The Watertown Daily News reported today that the New York State Health Foundation awarded a half-million dollar grant to Agri-Services Agency, a subsidiary of Dairylea Cooperative Inc., to help farmers and agribusiness owners obtain health insurance in rural New York.

Rising health care costs are felt acutely in New York State’s rural communities. The project will help Dairylea address the region’s high uninsurance rates by promoting public and private insurance options.