‘We stand firmly with family farms impacted by recent events, as they have long-standing records of responsible, community-focused, and employee-first practices.’ – Grow NY Farms

An agricultural advocacy group says farmers and their workers are being mischaracterized after 14 farmworkers were detained on Friday in Albion.

The workers are employees with Lynn-Ette & Sons, based in Kent. The workers were on a bus and stopped at about 7 a.m. Friday on Route 98 in Albion, just north of the Erie Canal near Crosby’s. They are year-round employees and not in the federal H2A program for seasonal workers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued this statement: “During a targeted enforcement operation on May 2, in Albion, New York, ICE Buffalo arrested 14 aliens from Mexico and Guatemala who are all in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, three of which are immigration fugitives who have been ordered removed from the United States. All 14 aliens are detained in ICE custody pending their removal proceedings.”

Grow NY Farms, a coalition of agricultural businesses, represents family farms, farmworkers and New Yorkers, seeking to build a viable and vibrant ag industry for future generations, while ensuring fair labor practices and support for the agricultural workforce.

Grow NY Farms issued this statement today:

“New York’s agriculture community stands in solidarity with the farmworkers and families impacted by recent immigration enforcement actions in Orleans County and other areas across New York State.

“These individuals are more than employees – they are neighbors, parents, and long-standing members of our communities, many of whom have been living and working here for years, and in some cases, decades.

“Their children attend local schools, they are passionate about agriculture, and their talent and contributions to our local food system, economy, and community cannot be overstated. Family farms strive every day to a provide a safe, stable, and rewarding working environment while complying with all local, state and federal regulations. That commitment includes protecting workers’ rights and supporting pathways for their voices to be heard.

“We stand firmly with family farms impacted by recent events, as they have long-standing records of responsible, community-focused, and employee-first practices. Any baseless accusations made about farms, or their employees, are irresponsible attempts to deteriorate progress that’s been made to ensure fairness for farmworkers. We are extremely disappointed in the actions and words by some to sow division at a time when unity and compassion are needed most.

“We call for a full and fair review of recent events, and for swift action to support the affected families. At the same time, we renew our commitment to protecting the voice, rights and dignity of all farmworkers, and building a stronger future for New York’s agriculture community.”

Armando Elenes, Secretary Treasurer of the United Farm Workers, has issued a statement in response to the statement on Monday from Lynn-Ette & Sons after 14 of the farm’s workers were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday. They were on a bus headed to work when they were stopped on Route 98 in Albion at about 7:30 a.m. near Crosby’s, north of the Erie Canal.

Statement from the United Farm Workers:

“There is in fact a bargaining unit at Lynn-Ette farm which covers seasonal workers — as Lynn-Ette is aware, an arbitrator has already been appointed by the State of New York following Lynn-Ette’s failure to negotiate a union contract for them in good faith and we are waiting for the arbitrator to issue their decision.

It is true that the workers who were detained last Friday are not part of the current bargaining unit. This is because Lynn-Ette itself successfully argued that its year-round workers should be excluded from the unit. At the time, we argued strongly that year-round workers should be included in the same bargaining unit as their seasonal coworkers.

Given that exclusion, several year-round workers were continuing to organize to file a petition for a separate bargaining unit that would negotiate a contract for the year-round workers. Several of the workers who were leading that effort have now been detained by ICE.

We do now know that ICE came to target the bus as a result of a tip. We demand that ICE be fully transparent about how and why and based on what information these arrests were made, including to the members of Congress who are inquiring about this very issue.

If workers at any company were to be targeted for immigration enforcement for union organizing, that would be a violation of our Constitution’s First Amendment; the right to freedom of association including with your union. Everyone should be concerned about that.”

Farm disputes claims made by United Farm Workers that raid was in response to union activity

Statement from Lynn-Ette & Sons in Kent

KENT – Lynn-Ette & Sons is heartbroken by the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action that resulted in the detention of 14 long-standing farm employees.

These individuals are not only vital contributors to our operations but valued members of our extended farm family—many of whom have worked alongside us for years with commitment and integrity.

We are deeply troubled by the manner in which this enforcement action was carried out and the impact it has had on our team and their families. Lynn-Ette & Sons had no prior knowledge of the raid and had no contact with ICE beforehand.

We strongly reject the United Farm Workers’ (UFW) irresponsible and self-serving public claims suggesting that these workers were targeted in retaliation for union activity. These claims are categorically false.

None of the individuals detained were part of the bargaining unit involved in the ongoing union activity on our farm. To insinuate otherwise is not only misleading but irresponsibly politicizes a painful and personal situation for the workers and their loved ones.

