Governor's budget proposes cuts to key North Country ag programs

From the Watertown Daily Times:

"Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s proposed executive budget calls for a big reduction in funding for key agriculture programs important to the north country. But agriculture advocates say they’re hopeful legislators will lead efforts to restore funding.

"At first blush, the governor’s 2015-16 budget for programs administered by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets looks bleak compared with this fiscal year. The New York State Farm Viability Institute, which funds critical research to develop commodity crops across the state, would have its funding cut by $1.1 million, from $1.5 million to $400,000. And the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, which received $600,000 this year, would go unfunded altogether. That program serves six counties in the north country."

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