Press Release, New York Farm Bureau

During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, farmers spoke out against plans to raise the minimum wage to $10.50 or higher in New York. It would strain farmer income and place farmers in this state at a further competitive disadvantage.

New York Farm Bureau has compared other minimum wage rates across the country, including those states New York directly competes with in the dairy industry. California is the only large dairy state with a similar minimum wage. California stands at $9. However, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Idaho are all at the federal standard of $7.25.

But this isn’t just about rising wage rates for those earning the minimum. Farmers in New York routinely pay well above current rate. It was revealed during the press conference call, that according to the USDA, farms in New York already pay an average agriculture wage rate of $12.15.

Farmers expressed that upping the New York minimum wage would lift all wages on their farms. They said a worker, who already earns a higher hourly rate based on experience and time on the farm, would also expect a bump in salary to match.

Sandie Prokop, a dairy farmer with Crossbrook Farm in Schoharie County, estimates a $1.75 wage increase and additional payroll taxes for her six employees would add an additional $44,354 to her payroll. This is at a time when the income her family’s farm receives for milk has dropped dramatically in recent months.

Because of dropping milk prices set by the federal milk marketing order, she said her milk income has fallen more than $40,000 in the first two months of the year and expects the March check to be even lower. Prokop said they have already cut costs where they can and do not know where else to trim should labor costs climb again.

“You can’t give one employee a raise and not another,” said Prokop. “It’s a significant amount of money without any time to prepare. We are price takers and not price makers. We do not have that $45,000 available. The choices become very dark and very serious for everyone that is milking cows and farming in New York.”

Brian Reeves of Reeves Farms in Baldwinsville runs a vegetable and fruit farm, including a u-pick operation. He also expressed that this hike would drive up wages across the board for his employees. He estimates that a $10.50 rate and added payroll taxes would cost his farm an additional $50,000 a year.

“This isn’t a story of ‘gee, we have minimum wage workers and can’t give them another quarter.’ We are already paying well above it. Our entire payroll creeps up when the minimum wage goes up and has a profound impact on your bottom line,” said Reeves. “Where the rub is for me is I compete with Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, states that typically have fewer expenses to farm than we do in New York.”

New York Farm Bureau has continually supported keeping the state minimum wage linked with that of the federal minimum wage, as NY farmers are competing in a global marketplace. Farmers can’t pass along the increases to wholesalers, processors and grocery stores because of competition from farms in other states and countries.

“Farmers can’t simply raise our prices because labor prices are going up,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President. “This is not a wise strategy to support agriculture or business in the State of New York.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These horses are out getting a drink from a waterlogged pasture at the corner of Route 31 and Long Bridge Road in Albion late this afternoon. The horses are owned by the Bokman family.

They were out at about 5 p.m. when it was 32 degrees out. The temperature will fall to 16 degrees tonight, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Thursday is forecast for a high of 35 and a low of 22, followed by 39 and 31 on Friday, and 42 and 18 on Saturday, according to the Weather Service.

Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – FFA students hold raffle items that were auctioned off to raise money for the Albion FFA program. The money will be used to send students for leadership training. Andrea Muoio is at left and Mackenzie Luft, third from left, wait to see which bidder won the items.

About 160 people attended the 17th annual Farmer to Neighbor Night at the White Birch Golf Course.

Abigail Maines, a junior at Medina, delivers a prepared speech that was nearly 10 minutes. Abigail recently finished in 4th place at the district competition for the speech.

Abigail advocates for the benefit of therapy animals. She and the Medina FFA would like to train llamas and alpacas as therapy animals that could visit elementary students, and residents at nursing homes and Hospice.

FFA advisor Todd Eick said the stduents plan to work with Pet Partners to train the animals.

Todd Eick, advisor of the Medina FFA, thanked the community and school districts for supporting the FFA and agriculture programs at Medina and Albion.

Both Albion and Medina have hosted the FFA State Convention (Medina in 2014 and Albion in 2013), a testament of the districts’ ag programs and the draw of the area around the state for students to see local progressive farms.

Adam Krenning, the Albion FFA advisor, is pictured with Medina and Albion FFA members. He praised the students for their hard work in FFA and their many community service projects. The Albion chapter coordinated a food drive last December that resulted in 27,000 pounds of food donated by farms to Community Action.

Sate Sen. Robert Ortt said agriculture is a big business in New York, a fact he said he will share with his colleagues in the State Legislature from New York City.

“We all know you can’t grow food on Wall Street,” Ortt said.

A recent report from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli counted agriuculture as a $40 billion business annually in the state.

