A total of $600,000 was restored for Northern New York Agricultural Development Program to promote local agriculture, boost crop yields as part of the state budget, according to Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) and Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa).

The senator, representing the western half of St. Lawrence County including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur, said in a press release that there is “record funding for agriculture programs designed to connect consumers with locally produced farm products, increase farmers’ yields, boost rural economies and strengthen the future of family farms” in the budget being negotiated in Albany before the Wednesday deadline.

The final budget, as Ritchie reads it, adds more than $12 million to the governor’s original plan unveiled in January, restores budget cuts to 33 different programs, and includes funding for Ritchie’s “Grown in New York” plan to strengthen connections between farmers and consumers increasingly looking to buy locally produced foods.

“With more than 100,000 people working on 36,000 family farms, agriculture is our most important industry, and supporting farmers means a stronger economy for rural communities all across Upstate New York,” said Ritchie.

Also included is $650,000 more to expand the state’s “Young Farmers” program, first created by the Senate last year to encourage the next generation of new farmers.

Russell, who represents the 116th River District, which includes all towns along the Seaway including Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown and Hammond; as well as Potsdam, Canton, Rossie, Macomb and Depeyster, said “the final budget for agriculture is a great improvement compared to the initial proposal from earlier this year. I pushed for a stronger investment in agriculture so that we can continue to support valuable programs that help North Country growers and producers thrive.”

Assemblywoman Russell says she helped restore funding for agricultural programs in the state budget in order to continue the states focus on long-term economic vitality for growers and producers.

What Ritchie believes is the final budget restores funding cuts to research programs that are producing results in the form of increased yields and profits for farmers, helping to reduce pesticide use, and find ways to combat diseases. The restored funding includes $600,000 for the Northern New York Agriculture Development Program, involved in research that especially benefits dairy farmers and others in this region.

The North Country region ranks second in the state for total agricultural sales and ranks third in total regional farm acreage. Agricultural sales in New York State in 2012 totaled over $5.4 billion, a 22 percent increase from 2007, according to a recent report from the state comptroller.

Programs to help farmers market products ranging from dairy to apple, and maple syrup to award-winning New York-produced wines, among others, will benefit from new and restored budget funding, she said.

A full list of programs funded under the State Budget Agriculture plan can be found here.