I write in support of the application submitted by Hartwick College for funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). This funding will be used to expand the services of Hartwick College's Center for Craft Food and Beverage to include support for agriculture and grain testing, research, and processing.
Hartwick College is located in Oneonta, New York, and enrolls about 1,500 students. Hartwick College's location in the Catskill Mountains is the perfect location for a Center for Craft Food and Beverage due to the growth of craft food and beverage producers in New York State. Hartwick College opened their Center for Craft Food and Beverage in 2013 with the aim of becoming a quality testing site and technical assistance center for craft food and beverage producers while also focusing on locally-grown and locally-sourced material. As the demand for barley and other in-state raw materials among craft brewers increases throughout New York, testing labs will become a necessity to aid farmers in getting their products to the beverage producers.
The requested funding will be used to expand the services of Hartwick College's Center for Craft Food and Beverage to support agriculture and grain testing, research, and processing. Expanded services will allow farmers to access affordable and accurate information regarding their crops. The Center will also have quality specifications available for grain processors. Once the services of the Center for Craft Food and Beverage are expanded, growers and small businesses will have the support they need to compete in the farm brewery and craft food and beverage industry. The Center for Craft Food and Beverage will also decrease the expenses related to craft food and beverage production, add value to craft food and beverage products, and promote and build the brand of New York State products.