CFOC Opens 2023 Awards Cycle

$150K in FundsAvailable; First Deadline is June 15

SPRINGFIELD

As of March 1, the Community Foundation of Otsego County is accepting applications for its 2023 Awards Cycle. According to a recent press release, this year’s cycle includes the following new features:

1. $150,000.00 total to be allocated.

2.There are three categories— “Strengthening Our Community,” “Strengthening Our Nonprofits” and “Addressing Immediate Needs.”

3. Deadlines: The first-round closes June 15, 2023 and the second round closes October 15, 2023.

4. FAQs—A list of questions and answers to help applicants through the process are found on cfotsego.org under “Get Funding.” More FAQs will be added as questions come in.

The following funds are also open for applications in the corresponding communities: Advocates for Springfield Fund: A total of $1,400.00 allocated to support the health and well-being of the Springfield community is open for applications. The first deadline is May 15, 2023.

Greater Otego Library and Education fund: $12,000.00 is allocated for the enhancement and development of educational and cultural resources in the Town of Otego.

Since 2019, the Community Foundation of Otsego County has allocated $500,000.00 in grants and awards to local nonprofits. Its mission is to lead and inspire community-wide efforts that significantly improve the quality of life and the prosperity of the Otsego County, New York area by connecting people who care with causes that matter, and by using collective knowledge, creativity, and resources for greater impact.

For more information, visit the CFOC website, cfotsego.org, or e-mail contact@ cfotsego.org

By TARA BARNWELL FLY CREEK

On Tuesday, March 7, the New York Farm Bureau held a virtual press conference to voice its support for the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health and to highlight budget issues currently being faced by NYCAMH.

NYCAMH has a simple mission statement: “Enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury and illness.”

“We are known as national experts in the agricultural field,” Erica Scott, deputy director of NYCAMH, said. “We promote the health and safety in agriculture. Our mission is carried out by utilizing research, outreach, education and clinical consultation services.”

An independent department of Bassett Healthcare, the agency has been in a “flat funding” situation for years. This means the $1 million annual budget hasn’t been increased or decreased since 2009.

“Costs for everything—medical and safety supplies, labor, and transportation—have risen on average by 20 percent,” Scott said. “But our budget hasn’t.”

“We visit farms and train people on safety and health

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