Bordentown, N.J., October 17, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded over $230,000 in grants that will benefit farmers in New Jersey. The grants include three Value-Added Agriculture Producer Grants, two Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants, and one Rural Business Enterprise Grant. A USDA Check Presentation Ceremony honoring the recipients was held at the Rutgers EcoComplex on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 with USDA Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr presenting the awards.

     Under Secretary Dorr was accompanied by USDA Rural Development State Director Andrew M.G. Law while presenting the awards. Law stated that "these grants are a direct result of the commitment of the Bush Administration to provide capital for our farmers so that they can create sustainable agriculture and preserve the remaining rural landscape. The grants are part of a total 'package' to support production agriculture in New Jersey. The cooperation of each of the partners--Rutgers, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, the Food Innovation Center, the Rutgers EcoComplex, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and USDA Rural Development-is critical to the preservation of sustainable agriculture in New Jersey."

     The Value-Added Grants were awarded to Sheppard Farms Inc., John W. and Joan C. Bradway and Central Valley Farm in the amounts of $30,000, $25,000 and $20,000 respectively. The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants were awarded to Malcolm Cooper in the amount of $43,620 and to RedSkye Farms in the amount of $42,075. The Rural Business Enterprise Grant was awarded to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to be utilized by Rutgers Food Innovation Center in the amount of $70,000.