At its meeting this week, the Ontario County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider applying for Community Development Block grant funds to build new farmworker housing in the towns of Hopewell, Seneca, and West Bloomfield.
Supervisors working with five of the county’s largest farms on housing grant
The Finger Lakes Times reports Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County has been working with Willow Bend Farms in Hopewell and West Bloomfield, and Hemdale Farms, Ivy Lake Farms, and Lawnhurst Farms in the town of Seneca on the idea of upgrading the county’s housing stock for seasonal and migrant farm labor.
If approved, Cooperative Extension would put together the $2.1 million grant application, with the help of grant consultant G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing.
Related: Wayne County accepting applications for Farmworker Housing Program
Better housing will help farms attract workers
Drew Wickham, the Chairman of the Supervisors’ Planning and Environmental Quality Committee said the five farms all use migrant labor, and having more and better housing will make it easier for them to attract workers.
Related: Board decision on 40-hour farm overtime proposal coming in September
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