NYFVI Awards $675,211 for Horticulture Projects

Of the $3.5 million in farm-based research grants awarded by the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) for 2007, $675,211 went to five projects headed up by faculty in the Department of Horticulture, according to a NYFVI press release.

Founded through a federal grant to Cornell University in 2003, the Institute has evolved into an independent nonprofit group that receives annual appropriations from the New York State legislature and Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Institute provides grant funding to farm-based research projects. Each project includes farmers in designing, implementing or evaluating the project, and all projects are designed to result in farm-level impacts and increases in profits. `

Projects involving the Deparment of Horticulture include:

Improving Fruit Composition and Wine Quality of Hybrid Grapes in New York State ($174,000) - This project will work with a minimum of 25 grape growers to demonstrate canopy management practices for growing hybrid wine grapes, focusing on improving fruit quality, establishing economic data for hybrid growing practices, and sharing production practices with new growers. Contact: Justine E. Vanden Heuvel, (315) 945-7022, jev32@cornell.edu.

Demonstration of Sustainable Silicon-Based Powdery Mildew Management Program for Greenhouses ($59,242) - Demonstrate in 10 floriculture greenhouses how silicon can be used as powdery mildew control agent, as an alternative to fungicides that may create greenhouse reentry issues, and encourage more growers to adopt the practice. Contact: Neil Mattson, (607) 255-0621, nsm47@cornell.edu.

Fostering the Use of High Tunnels for Season Extension in New York State through Applied Research Extension ($217,155) - This project addresses production constraints, and develops an interactive website for information exchange, to increase use of high tunnels as growing season extenders for vegetables and cut flowers; demonstrations at nine applied research sites. Contact: H. Chris Wien, (607) 255-4570, hcw2@cornell.edu.

Evaluation of New and Underused Varieties of Flowering Herbaceous Perennials for NY Growers ($74,814) - Field trials to evaluate plant material adaptability to New York growing conditions, and outreach efforts to encourage increased production and sale of plant varieties best suited and to increase sales for NY growers. Contact: William Miller, (607) 227-2780, wsm4@cornell.edu.

Organic Dairy Initiative, Cornell Small Farms Program ($150,000) - Increase availability of organic grain for dairy farms and increase market opportunities for grain growers. (The Cornell Small Farms Program is based in the Department of Horticulture.) Contact: Anusuya Rangarajan, (607) 255-1780, ar47@cornell.edu.

Read the full NYFVI press release for information about other projects, or visit the New York Farm Viability Institute website.