Lynn-Ette & Sons remains committed to the fair and respectful treatment of all our employees. We are cooperating fully with legal counsel to better understand the circumstances and to assist the affected individuals and their families where possible.

We call on elected officials and community leaders to ensure that all enforcement actions are conducted with transparency, due process, and human dignity.

Photos and article courtesy of Howard Owens/The Batavian

BATAVIA – Protesters came with signs and bullhorns to the Buffalo Detention Facility in Batavia on Friday evening in a hastily organized demonstration to raise their voices against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The protest was called, said Gabrilla Szpunt, an organization coordinator for the United Farm Workers, after 14 migrant workers the union claims to represent were picked up en masse early Friday morning in Albion by agents of ICE.

All 14 were on a bus owned by Lynn-Ette & Sons Farms in Kent, where they worked, Szpunt said. They were stopped on Route 98 in the Village of Albion.

“They were on their way to work,” said Szpunt. “These are workers we’ve been organizing with for at least a year. An entire family was picked up in this raid, and other workers have been here for decades, some for several years. We’re here to support them and let them know they’re not alone in this process.”

She said the union doesn’t inquire about the legal status of migrants they organize with, but given the longevity of several of the workers, they likely had visas to work in the U.S., though she couldn’t say with certainty that they all were documented.

Szpunt said the UFW is in the process of securing legal counsel for the farm workers.

The protesters chanted a revolving set of messages, many of them demanding an end to deportation and for the protection of workers, but a few of them were laced with profanity, such as “eff ICE” and “eff Fasicist America.”

When asked about the tone of some of the chants, Szpunt said she understood the concern, but she wasn’t there to censor what the people who participated wanted to chant.

Asked what message the UFW wanted to send, she said, “Our message is that we believe these workers have been here for decades. They deserve to a process if they’re going to be facing these kinds of immigration proceedings. That hasn’t been the case under the Trump administration. People with green cards have been picked up, citizens have been picked up and detained, and disappeared.”

At one point during the protest, a stream of cars exited the detention facility. A passenger in one car held a mobile phone in one hand, apparently shooting video as the car drove past, while simultaneously extending the middle finger on his other hand.

According to the UFW website, the UFW has been involved in disputes with Lynn-Ette farms. The union filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the farm for allegedly requiring a UFW representative to leave the farm while meeting with workers.

The Public Employees Relations Board in October required Lynn-Ette Farms and two other farms to engage in binding arbitration with the union, according to the UFW website.

Provided photo

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick (left), a retired dairy farmer, presents a proclamation on Tuesday declaring March as “Agriculture Month” in Orleans County. Eick hands the proclamation from the County Legislature to Chad Kirby, president of the Orleans County Farm Bureau.

Kirby, a fruit and vegetable grower, thanked the legislators and said farmers will soon be extra busy with the planting season.

The 2022 Agricultural Census put Orleans County’s ag revenue at $233.6 million, which was a 50.4 percent jump from the $155.3 million in 2017, a growth of $78.3 million.

Orleans County ranks 15th among the state’s 62 counties for ag revenue. Cayuga is first at $461.9 million. The GLOW counties are all big ag producers. Wyoming is second in the state at $421.0 million, with Genesee at fifth with $359.7 million and Livingston at 8th with $288.1 million.

“Whereas, March signifies a national celebration of the importance of food and agriculture in the United States as it provides almost everything we eat and use each day,” the Legislature said in the proclamation. “This month we recognize and celebrate the diversity and abundance provided by New York’s farms and our growing food and agricultural sector and the contributions of Orleans County’s family farmers.”

State-wide there are 33,400 farms working 6.9 million acres of farmland. The ag economy contributes $5.4 billion to the state economy.

‘Adding even more costs and reducing markets for American agricultural goods could create an economic burden some farmers may not be able to bear.’

Photo by Tom Rivers: These apples are in a bin at a local farm from the fall 2023.

The leader of the American Farm Bureau Federation is concerned tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China will hurt agriculture in the United States.

The Trump Administration is imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent on China. All three countries will be imposing retaliatory tariffs on American goods, including many farm products.

Zippy Duvall, the Farm Bureau president, on Tuesday issued this statement on the tariffs.

“Farmers support the goals of ensuring security and fair trade with other nations, but additional tariffs, along with expected retaliatory tariffs, will take a toll on rural America.

“Farmers and ranchers are concerned with the decision to impose increased tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China – our top trading partners. Last year, the U.S. exported more than $83 billion in agricultural products to the three countries.

“Approximately 85% of our total potash supply – a key ingredient in fertilizer – is imported from Canada. For the third straight year, farmers are losing money on almost every major crop planted. Adding even more costs and reducing markets for American agricultural goods could create an economic burden some farmers may not be able to bear.

