Farm Credit Awards Efforts to Develop and Promote Northeast Agriculture

The Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program, a joint effort of Farm Credit East, Yankee Farm Credit and CoBank, recently provided funding to 24 organizations for their efforts to support young and beginning farmer initiatives, encourage youth leadership development, and promote northeast agriculture.

Among the recipients included various programs to support youth education and recognition, including the Granite State FFA Association, the New Jersey Junior Breeders Program, the New England FFA State Officers Training, and the Northeast Youth Show Calf Summit.

Other recipients included programming to support leadership development of the industry’s next generation. Programs receiving funding include the New York Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Ranchers Leadership Conference, the Cornell Agribusiness Fellows Program, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s beginner farmer training, and the Intervale Center’s beginning farmer land access program.

Additionally, the most recent round of funding supported various programs to educate consumers and connect agricultural producers with the community. Recipients included the Harlem Grown Farm, a hydroponic greenhouse using STEM topics to educate about agriculture; the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation to host industry events to connect producers with regional buyers; and the New England Dairy and Food Council, which is working to educate students about the dairy industry.

Thirteen other organizations received grant funds for projects consistent with Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement’s mission, such as industry training programs, youth education and research initiatives.

Learn more about Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement at FarmCreditEast.com.