CHENANGO COUNTY – Following what’s been called one of the “worst” years in memory for the dairy industry, the state has set aside $30 million in assistance for farmers who produced milk in 2006.

Producers will have until Friday, April 27 to file with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets in order to tap their share of the funding, created through the New York State Dairy Assistance Program. Applications became available April 13 and will be administered through dairy cooperatives and processors. If not affiliated with a cooperative, applications can also be found at the Chenango County Farm Service Agency in Norwich, on-line at the Ag & Markets website or through the mail upon request to that department.

Completed forms must be post-marked, mailed, or hand-delivered on or before April 27.

“They (the applications) are very simple to complete as along as dairy farmers have their 2006 receipts and their MILC contract number,” said Chenango County Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag educator Janet Pfromm.