Cortland, NY -- The Cortland County Business Development Corporation/Cortland County Agricultural Local Development Corporation will host a free agri-economic development summit on January 23, 2003 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Ramada Inn, City of Cortland. The event will feature speakers from across New York State on strategies, tools and resources that can help grow agriculture and agribusiness as key Upstate economic sectors.

The conference is being presented in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cortland County Planning Department, CNY RC&D, USDA/Rural Development/NRCS/FSA, Farm Bureau and First Pioneer Farm Credit.

Luncheon keynote speaker for the event will be New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers. Rudgers, who was confirmed as Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets in 1999, began his tenure with the Department of Agriculture and Markets in 1995, serving as Deputy Commissioner, First Deputy Commissioner and then Acting Commissioner. Prior to joining the Department, Rudgers worked for several agribusiness firms in the Northeast. Much of his experience in the private sector has involved the dairy industry and agricultural economics. Born and raised on a 500-acre dairy and cash crop farm in Pavilion, New York, he is a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in agricultural economics. While at Cornell, Mr. Rudgers was selected as a Farm Credit Fellow. Most recently, he was named the 2000 Outstanding Young Alumni for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.

Another featured speaker is Thomas Blanchard, director of the NY AgriDevelopment Corporation,

a private-sector led initiative designed to stimulate statewide growth in the food and agricultural sector. Its goal is to increase the number and profitability of agribusiness companies, the level of investment in agriculture projects and ventures, and the viability and visibility of agriculture in New York State.

Jerry Cosgrove, Northeast Regional Director of the American Farmland Trust, will be the featured moderator for an interactive afternoon discussion with the audience. Cosgrove is well known nationally for his work in the area of agricultural conservation and worked with the BDC to help establish the Cortland County Agricultural Local Development Corporation which is the first public foundation in the country operated by an economic development organization for the purpose of farmland protection.

Other speakers and topics include:

Finding Help: Financial Resources

A guide to loan and grant programs available for agribusiness development

• Francis Pipczynski, Assistant Vice President and Agribusiness Officer, New York Business Development Corporation
• Monika Roth, Agri-economic development specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Barbara Thompson, USDA/Rural Development
• Jay Bana, Farm Credit
  
  
  

Finding Help: Technical Resources

An overview of agencies and technical resources that can provide solutions

• Amanda Barber, Cortland County Soil and Water
• Syd McEvoy, Janice Degni and Dan Demaine, Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Alan Knight, Senior Communications Director, NYS Farm Bureau
• Ann Spencer Lvingstone, CNY RC&D Agri-Tourism Consultant
  
  
  

Farmland Protection Understanding PDR

An overview of Purchase of Development Rights programs

• Ken Grudens, Agricultural Protection Unit, New York State Agriculture and Markets
• John Sidd , Riehlman, Shafer and Shafer
• Fred Hudson, First Pioneer Farm Credit
• Dan Dineen, Cortland County Planning/Cortland County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board
  
  
  

"Agriculture is the backbone of the Upstate economy," according to Linda Hartsock, executive director of the BDC. "This working conference will explore the issues facing agriculture in Cortland County and Central New York, and give farmers and agribusiness owners access to resources that can help."

The conference is designed for farmers and agribusiness owners, local elected officials, planning and zoning boards, lenders, local development officials, nonprofit and community agencies, educators, local citizens groups and anyone interested in agri-development.

The conference includes a buffet breakfast and lunch. It is open to the public free of charge, however reservations are required. They may be made by calling the BDC at 756-5005.