Dear CCE Equine Listserve Members and Supporters,
It came to our attention last month, due to the uncertainty of the NYS Budget, CCE Equine’s funding is in jeopardy and unfortunately will have to cease its programming as of March 31. CCE Equine is funded by the NY Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) and NYFVI have been eliminated for new funding in the 10-11 budget.
We are told what is not easily noticed is that previous funding for NYFVI for fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008 was NOT re-appropriated in the 10-11 proposed budget. If these re-appropriations are not addressed by the NYS legislature in the upcoming budget deliberations, NYFVI has been told by Ag & Markets that all spending under their previous contract (that covers NYFVI projects for 06, 07, and 08) must cease as of March 31, 2010. CCE Equine is a 2008 project.
This lack of funding directly impacts CCE Equine. Our full time educator position (held by Jennifer Conte) is 100% funded by the grant. Our 50% time educator position (held by Cassie Wilmot) and our 40% Administrative Assistant position (held by Sharon LaPier) are also funded by the grant. We have been told to end all spending of our grant by March 31 which means these positions will end due to not having salary dollars for the positions. Cassie will still have 50% time with 4-H programming in Saratoga County and Sharon will have 60% time as Ag Economic Development administrative assistant in Saratoga County as these parts of their positions are funded by other monies.
Please consider contacting your State Legislators and tell them your story of the importance of NYFVI and how it directly impacts Equine programming in New York State. We are the only Cornell Cooperative Extension program in NYS addressing the equine industry on a regional and statewide basis.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County does still plan to carry on our 19th Annual Saratoga Horse Symposium on April 10 and 11. Visit www.cceequine.org for the most up to date information on the Symposium and information to register.
Unfortunately, we will only do one or two more CCE Equine e-newletters and the equine classifieds. After March 31, we will no long be doing these two emails. Please do not send us any information after March 26.
We hope your equine farm business has benefited by the CCE Equine program and appreciate all of your support. We are currently seeking other ways to fund the program but it is not clear what path we will be following for the future as of yet. As things develop, we will keep you posted and hope we can work with you again in the near future.
Thanks for your help and support. If you have any questions, please contact me at 518-885-8995.
Paula Schafer