High Tunnel

Extension Awarded USDA Rural Business Development Grant

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Awarded Technical Assistance Grant to Support Area Producers and Food-Businesses

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County has been awarded $71,760 in federal funds for its Local Foods Initiative proposal through the USDA Rural Business Development Grant. This funding is matched with Extension resources to create a total program budget of $144,038 dedicated to serving the emerging value-added sector in St. Lawrence County. The Local Foods Initiative will provide tools for producers and food-businesses to enhance their skills and increase their profit margins through innovative instruction in value-added production (of produce and livestock), business development, food safety and marketing strategy. The programming will incorporate the newly completed Harvest Kitchen at the Extension Learning Farm. This commercial kitchen is available for rent by area producers and food businesses.

Programming will include speakers, hands-on workshops and panels designed to enhance the viability of our St. Lawrence County food-business and agricultural community. Workshops will begin later this year and run through 2018. Details will be posted on stlawrence.cce.cornell.edu, however interested producers may contact Maria Flip Filippi, Local Foods Program Leader, at 315-379-9192 ext. 229 or havestkitchen@cornell.edu.

Last updated January 5, 2018