Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $83,300 in federal funding for the Hartwick College Center for Craft Food and Beverage in Otsego County. The funding was allocated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and will allow Hartwick College to develop a new Malting Barley Quality Laboratory. The laboratory will provide testing, research, and technical assistance to farmers who want to cultivate value-added crops, such as malting barley and grains, and small businesses, such as craft maltsters, who process the necessary raw farm products.
“Two of New York’s greatest strengths are its amazing educational institutions and its long standing agricultural tradition,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal investment will support innovative research at Hartwick College’s Malting Barley Quality Laboratory, which will help local farmers and small businesses pour local products and jobs into our economy.”
“This is a major investment for Hartwick College,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “These federal funds will allow Hartwick College to expand on their groundbreaking research to strengthen the farm brewery and craft distillery industries throughout New York. The Malting Barley Quality Laboratory would provide local famers and small businesses with additional support needed to compete in the industry.”
“Hartwick College is grateful to the Appalachian Regional Commission for its continued support of the Hartwick College Center for Craft Food and Beverage. It is gratifying to know that the Commission joins Hartwick in our passion for advancing the development of the craft food and beverage industry in this region of New York – their ongoing support is key to our work with local farmers and the industries that support them,” said Hartwick College President Margaret L. Drugovich.
“Our new testing facilities will enable local farmers to have access to affordable, accurate, and timely information on the value of their crop opening to support their marketing efforts,” said Hartwick College Center for Craft Food & Beverage Director Aaron MacLeod. “Value added crops like malting barley help small farms stay in business, and contribute to the economic development of our region.”
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a partnership between the federal government and 12 state governments focusing on investment in the Appalachian region. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the ARC’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. More information on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s grants can be accessed at https://www.arc.gov/grants.