Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany Counties will have hand sanitizer and face masks available for farms in each county. This program is available only for farm owners to distribute to themselves and their employees. This effort has been made available through NYS Dept. of Ag and Markets as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic. There is no cost for the products to be provided.

The sanitizer and face coverings will be available for pickup at the following locations:

Cattaraugus County CCE office located at 28 Parkside Drive in Ellicottville.

The Cattaraugus program is in cooperation with the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water District and the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau. Only information required will be the number of employees served. Available on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional dates may be added if the demand requires. Details for picking up are: Drive to the parking Lot, Stay in vehicle and proceed in line to the front of building. A staff member will get your order and deliver hand sanitizer and face coverings to your vehicle. Please maintain social distancing and wear face covering.  Call if you have a question at 716-699-2377 during business hours.

Chautauqua CCE: Lake Erie Regional Grape Program office located at 6592 West Main Road in Portland.

The Chautauqua program is in cooperation with the Chautauqua Produce Auction, The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, and the Chautauqua County Building and Grounds Department. Delivery may be available also. Delivery and pick up will be scheduled on a case by case basis while supplies last. Visit www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua for more details and to place a request for product. Details for picking up are: Drive to the parking Lot, stay in vehicle and proceed in line to the front of building. A staff member will get your order and deliver hand sanitizer and face coverings to your vehicle. Please maintain social distancing and wear face covering.  Call if you have a question at 716-664-9502 during business hours.

Allegany CCE: Allegany County farms may contact Lynn Bliven by phone 585-268-7644 ext. 18 or email lao3@cornell.edu to schedule pickup or delivery.

This Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE).  CCE is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

On Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a variety of measures to support farmers across that he says continue the effort to enable growth in the State’s agricultural sector.

Under the new measures, the Department of Agriculture and Markets – in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Conservation – is launching the Dairy Acceleration Program (DAP) and making available $1 million in funding to help dairy farmers develop individualized business and environmental plans.

To be eligible for DAP, a dairy cattle farm must have complete financial records. Preference will be given to farms with under 300 cows. DAP funding will cover 80 percent of a project’s cost.

Payments may include: up to $5,000 per farm to write a business plan or develop a combination of a business and facility growth plan; and up to $4,500 to update an existing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) or $6,000 to develop a new one.