$68.9M for new USDA facility to create ‘epicenter of grape research’ in NYS

Newswise — Sen. Chuck Schumer announced today $68.9 million in funding to build a new laboratory for the federal Grape Genetic Research Unit at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, New York. The Grape Genetic Research Unit provides critical information to grape growers across the country through a variety of innovative research programs, including cold tolerance and improved resistance to crop-killing disease.

Kathryn Boor, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Bio: https://cals.cornell.edu/about/leadership/dean/

Boor says:

“Our New York wine and grape industries are critical to our state’s economy. The new, state-of-the-art USDA-ARS research facility will support important breakthroughs arising from research collaborations among the USDA scientists, Cornell scientists and others to benefit these vital industries.”


Jan Nyrop, Director of Cornell AgriTech and Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Bio: https://entomology.cals.cornell.edu/people/jan-nyrop/

Nyrop says: 

“Thanks to support from Senator Schumer, the new USDA grape research facility at Cornell AgriTech will set the stage for our campus to become the epicenter of grape research not only in New York state, but the world. New technologies and collaboration between our researchers at the facility will increase our capacity to develop higher quality, disease resistant grape varieties.”


Gan-Yuan Zhong, Research Leader for the USDA-ARS Grape Genetics Research Unit
Bio: https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/geneva-ny/grape-genetics-research/people/gan-yuan-zhong/

Zhong says:

“This new facility will provide much needed infrastructure for the USDA-ARS Grape Genetics Research Unit to pursue our world-class research that addresses the U.S. grape industry’s need to maintain its competitive edge.

“It will accelerate the genetic improvement of grapevines and allow more opportunities for on-site collaborative work connecting cutting-edge genetic research to grow the sustainability and the competitiveness of the U.S. grape industry. We greatly appreciate Senator Schumer for recognizing and supporting our vision for our work and its future impact on our stakeholders.”

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