REFLECTIONS ON
AGRICULTURE & FOOD SYSTEMS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
EMPOWERING FARMS TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE
WESTERN BEAN CUTWORM (WBC) RESEARCH PROJECT
In response to the pandemic, the U.S. government established federal relief and funding programs to help small businesses that were negatively impacted. Access to these programs existed solely online, creating a barrier for many in the agricultural community. CCE Sullivan worked with Sullivan 180 to bridge the digital divide by providing one-on-on support to farmers seeking to apply for pandemic assistance. Overall, CCE Sullivan assisted 16 farms with submitting federal funding applications, resulting in Sullivan County farms receiving over $140,000 in payroll assistance and forgivable loans from the Small Business Administration.
The Western Bean Cutworm trapping project, in collaboration with NYS IPM Program Livestock and Field Crop Work Team and Extension Educators from across NYS, had another successful season of monitoring for WBC in preparation to alert growers to potential infestations during the growing season. Trapping locations were set up at Weiss Dairy Farm and Peters Dairy Farm to track the pest’s flight across Sullivan County.
Brett Budde of Majestic Farm giving a virtual farm tour for CCE Sullivan. PAGE 14
