Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) announced he formed an agriculture advisory committee.

That group includes the county Farm Bureau presidents from the eight counties in the 27^th Congressional District, representatives from the New York Farm Bureau, and other farmers from each of the eight counties. The representation spans the dairy, crop, poultry, and maple industries.

“Agriculture is the number one economic sector in our region, and our farmers provide nutritious produce and dairy nationwide,” Jacobs said. “I am proud to represent them on the House Agriculture Committee, and I want to make sure that they have a seat at the table as well. This committee serves as a way for me to hear directly from our farmers about their needs and concerns and will allow me to share pertinent information.”

The committee is set to have its first official meeting later this month and will meet quarterly. Jacobs is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress, serving on three subcommittees.

“Western New York is home to over 4,400 farms,” Jacobs said. “This committee ensures the voices of Western New York farmers and agribusinesses are heard and I am able to represent them as best I can. I look forward to working with them.”

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ATTICA – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) visited Merle Maple in Attica today to celebrate NYS Maple Weekend and announce his co-chairmanship of the House Maple Caucus.

“Maple production is an important part of the agricultural economy in Western New York,” Jacobs said. “In fact, Wyoming County is one of the largest maple producers in our state.”

In 2017, 1,695 New York maple farms with over 2,000,000 taps produced 714,372 gallons of syrup. Wyoming County accounted for over 91,000 of those gallons. Overall, farms in the eight counties throughout New York’s 27th District produced over 110,000 gallons of maple syrup.

“Generations of Western New Yorkers have provided maple syrup and other products to consumers nationally; it is part of our regional heritage and identity,” Jacobs said. “I am proud to announce I have joined the House Maple Caucus as a co-chair, which puts me in a strong position to advocate for this important industry.”

Jacobs serves as a co-chair of the House Maple Caucus along with Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Peter Welch (VT-AL). The bipartisan caucus was formed in the 116th Congress (2019-2020) to advocate for the American maple industry.

Farmers contribute $400K annually for research to boost profitability, battle pests

Press Release, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Photo by Tom Rivers – This photo from October 2015 shows apples at an Albion orchard. Orleans County is one of the leading apple-growing counties in the state, behind only Wayne and Ulster counties. New York State is the country’s second-leading apple producer, behind only Washington State.

ALBANY – The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that the state’s apple industry has voted in support of continuing the Apple Research and Development program.

New York apple growers are asked to approve of the program through a referendum vote every six years. The program is administered by Ag & Markets.

“The Apple Research and Development program has been important to funding much-needed research in pest management, potential disease, and other areas that make an impact on our farmers’ crops,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “We thank our growers for participating in the referendum vote and look forward to continuing to support the program moving forward.”

The Apple Research and Development program was first established in 1990 by New York’s apple industry to fund research activities. In recent years, the program has been collecting nearly $400,000 in grower assessments annually, which are used to fund research critical to increasing the profitability of New York’s apple growers.

Research is conducted in the areas of pest management, bacterial infection, proper storage, product research, and overall best practices for growing and harvesting apples. The ARDP Advisory Board makes recommendations on the projects and establishes priorities based on the regions they represent.

For additional information on all current Marketing Order programs, including the ARDP, click here.

ALBION – The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District has been awarded two state grants for more than $600,000 for conservation projects on farms that will reduce sediment and runoff into local waterways.

The funding is part of $15 million announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to support agricultural water quality conservation projects across the state, benefiting 147 farms. The funding is being provided through the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control program, which supports projects that address water quality challenges in priority watersheds and protect the environment.

“Through the installations of these projects we are improving the water quality in Orleans County and in Lake Ontario,” said Katie Sommerfeldt, Soil & Water district manager in Orleans County. “Lake Ontario is used not only for recreation purposes, but is our drinking water source. This is just another reason why we need to protect this valuable resource.”

The first grant in Orleans County is for $282,934 for implementing 4,710 total acres of cover crops over three years on six different farms, Sommerfeldt said.

“By installing these cover crops we are reducing sediment and nutrient runoff from bare fields into nearby waterways,” she said.

