Agriculture Development Council (ADC)

Mission

The Agriculture Development Council (ADC) will explore, nurture, and assist the development of new and traditional practices in Agriculture for economic and traditional practices in Agriculture for economic growth in Chenango County and the surrounding region. The Council will lead, coordinate, evaluate, and pursue Agricultural activities that are diversified, profitable, and environmentally responsible.

History

The Agriculture Development Council was originally established by a Chenango County Board of Supervisors resolution in early 1996. The ADC was charged with providing direction to enhance the development of agriculture in Chenango County. All members of the ADC are volunteers who are committed to ensuring the growth of agriculture in Chenango County.

In 2001, the members of the ADC voted to align the ADC with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County. This alignment provided the ADC with a base of operations, and the opportunity to manage a small budget to provide for expenses of the ADC in undertaking its role as a facilitator for agriculture development.

Actions and Accomplishments

• The initial Raw Milk Study let to the Farmland Vitality Grant, The Chenango Area Pineapple Cheese Project, and the GROW NY Chenango Region Cheese Grant.
• Agriculture Career Awareness day at SUNY Morrisville, which showcased the diversity and quantity of career in agriculture.
• Participated in the development and implementation of the Chenango County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan.
• Sponsors Ag Day at the Fair
• Developed an area agriculture leadership program- the Agriculture Leadership Enhancement Program, which now is a stand-alone organization.
• Held Agriculture Summits I, II and III.

Micro-Grants

Micro grants of up to $500 will be available to farmers or farm businesses looking to start new ag enterprises or to market or expand existing enterprises. The purpose of the grant is to help farmers kick-start new farm ventures or expand existing ventures. This is a reimbursement grant: monies will be disbursed within 30 days after receipt of the final report (narrative, billing, and photos). Grants will be awarded based on merit and on the order of application (qualified grants will be awarded first-come-first-serve).

Eligible: Farms or ag businesses in Chenango County embarking on a new ag enterprise, or marketing or expanding an existing ag enterprise.

Ineligible: Farms outside Chenango County, farms using funds to underwrite existing operations

In order to receive funding the grant application must have the following:

A farm project in Chenango County that will strengthen the Chenango County economy

The project should be part of a larger investment made by the farmer

Note that additional supporting documentation is welcomed with your application. Please submit all applications to Rich Taber of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County at rbt44@cornell.edu

Or by mail at: Cornell Cooperative Extension, ATTN: ADC, 99 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815.

Required Project Report:

A brief project report including one paragraph written description of outcomes and copies of billing and 3 digital photographs is due within 30 days of project completion. 

Questions? Please call 607-334-5841 extension 1119 with any questions about these grants.

For the application for ANRDC Microgrants CLICK HERE!

Chenango County Producer Map

Helping people access locally grown foods and products is key to promoting local agriculture. The Chenango ADC is working on creating an interactive map of Chenango County's local agricultural producers. The map will provide potential customers with easy access to the information they need to buy local. Viewers will be able to hover over icons on the map, which correlate to a map key, and a small window will pop up with all of the producer's information. This allows customers to see phone numbers, emails, and websites if applicable. If a customer is not looking to purchase from one farm in particular and simply wants to find a location to buy farm-fresh products, all of Chenango County's local Farmer's Markets will also be placed on the map. The ADC is excited to be working on this new project and it will be coming soon! Click here to view the map!

Click HERE for the application and then once completed email it to chenango@cornell.edu to be added.

Donald Franklin Memorial Scholarship

Each year, the ADC awards $700 ($500 from ADC Council and $200 from the Franklin family) to a graduating senior pursuing a degree in an agricultural field. This scholarship is open to any student who resides in Chenango County. It is only required that the student is a resident of Chenango County, the high school they attend does not have to be in Chenango County. Scholarship checks will be awarded when grades from the first semester of college are received. 

Download and complete the application here.

All applications must be received by the last Friday of May.

Please send the completed application to:

Cornell Cooperative Extension
Attn: ADC
99 North Broad Street
Norwich, NY 13815

Or email to: chenango@cornell.edu 

For other questions, please contact Rich Taber
at rbt44@cornell.edu or (607) 334-5841 ext. 1121

Last updated September 28, 2023