X

Ritchie: St. Lawrence County farmers could reap benefit from enhanced ag spending in state budget

Posted 4/14/17

St. Lawrence County farmers could benefit from $51 million in agriculture funding included in the 2017-18 state budget, says Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton. Ritchie is announcing the item in the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Ritchie: St. Lawrence County farmers could reap benefit from enhanced ag spending in state budget

Posted

St. Lawrence County farmers could benefit from $51 million in agriculture funding included in the 2017-18 state budget, says Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

Ritchie is announcing the item in the spending plan includes for the third straight year “record funding for agriculture,” she said.

Included in the spending plan is $51 million—which includes $10 million in restored cuts made in the Executive Budget proposal—that will help support dozens of programs farmers depend on, as well as launch new initiatives designed to strengthen the connection between consumers and local foods.

The 2017-2018 state budget includes funding for programs spearheaded by Ritchie to bolster agriculture across the state. One such program is a new “F.A.R.M. Camp,” or Future Agriculture Readiness Marketing Camp. Offered once yearly to a select group of successful farmer-applicants, this camp will expose selectees to several of the best agriculture programs in the state. Each participant will have access to information and tools to help develop their businesses. An exclusive group of graduates from the program will also be granted additional aid in the form of grant funds to help them make their marketing plan a reality, Ritchie said.

In an effort to encourage younger people to take up careers in agriculture, the state budget also includes special funding to establish a “Seeds of Success” award. This new program will help showcase New York school gardens.

The new spending plan also includes $1 million for a fourth round of the “Beginning Farmers” grants, which encourage young people to pursue careers in farming. Through the program, successful applicants receive up to $50,000 in funding to assist with the purchase of land, buildings, tools and more farming necessities.

Other items in the 2017-2018 state budget that Ritchie considers highlights include:

-Restoration of funding for numerous agriculture programs designed to support education, marketing, research and more, including New York State Maple Producers, Tractor Rollover Protection, FarmNet, Apple Growers Association and dozens of others

-New state funding for New York Brewers, Distillers Guild and Cider Association

-Continued support St. Lawrence County’s North Country Agriculture Academy, which helps to expose young people to future careers in farming

-Funding for school-based FFA programs, with help students learn vital agriculture and leadership skills

-Funding to establish a “Farm-to-Table Trail,” which will help consumers more easily locate local food and drink, as well as boost the bottom lines of farmers

“As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am thrilled that once again this year the state budget includes record funding for New York’s leading industry,” Ritchie said in a prepared statement. “Our state’s farmers have extremely demanding—and important—jobs. This vital support will ensure they have the ability to succeed, and at the same time, encourage the next generation of farmers to follow in their footsteps.”