The second grant is for $324,951 for implementing five Agrichemical Handling Facilities on five separate farms, including three farms in Barre, one in Ridgeway and one based in Hamlin. The Hamlin farm also operates land in Orleans County.

These facilities give the farms a safe place to store and mix pesticides, Sommerfeldt said. These buildings are designed to contain 125% of the volume of the farm’s largest sprayer.

If there is a spill while filling the sprayer, the floor will contain it. The farm would then be able to recover all spilled materials and reuse them for their intended purpose, Sommerfeldt said. “All of these facilities are located 100 feet from any watercourse or well,” she said. “By installing these facilities we are eliminating outdoor mixing sites that are located close to water bodies, thus eliminating any further water quality concerns from agrichemical spills.”

New York Farm Bureau is disappointed the state’s growing eligibility list for people to get the Covid-19 vaccine doesn’t include farmworkers.

NYFB President David Fisher issued this statement on Wednesday, a day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited a mass vaccination clinic in Syracuse. The governor this week announced the age eligibility for the vaccine would be lowered from 65 to 60 years old. Farmworkers haven’t been included among the eligible essential workers for the vaccine.

“It is frustrating that Governor Cuomo visited a location synonymous with New York agriculture, the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, to announce the expansion of the state’s COVID vaccine eligibility list, yet he still refuses to protect farmworkers by including them in the ongoing rollout of phase 1b,” Fisher said in a statement. “The CDC recommends that food and agricultural workers be eligible for their own safety and that of our food system. It is time do what is right and prioritize the essential workers who help ensure New Yorkers have food on their tables.”

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced legislation that would make the dairy industry eligible for H-2A temporary agricultural visas.

“As I have traveled throughout NY-27 and met with farmers, one thing that has become clear is the need for dairy producers to have access to a steady and legal workforce. Currently, dairy workers are not eligible for H-2A status because of the way current law is interpreted by federal agencies,” Jacobs said. “This simple legislation would fix an urgent need while Congress works on broader reforms to the H-2A program.”

The Dairy H-2A Eligibility Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to include “dairy worker” as an eligible candidate for H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa status. Employers are currently only eligible for H-2A non-immigrant classification if they offer a temporary or seasonal position. Though H-2A workers are themselves temporary, dairy production has been interpreted to not qualify for these visas because it occurs year-round.

“Dairy’s workforce crisis is especially severe because dairy farms, which operate year-round, can’t use the H-2A program, which is seasonal. NMPF has fought for decades for H-2A access for dairy. We thank Congressman Jacobs for stepping up and making ag labor reform a priority issue, and we look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Jacobs to address the workforce needs of dairy farmers in New York and across the country,” Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation said.

“Agricultural labor reform has long been a New York Farm Bureau priority. We must address the seasonal and long-term needs of agriculture, including for the state’s dairy farms that currently do not have access to a year-round federal guest worker program. We thank Rep. Jacobs for his efforts to fix a broken system and moving the conversation forward for the betterment of our farms and food system,” David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President said.

“The bottom line is that we need a migrant worker program that respects and enforces our immigration laws while providing farmers with the workforce that they need,” Jacobs said.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Photo by Tom Rivers: Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation, volunteered at a food distribution in Medina on June 12.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional $25 million has been directed to New York’s network of food banks and emergency food providers to support the Nourish New York program through July 2021.

Since the Governor launched Nourish NY at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020, 21 million pounds of surplus agricultural products have been purchased from New York farmers and delivered to more than 1.3 million households in need across New York State.

Purchasing and food distribution using this third round of funding – which was first announced during the Governor’s 2021 State of the State Address – are currently underway. Since the launch of Nourish NY, a total of $60 million has been invested in the program.

“New York is on the path to recovery from the pandemic, but there is a continued need to assist families and our farmers across the state who are still struggling,” Governor Cuomo said. “Since its launch last spring, the Nourish New York initiative has had incredible success in connecting our agricultural producers with food banks in every corner of the state to bring fresh local foods to families in need.”

The Nourish New York program provides funds to New York’s food banks and emergency food providers, who then purchase agricultural products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver the food to families in need.