Barry Flansburg, a member of the Albion FFA Alumni, served as emcee for the event. He is pictured behind Ortt.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is a past president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau. He also serves on the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee.

He praised the farmers and FFA for their work ethic and commitment to the community.

“This is the lifeblood of the community and our No. 1 industry,” Hawley said.

Hawley said he expects legislation for overtime for farmworkers and the right to collective bargaining to again be pushed in Albany. Hawley dubbed that legislation “The Farm Death Bill.” He said he and Ortt will work to prevent its passage.

Jayne Bannister is the Orleans-NIagara dairy princess. She also is a member of the Albion FFA and the district president. She touted the nutritional benefits of milk.

Albion FFA members Allyson Graham, left, and Alexis Bentley recite the creed.

Allyson Graham recites part of the creed, alternating with Alexis Bentley.

The FFA students are pictured with Rob Ortt and Steve Hawley.

The Albion FFA Alumni, Medina FFA, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District and Chamber of Commerce all work together planning and promoting the dinner.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A bale of hay is pictured last summer off Wood Road near the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that as a result of the Agricultural Land Assessment Cap, last year farmers across the state paid $11 million less in agricultural property taxes.

Signed into law by Cuomo in October 2013, the law ensures that any increase in the agricultural assessment will be no more than 2 percent per year for farmers. Coupled with the 2 percent property tax cap, New York farmers are now enjoying a more predictable property tax climate, Cuomo said.

This predictability allows for smart business decision-making that helps to increase productivity and profitability on farms across the state, he said.

“Protecting our farmers from drastic adjustments in agricultural assessment values is crucial to ensuring that New York’s booming agriculture industry continues to thrive,” Cuomo said. “This control on property tax growth is helping some of our hardest working individuals support themselves and their families. The agriculture industry is an important part of the State’s economy, and this program will continue to provide meaningful relief to help keep our farmers’ hard-earned income in their pockets.”

The base assessment value for agricultural lands nearly doubled over the seven years prior to Cuomo implementing the assessment relief, despite a 10 percent cap on annual assessment growth. The Department of Taxation and Finance projects the 2 percent cap will yield even greater benefit to New York farmers in 2015.

“Our state is home to thousands of world class agricultural producers and we have a lot to be proud of,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.

“In all my years as a farmer, I can honestly say that there has never been a better relationship between agriculture and state government than there is right now. This new law is living proof of this partnership.”

Between 2000 and 2011, property taxes nearly doubled in New York. As a result of the property tax cap introduced by the governor in 2011, New York’s property taxes have been held to an average growth rate of 2.2 percent during the past three years, nearly 60 percent less than the 5.3 percent rate of growth over the previous 10 years.

“The cap on agricultural land assessment was a top priority for our members who were seeing their tax bills skyrocket because of rising land values,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau president. “In turn, the money they have saved can be reinvested into our farms to help grow our rural economies upstate and on Long Island. We appreciate Governor Cuomo working with us to invest in New York agriculture and accomplish such significant savings.”

File photos by Tom Rivers – An operator at Root Brothers Farm works the ground at the corner of Long Bridge Road and Route 31 in the Town of Albion in this photo from last May.

Agricultural is a very big business in New York State – nearly a $40 billion impact in the state’s economy, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

The comptroller’s report counted agriculture’s impact at $37.6 billion to New York’s economy in 2012, an increase of more than 22 percent from 2007, according to DiNapoli.

The $37.6 billion is far more than the $5.5 billion in direct farm revenue counted in the 2012 Agriculture Census. (Orleans County ranks 13th out of 62 counties at $150.3 million in direct farm sales, according to the Ag Census in 2012. Click here to see “Ag revenues soar in latest census.”)

The state ranks in the top 10 nationwide for milk and other dairy production, as well as wine, apples, maple syrup and other products. New York is the second-leading apple producer behind only Washington State and Orleans County is NY’s second-leading apple producer behind Wayne County.

Orleans County is a big grain producer, with a lot of the crop going to the ethanol plant in Medina. This picture shows a grain facility in Shelby.

“New York’s economy is still fueled by agricultural activity and the production of food,” DiNapoli said in a news release. “Farms in New York are 98 percent family-owned, yet compete on a national level, diversifying our economy and keeping our local communities strong. It makes economic sense for the state to retain and promote our farms to feed our residents and preserve our land.”

Milk is the state’s largest commodity, with $2.4 billion in sales, followed by grains, peas and beans at $856 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 census.

New York also ranked first nationwide in the production of yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream, and was the second-largest wine producer in 2013, with 34 million gallons. The state also ranked second nationally in maple syrup production.

“Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s report calls attention to the significant economic impact agriculture has in New York state,” said Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau. “This in-depth look highlights the dedication of farmers, the diversity of products and the unmistakable conclusion that agriculture is a cornerstone of our rural economy both upstate and on Long Island. New York Farm Bureau thanks the Comptroller for the report and his continued interest in our state’s agricultural strength.”

A cow bellows at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville in this photo from July 2013. Dairy is the biggest sector of agriculture in NY.

As of 2012, roughly 56,000 New Yorkers operated farms, with an additional 61,000 people hired as farm laborers. Both the total value of agricultural commodity sales and farm acreage increased from 2007 to 2012, while the number of New York farms and farmers declined modestly.

With an average farmer’s age of 55 years old – reflecting the national average – fewer younger adults are entering the farming profession. In 2012, more than half of New York farms had sales below $10,000.

New York state has established a number of policy initiatives to promote its agricultural sector, including:

The Farmland Protection Program, which can pay 75 percent of purchase costs for conservation easements to municipalities;

The New Farmers Grant Fund to encourage young people to take up farming with grants for equipment purchases, supplies or construction;

The Fresh Connect and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable programs, which bring farm food to communities and fund school purchases of fresh produce; and

The Food Metrics Law, which encourages state agencies to purchase food produced by New York farmers.

As farmers continue to address the challenges driven by factors at the local, national and even international levels, close attention to the most effective mix of state policies to support agriculture will remain essential, DiNapoli said.

In addition to providing a big economic benefit, the comptroller said agriculture has other quality of life contributions, including preservation of open spaces.

To see DiNapoli’s report, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers – This photo shows apples in an orchard in September at the corner of East State Street and Butts Road in Albion.

Press Release
NY Governor’s Office

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced that New York is once again the second highest producer of apples and the third highest producer of grapes in the nation, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

New York produced an estimated 1.26 billion pounds of apples and 188,000 tons of grapes last year, combining for a total $358.4 million crop. The standings come on the heels of a series of record agriculture harvests and unprecedented international recognition of New York’s agriculture products over the last four years.

“New York is home to some of the best agricultural products in the world, and these numbers show that this state remains a national leader,” Cuomo said. “A sustainable farming sector not only grows the economy and creates jobs, but also makes it clear that New York is open for business.”

With these estimates, only California and Washington exceed New York in grape production and only Washington produced more apples than the Empire State last year. The growth of the wine industry in particular was cited as a factor in New York’s naming of “Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine last October. Other factors included the quality of wines and greatly improved business climate – particularly over the last four years with Gov. Cuomo’s support.

Paul Schwenk checks over the vidal grapes during the 2013 harvest at his vineyard in Kent. Schwenk uses a 1960 Oliver tractor to haul the crop.

According to USDA Statistics Service, New York is home to 40,000 acres of apple orchards. Apple growers produced an average of 31,500 pounds per acre of apples. Last year’s crop totaled $289 million, a 22 percent increase from 2013.

New York is also home to 37,000 acres dedicated to the production of grapes. In the wake of a very harsh winter following the best crop in the state’s history, grape growers produced 5.08 tons per acre of grapes in 2014 with crop production totaling $69.4 million.

“Our apple and grape industries are symbols of excellence within New York agriculture and I congratulate both industries on their successes in 2014,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “When agriculture does well, the New York economy does well. I see nothing but a bright future for agriculture here in New York State.”

Governor Cuomo’s Taste NY program has promoted the New York apple industry at Thruway rest stops and physical Taste NY stores located across the state, as well as through cider tastings at industry events such as the annual International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City and the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. Many apple orchards and cideries also proudly display the Pride of NY label on their products.

In October 2013, Gov. Cuomo signed legislation making a new license available to farm cideries that use crops grown exclusively in New York State. The new law has opened new opportunities for the state’s apple industry while creating 11 farm cideries across New York.

New York apples have year-round availability in more than 20 varieties, including Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, RubyFrost and Zestar. According to the New York Apple Association, one medium apple (about 80 calories) provides one-fifth of dietary fiber requirements for cardiovascular and digestive health and contains no fat, sodium or cholesterol.

“We might be number two in national apple production, but New York has the best growing conditions and best tasting apples in the country,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association. “That puts us number one in the hearts of consumers from around the world. Snow may be on the ground, but New York apples, ciders and other apple products are available at food establishments throughout the year.”

According to a recent economic impact study commissioned by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, the grape, grape juice and wine industry has a $4.8 billion economic impact and attracts 5.3 million tourists annually to the New York State. The industry supports 25,000 full-time jobs with wages amounting to more than $1.4 billion.

