BY MICHELLE MILLER
STAFF WRITER

Education staffers at the Farmers’ Museum are hoping to help out area school districts with program funding during a time of economic distress.

While school administration and staff are facing major budget cuts, organizers at the New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) are planning to respond to the increase in need by developing a fund that will be available to all New York state schools for museum programming.

NYSHA will be hosting a night of fun to help raise funds.

The benefit, ``Heat up the Night,’’ will be filled with music, food and activities that organizers say will keep people’s feet stomping and hearts pumping all while supporting local school children.

``Heat up the Night,’’ will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday in the museum’s Louis C. Jones Center.

John Buchinger, associate director of education at NYSHA, says he has talked to lots of teachers and they are saying the first thing typically to be cut out of the school budget is funding for field trips. We want to be sure that transportation costs can be paid for if the school districts cannot afford to come here, says Buchinger.

``We need to ensure that there are rich educational programs offered to our children,’’ he says. ``It is not about bringing money into the museum, we see more than 10,000 kids a year and are a non-profit organization; it is about continuing our mission. If children can’t come here then we cannot continue our mission.’’

Since 2008, NYSHA has seen a sharp increase in request from local schools for assistance with field trip funding. In response to the need, NYSHA was able to write grants and allocate resources that allowed 29 schools and community groups to visit the Farmers’ Museum and the Fenimore Art Museum during the 2008-09 school year, according to organizers.

Buchinger says he feels the need to create attention to the issue and says the community needs to come together and take care of the future of its children’s’ education.

``Its going to be a great cheap night out,’’ says Buchinger. ``It is going to be a very economical night for families and I am excited for the event and hope many people come out.’’

According to organizers, the highlight of the evening will be live music by local favorites ``The Gypsy Pioneers” and the band ``Cheese of the Misty Ceremony.’’ The event will also feature fire juggling, food and drink, a raffle hosted by Brewery Ommegang and activities for kids.

Adult tickets will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets for children 13-18 will cost $5 and those under 12 will be admitted for free.

Facebook fans and museum members will receive an extra $1 off the regular ticket price. For more information or to order tickets by phone contact, Karen Wyckoff at 547-1410.

Buchinger says the money raised can be used by schools for a variety of things, but the primary focus will be providing funds for busing students to the Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum for programming opportunities.

We will be considering each school on a case-by-case base, says Buchinger. The goal is to be able to offer grants of up to $500 so we can spread the funds around a bit, Buchinger says.

According to Buchinger, the intention is to take a proactive response not a reactive one. We are looking for schools that have not been visiting and we want to get them back, says Buchinger.

For example, Buchinger says Richfield Springs Central School has not brought students to the museums in about four years. We want to make sure they have the opportunity, he says.

Buchinger says NYSHA has provided funding for Cooperstown Central School students to come visit the museums at least two times this year. They are coming right from town, he says.

Tabitha Rathbun, vice president of the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway, says the railway had donated $500 to the benefit. Rathbun says she became aware of the fundraiser when reading about it in a local newspaper and wanted to help because the proceeds would be going to help local children.

``What can be better than helping out our own local children,’’’ she says.

Buchinger says the donation will go a long way in the education world and says the funds will be the first to be deposited for the benefit. Bushinger says he thought about using the money towards advertising and food for the event, but thought it would be best to use the money for the cause directly.

Buchinger says he would like to thank the many businesses that have helped make it possible to hold the benefit. He says The Hoffman Lane Bistro is contributing food for the event, Brewery Ommegang will be hosting tastings, Stagecoach Coffee will provide coffee, Stewart’s Shops will donate water and soda and Ace Hardware is furnishing a popcorn and cotton candy machine.