MEDINA – Members of the Medina Central School’s FFA Chapter hosted their annual Animal Appreciation Day at the High School last week.
Students from all three of the district’s schools had a chance to tour the FFA classroom and see about 20 different species that Todd Eick’s class houses in the classroom and on the school’s miniature farm, which includes everything from llamas, pigs, rabbits and ducks to mice. Members also brought in their own pets.
“This tradition has been going on longer since I have been here,” said Mr. Eick, the high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. “It’s a great opportunity for the members to show off what they have learned and educated others and for students to see what the FFA has to offer.”
Austin Cox is pictured with the new ducklings.
There was a steady stream of visitors after the classroom door’s opened at 9 a.m. on Friday and the FFA members took turns talking to the visitors about small animal and pet care. The FFA members allowed the other students to interact with the animals.
“We keep a careful eye on the animals to make sure they are not getting too stressed out,” Mr. Eick said. “If they are, the FFA members will remove them for a while until they settle down.”
Austin Cox has been in the FFA for three years.
“I think it is the greatest thing to be able to interact with all the animals,” Austin said. “Where would we be without agriculture?”
Abigail Maines, the Medina FFA president, introduced students to Willow.
Members Kali Schrader and Laura Washak have also been with the FFA for three years. “I really like taking care of the animals,” Laura said as she showed up Kieta the rabbit to visitors.
Kali, who is the FFA historian, said she got involved with the organization because her family does a lot with agriculture. “I love working with the animals. I want to go to school to be a veterinarian when I graduate.”
“This is such a great educational opportunity for everyone,” said Mr. Eick. “Everyone has a great time. We are very appreciative of our administration and everything they have allowed us to do in this class.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Dennis Kirby, manager of the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, addresses about 160 people on Saturday at the 18th annual Farmer to Neighbor Night at Tillman’s Village Inn.
Kirby urged farmers to sign up for soil health programs. Soil & Water sponsors the annual Farmer to Neighbor Night along with Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Albion FFA Alumni.
Proceeds from the event are used to send FFA students to state convention, camps and help with other costs in the ag program.
Albion student Alexis Bentley recites the FFA Creed before the crowd at The Village Inn.
Jennifer Wagester, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, said it will be a busy 2016 for the agency as it celebrates its 70th year. The annual fair, scheduled for July 25 through July 30, will be the highlight of a busy year at the fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
Barry Flansburg served as emcee of Saturday’s event. Albion FFA students, from left, include Clara Stilwell, Katie Mann, Allyson Graham and Garrett Derisley.
The FFA students praise the support from the farm community, especially with donations in an annual food drive that topped 30,000 pound sof produce in December.
Orleans County Farm Bureau board member Anna Smith urges the group to go online (NYFB.org) to lobby state legislators to oppose raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. A report by Farm Credit East says the higher wage will increase costs to the farm community by $622 million a year.
The annual Farmer to Neighbor Night is light on speeches and focused more on sharing conversation and good meal together before the busy planting season starts.
Provided photo/National Corn Growers Association –Â Matt Kludt (center) of Kendall placed third nationally in the A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated Category of the 2015 National Corn Yield Contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. Trophies were presented at the annual Commodity Classic held in New Orleans in early March. From left, are Martin Barbre, Carmi, IL, chairman of the NCGA Corn Board; Kludt; and Wesley Spurlock, Stafford, TX, first vice president of the Corn Board.
Press Release, National Corn Growers Association
NEW ORLEANS – A local corn grower has been honored as one of 18 national winners in the 2015 National Corn Yield Contest sponsored annually by the National Corn Growers Association.
Matt Kludt of Kendall placed third in the nation in the A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated
Class with a yield of 322.9722 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was DEKALB DKC52-84RIB.
The 2015 competition included 7,729 entries from 45 states. The contest consists of six classes. In the national competition, three placings are awarded within each class. The 18 national winners represented nine states.
The average yield among national winners was 386.4 bushels per acre – greater than the 2015 U.S. average of 169.3 bushels per acre. Six of the national winners recorded yields of 400 bushels or more per acre.
“This harvest, the world witnessed the incredible bounty U.S. corn farmers can provide to meet the growing need for food, fuel and fiber both in our nation and around the world,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling, a corn grower from Newburg, MD.
Agronomic data gleaned from the contest reveal the following:
Average planting population for the national winners was 40,861 seeds per acre, compared to 34,123 for all entrants.
National winners applied an average of 364.06 pounds of nitrogen, 116.39 pounds of
phosphorus and 231.78 pounds of potassium per acre.
Average commercial nitrogen use per bushel of yield was 0.94 pounds for the national winners and 0.89 pounds for all entrants.
27.78 percent of the national winners applied trace minerals, compared to 38.74 percent of all entrants.
Use of manure as a fertilizer was consistent. 38.89 percent of national winners applied manure, compared to 16.06 percent of all entrants.
The National Corn Yield Contest began in 1965 with 20 entries from 3 states. The highest overall yield was 218.9 bushels per acre, while the national yield average was in the mid-60 bushel-per-acre range.
