HAMDEN _ A proposal to help new farmers establish themselves won Farm Catskills a $5,500 grant from The Community Foundation for South Central New York.
"This project was very innovative," Diane L. Brown, Community Foundation executive director, said Wednesday. "We wanted to do some new things, and growing food locally is of real concern and interest."
Amy Kenyon, Farm Catskills spokeswoman, said the "Growing New Farmers Incubator" program will provide affordable access to prime farmland, equipment and greenhouses, and cooler space for those who would not otherwise be able to start a farm business.
Richard Giles, owner of Lucky Dog Farm in Hamden, said he believes that the valley that runs along the West Branch of the Delaware River has some of the best soil in the country.
Giles said he has been training and mentoring his employees, and he believes the time is right for them to branch out and make more of the valley productive.
In the grant application, Farm Catskills noted "agriculture is important to Delaware County's economy and communities, yet we continue to lose farmers and farmland every year.
"There are young people in our region with a background in agriculture, usually as farm workers themselves, who would like to start their own farm business and have the skills to run a farm, but lack the financial resources," the application continued.
"The major barrier to new farmers getting started is the high cost of land and equipment."
Farm Catskills is using 40 acres of prime soil in Hamden, starting with 12 acres in 2009, where new farmers can start their business with an affordable rental of land and equipment. The land is next to Giles' organic vegetable farm, where there is available equipment and greenhouse space. The farm also has a distributor who picks up the fresh vegetables to sell in New York City.
Kate Ryan, of Farm Catskills, said the initiative is modeled after a successful program in Burlington, Vt.
In 2009, Farm Catskill will solicit applications from potential farmers and will accept at least three. Each farmer will begin on at least 4 acres, receiving mentoring and marketing support from Lucky Dog Farm and Farm Catskills.
The goal is to have at least 10 successful new farmers operating on the 40 acres within five years, creating 20 jobs and providing a local source for fresh produce.
Giles compared the project to building a new factory, but without smokestacks.
"I would like to see a larger part of this valley in production," Giles said. "We need to break this habit of bringing in vegetables from California, Mexico and overseas just because they are more available."
Other grants awarded locally from the CommuniFund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York include:
ä Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care _ $10,000 toward the development of a Palliative Touch program in order to provide an alternative therapy to hospice patients with a life-limiting illness.
ä Chenango County SPCA _ $3,000 for the Vox Animalia Capital Campaign Kennel Improvement project, including purchase of animal care and feeding equipment.
ä Chenango River Theatre _ $8,000 toward construction of designated restrooms and shower facilities for actors, and construction of a new storage area for furniture, props and costumes.
ä Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County _ $4,800 toward a media room/video-conferencing project.
ä Earlville Opera House _ $5,000 for a renovation project, which includes theater weatherization and roof repairs.
ä Planned Parenthood of South Central New York _ $10,000 to renovate its Sidney clinic, making it possible for the site to expand its hours of operation.
ä Richfield Springs Youth Ministry _ $8,000 toward flooring for the agency's new youth center.
ä Village of Afton _ $4,583 to rebuild the Davies Field basketball court, which was destroyed in the flood of 2006.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
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