May 2002

BDC Publishes Agribusiness Resource Guide

Click here for download the Agribusiness Resource Guide PDF

A brand new "Cortland County Agribusiness Resource Guide" is now available from the Cortland County BDC/IDA.

The 44-page resource guide is meant to help agribusinesses sort their way through assistance programs available from federal, state, regional and county agencies. Included in the guide is information on new agribusiness assistance programs available through the BDC/IDA, as well as a comprehensive overview of technical assistance and grant programs through the USDA, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, American Farmland Trust and other agencies. Also highlighted are major resources for local agribusinesses such as the Cortland County Soil & Water Conservation District and Cortland’s Cooperative Extension Service supported by Cornell University.

Programs outlined in the resource guide include farm market development plans, farmland viability grants, historic barns restoration programs and tax credits, business plans and marketing assistance, workforce training and agribusiness loan funds.

Some of the regional programs highlighted in the guide include those offered by nearby Cornell University which provides Cortland farms and agribusinesses with unique access to some of the top agricultural research in the world. Programs include the NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology and the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.

The publication of the guide supports a new agribusiness initiative by the BDC/IDA aimed at:

• Promoting the agricultural industry and agribusinesses in the county
• Working on agribusiness initiatives and agricultural-related commercial activities such as the packaging and sale of farm produce, farm retail markets, or bed and breakfasts, crafts production, and other small business activities associated with farms
• Assisting in obtaining funding to promote development of the agricultural industry or to aid in farmland protection, and linking agribusinesses to financial resources to secure capital for startup, expansion and retention of agricultural businesses that produce, market and process agricultural products
• Maintaining a directory of agribusiness resources
• Monitoring new federal and state agribusiness assistance programs
• Marketing these services to agricultural enterprises in the county

Overseeing the initiative is a new BDC agribusiness committee co-chaired by board members David Law and David Lundeen.

The project also supports recommendations made by the Cortland County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan prepared in 1998 for the Cortland County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board under the auspices of the Cortland County Planning Department. The cornerstone of the plan is the creation of "agricultural districts" and the development of local initiatives to maintain the economic viability of the agricultural industry, protect its land base and preserve the values associated with agriculture.

The Cortland BDC/IDA works closely with the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board and Cortland County Planning to implement some of the recommendations of the County’s Farmland Protection Plan. The BDC/IDA also partners with the American Farmland Trust and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on farmland protection programs. The BDC/IDA also recently created a new nonprofit organization specifically for agribusiness. The new Cortland County Agricultural Local Development Corporation is the only entity of its kind in New York State developed by an economic development organization as a tool for agribusiness assistance.

"The good news is that agriculture is growing in Cortland County," noted BDC/IDA Chairman Paul Slowey. "The number of farms actually increased recently in Cortland, and all statistics point to greater agricultural output, with the market value of farm products increasing substantially over the last decade. Profitable farming will always be the most effective means of maintaining and protecting farmland. We look forward to working with agribusinesses in Cortland County to keep growing this important sector of our economy."

A copy of the new agribusiness resource guide is available from the BDC, 756-5005, or it can be downloaded on-line here.