Emergency food providers can use Nourish New York funds to:

• Set up food-drive through events/giveaways;
• Distribute dairy vouchers that can be redeemed in grocery stores for products like cheese, yogurt, milk, sour cream, and butter, throughout the state, and/or;
• Purchase products directly from New York dairy/food manufacturers for their feeding programs.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, farmers experienced a drastic supply chain shift, which resulted in the loss of markets and income and in the waste of fresh surplus foods, particularly fluid milk. Simultaneously, the demand for food through emergency food providers escalated across the state. Seeing the opportunity to feed residents and aid farmers, the Governor launched the Nourish New York initiative. This initiative provided $25 million in funding for the first round and $10 million in the second round of the program for the purchase of foods grown, raised, or processed in New York State and has served as an important alternative revenue stream for farmers and dairy processors during the pandemic.  More than 4,150 farms have been impacted through the program.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Over the last 10 months, the Nourish New York program has helped feed more than one million families with nutritious dairy, fruits and vegetables, and so much more, and helped make sure our farmers had a market for their products.”

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “This additional funding for Nourish NY is good news for many farmers and low-income people who are still dealing with fallout from the pandemic. The program has coordinated a pathway to move food from farms to food banks in every region of the state, compensating farmers for their products and reducing food waste at the same time. It has proven to be a lifeline for people in need, and we thank Governor Cuomo for continuing the program.”

Expanded Broadband, laying groundwork for new Farm Bill among priorities

Press Release, U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is announcing that he is returning to the House Committee on Agriculture for the 117th Congress.

“Western New York’s economy and communities are directly supported by our agriculture industry,” Jacobs said. “Our farms, processing facilities, and agri-businesses provide thousands of good-paying jobs and present major opportunities to set our region up for future prosperity. It has been my mission to support our farmers in Congress – I made it a priority to be seated on the Agriculture Committee in July when I was first elected and look forward to carrying my work there into the 117th Congress.”

Announced earlier this year, Rep. David Scott (D-GA) will serve as Chairman, and Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) will serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 117th Congress. The Committee is charged with reviewing, developing, and advancing policies and proposals to support, improve, and further the needs of American farmers, agricultural businesses, and rural communities. As of 2017, Western New York had over 4,400 farms producing over $1.1 billion in products, representing 22% of all NYS agriculture sales.

“Serving on the Agriculture Committee puts me in the best possible position to advocate for our farmers and their needs,” Jacobs said. “These past few months alone, I was able to work with my colleagues to ensure the Commodity Credit Corporation was allocated necessary funding, increase investments for the USDA ReConnect Broadband Program, and pass COVID-19 relief legislation with direct support programs for farmers like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).”

“This term, there are major priorities that must be addressed. Our region needs improved broadband infrastructure, the agriculture sector needs new and younger farmers to ensure the longevity of such a critical industry, and we need to protect and support our farmers from unfair trade practices so they can access expanded markets and grow their businesses,” Jacobs said. “Finally, we will be in the beginning stages of developing a new Farm Bill early this year. I will be working diligently to ensure that the needs of Western New York farmers are met in that legislation.”

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) sent a letter to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo asking for the agricultural workers to be authorized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We owe our agricultural workers a debt of gratitude. They have supported our families and state economy throughout the entirety of this pandemic and are essential frontline employees,” Jacobs said. “Without their efforts, millions of families in New York, and around the nation, would not have been able to acquire the nutritious food needed to survive the health crisis.”

The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that Phase 1b of the vaccine rollout include agricultural workers as eligible recipients. Currently, the Governor has authorized only “public-facing grocery store employees” as eligible members of the food and agriculture workers category in New York State’s Phase 1b vaccine program.

“Currently, in New York State, employees of our farms, producers, and processing facilities are ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, despite their essential status and the recommendation of the CDC,” Jacobs said. “The work they do is critical to the stability of our nation, and I have asked the Governor to consider granting them eligibility status.”

According to NYS Comptroller DiNapoli, in 2017, over 33,000 farms in New York State employed over 55,000 workers and garnered over $5.7 billion in revenue. In the same year, agriculture added over $2.4 billion to the New York State Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the state ranked in the top five of all producers for 15 different agricultural products.

