Expanding value-added dairy opportunities in central New York

Expanding value-added dairy opportunities in central New York

Summary

In 2008, the Ag Development Council had a change in leadership and priorities; this in turn meant that activities for this grant in 2008 were relatively few. The primary personnel overseeing this grant took on project responsibility for another Ag Development Council Project, starting up and growing Chenango Bounty Farmers Market at Your Door. With the focus of most of the members of the Steering Committee elsewhere, this project received little oversight.

A new Coordinator came on board in late summer, and a grant extension to December 2009 was requested and agreed to by SARE. The primary objectives were reviewed and a new Steering Committee is in the process of being formed in 2009.

Objectives/Performance Targets

With the abundance of cheese making workshops now being held in this region, we are discussing potential partnerships with other groups and individuals to meet the needs of producers who have requested information about cheese making and other value added milk products. Many of the past participants in our workshops did not come from the Chenango County Region, so these partnerships and collaborations will become a method to ensure that all potential participants could attend a workshop.

As former members of the Steering Committee met to segue to the new Coordinator and Steering Committee, one point that became clear was the need for information to be posted on the ADC website. In order to prepare for this, the ADC is examining upgrades to their website, and planning a more user-friendly website. Once fact sheets are developed, they would be posted on the ADC website. The site would also have links to information which beginners would find helpful, such as ATTRA bulletins and worksheets, and links to organizations working to promote artisan cheeses such as the NYS Artisan Cheese Guild and organizations which work with producers to write their business plans (SCORE and NY FarmNet).

One missing component to date has been the Evaluation of participants. Once this has been developed in early 2009 and reviewed by ADC members, it will be sent to all the individuals who took the Cheese Making Workshops for their input. This will be a critical component for review for the remainder of the grant: is there a need for the ADC to sponsor another workshop? What other needs are critical to the success of the individual? Would information sheets on the ADC website be utilized, or is this a duplication of need? Does more emphasis and time need to be spent on the business aspects necessary for a successful cheese or value added milk product business? Is there a need for the mini-grants to producers to start up their businesses? Are there other issues to consider that we might not be aware of at this time?

Accomplishments/Milestones

Because of the change in priorities and staffing, there has been little progress made on the milestones initially outlined in the original grant. We anticipate moving forward in 2009 on the goals.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Again, the organization and staffing changes have led to no further follow-up on past workshop participants. However, with the expansion of Chenango Bounty, a new marketing opportunity exists for new producers to sell their products. Chenango Bounty has expanded into adjoining Madison County, and markets a variety of milk and milk value added products.

Collaborators: