The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has 27 North Country farm research projects underway in 2014.

The projects serve the diverse interests of the agricultural industry of St. Lawrence, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clinton counties.

NNYADP has received $500,000 in funding in the 2013-2014 state budget through the New York State Senate with the support of NYS Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Senator Patty Ritchie, Senator Betty Little, and Senator Joe Griffo. State legislators are currently considering a request for NNYADP funding in the 2014-2015 budget.

“The state funding supports the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program research projects that connect farmers with the best academic and field experience in support of the dairy industry and crops, livestock, fresh produce and maple production,” says NNYADP Co-Chair Jon Greenwood of Madrid, St. Lawrence County.

For instance, an easy-to-implement on-farm solution for managing the highly destructive alfalfa snout beetle at low cost now appears to have potential benefits for fruit growers and other agricultural producers not only in the North Country, but statewide.

The northern New York agricultural industry contributes nearly $600 million in agricultural product value annually with a nearly $53 million farm employee payroll.

More information about the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is online at www.nnyagdev.org.

Nearly 100 farmers participate as advisory committee members or commodity-focused subcommittee members with the NNYADP.