Funds Will Help Farms In The Southern Tier Region Study New Products & Increase Marketing Capabilities For Current Products

Statement

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $256,517 in federal funding for two farms in the Southern Tier. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Value Added Producer Grants program. Northern Timber Harvesting, LLC in Allegany County will receive $10,000 in order to complete an independent feasibility study of producing value-added wood products from raw roundwood logs. Magnale, LLC in Otsego County, also called B&B Ranch, will receive $246,517 to fund capital needs associated with processing and marketing their Piedmontese cattle, Berkshire Pigs, and Spanish Goats throughout Central New York.

"Ensuring that agriculture is able to flourish -- and the unique needs of New York agriculture are considered in federal programs -- has always been a top priority of mine," said Senator Schumer. "This direct USDA assistance will allow two farms in the Southern Tier generate increased economic revenue by bringing new products to market and studying how to expand their operations. Helping our local farms grow their business will be a win-win for our agriculture industry, Southern Tier consumers, and the entire regional economy."

"We need our farmers to thrive if we're going to have a strong and growing economy in New York," said Senator Gillibrand, first New York Senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years. "These federal funds from USDA are an investment in Central New York's agricultural industry that will help producers earn more from their crops by expanding processing and marketing opportunities which will continue to drive economic growth in the region and across the state."

Source