The winners were recognized March 4 at the 2016 Commodity Classic, the premier convention and trade show of the U.S. corn, soybean, sorghum, wheat and equipment industries, held this year in New Orleans, LA.
The National Corn Growers Association represents more than 41,000 members, 48 affiliated state corn grower and checkoff organizations, and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs.
File photos by Tom Rivers – Joseph Cecchini, 11, of Medina cleans a cow on July 27, 2015 at a new wash rack at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds will be the place to be this year.
The fairgrounds on Route 31 has experienced a steady increase in use over the past few years, but 2016 will be a banner year. The addition of 10 horse shows, a major dog show on Labor Day Weekend, and a Fiber Festival in November along with the return of existing horse, dog, & rabbit shows; the April Home & Garden Show; spring horse pull; and fall Christmas Antiques Show mean just about every weekend at the fairgrounds will be busy.
These activities will be held in addition to Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s educational programs in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, food preservation, and 4-H youth development, which includes the annual Orleans County 4-H Fair held July 25-30 this year.
Teams of powerful draft horses, with participants from eight states, competed on April 25 last year at 4-H Fairgrounds in the “Pull of Champions.”
Community members are encouraged to view the schedule of Events at Orleans Extension’s website, cceorleans.org. Registration forms and contact information for event organizers are posted online and the website has a contact box to email questions directly to Extension staff. The website also includes a “Facility Use” page with registration forms and information for groups interested in using the grounds.
The fairgrounds was purchased in 1965 by Orleans Extension and its first building, the Trolley Building, was built in 1966. A majority of the funding for purchase and development of the fairgrounds was raised by 4-H volunteers, members, and their families along with donations primarily from farmers, business owners, and long-time residents.
In recent years, technology-centric companies such as Baxter and Xerox have contributed to the growing 4-H Robotics program and Extension staff has sought grant funding to maintain strong programs.
With the fairgrounds 50th anniversary in 2015, significant infrastructure improvements were made and continue as funding allows. The rabbit & poultry barn, named for the Wachob family, received a new floor, a new wash rack was installed near the cattle barn, and a fitness trail was established. The Trolley Building kitchen also received updates including a 3-bay sink, fire suppression hood and updated range oven, and commercial refrigerator.
During the Home and Garden Show last April, Cindy Smith, right, of Batavia eyes the wine choices by Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms in Gasport. Mindy Vizcarra, left, served up wine tastings throughout the day, April 12, 2015.
In 2016, updates will continue with new plumbing, flooring, and stainless countertops and storage units. Orleans Extension has also requested $25,675 in grant funding to complete the kitchen update with commercial appliances, islands with prep sinks, and a stainless steel serving window, along with $250,000 from New York State for renovating the entire Trolley Building, which is estimated to cost a total of $350,000. Options are also being explored to upgrade the fairgrounds’ restroom and shower facilities, which could cost an additional $240,000.
Orleans Extension board member, Charlie Pettit, sees grant funding as a significant component to continuing fairgrounds renovation. The board has tasked Executive Director, Jennifer Wagester, with seeking funds and streamlining operations to make every dollar count.
Over the past two years, the Extension has implemented changes and renegotiated vendor contracts to save over $10,000 annually. These changes are allowing Extension to maintain services amidst rising costs.
Currently, about one third of Extension’s budget is supported by funding from the Orleans County Legislature, one third by state funding, and one third by funds raised by Extension through program participation fees, rental of the fairgrounds, winter storage, and fundraising by volunteers. Federal funding has increased in the past year from about $9,000 in Smith-Lever funds to over $50,000 with Orleans Extension’s participation in the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program; however, it remains a small part of the overall budget.
John Steier and his son Evan haul tires on Oct. 8 at the new fitness trail at the 4-H Fairgrounds, which opened that day to the public.
The Orleans fairgrounds is one of three in the state that is owned and operated by a county Cornell Cooperative Extension association. The others are in Niagara and Orange Counties. While owning and operating a fairgrounds requires a major investment in infrastructure, it ensures the Orleans community has a facility for learning, gathering, and holding activities.
Extension staff are excited about the increase in use and look forward to introducing new people to 4-H, Extension, and Orleans County. If you or your organization is interested in using the fairgrounds or reserving a classroom or building, contact the Extension office at 585-798-4265 for details.
Staff are housed in the Education Center at the fairgrounds, which is open year round, and office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Provided Photos – Albion FFA members traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators including State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), shown here with FFA members, from left: Vivian Rivers, Kelsee Soule, Emily Blanchard, Garrett Derisley and Allyson Graham.
ALBANY – Farmers and FFA students from Orleans County went to Albany visiting with lawmakers on Monday and Tuesday.
They met with local state legislators and three “adopted” legislators, including one from Long Island and two from New York City.
The farmers were a contingent from Orleans County Farm Bureau. They highlighted the organization’s public policy priorities for the year, topped by opposition to a $15 minimum wage.
Monday was kicked off with the popular Taste of New York reception for state lawmakers, commissioners and staff. Farm Bureau hosted a table highlighting local farm products. Following the evening event, members participated in the annual lobby day where they met with both their local and adopted senators and Assembly members.
