SYRACUSE, N.Y. — At the New York Farm Viability Institute, we believe that farmers know the problems they need solved and can determine if a potential solution could be adopted on their farm. That’s why our competitive grant program relies on New York farmers to read and score the research proposals we receive. NYFVI is led by a 10-person board of directors, and each of our board members is an active member of the farming community. Allow us to introduce Matt Eckhardt.

Matt Eckhardt is the second generation of Eckhardt Farms to serve on the NYFVI board. He is a Certified Crop Advisor and develops Agricultural Environmental Management plans for other farms during the winter months. The family farm, Kinderhook Creek, is located in Stephentown and is a large diversified operation known for its sweet corn.

Matt joined the NYFVI board in 2022 as a representative of the NY Corn and Soybean Growers Association after serving on review panels since 2019. Kinderhook Creek has also served as a research site for several projects

“I’m pleased to serve on the NYFVI board of directors. I think the organization’s track record in selecting projects important to New York farmers is quite strong, and I look forward to being part of its leadership,” said Eckhardt. “Agricultural research is critical to creating the knowledge that farmers need to know what changes might work best for their operation.”

–New York Farm Viability Institute