The Monroe County Legislature dedicated $175,000 in County funding on Tuesday to establish an Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute at Monroe Community College.
The Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute will provide education, research and outreach programs to the agricultural and horticultural communities, agribusiness owners, municipal officials and others interested in agricultural production in the Rochester region. With $54 million in gross sales annually and 25 percent of land within Monroe County devoted to farming, the agriculture industry is critically important to the economic strength and livelihood of Monroe County.
"This Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute fits perfectly with MCC’s mission and commitment to local economic development,” said MCC President R. Thomas Flynn. “We have the capacity and capability to grow this institute by taking advantage of synergies between it and our well-established academic programs. We are looking forward to working with the agricultural community and to assisting farmers and agribusinesses as they continue to advance one of Rochester’s most important industries.”
“Understanding the importance of agriculture in our economy is essential,” said Robert Colby, county legislator (R-Ogden) and owner of Colby Farms “We want to send a message to the agricultural community and the entire County that the County Legislature knows the importance of what farmers do and fully supports them."
“We welcome the opportunity to further agricultural education and promotion of the agriculture industry in our community," said Kim Zuber, President of the Monroe County Farm Bureau. “We look forward to working with the County and Monroe Community College on this exciting initiative.”
"Agri-business is an important part of our local economy," added Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. "The Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute will be a valuable resource for our agricultural community, and will be another tool in our continued efforts to create jobs and grow our economy."
The institute will be established Jan. 1, 2007 and funded on an annual basis with grant dollars from Monroe County. It will be housed jointly with the Homeland Security Management Institute and report to the Executive Assistant to the President.
Cynthia Cooper
College and Community Relations
12/14/2006 |