Letter to Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture - Federal Funding for New York Hops Farmers

Letter

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by The Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) for $34,000 in funding through the USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RGEC) program. Such funding will enable FLEDC to purchase hops processing equipment and a shared hops harvester to benefit several local hops farmers. I appreciated your diligent response to my letter in July 2013 when I requesting USDA explore every option to help New York's hops growers access the capital necessary to get this budding industry up and running across the Finger Lakes region. Indeed the FLEDC's application is a direct result of our efforts to help this industry identify and then pursue available federal assistance.

New York State was once the national leader in hops production for US beer producers, but experienced a drop in production due to a combination of factors like blight and competition. New York is now experiencing a resurgence in hop production, and the Finger Lakes region is well-positioned to lead this renaissance. The hop industry in New York has grown rapidly, and the number of breweries is expected to increase since the enactment of the NY Farm Brewery Law, which requires participating breweries to use local hops and barley. There are many craft breweries springing up across the region that would benefit from local hops suppliers. The development of a vibrant hops-growing industry in the area will boost tourism.

With funding, FLEDC will purchase hops harvesting equipment which is essential to efficient and profitable harvesting. The harvester will be available for any Yates County grower to use which is important since many hops farms are start-up operations that lack the capital resources to afford the significant upfront costs required to purchase expensive equipment like a harvester. Providing custom harvesting and processing of hops in the region is an integral part of providing quality hops to brewers in New York and to allow New York's nascent hops farms to take full root and grow. Mechanical harvesters are necessary if the hop industry in New York is to prosper, as hand picking of hops is not cost effective. Federal funding will help grow Finger Lakes hops production during a critical time and establish the region as a leading hops producer for craft brewers in New York and neighboring states, and I applaud FLEDC for its foresight. I sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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