CONTACT: FOR RELEASE:
Jessica Chittenden Immediately, Thursday
518-457-3136 August 15, 2002

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION TO SUPPORT NY'S SPECIALTY CROPS
Funding to Benefit 31 Marketing, Development and Research Projects

Governor George E. Pataki today announced 31 projects that will receive a
total of nearly $1.2 million through the State Department of Agriculture and
Markets' Specialty Crop funding.

This one-time funding opportunity was provided through a grant received from
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote agriculture,
with a special emphasis on specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruit,
vegetables, horticultural items, and other agricultural crops, with the
exception of cereal grains and livestock products.

"New York grows a diverse assortment of agricultural products, ranging from
our ever-popular apples to garden-fresh zucchini," Governor Pataki said.
"This financial assistance allows fruit and vegetable growers the
opportunity to address their particular needs. I am extremely pleased to
award these 31 projects with the resources necessary to help further develop
and improve the technology and marketplace for New York's specialty crops."

The grant announcement was made at the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and
Extension Program in Fredonia, which received $75,000 to help fund its 21st
Century Vineyard Laboratory Project. This project will initiate a process
to increase the Fredonia Vineyard Lab's present acreage from 30 to 60 acres
and construct a new access road and new laboratory facility.

The Specialty Crop funding provides up to $100,000 in matching funds to
public and private enterprises, educational and research institutions, local
governments and individuals for costs directly associated with the
advancement of New York's specialty crop industry.

Based on input from the State's agricultural industry, priority was given to
projects involving market development, Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
research, wildlife control, and the creation of new production, processing,
handling, and packaging techniques for New York's specialty crops.

State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers said, "The Department is
very pleased by the number of quality proposals received for this funding
opportunity. The specialty crops grown in New York State are indeed special
and important to New York's agricultural industry. The projects awarded
funding today will help ensure that agriculture in New York State will
remain diverse and thrive into the future."

Other projects awarded funding include $75,000 each for the New York
State Horticulture Society for stone fruit field trials, the New York Wine
and Grape Foundation to expand its New York Cuisine initiative, and the New
York State Apple Association for promotion of Macintosh apples at the New
York City marathon.

The Specialty Crop funds complement the competitive grants from Governor
Pataki's "Grow New York" Program, established in 2000. To date, Grow New
York has distributed more than $2.1 million to nearly 100 projects across
the State for farmland viability development, agricultural research and
development, and physical improvement of farmers' markets. Grow New York
grants have also provided funding for dairy, cattle and livestock, and
forage crops.

Since taking office, Governor Pataki has established an extremely favorable
business climate for farmers by cutting school property taxes for farmers up
to 100 percent; slashing workers' compensation rates for farmers by more
than 25 percent; strengthening agricultural district laws; and introducing
the Pride of New York program to promote state-grown products.

Specialty crops serve as a vital component of New York's agricultural
industry. New York nationally ranks first in cabbage, second in apples and
beets, third in grapes, cauliflower, pumpkins and maple syrup, and fourth in
tart cherries, sweet corn, and snap beans. Specialty crops contribute 30
percent of the state's farm gate receipts, which totaled $3.1 billion last
year.

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2002 SPECIALTY CROP PROJECTS

Beak & Skiff Apple Farms (Onondaga County) $19,395
Implementation of marketing plan for hard cider and apple wine

Berry Patch of Stone Wall Hill Farm (Rensselaer County) $7,911
Development of annual production system for strawberries using varieties
adapted to New York

Bohringer's Fruit Farm (Schoharie County) $50,000
Relocation of a food preparation business from Massachusetts to New York

B.P. Cranberry Services (Oswego County) $49,250
Enhanced packaging capacity for New York cranberries

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County $65,000
Preliminary design work for Mohawk Valley Farm-to-Market vegetable
production facility

Cornell University - 11 projects (Tompkins County) $375,114
- Assessment of ShuRoo device for reducing deer damage to
orchards $19,902

- Accelerated development of potato varieties resistant to a
new race of the golden nematode $75,000

- Development of virus resistant snap bean varieties
$35,344

- Evaluation of biodegradable nonwoven fibers to mange pests
of specialty crops $29,048

- Development of process and packaging to extend shelf life of
apple slices $10,000

- Quantifying the health benefits of New York onions
$75,000

- Market analysis of new sauerkraut blends to enhance sales of
New York cabbage $14,000

- Breeding New York pumpkins for multiple disease resistance
$21,622

- Breeding to improve varieties of endive, escarole and
chicory $17,488

- Development of an integrated fruit production protocol to
improve European market potential for New York apples $32,710

- Development of enhanced integrated pest management (IPM)
approaches to managing the strawberry sap beetle $45,000

Growers' Cooperative Grape Juice Co. (Chautauqua County) $75,000
Addition of juice heating system to enable entry into kosher Concord grape
juice market

Lake Erie Regional Grape Research & Extension Program (Chautauqua County)
$75,000
Program development and site plan preparation for 21st Century Vineyard
Laboratory Project

Elderberry Pond Farm (Cayuga County) $13,258
Adaptation of low rate milk pasteurizer for use by small-scale cider
producers

Militello Farms (Chautauqua County) $45,000
Development, construction and testing of prototype robotic pruner for grape
vines

New York Apple Association $75,000
Promotion of McIntosh apples in conjunction with the New York City marathon

New York Bold, LLC (Oswego County) $54,925
Development of statewide coalition to expand sales and promotion of New York
onions, and increased packaging capacity

New York Crop Research Council/Association $62,598
Research on several vegetable crops, including sweet corn, snap beans, peas
and beets

New York State Horticultural Society $75,000
Development of field trials for variety and planting system testing for New
York stone fruits (peaches, cherries, plums, prunes and apricots)

New York Wine & Grape Foundation $75,000
Expansion of New York Cuisine initiative with New York City chefs, using New
York specialty crops and wine

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York $12,289
Expansion of capacity to certify organic production

Premier Apple Cooperative $19,200
Evaluation of causes of undesirable New York apple quality in supermarkets,
and proposed solutions

Seneca Vegetable Research (Ontario County) $4,750
Development of effective method to inoculate sweet corn against Stewart's
Wilt

Laughing Crow Farm (Broome County) $1,200
Evaluation of effectiveness of New Hampshire Fence system for reducing deer
damage to specialty crops

New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF)
$17,958
Development of optimal fertilization recommendations for conifer trees grown
for the Christmas tree market

Warm Lake Estate (Niagara County) $12,982
Evaluation of effectiveness of invisible fence and guard dogs to reduce
wildlife damage in vineyards

TOTAL FUNDING $1,185,830

___________________________

Jessica A. Chittenden
Director of Communications
NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets
1 Winners Circle, Albany, NY 12235
* 518-457-3136