Federal Funds to Advance Specialty Crop Program

Statement

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $6,129,896 in federal funding for Cornell University. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to advance and support research and programs that help support specialty crop growers, including locally grown fruits and vegetables, through research and programs to help increase demand. Cornell University's Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will receive $4,478,345 in new funding and $1,651,551 in continued funding. The project focuses on increasing precision of agriculture technology to the juice, wine, raisin, and table grape industries in the U.S.

Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will focus on research to develop and implement digital mapping technology that allows farmers and vineyard managers to identify the unique conditions within their vineyards to enhance their ability to predict crop size, yield, and quality.

"New York produces a wide range of specialty crops, from fruits and vegetables, to maple syrup and Christmas trees. All of these crops rank highly nationwide in terms of both production and economic value, and I am proud to announce that this federal USDA funding will help bolster this industry by supporting research and development at Cornell University, as well as programs that aim to increase production and distribution tools for our farmers," said Senator Schumer. "Ensuring that agriculture is able to flourish and that the unique needs of New York are considered in federal programs has always been a top priority of mine."

"We have cutting edge agricultural research occurring at Cornell University and this grant through the USDA allows researchers to help farmers, producers and local businesses optimize each harvest of crops," said Senator Gillibrand, the first New York Senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years. "This critical investment recognizes the key role New York agriculture continues to play in the industry and the nation's economy."

Source