The Farm Bureau and FFA met with State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), and Assembly members Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Jane Corwin (R-Clarence). The adopted legislators included Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Queens), and Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R-Glen Head in Long Island).
Michael Montesano, a state assemblyman from Long Island, meets with Orleans County Farm Bureau members, including, from left, David Bittner, Adam Krenning, Jeff Toussaint and John Kast.
Orleans County Farm Bureau members shared their concern with a $15 minimum wage on New York farms. Farmers say that a nearly 70 percent increase in labor costs will make it harder to compete with products coming in from other states and countries with considerably lower production costs.
An American Farm Bureau Federation analysis found $15 minimum would costs New York agriculture $500 million or 25 percent of additional net income. This is expected to impact farms in a number of ways. The county will likely see farms reduce employment, turn to automation or close the barn doors, Farm Bureau said.
State funding for critical farm programs is another top priority for Farm Bureau. Governor Cuomo included a number of things in his budget plan which would help the farm industry. This includes increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which will assist farms with water quality, conservation and farmland protection programs.
Farm Bureau also asked lawmakers to support critical funding for animal health, promotion and research programs that also benefit agriculture in the county.
Members also asked for funding parity when it comes to repairing upstate roads and bridges. The governor is committing $20 billion to match infrastructure efforts happening in and around New York City. The parity in upstate-downstate funding remains a priority because our farms need access to safe, well-maintained roads and safe bridges in order to move equipment to farm fields and transport their goods to market.
Orleans County Farm Bureau also remains committed to securing funding to assist schools in starting up new FFA programs as well as for agricultural education programs. Each year, more schools are interested in these programs that provide career and technical skills that students need. The USDA estimates that there will be 60,000 new jobs a year in the farming and food industries, and it is vital to have a workforce that can meet those demands to help the rural economy grow right here at home.
Farmers also discussed with lawmakers about transferring farm assessment functions to the Department of Agriculture and Markets from the Department of Taxation and Finance. Moving the process to be entirely housed within the Department of Agriculture and Markets will not only streamline the assessment process, but it would be a common sense move to improve a valuable program for our farms, Farm Bureau said.
These priorities were based on member-approved public policies that originate every year at the county Farm Bureau level and are passed by the full delegate body at New York Farm Bureau’s State Annual Meeting in December.
In addition to advocating for priorities with lawmakers, members also participated in a special panel discussion with the Commissioners and representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation and Labor. Members were able to ask questions about a number of issues facing the state’s family farms.
“Orleans County Farm Bureau members spent time away from their farms to cultivate the important relationships we have in Albany,” said Amanda Flansburg, Orleans County Farm Bureau President. “We work hard to secure public policies at every level of government that support every farmer in the county, and we will continue to advocate for priorities that will not only benefit agriculture but our rural communities as a whole.”
File photo by Tom Rivers –Â Honeycrisp apples are pictured in October at the Roberts Circle R fruit stand and farm market on Route 18 in Carlton.
Press Release, NY Farm Bureau
ALBANY New York Farm Bureau leaders met with members of New York’s Congressional delegation this past week in Washington, DC, discussing the organization’s public policy priorities for 2016 at the federal level.
New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton and Elizabeth Wolters, NYFB’s associate director of National Affairs, discussed the priorities during a conference call with reporters on Thursday.
GMO LABELING
New York’s visit was timely with next week’s expected markup of Senator Pat Robert’s bill that would establish national standards for the labeling of products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
GMO labeling is an important issue in New York State as a proposed bill looks to create a statewide label for ingredients created with the assistance of biotechnology. This disregards the clear scientific evidence that shows the food is just as safe and nutritious as ingredients bred using more traditional methods, NYFB officials said.
New York Farm Bureau opposes a statewide approach because it would create a patchwork of labeling laws that would prove costly for New York farmers and consumers alike. Because of the concern, New York Farm Bureau is currently supportive of Senator Robert’s bill.
The chairman’s proposal is centered on a strong foundation to protect interstate commerce and prevent state-by-state labeling laws. It will direct USDA to initiate formal rulemaking to set definitions and standards for the labeling of products that may contain ingredients derived from agricultural biotechnology. The bill also contains an educational component to inform consumers about the safety of GMOs.
“Public policy must be based on sound science and not on fear and misinformation shared on social media,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau president. “Broad or individual state labeling requirements out there today undermine the public’s trust in the safe and nutritious food our farmers grow, without balancing the benefits that GMOs provide to our environment and to hungry populations around the world.”
Regulations
New York Farm Bureau has long been in opposition to proposed changes to the Clean Water Act (CWA) that members believe broaden the jurisdiction from navigable waters to also including dry land. The new “Waters of the U.S.” rule will vastly increase the scope of the CWA and put an undue burden and more regulatory control on farmers and their land with no benefit to the environment.
Both houses of Congress voted in a bipartisan fashion to repeal the rule. Unfortunately, the President vetoed the measure. That doesn’t mean this issue is settled. The Sixth Circuit Court has issued a stay based on legal concerns. While it works with way through the legal system, New York Farm Bureau will continue to work with Congress to find a solution on the matter along with advocating for more comprehensive regulatory reform.