“We ask the president to continue working with our international partners to find ways to resolve disagreements quickly, so farmers can focus on feeding families in America and abroad.”

NY urges farmers to notify state about potential impacts from tariffs with Canada, Mexico and China

Gov. Kathy Hochul convened a roundtable in Albany on Tuesday with agricultural leaders in the state. She said the tariffs are projected to increase costs by as much as $1,200 a year for the average New Yorker, while hurting many businesses that send products to China, Mexico and Canada.

Hochul encourages businesses, including New York’s farms, to report the effects of these tariffs on their work to TariffImpact@esd.ny.gov.

“From the North Country to the Southern Tier, farmers are the backbone of New York State,” Hochul said. “Many of our farmers rely on export sales of their products, and I’ll continue to do everything in my power to fight against this misguided tariff policy and ensure the government is doing what it is supposed to do, which is help, not hurt, New York farmers.”

Hochul said agriculture is a cornerstone of New York’s economy. The state’s investments in agricultural priorities are up 60 percent since 2022, she said.

“We appreciate Governor Hochul’s willingness to invite our members to the table to discuss the issues most important to New York agriculture, including how tariffs will directly affect farmers’ bottom line,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “By telling our stories and sharing our real, everyday challenges, we make our voices heard so that we can continue to provide healthy, accessible food for all New Yorkers – and keep farming sustainable and successful.”

Press Release, Niagara County Farm Bureau

LOCKPORT – On March 14 the annual Agribusiness Outreach Forum will be held at the Niagara County Cooperative Extension.

It is sponsored by the Niagara County Center for Economic Development, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, Niagara County Farm Bureau, the Niagara County Small Business Development Center and National Grid. As with past years,  there will be two parts to the program.

First is a series of workshops. These include building your agribusiness through marketing and networking, mastering the art of find, writing and being awarded Ag grants, understanding state and federal priorities for CCE, and recruiting and retaining H2A workers.

Throughout the day, various agricultural organizations will have displays and personnel on hand to answer your questions. In the past year, these have included to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, Empire State Development, Farm Credit East, NCCC Small Business Development Center, National Grid, NY FarmNet, NYS Department of Ag and Markets, NYSERDA, NC Dept of Economic Development and IDA, Niagara County Farm Bureau, NC Soil and Water Conservation District, Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Service Agency.

This year’s facilitator is Niagara County Farm Bureau President Kevin Bittner.

“This event is designed to bring together farmers across the region for educational sessions on topics important to agriculture,” he said.

In addition to learning about the various topics, he enjoys the networking with other farmers, companies and agencies. Because this is geared to new and growing farms,  there are many long term benefits to the community.

Every year this forum has concentrated on various topics.  Past presentations have focused on energy, creating business  plans, health care for migrant workers, and ag district laws and regulations. At the end of the day, participants are invited to give suggestions for next year’s program.

Registration is free. Click here for information to sign up.

Press Release, Roy-Hart Agriculture Foundation 

Provided photo: Matthew Sweeney, Roy-Hart Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, welcomes retired Ag teacher from Barker School, Matt Costello, and his wife Fran, at the recent Roy-Hart Ag Foundation Pancake Breakfast at the Middleport Fire Hall.

MIDDLEPORT – At Middleport High School, the first Future Farmers of America (FFA) Club began during the 1939-1940 school year, when an addition was built onto the school which opened the agricultural field of study to the high school students.

The chief purpose of the club was to carry on studies and experiments supplemental to the agricultural course. The Middleport yearbook states, “Thus the F. F. A., newly formed this year, has made remarkable progress, and has created a field of diverse activity for Middleport students from rural communities, and so promises to become one of the school’s leading organizations.”

Despite protests from district farmers and community members, the Agriculture classes and FFA were eliminated from the school’s curriculum in 1987. In 2016, Agriculture classes were reinstated with Matthew Sweeney as the teacher and FFA advisor.

In 2020 the Royalton-Hartland Agriculture Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit entity to support the rapidly expanding agricultural education program benefiting students from K-12. The foundation conducts fundraising events and seeks donors to support the program.

Over the last nine years, the Roy-Hart students and Sweeney have had great success in community service work, honors and awards at the local, district, state and national level.

It was 85 years after the first Roy-Hart Agriculture class was taught, and with the support of the Roy-Hart Board of Education and administration, Royalton-Hartland Agriculture Foundation and Roy-Hart school community, groundbreaking for the first outdoor learning lab was held.

Jill Heck, Superintendent of Schools stated, “This is a three-year journey and reaching agricultural excellence has been designed to help hundreds of K-12 students who are exploring and learning about agriculture.”

