ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University research faculty, agricultural programs and cooperative extension offices have received more than $240,000 in grants from the Grow New York Food and Agriculture Industry Development (FAID) Program. The funds, designated for innovative programs and part of a $470,000 grant package, were announced Aug. 12 by Gov. George Pataki and Nathan L. Rudgers, commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

"With the rapid development of new technologies and innovations within the agriculture industry, we must do everything we can to ensure that New York maintains a competitive edge," said Pataki in a statement. "Our Grow New York grants will provide vital assistance to farmers, cooperatives and researchers across the state. [This] will bolster efforts to develop new products, and help find better and more efficient ways to process and distribute them to market."

The FAID Program provides matching funds of up to $60,000 to public and private agencies, organizations, businesses, educational institutions, local governments and individuals submitting proposals that capitalize on state resources. The latest funding represents the third round of grants from FAID. During the first two rounds, nearly $1.4 million was awarded to 47 agricultural projects. In total, $1.9 million has been distributed through the program.

The Quality Milk Production Services unit of Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine received $52,525 to help dairy operators test milk for quality. The group, directed by Ynte Schukken, Cornell associate professor of herd health and epidemiology, provides laboratory testing for mastitis, milking equipment evaluation, milking parlor performance and milker training.

The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, based at Cornell, received $15,256 to research the use of parasitic wasps to control grape berry moth, which is the primary cause of late-season damage to grape crops.

Ronald Gorewit, Cornell professor of animal science, received $20,010 to refine and evaluate a newly developed diagnostic and management tool for mastitis, a common and costly dairy cattle problem. Mark Bridgen, Cornell professor of horticulture, received $11,700 to find innovative uses of high tunnels, a new low-cost technology for extending the growing season and protecting crops from pest and weather damage. Thomas Maloney, Cornell senior extension associate in applied economics and management, received $16,245 to conduct a survey of Hispanic employees on New York state dairy farms to improve retention and development of the dairy workforce.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Washington County was awarded $52,214 to create a direct marketing and distribution link between produce, meat and cheese producers in Washington, Saratoga and Rensselaer counties and New York City chefs. CCE of Oneida County received $51,570 to assess the feasibility of developing a producer-owned, value-added meat processing and marketing system for a four-county region in central and northern New York.

CCE of Suffolk County was awarded $28,780 to evaluate the effectiveness of new vineyard fertilization and pest control techniques designed to reduce production costs and protect Long Island's water supply. CCE of Schuyler County was given $4,810 to develop and distribute a marketing guide for New York producers of agroforestry products, such as ginseng, medicinal plants, gourmet mushrooms and maple products. CCE of Washington County was given $2,112 to examine the suitability of wood chips as a dairy and livestock bedding material and as a bulking agent for composting cattle manure.