“More regulation is being heaped on businesses across the United States, and it is infringing on our ability to be successful and provide jobs, food, fuel and fiber in a sustainable way in this economic climate,” said Norton.
New York Farm Bureau was also successful this year at the American Farm Bureau Federation national meeting in Orlando, FL to pass a resolution in the national policy book related to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NYFB is in support of allowing third party accredited individuals as well as NRCS staff to complete wetland determinations. This will help to reduce the amount of time farmers have to wait to have a determination completed. Currently, the delays of up to a year hinder what farmers can do with their land.
Immigration Reform
New York Farm Bureau has long been saying that we need a stable workforce on our farms or else the rural economy and our local food supply will ultimately suffer. Despite the political climate in Washington and the current presidential campaign, immigration reform remains a top priority for New York Farm Bureau. It is time to end the immigration stalemate and pass reform legislation that addresses short and long-term farm labor needs.
Because of the unlikelihood of that happening in 2016, New York Farm Bureau is changing its focus this year to look for reforming the H2A seasonal guest worker program.
This includes modernizing the application process to use electronic submissions as opposed to the current paper applications that must be mailed to the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition, New York Farm Bureau is looking for opportunities to open up the H2A program to dairy farmers who need help year round.
“When we don’t have labor, crops get left on the trees and on the ground,” said Norton. “We need to work to find avenues to make it easier to find people willing to come to the United States to provide the labor we need for harvest or planting time.”
Until this is completed, New York Farm Bureau will work with Congress to minimize negative impacts of farm labor shortages and will oppose a mandatory E-Verify program unless and until a new comprehensive agricultural guest-worker program is in place to provide farmers with workforce security.
Food Safety Rules
Food safety is another top priority for New York Farm Bureau. Our farmers already participate in a host of food safety programs and audits, and the FDA is in the process of implementing new food safety rules as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
New York Farm Bureau is monitoring the implementation, particularly those dealing with produce and animal feed, and will be working with the FDA to balance the compliance burden with an actual public health benefit.
“It is important that the FDA works with New York State to provide both the necessary funding and training that will help educate our farmers about their new responsibilities,” said Elizabeth Wolters, NYFB’s Associate Director of National Affairs. “We also will be monitoring the roll out so the rules will be applied fairly and consistently across the country so as not to put New York growers at a disadvantage.”
Federal money should also be used to provide adequate training of inspectors and provide for inspections for foreign farms. The United States must ensure foreign farms and the goods that they produce are held to the same standards so as not to make domestic farms non-competitive and offshore our food production. If we are to be able to compete on the world market place, our farmers’ hands cannot be tied by our own rules and food should be safe regardless of where it comes from.
Trade
With a growing export market for a number of things that we produce in New York, New York Farm Bureau will continue to support the next generation of trade negotiations that remove unscientific barriers and high tariffs and provide new opportunities for our farms. This includes the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement with the European Union.
The TPP agreement is expected to increase cash receipts and net exports from New York by $111.4 million and $66.2 millionper year respectively. It is estimated that the increased marketing opportunities for New York’s farmers and ranchers will add more than 500jobs to the New York economy.
“These trade agreements are great for our farmers to improve access to markets,” said Wolters.
New York Farm Bureau will also continue to oppose limitations on the use of geographic indicators. Restricting geographical names for food, like feta and parmesan, would inhibit the marketability and competitiveness of U.S. food products.
“New York agriculture is a large part of the state’s economy. We have nearly 36,000 farms and more than 200,000 jobs in totality when you include processing and on farm jobs. We are working to continue to make sure farmers are here and the landscape is prosperous,” said Norton.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 20 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Andrew Moore of Albion and Emma Wilson of Medina co-present on Mustang Adoption and Gentling during Orleans County 4-H Public Presentations this morning at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
KNOWLESVILLE – For Orleans County 4-H’ers, February means the annual Public Presentations program, and some of the final presentations of this year were held today at the Education Center on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Public Presentations were also held on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. A final round of presentations will be held at Kendall Elementary School this Thursday.
The program is part of the 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts project area and helps participating youth to grow in confidence and career readiness.
Participants through public speaking develop poise and learn to express ideas clearly, respond spontaneously to questions and to gain subject matter knowledge.
“The most impressive thing is the width, breadth and variety of topics” chosen by 4-H presenters, said Robert Batt, 4-H educator in Orleans County.
Topics chosen this year included various cooking and baking demonstrations; Jamaica; land trapping; dangers of smoking; popcorn; winter camping and farm equipment.
4-H’ers who receive the highest evaluation of their presentation can move on to the district and state levels.
Lillian Mathes of Holley explains the meaning of the four h’s in 4-H during her Public Presentation Saturday morning at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. “I love to learn by doing,” Lillian said during her talk.
Meganne Moore of Albion chose to recite Shel Silverstein’s poem, “Peanut-Butter Sandwich” while enrobed in a purple cape.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Review, done once every 8 years, has begun
File photos by Tom Rivers –Â A field of sunflowers is pictured in August 2014 along Route 237, north of the Village of Holley.