Royalton-Hartland is the sole Niagara County school-based agriculture education program. Many of the accolades from the 2024 school year were on display at the Pancake Breakfast which featured local grown and produced foods. Over 700 people were served and more than 80 baskets/cards contributed to the success of the 3rd annual Pancake Breakfast to support Roy-Hart Ag Education.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion FFA today delivered 45,000 pounds of produce donated by local farmers to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and other local food pantries.

The top photo shows FFA members Loralei Gailie, Logan Scott and Jimmy Harris moving a big box of squash to a tractor trailer outside the Ag Shop at the high school.

“It’s helping the community,” said Harris, a senior who arrived at 7:10 this morning to load up the food.

About 20 Albion FFA members helped with the food drive, calling local farmers and arranging for pickups and deliveries of the food.

FFA members are pictured next to three vehicles filled with food before the delivery to Community Action at about 9 this morning.

The donors include Panek’s, Circle R, Lynn-Ette and Sons, Preston’s, Van Lieshout’s, Heberle, Nesbitt’s, Brightly’s, Kludt’s, Orchard Dale, Kreher’s, Intergrow Greenhouses (Sungrow), Save A Lot, Root Brothers, Martin Farms, My-T Acres, Poverty Hill, Partyka’s, Orleans County Farm Bureau, Lamb’s, CY Farms, Torrey Farms, Hu-Lane Farm, Kirby’s, Kirby’s Cider Mill, Barilla, Triple G, Farm Fresh First LLC, Margaret and Charlie Swan, Peter Gaylard, Christ Farms, Kast Farms and Haylett Farm Enterprises.

FFA President Kaitlynn Basinait, right, and FFA secretary Kaitlin Bennett carry a sack of cabbage.

Basinait said farmers were very generous this year, even though many suffered big losses from hail storms. Those farms still contributed to the effort. Other farms who didn’t lose crops to hail stepped up even more knowing some of their farming neighbors didn’t have as much to give this food drive, Bennett said.

“The hail storm hurt several of the farmers,” she said.

The 45,000 pounds topped last year’s drive with 37,000 pounds.

The FFA started the food drive in 2010 with 3,000 pounds in the first effort. The food drive record is 53,000 pounds in 2020.

Bennett said the FFA is proud to facilitate the food drive every year.

“It makes my heart feel happy,” she said.

FFA members Matthew Bloom and Hailey Lonnen fill boxes with Pink Lady apples.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley helped unload the vehicles this morning. He has attended the food drive delivery for many years.

Community Action and other volunteers from local food pantries helped sort and move the food on a chilly morning at the Community Action site on East State Street.

The food is shared with about 20 different food pantries, churches and other organizations in Orleans County.

Barry Flansburg is one of several Albion FFA alumni who help with the food drive each year. Pete Gaylard from the Albion Central School buildings and grounds moves a pallet for of tomatoes into a tractor trailer from Panek Farms.

White House photo: President Joe Biden on Monday pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. He was joined in the annual ceremony by John Zimmerman, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, and his son Grant.

The average cost for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 has declined from $61.17 a year ago to $58.08, the American Farm Bureau Federation reported in its annual Thanksgiving dinner survey. In 2022, the cost was an average of $64.05.

The cost for this year is still up significantly from the $53.31 average in 2021. The cost jumped nearly $12 from 2021 to 2022, but has been coming down since then.

“Two years of declines don’t erase dramatic increases that led to a record high cost of $64.06 in 2022,” American Farm Bureau stated in a news release. “Despite the encouraging momentum, a Thanksgiving meal is still 19% higher than it was in 2019, which highlights the impact inflation has had on food prices – and farmers’ costs – since the pandemic.”

The average price for a 16-pound turkey is $25.67, which $1.60 per pound, down 6% from last year, the organization reported.

Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices Nov. 1-7, before most grocery store chains began featuring whole frozen turkeys at sharply lower prices. This year’s national average cost was calculated using surveys completed with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices in person and online using grocery store apps and websites. They looked for the best possible prices without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or combined purchase deals, American Farm Bureau stated.

The Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted by American Farm Bureau in 1986.

Individual Prices

• 16-pound turkey: $25.67 or $1.60 per pound (down 6.1%)
• 14-ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $4.08 (up 8.2%)
• 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.40 (down 2.9%)
• Half pint of whipping cream: $1.81 (up 4.7%)
• 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.73 (down 8.1%)
• 1 dozen dinner rolls: $4.16 (up 8.4%)
• Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.75 (down 5.1%)
• 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.15 (down 6.5%)
• 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.21 (down 14.3%)
• 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $2.93 (down 26.2%)
• 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $.84 (down 6.4%)
• 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.35 (up 11.8%)