, hence the questions on the size and economic impact of your farm. Funding has been received from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets as part of the regional economic development councils. This is a state project that is being coordinated through CCE Wayne. Application deadline is June 14, 2013.
Products to be considered include (but not strictly limited to), in no particular order:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Meats
- Cheese & eggs
- Flowers
Farms that will be considered:
- Those with NO cooling currently available for products
- Farms with inefficient or outdated cooling systems
- Those with some cooling space but a need for more cooling space
- Those who have adequate on-farm cooling or freezing and need cooled transportation
Fund Disbursement:
This is a 50/50 match program up to $3000. Farmers will need to expend for the project before they are reimbursed. Maximum reimbursement is 50% of the costs of the project up to $3000. This is designed for maximum impact across the state. No funds can be spent before acceptance of the application.
Application Process:
- Fill out the application with as much detail as possible.
- Avoid leaving blanks.
- Help is available as you work through the application. Please contact one of the extension educators, as indicated.
- One your application has been accepted, you will be contacted by one of the extension educators indicated.
Priorities for Funding, in order of importance:
- Those who currently have NO refrigeration but have perishable products
- Cost share ratio
- Fuel source/efficiency/environmental impact
- Best return/impact per grant dollar
- Numbers of workers employed – FTEs
See contact info for extension specialists that can help you with this application below. All applications need to be returned to: Cooling Project, CCE Wayne, 1581 Rte 88N, Newark, NY 14513 or emailed to wayne@cornell.edu. Overall questions about the project can be directed to Beth Claypoole, Executive Director CCE Wayne County, 315-331-8415.
For Growers in ENY/Capital District:
Sandy Buxton, Extension Educator
Farm Business Management
Capital Area Ag & Hort Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension
phone – 518-746-2560 800-548-0881
Cell – 518-380-1498
sab22@cornell.edu
For growers in the Hudson Valley:
Maire Ullrich
Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Orange County
18 Seward Ave., 3rd. Floor, Middletown, NY 10940
845-344-1234
845-343-7471 (f)
mru2@cornell.edu
For Vegetable Growers in Western and Central NY:
Robert Hadad
Cornell Vegetable Program Fresh Market Specialist
4487 Lake Ave.
Lockport, NY 14094
rgh26@cornell.edu
585-739-4065
For Tree Fruit & Berry Growers in Western & Central NY:
Craig Kahlke Area Extension Educator Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cell: 585-735-5448
Email: cjk37@cornell.edu
www.fruit.cornell.edu/lof