ALBION – Orleans County has consolidated its agricultural districts into one county-wide district, a change that should make it easier for farmers for the reviews every eight years.
Many of the farms work land that crosses town boundaries. Some of the ag districts had different review cycles and farmers could inadvertently be left out of an ag district if they didn’t send in paperwork.
The county used to have 10 ag districts and shrunk it to three, with a northern district in the towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall; a middle district with Ridgeway, Gaines, Albion and Murray; and a southern district with the towns of Shelby, Barre and Clarendon.
Now all of the towns are in one consolidated district. The County Legislature approved the change last week, saying it will be simpler and more convenient for farmers, and also be more efficient for the County Planning Department, which administers the ag district.
The Planning Department has sent 907 letters to property owners in the district, requesting they send back confirmation letters if they want to stay in the district.
The ag district will next be up for review in 8 years, but property owners can be added to the district with annual enrollments every June. However, landowners can only be removed from the district every 8 years.
“This will simplify things and be a better way to do it,” said Jim Bensley, the county’s Planning Department director. “It will be easier for the farmers who operate in multiple towns.”
Landowners must affirm in writing their intent to be included in the district. The county wants the letters returned by Feb. 26.
A field is pictured across from the Millville Cemetery on East Shelby Road in this photo from May 2014.
Agricultural Districts are established by New York State Agriculture and Markets Law to provide for the protection of agricultural lands. Farmers with land in an ag district are protected from lawsuits from neighbors who complain about normal farm practices, such as odors, dirt on roads, and working in fields early in the morning or late at night.
Agriculture is the dominant industry in Orleans County. The latest Agriculture Census from 2012 showed total revenue from Orleans County farms at $150.3 million for sales of fruit, vegetables, milk, livestock and other farm products. That was a 48.8 percent jump from the $101.0 million recorded in 2007, according to the Agricultural Census, which is done every five years.
Agricultural districts do not have to be made up completely of farmland. However, they must contain a predominance of viable farmland, according to the County Planning Department.
For more information about Agricultural Districts or the ongoing review and consolidation process, contact Sarah Gatti, planner at the Orleans County Department of Planning, at 585-589-3187.
Provided photo –Â New York Farm Bureau’s State Board of Directors presented banners on Wednesday to the capitol offices of Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Heastie. The banners, which were signed by NYFB members, ask the leaders “to keep the barn doors open” and say no to the $15 minimum wage.
Press Release, NY Farm Bureau
New York Farm Bureau this week released its 2016 state priorities that focus on improving conditions in New York State to allow for agricultural growth. The number one issue for New York Farm Bureau this year is to strongly oppose the $15 minimum wage.
The plan for higher wages, raising the minimum from $9 to $15, would dramatically impact farms’ competitiveness and cost them an estimated $500 million in additional annual labor costs alone. That would be crushing in a year like this one, when milk and commodity prices are significantly lower.
NYFB President Dean Norton noted that the average agricultural wage in New York State is $12.39 per hour, well above the current minimum, but an increase will force wages up across the board, including those already making more than the minimum based on skill and experience. Additional costs will rise as well for payroll taxes like unemployment insurance and FICA. Other expenses will come from increased costs for goods and services that farms must purchase.
“The Governor’s minimum wage proposal makes New York completely uncompetitive with the other agricultural states,” said Norton, a dairy farmer from Elba. “When Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is $7.25 and New York’s is $15, how can our farms and other businesses compete? The answer, unfortunately, is to reduce labor costs or shut down.”
State funding for critical farm programs is also a top priority for New York Farm Bureau. The Governor included a number of things in his budget plan that would help the farm industry, including increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which will assist farms with water quality, conservation and farmland protection programs.
New York Farm Bureau also remains committed to securing funding to assist schools in starting up new FFA programs as well as for agricultural education programs. The USDA estimates that there will be 60,000 new jobs a year in the farming and food industries, and we will need to have a workforce ready to meet those demands to help grow the industries right here at home.
“We have an abundance of school districts looking to add chapters and this funding would help get those chapters off the ground and started,” said Norton.
A third priority related to the budget is the investment in road and bridge funding for upstate New York. The Governor is committing $20 billion to match infrastructure efforts happening in and around New York City. The parity in upstate-downstate funding remains a priority because our farms need access to good roads and safe bridges in order to transport their goods to market.
“Many of the bridges that cross the Erie Canal are no longer accessible to agricultural equipment and vehicles because of the weight limit and restrictions,” said Norton. “This increases time and costs for farmers who may have to travel miles out of their way to get to a farm field or deliver milk.”
Another new priority for our members this year is support for transferring farm assessment functions from the Department of Taxation and Finance to the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Agricultural land assessments are determined by Agriculture and Markets under Agricultural District Law.
However, when it comes to administering the assessments, it falls to Tax and Finance which can create some confusion for assessors not well versed in Agriculture District Law. Moving the process to be entirely housed within the Department of Agriculture and Markets will not only streamline the process, but it would be a common sense move to improve a valuable program for our farms.
“There is a real sensitivity and understanding of our industry in the Department of Agriculture and Markets and we feel that assessment program and functions would be much better served in that department rather than Taxation and Finance,” said Jeff Williams, NYFB’s Public Policy Director.
