FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2004

SCHUMER: $20,000 COMING TO UPSTATE FARMS

Schumer announces that USDA Rural Development has approved $20,000 in federal funds for Upstate Farms

Schumer: Federal grant will help Upstate Farms identify new whey markets; Senator encourages New York farmers to take advantage of grant program

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced $20,000 in federal funds for Upstate Farms to help identify new whey markets. The funds are being awarded through USDA's Rural Development program as a Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grant (VAPG).

"This is exciting news for Upstate Farms," Schumer said. "By providing funding to help identify new whey markets, this grant gives Upstate Farms the opportunity to expand it business and bring more quality products to consumers. That's good news for Upstate Farms 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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