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ANCA Partners with Heifer Project International in the Development of a Northern New York Farmers Partnership Adirondack North Country Association Contact: Martha Pickard, Grazing Program Coordinator anca-pickard@northnet.org --518-891-6200 August 16, 2005 - The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has recently entered into a partnership agreement with Heifer Project International (HPI) with funding awarded over a three-year period by Heifer Project International of $94,250. Funding will be targeted to provide project support and facilitation to a group of dedicated grass-based farmers in the Adirondack North Country Region who worked together in the development of the Northern New York Farmers Partnership (NNYFP). ANCA worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County to secure the successful grant application for the Farmers Partnership. Heifer Project International works all over the world, including the United States, with communities to end poverty and hunger as well as support sustainable farming practices and farming communities. Heifer's strategy is to “pass on the gift” as people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills. Heifer’s goal is to expand a network of “hope, dignity, and self-reliance” that reaches around the globe. More information about Heifer’s programs is available at www.heifer.org. The Northern New York Farmers Partnership incorporated the philosophy of passing on the gift and building community. The Partnership is a group of 20 farm families and community members committed to small, diverse and sustainable farms, striving to create a climate that fosters and values people, the land and economic autonomy. Members agree to live an example of sustainable agriculture through collaborative efforts in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of safe food. The group’s goals are to promote three major objectives: farmer-to-farmer networking, farmer-to-community education, and improved farming resources and practices. “This is an exciting time for ANCA,” Terry Martino, Executive Director stated. “Through our efforts we have been able to bring an important international player to our work in regional agriculture. We believe Heifer’s support directly complements our long-standing partnership with the USDA Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative and addresses our goal to build rural agricultural development that directly benefits farmers.” “It is wonderful to see this funding be able to address the needs of capital and infrastructure so necessary on farms that we work with,” Martha Pickard, ANCA Grazing Program Coordinator stated. “We are also excited to introduce farmers that we meet in the field to each other. Many grass-based farmers feel isolated because they are doing something very different than their neighbors and this group will start a lot of communication and interaction between grass-based farmers in the Adirondack North Country region,” she noted. The Northern New York Farmer Partnership is already planning events for the fall season and researching animals to purchase to start the chain of passing on the gift. Producers involved in the group will be hosting pasture walks and are already communicating with new group members through an e-mail list. ANCA’s Martha Pickard facilitates the New Farmers Partnership and ANCA will be the lead organization for the project. More information about the Adirondack North Country Association and its commitment to sustainable agriculture is available at www.adirondack.org and by calling 518-891-6200. The Adirondack North Country Association is a non-profit private corporation that strengthens the economy and quality of life in the 14 counties of northern New York through informed, open debate and advocacy on economic issues critical to the region and through regionwide action on projects in agriculture, business and community development, forestry, human services, the arts and tourism. |
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