Finally, energy is another major priority for New York Farm Bureau. Reducing costs and increasing efficiencies for farms, while also helping farms transition to renewable energy sources, provide many benefits for agriculture.
The Governor’s initiative, known as Reforming the Energy Vision or REV, is looking to be a more market-based plan than current energy policy incentives. In the past, NYSERDA has worked with farms to open up opportunities for solar, wind energy and bio mass as well as increasing the use of anaerobic digesters on dairy farms.
The digesters convert animal nutrients into electricity that is returned to the grid. New York Farm Bureau will work this year to ensure REV is implemented in a fair and effective way so that rural New York is able to take advantage of the programs available, and farms can contribute to a more resilient grid and power their neighborhoods.
“We are watching this process very closely, because at the end of the day, we want to make sure that farms who want to employ more renewable energy technologies are making out equally in rate pricing and that their efforts are economically viable,” said Williams. “At this time, we don’t know how this will impact farms or rate payers.”
SYRACUSE – The New York State Agricultural Society shared photos from last week’s annual meeting and awards program where two farms in Albion were honored for generations of work growing food.
The Century Farm Program began in 1937 and honors NY farms in continuous operation on the same land by the same family for 100 years or more. In 2000, the Bicentennial Farm Awards were initiated. Located in Albion, Kast Farms and LaMont Farms have both been acknowledged for their longevity and success.
In addition, a business based in Oakfield was named a Business of the Year.
LaMont Farms – Bicentennial Farm Honors
Photos courtesy of NYS Ag Society –Â Founded in 1815, LaMont Farms was honored as a Bicentennial Farm in 2016 by the NYS Agricultural Society. Bottom row, from left: Kristina Kramer, Ingrid LaMont and Suzanne LaMont. Top row: Jerry Cosgrove – Farm Credit East (award sponsor); Hans Kunze – President, NYS Agricultural Society; Richard Ball – Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets; George Lamont, Roger LaMont and Kurt LaMont.
Josias LaMont, the first generation of LaMonts to be born in the US, moved his young family to Orleans County in 1815. He purchased a 140-acre farm in the Town of Gaines from the Holland Land Company.
With the advent of the Erie Canal, the farm grew and transitioned to a second generation. Major LaMont grew dry beans and wheat like his father, and built a house that still stands on the property today.
Third and fourth generations of the LaMont family expanded acreage and diversified the business to include beans, grains, livestock, apples, peaches, pears and vegetable crops.
In 1938, George F. LaMont convinced his son Thomas to return to the farm, leaving his position as a land economics professor at Cornell University. Working together, father and son expanded to almost 500 acres with the same diverse mix of livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
The sixth generation entered the farm in 1959, including George F. and Roger LaMont. Under their management, they built the first controlled-atmosphere storage in Orleans County, and over the next three decades saw continued expansion to a peak of approximately 3,000 acres, and a Massey Ferguson dealership. In 1982 they helped form Lake Ridge Fruit Company in Gaines to access markets beyond the scope or reach of any individual farm.
In the past 10 years, the LaMonts have down-sized the operation, and George is now retired. Roger continues to own 531 acres, including the original 140 acres purchased by Josias in 1815. He also operates a fruit brokerage company, which markets fruit from local growers to wholesalers and packers in the Northeast.
Kast Farms, Inc. – Century Farm Honors
Kast Farms was recognized as a Century Farm by the NYS Agricultural Society. Pictured, from left: Hans Kunze – President, NYS Agricultural Society; John Kast; J. Stanley Kast; Tom Cosgrove – Farm Credit East (award sponsor); and Richard Ball – Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets.
First purchased in 1884 by Adelbert Chapman, great grandfather of present owner David Kast, Kast Farms has grown from 140 acres to a 4,200 acre business of fruit, vegetable, and grain crops.
The land is currently 50 percent owned and 50 percent leased, with 2,700 acres in field corn and small grains, and 1,000 acres of processing vegetables. An additional 450 acres is in fruit, primarily apples.
The original farm was located in a desirable area, seven miles from Lake Ontario and less than two miles from the Erie Canal. This was an ideal location to grow fruit and variety of crops due to the microclimate, soil types and proximity to the Erie Canal, an excellent transportation route at the time.
In 1915 John T. Kast married into the Chapman family, and purchased the farm from his mother-in-law. With sons Stanley and Merwin, they worked the farm for more than sixty years. Stanley Kast took over the operation in the 1950s, and in 1989, David and wife Kathy took over full operation.
The fifth generation of the Kast family – John and Brett – have returned to the operation after pursuing careers off the farm.
David Kast partnered with eight local farms, including LaMont Farms, to form Lake Ridge Fruit Company, LLC, an apple packing and storage facility located in the Town of Gaines. He served as president for over 20 years. The company has since grown into one of the largest apple packing and storage operations in the Northeast.
Farm Fresh First – Business of the Year
Farm Fresh First of Oakfield received one of two Business of the Year awards at the 184th Annual Forum of the NYS Agricultural Society. Bottom row,from left: Ken Mattingly; Dave Paddock; Mark Kellogg – Farm Credit East; and Jim Vincent. Middle row: Richard Ball – Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets; Hans Kunze – President, NYS Agricultural Society; Tom Facer; and Mike Gardinier. Top row: John Kast; Brett Kast; and David Kast.