“The 2014 New York grape crop turned out a lot better than many people expected after the extreme cold of three ‘polar vortex’ events upstate during the winter, followed by a relatively cool spring and summer,” said Jim Trezise, president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. “But September turned out to be pure magic for ripening, so the quality was superb and the quantity was larger than envisioned earlier. Tonnage was 9 percent below the previous year, but that’s because 2013 was the largest harvest on record. All in all, it was a very good year.”

New York has ranked second in apple production every year since 1996 and third in grape production every year since 1987, with an exception in 1996 when the state ranked second. New York State also traditionally ranks in the top ten nationally in the production of blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, sweet cherries and tart cherries. In 2014, the state ranked fourth in pear production, fifth in tart cherries, eighth in sweet cherries, ninth in strawberries, and eleventh in peaches and blueberries.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension recently picked its officers for 2015.

The slate includes Ed Neal, President; Erin Anheier, Vice President; Laura Bentley, Secretary; and Mike Zelazny, Treasurer. Also serving on the board are Gary Blackburn, Gary Davy, Chris Flansburg, Vince Flow III, Kathy Harling, Tim Kirby, Don O’Keefe, Charlie Pettit, and Pete Toenniessen along with County Legislature representatives Don Allport and E. John DeFilipps. Peter Landre, Cornell Cooperative Extension State Extension Specialist, serves as a liaison between the board and Cornell University.

The CCE Board of Directors set its meeting schedule for 2015 to be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15, March 19, May 21, Aug. 20 and Oct. 15 in the Education Center at the 4-H Fairgrounds at 12690 State Route 31, Albion.

Election of board members takes place each year at the annual meeting. The 2015 OCCCE Annual Meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1 in the Trolley Building at the Fairgrounds. All meetings are open to community members in adherence with the Open Meetings Law.

Please contact the OCCCE Program Director, Jennifer Wagester, at 585-798-4265 or orleans@cornell.edu if you have an item for consideration at an upcoming board meeting. Information about OCCCE, including board and committee minutes, newsletters, and educational opportunities, can be found online by clicking here.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, announced a new push today to prevent foodborne illness and improve food safety standards.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that each year approximately 1 in 6 Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. Gillibrand said an estimated 3 million New Yorkers get sick from the food they eat each year

According the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates, nearly a quarter of all cut-up chicken parts are contaminated by Salmonella and another Consumer Reports study found that one third of all chicken breast with Salmonella carry a drug resistant strain of the disease.

Gillibrand is a pushing a new bill introduced last week, the Safe Food Act of 2015, which would consolidate food safety authorities into a single independent food safety agency called the Food Safety Administration.

Sen. Gillibrand

Under the current system, 15 different federal agencies oversee food safety functions including inspections, enforcement, recalls and restrictions on pathogens like Salmonella and E.coli. According to a Government Accountability Agency study, the fragmented and inefficient system is a high risk to the public’s safety.

“Too many New Yorkers are getting sick and even dying from food they trusted was safe,” Gillibrand said. “New Yorkers should be able to walk into a grocery store and be confident that the food they are putting on their family’s kitchen table and serving at our schools or in our restaurants is properly inspected and safe to eat.”

The proposed consolidated agency would help prevent foodborne illness by allowing food recalls to happen more quickly once illnesses are confirmed, improving inspections, and enhancing enforcement against unsafe food. The Food Safety Administration would also protect and improve the public’s health by focusing resources to prevent and detect foodborne illness before it spreads rather than responding after New Yorkers have already fallen ill.

“We need to detect foodborne illness and stop it before it spreads rather than scramble to respond after New Yorkers have already fallen ill,” Gillibrand said. “My plan would give New York families more peace of mind when they sit down at the kitchen table by reducing bureaucracy and consolidating the 15 federal agencies that oversee food safety under one roof.”

Gillibrand is also proposing new legislation that would require stores to improve customer notification in the event of a food recall. Stores with customer loyalty card programs could use that data to call and email consumers when food they have purchased has been recalled.

Gillibrand’s proposed legislation, the Meat and Poultry Recall Notification Act, would grant authority to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service to require companies to recall dangerous food and notify consumers and local health officials. Gillibrand’s new legislation would also create a 1-page Recall Summary Notice that could be prominently displayed on the store shelf where the recalled food was sold or at the cash register for stores that lack customer loyalty card programs.

“We need to make sure that if dangerous food does end up at the grocery store that it gets recalled, pulled off the shelf and out of freezers faster,” Gillibrand said. “Every time you swipe a loyalty card to save a few cents, the grocery store makes a record of what food you’re bringing home. When a recall happens, stores should use that information to call and email people to tell them to not eat the food they have purchased.”