
Planting the Seeds for Success
Planting the Seeds for Success
The New York agriculture industry is thriving, producing billions of dollars in revenue each year as a leading fruit and vegetable producer. This is especially true in Franklin County, which is home to over 600 farms. Here, top exports include potatoes, hay, and maple syrup. Thanks to low tax rates and low utility costs in Franklin County, farms are able to keep costs low while producing high-quality food products. In addition to fruits and vegetables, Franklin County is also a leader in dairy production, with abundant local dairy farms exporting their products locally and nationwide. The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a farmer-driven small grants program that funds high priority, cutting-edge research and technical assistance for all sectors of agriculture in six Northern New York counties, including Franklin County.
On top of our agricultural producers, Franklin County is home to craft food and beverage businesses, like Origin Coffee in Saranac Lake, Meier’s Artisan Cheese in Fort Covington, and Raquette River Brewing in Tupper Lake that have turned into local hotspots for tourists and residents alike.
Frontier Facts
Farms
Acres of Farmland
Annual Farm Product Sales
- North Country Region
- Workforce and Education
North Country Leads in Sales and Research
The North Country region of New York includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties and is home to nearly 4,200 farms. It ranks second in the state for total agricultural sales, and also ranks second in total farm acreage, with over 1.1 million acres. The North Country is the leading producer of maple syrup in the state, and the second largest source of milk. It also ranks first for sales of hay and other crops. Recent innovative research projects from The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program include studies on dairy calf growth and health, soil health, maple and honey research, biomass optimization, and much more.
A Robust Talent Pipeline
SUNY schools throughout New York offer specialized agricultural programs to encourage students to blaze their path in farming, dairy, horticulture, animal science, and a host of other industries. Alfred State allows students to participate in a variety of hands-on experiences working with crops, plants, animals, facilities, and equipment – and also has a 99 percent employment and continuing education rate. SUNY Cobleskill offers one of the most diverse agricultural programs in the United States, with specialized programs ranging from agricultural business management to turfgrass management to fisheries and aquaculture. Cornell University CALS focuses on conducting research related to natural and human systems, as well as food, energy and environmental resources. At SUNY Morrisville, students can focus their studies on agricultural engineering technology, agricultural mechanics, horticulture business management and more.