First presented in 2001, the Business of the Year Award was presented to Farm Fresh First. Farm Fresh First, LLC is an agricultural raw products supply and services company specializing in fruits, vegetables and popcorn for the processing industry.
Farm Fresh First, LLC was formed in January 2007 to supply vegetable production and agricultural services for the vegetable processing facilities that had recently been purchased by Allen Canning Company from Arkansas. The ownership of the company is comprised of 15 growers plus three management personnel. Annual sales exceed $50 million.
Farm Fresh First, LLC works with growers in several states, however the New York State volume is the highest. Their staff of experienced agricultural managers works very closely with customers to match their needs on a daily basis to the acreage that is produced specifically for the customer.
Farm Fresh First has expanded significantly in its first eight years of operation. The initial vegetable operation has experienced modest increases in total NY acreage.
Farm Fresh has also been instrumental in re-introducing the production of lima beans, spinach, collards and turnips for processing in Western NY. Today Farm Fresh First has over 30,000 acres of vegetables under contract in New York.
The most significant area of growth has been in the processing fruit supply business. Farm Fresh First is the largest marketer of tart cherries and processing peaches in New York, and a significant marketer of apples for processing in the state, marketing fruit for over 100 individual growers. Farm Fresh also participates in the fresh apple market through an investment in Pomona Packing, Wolcott, NY.
In addition to New York operations, Farm Fresh markets popcorn from growers in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. To meet customer needs that cannot be supplied from New York production, Farm Fresh markets fruit from North Carolina, Virginia and Michigan.
Consumers see products that originate from Farm Fresh First in frozen bags of peas, microwave popcorn, fresh sliced apples served in fast food outlets, peaches in peach yogurt, cherries used to make Cheribundi cherry juice, apples in applesauce served in local schools and apples used to make hard cider.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers –Â Ed Morgan, chairman of the board for the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, congratulates Todd Roberts, center, after Roberts Farms was named the 2015 Conservation Farm of the Year in Orleans County. Todd’s son, Mason, is at right.
GAINES – A family farm now in its fourth generation was honored today for decades of conservation efforts, including installation of drainage tile, planting cover crops, reducing chemical usage and optimizing soil health.
Roberts Farms was started in 1931 by Justin Roberts. He was succeeded by sons Orren and Lee. Todd Roberts joined the farm in 1986 and became a partner with his father Lee in 1993. Lee retired in 2000 from management but was active with the farm until his death on April 7, 2015.
Todd’s son Mason, 21, is now part of the farm when he is home from Morrisville College, where he is majoring in agri-business.
The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District honors a farm each year for being committed to protecting the environment. Roberts Farms today was named the 2015 “Conservation Farm of the Year.”
The farm produces corn, wheat, soybeans, peas and lima beans on 2,000 acres in Orleans and Niagara counties. It is based on Salt Works Road in Shelby.
Todd Roberts, in accepting the award today, thanked Soil and Water staff for their expertise over the years with drainage tile, cover crops, grass waterways, soil testing and integrated pest management.
Gerald Scharping, the first Soil and Water district manager in 1972, assisted the farm in installing drainage tile about 40 years ago and Roberts said those tiles still work. Scharping attended today’s annual meeting.
State Sen. Robert Ortt congratulates the Roberts family on the conservation award. Ortt is pictured with, from left: Todd, Mason, Virginia and Deb Roberts.
Todd Roberts has a business card and letterhead that declares the farm is “Stewards of the land for generations.” The family has tried to live by those words in growing crops, Roberts said.
“You have to take care of the land and we have,” he said after Soil and Water’s annual meeting today at Tillman’s Village Inn.
State Sen. Rob Ortt and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley attended the meeting and presented the Roberts family with citations. Ortt said farmers are conservationists every day. A representative for Congressman Chris Collins also presented the family with a citation.
Dennis Kirby, the Soil & Water district manager, went over highlights from 2015 that included installing 245,000 feet of drainage tile (about 46 miles), surveying and designing 13 culverts, helping with 11,460 feet of ditches, and working with 15 farms to use Best Management Practices for conservation.
In addition, Soil and Water did its 15th annual shoreline cleanup and collected 489 pounds of trash from waterways, collected about 400 tires in its 10th annual tire cleanup, hosted Conservation Field Days at the farirgounds, sold 7,000 trees, 4,000 fish and maintained 5,275 feet of impaired waterways using a Slashbuster to remove debris and overgrown areas. The agency also works with farmers on agricultural value assessments, and is available to highway superintendents and residents for expertise.
Press release, NY Farm Bureau President Dean Norton
“Governor Andrew Cuomo is moving forward with some major budget proposals that will impact agriculture across the state in positive and negative ways. New York Farm Bureau has advocated on a host of issues mentioned in the State of the State, and many of the Governor’s requests reflect his interest to improving conditions for family farms across the state.
