FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2004
SCHUMER: $15,000 COMING TO SCHOHARIE COUNTY COOPERATIVE
DAIRIES
Schumer announces that USDA Rural Development has approved
$15,000 in federal funds for the Schoharie County Cooperative Dairies
Schumer: Federal grant will help Schoharie County Cooperative Dairies
establish a diary processing facility in Schoharie County; Senator
encourages New York farmers to take advantage of grant program
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced $15,000 in federal
funds for Schoharie County Cooperative Dairies to help establish
a dairy processing facility in Schoharie County. The funds are being
awarded through USDA's Rural Development program as a Value-Added
Agricultural Product Market Development Grant (VAPG).
"This funding will really put the wheels in motion for Schoharie
County Cooperative Dairies," Schumer said. "By providing
funding to develop a comprehensive business and marketing plan,
this grant brings the possibility of a dairy processing facility
in Schoharie County one step closer to reality. That's good news
for dairy farmers and good news for the area economy."
Back in April, Schumer urged farmers throughout New York State
to apply for the Value-Added Producer Grants. The grants offer funding
to support the development of value-added projects such as producing
vegetables organically and processing wheat into flour, important
for the generation of jobs and additional income for producers.
The competitive program provides up to $500,000 per eligible applicant
for proposals that seek to fund one of the following two activities:
development of feasibility studies or business plans (including
marketing plans or other planning activities) needed to establish
a viable value-added marketing opportunity for an agricultural product;
or acquiring working capital to operate a value-added business venture
or an alliance that will allow the producers to better compete in
domestic and international markets.
Schumer encouraged all interested New York farmers to apply for
the program. "This really is a great opportunity for New York
State farmers and it's time to take advantage," Schumer said."
The funding is out there and I encourage all New York farmers to
apply and benefit from this program."
New York’s farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural producer
groups were awarded $534,335 under the program this year. The VAPG
Program was authorized by the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of
2000 and was amended by the 2002 Farm Bill.
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