A nonprofit organization is working to influence farm profitability.

The farmer-led, state-funded New York Farm Viability Institute was launched in 2003 with the primary goal of boosting profits for farms across the state.

Various types and sizes of farms, including several in Cayuga County, host research projects that may serve as pilots for other small and large farms, dairy or otherwise.

“Agriculture is a big business in the state,” institute spokeswoman Rebecca Schuelke said. “Also in our rural communities, the success of agriculture is very important.”

Farms pay taxes and support businesses such as gas and equipment retailers, for example, she said. The institute strives to keep them productive for the long haul.

“All of our projects need to meet opportunities and barriers,” Schuelke said.

“In Cayuga County, we are currently working with a couple of farms that are exploring use of dried manure solids.”

That pilot project is looking at using the material as an animal bedding.

It could prove to be a valuable alternative to paper, sawdust and rubber mats. It can also provide an outlet for excess manure if it's successful.

“It's a significant barrier because having bedding down is related to cow health,” she said.

The identities of the participating farms are protected until the projects are completed.

Another project includes more than 40 Amish and Mennonite farmers in Cayuga and Seneca counties and deals with pesticide applications and manure spreading.

It's a demographic that, despite little attention from the public and farming industry, has been growing in the area.

“We're targeting a population that historically has been undeserved,” Schuelke said.

In March, the institute launched the Center for Dairy Excellence, an initiative to unite farmers, researchers and agribusiness people.

“It's a program that is focused on bringing together the different players in agriculture,” Schuelke said. “The idea is by bringing these people together, you're sharing resources, sharing ideas and that way there's no duplication.”

The Center for Dairy Excellence, which grew from a task force of more than 70 people, will begin reviewing applications this fall and selecting projects to undertake.

The institute receives more applications than it can fund, but encourages every farm to pitch ideas for funding. Applications for various grants are available at the organization's Web site.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net

Local projects

Cayuga County farmers participating in New York Farm Viability Institute-funded projects include:

€ Two dairy farms located in Locke and Genoa outlining successful

techniques for managing a

family-owned business

€ Two dairy farms in Aurora and Wolcott are studying the factors that affect feed quality stored in bunker silos

€ A vegetable farm in King Ferry and a field crop farm in Scipio Center are taking part in an

exploration of soil health,

including chemistry,

nutrients, drainage and other

factors that affect crop yields

€ A greenhouse operator in Auburn and a vegetable grower in King Ferry are participating in projects to improve statewide distribution methods for plants and vegetables

€ A field crop grower in Locke is part of a project to develop a

supply of organic seed for field corn

€ A vegetable and livestock farmer in Auburn is serving as a mentor to new farmers

€ Two dairy farms in Union Springs and Auburn are exploring how dried manure solids can be used for cow bedding to create a cost-effective supply of bedding and manage excess supplies of manure

SOURCE: New York Farm Viability Institute

On the Net:

For more information on the

New York Farm Viability Institute, visit the organization's Web site at www.nyfarmviability.org