“New York Farm Bureau is hopeful his efforts to substantially increase the Environmental Protection Fund will assist farmers with expanded water quality, conservation and farmland preservation programs that are widely used.
“In addition, his request to offer a 100% tax credit on Thruway tolls for farm vehicles that use EZ Pass is a sensible approach to helping farms save money while at the same time making it easier to move their products around New York. Improving rural infrastructure also remains a priority for New York Farm Bureau, and we are pleased to see additional funding as well to improve roads and bridges in the upstate and Long Island regions.
“There is also support for agriculture reflected in funding for critical research. Plus, the Governor has maintained his commitment to marketing initiatives that let our neighbors and the world know about the healthy food and products that come from our farms.
“Despite these positive endeavors, New York Farm Bureau remains deeply concerned about the impact of a $15 minimum wage on our farms’ bottom lines. Many of our members tell us they will be forced to make tough choices should it pass, choices like reducing staff, changing what they grow and how they grow it, or just leaving farming altogether.
“We encourage Governor Cuomo to continue working with Farm Bureau to find better ways to promote job growth, better wages, and new opportunities for our family farms and their employees.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – The LaMont family celebrated 200 years of farming in Gaines during a party on Aug. 15. The family was recognized on Thursday as a “Century Farm” by the New York State Agricultural Society.
GAINES – Two farms that have been neighbors for more than a century were honored by the New York State Agricultural Society during its annual meeting in Syracuse on Thursday.
The LaMont and Kast families were both recognized as “Century Farms.” The LaMonts have actually been farming for two centuries. Josias LaMont started the family farm in 1815, when he bought 140 acres at Lattin Road and West Transit Church Road.
Roger and George LaMont are the sixth generation of the family to farm. The brothers have both been industry leaders in the apple business.
The Kast family dates back to 130 years of farming in Gaines. The farm today is owned by David and Kathy Kast, and their sons John and Brett. They attended the celebration on Thursday in Syracuse with David’s father, Stanley, 98.
Kast Farms is diversified with fruit, vegetables and grain.
David said the two families, Kast and LaMont, have been long-time friends and neighbors on Densmore Road.
“It was nice to see the neighbors received awards,” Kast said this afternoon.
The NY Ag Society is expected to send photos from the event.
A 140-foot-high wind turbine for Kast Farms on Densmore Road stands tall as the sun sets last July.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am
KENDALL – The National Corn Growers Association released the state and national winners in its annual corn yield contest and a Kendall farmer led the state and finished third in the country.
Matt Kludt of the Kludt Brothers Farm led New York with a yield of 322.97 bushels per acre in the no till/strip till non-irrigated class. He used a DeKalb seed.
Kludt will receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2016 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.
Kludt is a past winner for the state. He finished third overall in the country. Only Jill Justice of Beckley, WV, at 368.78 bushels and Jay Justice, also of Beckley, WV (360.32 bushels) had more in the no till/strip till non-irrigated class.
The National Corn Growers said improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the 2015 contest.
David Hula of Charles City, VA. Set a new national record with a yield just over 532 bushels per acre. He competed in the no till/strip till irrigated class. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
“The contest does more than just provide farmers an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates information that shapes future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques contest winners first develop grow into broad advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes how innovation, from growers and technology providers alike, enables us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
File photo by Tom Rivers –Â Congressman Chris Collins joins members of the Orleans County farm community in September 2013 at the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina to promote the Cider Industry Deserves Equal Regulation Act, which would reduce the excise tax on hard cider.
Press Release, NY Apple Association
FISHERS – New York state’s apple industry is raising glasses of hard cider today to toast the news that the U.S. Congress has approved an overhaul of how hard cider is taxed that will allow New York state hard ciders to be more competitive in the marketplace.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the measure as part of the so-called tax extenders bill approved Thursday; the U.S. Senate approved it today as part of a combined tax and government funding bill.
The House and Senate bills included language from bills introduced in both chambers earlier this year to level the playing field regarding how hard cider is taxed relative to other alcoholic beverages such as champagne, wine and beer. New York’s U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) had introduced the “Cider Investment and Development through Excise Tax Reduction (CIDER) Act of 2015” with five bipartisan cosponsors in May.
New York’s U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY-27) had introduced similar bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives in January with Oregon’s Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Several U.S. representatives from New York subsequently co-sponsored that House bill: Richard Hanna (R-NY-22), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18), Charles Rangel (D-NY-13), Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Paul Tonko (D-NY-20).
“As the second-largest apple producing state in the country, New York should be the core of hard cider boom we are seeing now. With this sensible change, our hard cider makers can sell more cider and grow their businesses – and that means our apple growers can sell more apples to those cider makers,” said NYAA President Jim Allen.
“Cheers to the leadership shown by the New York congressional delegation, our thanks to Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Chris Collins in particular,” he added.
Under current federal law, depending upon its alcoholic content hard cider can be taxed at same rate as wine, $1.07 per gallon – and depending upon its carbonation, it can be taxed at the even higher champagne rate of $3.30 per gallon. The CIDER Act provision included in the tax extender bill changes the definition of hard cider to tax it at $.23 per gallon, equivalent to beer.
