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Senator Bruno is joined by Senators George Maziarz and Nancy Larraine Hoffmann along with a group of Upstate farmers at a press conference announcing new grants from the Senate�s Agritourism and Education Program. |
Regional Program to Expand Statewide
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann (R, Syracuse) today announced that 20 farmers in Upstate New York will receive a total of more than $300,000 in grants to help make their farms an educational tourist attraction. The funds come from the Senate�s Agritourism and Education Program. In addition, $1 million was secured in the 2002-03 budget to expand the program, which initially focuses on farms in the Central New York Region, statewide.
"The Agritourism and Education Program will give people, particularly from suburban and urban areas, a unique opportunity to learn about the daily challenges of running a farm," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "These grants give farmers the resources they need to accommodate visitors for a brief stop or even an extended stay and I applaud Senator Hoffmann for her efforts to develop this program."
"The Central New York Agritourism and Education Program is an exciting chance to build on two of our state�s economic strongholds," said Senator Hoffmann, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and member of the Senate Tourism Committee. "We�re combining New York�s number one industry, agriculture, with New York�s number two industry, tourism. We�re creating an opportunity for Empire State farmers to promote their operations and we�re attracting travelers to visit some of the most beautiful countryside in the United States."
Farmers from Onondaga, Oneida, Madison, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties were invited to submit grant applications on how they could make their farms into an educational tourist attraction. The Central New York pilot program is being expanded throughout the state.
"This is a tremendous initiative that links the bounty of New York Agriculture to tourism so that both are strengthened," said Senator James L. Seward (R, C-Oneonta). "Our producers will benefit from additional sales and increased demand for their products and tourism will be boosted as people seek specific locations to visit and enjoy. I commend Senator Hoffmann for �thinking outside the box� and developing a pilot program with great potential for helping our farm economy."
"I am pleased to have helped promote this union of agriculture and tourism," said Senator John A. DeFrancisco, Chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee. "I am also proud of the farmers, including the three in my district, who have received grants that are being announced today."
"This program will provide an excellent opportunity for individuals across New York State to become educated in the workings of the farming industry," said Senator Raymond A. Meier (R-C, Western). "It is a great example of two of New York State�s most important industries, Agriculture and Tourism, complementing one another."
"I�m proud to join my Senate colleagues in announcing these grants to help our farmers share their rich history and vital industry with others who visit Central New York," said Senator Thomas W. Libous (R-C, Binghamton). "With this support, Kutik�s Honey Farm will become an even better place to watch nature create some of its tastiest treats."
"This award will allow our farm to accommodate visitor requests for modern restroom facilities and enable us to expand into the motorcoach tour market," said Bill Michaels of Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard in Otsego County. "Without the help from this grant we would not be able to undertake such a capital investment. Through the initiative of Senators Hoffmann and Seward, Central New York�s farming community will have the opportunity to expand into the growing tourism industry therefore continuing New York�s proud agricultural heritage."
Almost 400 people expressed interest in the program. Requirements for documentation and the initial review process cut that number to 45 formal applications. A nine member screening committee sifted through those applications and selected 20 grant recipients. The grants range from $1,000 to $40,000 for a total of $300,050. The next round of grant applications, to begin shortly, will expand the number of counties involved under the Upstate Agritourism and Education Program and will total one-million dollars.
There are three grant options:
STOP AND LOOK - awards up to $10,000 for creation of signs, parking areas, benches, fences, etc, to encourage sightseeing;
STOP AND VISIT - awards up to $25,000 which would help fund rest rooms, school bus turnarounds, liability insurance to spur more formal tourist visits; and
STOP AND STAY - awards up to $50,000 for farmers seeking to provide overnight tourist accommodations such as a bed and breakfast, elder and youth hostels and dormitories.
In addition to the specific developments at each site, the Agritourism Project will be supported by an Internet site, a trail map, road signs, advertising kiosks on the New York State Thruway, promotion through local, county, and state tourism programs, and advertising through a wide variety of agricultural trade associations.
"School teachers are hungry for wholesome locations where students can visit and develop an appreciation of nature," added Senator Hoffmann. "The sites can provide lessons on biology, seasonal change, and the hard work required to produce our food supply -- which is often taken for granted. The 9/11 tragedy has heightened everyone�s awareness of the need to preserve New York�s many resources, including our food supply. The farm family work ethic holds many valuable lessons."
The grant recipients are:
Madison County Hops Tour, Morrisville
$25,000 Driving Tour
Many Maples, Georgetown, Madison County
$21,520 Dairy and Maple Products Operation
Critz Farms, Cazenovia, Madison County
$9,813 Sod, Christmas trees, Maple & Agritainment
Osborne Family Farm, Sharon Springs, Schoharie County
$10,000 Dairy, Pumpkins & Mums
Hourigann�s Dairy Farm, Elbridge, Onondaga County
$6,226 Dairy & Crops
Gallagher�s Farm, Sangerfield, Oneida County
$22,000 Dairy, Pumpkins & Vegetables
On the Farm Discovery Center, Skaneatles, Onondaga County
$5,000 Dairy, Educational
Edgecort Farm, Cortland, Cortland County
$19,500 Horse
Alpacas of Pleasant Valley, Morrisville, Madison County
$3,000 Alpacas
Abbott Farms, Baldwinsville, Onondaga County
$24,996 Vegetables, Orchards, Field Crops
Fly Creek Cider Mill Orchard, Fly Creek, Otsego County
$12,500 Apples/Cider and Poultry Display
The Preserve, Smyrna, Chenango County
$40,000 Angus Beef, Rare Breeds (log bed and breakfast)
Wellington Herbs & Spices, Schoharie, Schoharie County
$6,000 Herbs/Spices Horticulture
Vernon,Verona, Sherrill Schools Maple Enterprises, Verona, Oneida County
$17,235 Maple Products
Kutik�s Honey Farm, Norwich, Chenango County
$12,500 Bees (media room and equipment)
Lamplit Farm, Chittenango, Madison County
$19,259 Draft Horse Wagon Rides
Deerefield Farms, Cortland, Cortland County
$22,000 Pumpkin, Hay, Agritainment
Bloomers Professional Gardeners, Jamesville, Onondaga County
$12,500 Greenhouse Gardening
Mosher Farms, Bouckville, Madison County
$1,000 Vegetable Stand
Carrot Barn, Schoharie Valley, Schoharie County
$10,000 Vegetables
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