“Not only is agriculture a major driver of the New York economy at a time when our state is facing massive budget deficits, but it is also a matter of health and safety,” Jacobs said. “Allowing the men and women working on the frontlines in agriculture to receive the vaccine strengthens and stabilizes our food supply chain at this critical time.”

Press Release, Roy-Hart Agriculture Foundation

MIDDLEPORT – The new Royalton-Hartland Agriculture Foundation kicks off 2021 with a board of directors committed to providing investment and resources for innovative approaches to agriculture education, meeting needs of the Royalton-Hartland School District and the regional agricultural community.

Working cooperatively with the district, the RHAF plans to strengthen relationships with community leaders and businesses, increase leadership and character development opportunities for students, create a speakers bureau, arrange field trips for students and teachers, explore apprenticeship and job shadowing programs, and convene important conversations between the district and the community, said Mike Landers, president of the new foundation.

“The RHAF is separate from the district’s Board of Education,” Landers explained. “We believe we can bring countless opportunities to help the district, educators, administrators, students, parents and community. Our foundation is not responsible for any portion of the district’s budget.”

Joining Landers (Howell Motors) on the board include: Bob Confer (Confer Plastics), Dan Conley (USI Insurance Services), Mike Drum (Drum Oil & Propane), Steve Giroux (Middleport Family Health), Bob Masse (Frontier Airlines), Carisa Masse (JFK Middle School), Jeremy Silsby (Silsby Settlement Farms), Debi Sweeney (Maple View Dairy Farm) and John Sweeney (Maple View Dairy Farm). Non-voting members include Dr. Hank Stopinski, district superintendent, and Matthew Sweeney, Roy-Hart High School agriculture teacher.

A primary goal of the Foundation is to invest in creative educational programs and projects that have a significant positive impact on the lives of the students and families served. Beyond fund development, the RHAF seeks to provide networking opportunities, build relationships with stakeholder groups and the private sector, and offer culturally relevant information and training.

“In this unprecedented time for education, due to the pandemic and a reduction in state contracts, it is heartening that these high-profile community leaders are rallying others to learn about the exciting agriculture initiatives and programs in our schools,” Stopinski said. “Their leadership is gratifying to our school board, teachers and staff. The district looks forward to working with the Foundation to build a strong Agriculture Center of Excellence in the coming years.”

Provided photo: Adam Kirby holds the trophy for winning the 2019 corn yield contest in New York. He won the 2020 yield contest in the conventional irrigated category in NY.

ALBION – Adam Kirby again is on top of the corn yield contest in New York. Kirby won the contest in 2019 with a 277.0 bushel yield in the strip till, non-irrigated category.

He won another category in 2020 with a 271.8 bushel yield in the conventional irrigated category. Kirby used a Pioneer seed, P1197AM, for the winning entry.

He also was second in the strip, min, mulch, ridge-till non-irrigated category with a 273.6 yield. That was just behind Andrew Mcllroy of Pavilion at 273.8 bushels. Kirby used a Pioneer seed, P0720AM, for this entry.

Other New York winners in other categories include: conventional non-irrigated, Henry Everman of Danville at 299.8 bushels; no-till non-irrigated, Craig Phelps of Groveland at 239.2 bushels; strip, min, mulch, ridge-till irrigated, Tom Jeffres of Wyoming at 286.7 bushels.

The National Corn Growers Association announced the results of the contest last month.

Don Stall of Charlotte, Mich., produced the highest yield in the contest with a yield of 476.9 bushels per acre. That was in the conventional irrigated category.

The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 56th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members.

“This contest brings farmers together to create, innovate and explore ways to optimize the nation’s largest and arguably most important crop,” said Debbie Borg, chair of NCGA’s Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team. “At both the state and national levels, contest winners find new ways to excel while using a variety of techniques. Ultimately, the invention and improvement by farmers and input providers enable U.S. farmers to continue to meet the future demand for critical food, feed, fuel and fiber.”

Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies.

Winners are traditionally honored in March during Commodity Classic. With the convention moving to a virtual format in 2021, NCGA is working with sponsors to find an alternative means to recognize the accomplishments of yield contest winners.