HVADC honored for its regional vision
HUDSON—Pattern for Progress has recognized Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp.’s work with its annual Regional Achievement Award.
Pattern’s annual awards recognize leaders in the Hudson Valley whose vision and/or accomplishments have had a long lasting impact on the quality of life in the region, or express the potential to do so.
Pattern for Progress, based in Newburgh and serving nine counties, is a not-for-profit policy, planning advocacy and research organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for Hudson Valley residents.
HVADC won the Regional Achievement category based on its success in gaining support from both Orange and Columbia Counties for an industry-based vision that has quickly expanded to Ulster and Dutchess Counties.
“This organization impressed the committee with its great potential to spur rural economic growth and enhance communities in all parts of our region,” said Jonathan Drapkin, president and CEO of Pattern for Progress. “We applaud their spirit of regionalism.”
“These awards celebrate those whose vision has encompassed and benefited communities across our nine counties,” said David MacFarland, chairman of Pattern’s board.
“The HVADC Board of Directors and I thank Pattern for Progress for the recognition and honor of this award,” said Todd Erling, executive director. “We intend to follow the successful example and strength of Pattern by working to benefit the Hudson Valley community and the region’s agriculture”
The purpose of HVADC is the development, promotion, enhancement and retention of the agricultural industry and its associated economic and environmental benefits. The agency promotes the Hudson Valley as an attractive, viable region for agriculture through technical assistance, business development services and the coordination of financial and other resources.
In general, HVADC strives to enhance the bottom line of farm businesses and strengthen the agricultural industry as a whole. The range of projects assisted thus far includes processing facilities and value-added initiatives, analysis and start-up assistance for new ventures and enterprises, marketing assistance, market expansion and improvement of distribution networks for the region’s agricultural businesses.
During its start-up year of 2007, HVADC was able to direct significant resources, both professional and technical, to agricultural development projects through its Incubator Without Walls and other programs.
These projects ranged widely in concept to include the development of a farmer-owned vegetable processing facility, feasibility analysis for a local biodiesel manufacturing plant, business start-up support for a renewable fuels related biotechnology project, and fundraising for a local dairy processing cooperative.
HVADC’s Incubator Without Walls provided support for the first on-farm distillery in the state. Harvest Spirits is selling its Core vodka from the distillery right at Golden Harvest, the family farm in Columbia County.
HVADC is also working with Black Dirt vegetable growers in Orange County on diversifying crops, continuing its work on the development of a statewide feedstock system to support biodiesel manufacturing facilities and starting to do a study of the feasibility of creating a farmer-controlled, Hudson Valley carbon credit trading system.
As part of the agency’s out-reach efforts, it recently unveiled its new web site at www.hvadc.org. The easy-to-use, informative site was designed by Zone 5, with assistance from Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.
The site offers details on what HVADC does, who and how it can help, its mission as well as its staff, board of directors, and its many partners. Its helpful links and resources expand the universe of services offered, while the latest news about the agency is also available. A simple contact page makes reaching out to HVADC easy.
“HVADC looks forward to sharing valuable information on our programs and using the website as another of our resources for our farms and agribusiness operations in the Hudson Valley,” said Mr. Erling.
HVADC was started almost two years ago with the support of Columbia Economic Development Corp., the Orange Dutchess and Ulster Counties’ Industrial Development Agencies, member items secured by State Senators Stephen Saland, William Larkin, Jr., and Thomas Morahan, and from Assemblyman Marc Molinaro. It has garnered a broad base of additional support for its work — from USDA Rural Development, Orange County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board, Dyson Foundation, the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation, Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation, and the State Department of State Quality Communities Program.
For more information about HVADC, call Mr. Erling at 518-828-4718 or e-mail terling@hvadc.org