Maziarz announces state grant

U.S. Representative Thomas R. Reynolds (R-Clarence) announced an effort to obtain $732,000 in federal funds to aid the expansion of Springdale Farm June 7 in Ogden. At the same event, State Senator George Maziarz (R-Lockport) announced a $100,000 state grant for the expansion.

At an on-site gathering, Reynolds praised Springdale for giving developmentally disabled adults "an opportunity to have an important task, using the farm and the atmosphere here as a place to work" in the day-work program. He said that with the planned two million dollar expansion, Springdale "will become a premiere public demonstration farm in upstate New York," to be visited by farmers and thousands wising to experience agriculture.

The farm on Colby Street in Ogden is owned by Monroe County, but has been operated by Heritage Christian Homes since 1993. Twenty-three adult Heritage Christian Home clients learn social, agricultural and animal husbandry skills at the farm through conducting tours of the facilities, maintaining the grounds, and caring for the livestock. Approximately 40,000 adults and children, many of them unfamiliar with agriculture, visit Springdale each year.

Reynolds said the federal funding request is included in the Agricultural Appropriations Bill, which the House will begin to consider soon. He said he'd asked the House Appropriations Subcommittee to give the funding a "priority designation," as part of the USDA's Rural Community Advancement Program. This designation increases the chance the funds will be approved in the 2004 agriculture budget. The money will be used for a state-of-the-art robotic milking facility, which will use laser-guided sensors to milk the farm's herd of over 60 cows. Colby Homestead Farms, an Ogden agri-business, will operate the facility. This will be the first robotic milking facility in upstate New York, and only one of six in the United States.

Reynolds and other speakers stressed the importance of cooperation among government officials, local agri-businessmen, and private individuals for the funding of projects like the expansion of Springdale Farm.

State Senator George Maziarz said he's obtained the $100,000 grant through working with members of the State Senate and Assembly, and that he hoped to obtain an additional $200,000 through working with the county and federal governments.

Reynolds praised local businessman John Riedman as "an unsung hero who has put a lot of his private (wealth) into causes that he deems appropriate, and is into well over six figures into Springdale Farm." Riedman later spoke of his interest in the farm and of donating through The Reidman Foundation.

Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle praised the Heritage organization for being "a great partner" with the county, and spoke of 'bringing my own children out here, to those red barns back there." Doyle also said the county legislature has pledged $400,000 to Springdale in capital improvement funds over two years.

Heritage Christian Homes President Bob Peters said he hopes to obtain $300,000 in funding for Springdale from the NY State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability.

Jim Colby said the new facilities are being built "so people can see modern agriculture in a safe environment," and to demonstrate that careers in agriculture exist.

Heritage Christian Homes Foundation Executive Director Rod Christian said the expansion project started three years ago, with the formation of community advisory committees in the local agricultural community. The day after Congressman Reynolds' announcement, Christian said the committee felt the farm "needs to focus on modern agricultural techniques." The Springdale expansion will include a dairy barn, which will house the robotic facility, and a visitors center and gift shop.

Approximately 40,000 adults and children visit the farm each year. Heritage hopes to add 10 to 12 new clients after the expansion, and its clients to work in the robotic facility and the store, maintain the farm's buildings, and admit visitors to the visitors center. Christian said clients would work in the new automated milking facility, though he was not specific about the work they'd do. Heritage officials said the milk produced by the facility would probably be distributed by Colby Homestead Farms.