agriculture

Roberts family in Medina recognized as Agricultural Business of the Year

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 October 2024 at 11:11 am

Gary and Maggie Roberts and their children run fruit and vegetable farm, cider press and farm market

Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Roberts family poses in front of their farm market on Maple Ridge Road in Medina. Maggie and Gary Roberts, center, are flanked by son Patrick at left, and daughter Jenna Bruning, right, all of whom are involved in running some aspect of their farm, which has been honored as the Agricultural Business of the Year by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

MEDINA – Farming is not an easy job. The work is hard and the hours are long, but Gary and Maggie Roberts wouldn’t have it any other way.

The couple run the family farm on Freeman Road and the farm market on Maple Ridge Road with daughter Jenna Bruning and son Patrick Roberts.

They are honored and delighted to have been honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as Agricultural Business of the Year.

The farm began when Gary’s grandparents, Justin and Lorraine Roberts, purchased their home and 166 acres of land on Maple Ridge Road in 1931, just across from the farm market. Gary’s sister Linda and her husband Steve Fuller live there today.

Gary and Maggie Roberts look at some of the crates of apples used to make cider at Roberts Farm Market.

Gary’s dad Orren and uncle Lee Roberts eventually took over and carried on the Roberts Farm, joined by Gary and Lee’s son Todd as the boys grew.

In 1974, Orren and Lee purchased the property on Maple Ridge Road which was H.J. Heinz pea vinery. It would become Roberts Farm Market. The first order of business was to purchase a cider press. At some point, Gary said his dad started growing plants. Gary’s sister Linda managed the operation for a long time, until around 2,000, when she decided to get into horses and a riding stable.

In the early 1990s, Gary and Todd decided to focus their main interests in different areas, and in 1996 Gary and his dad took over the fruit growing, while Todd and Lee concentrated on crops, namely corn and soy beans.

Orren eventually transitioned from growing processing fruit to high-density fresh fruit trees. From 90 acres, they expanded to 180 acres of fresh fruit trees now. Varieties include Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Snapdragon (a New York apple), Ruby Frost (also a New York apple developed and mostly grown in New York), as well as some standard old favorites, such as Cortland.

“Everything I learned was from my dad and the Cornell fruit team” Gary said.

Gary and the former Maggie Hall met in high school during their senior year in 1986. They were married in 1987 and had three children, Christopher, who lives in Durham, N.C., Jenna and Patrick. Gary and Maggie have eight grandchildren.

Jenna, who married Gabe Bruning and lives just down Freeman Road from her parents, has five children and is running the farm now with her dad.

Maggie said Patrick was born in 1996, and she started working at the farm market when Patrick went to school. Eventually she became manager and began to expand the market’s offerings.

A new cider press was installed and the cider room upgraded; they built new greenhouses; and added new products and services.

“I tried to gradually enlarge it without drastically changing anything,” Maggie said.

They grow most of their own vegetables, all their own pumpkins and raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. Maggie buys as much as she can in Orleans County, and the rest from Niagara, Monroe and Genesee counties.

Five years ago, she added a very popular apple cider slushie machine.

Gifts, garden décor, locally made baked goods, locally grown beef and mushroom, Gardner’s jam, cheese curds, honey and maple syrup are other items they sell.

“I tried to keep all Linda had here,” Maggie said.

Gary and Maggie Roberts stand among the many shelves of produce and gifts for sale at Roberts Farm Market.

In 2007, due to a large shortage of labor, Orren and his dad built their first labor camp to house Jamaicans they bring in to harvest the apple crop every year. In 2020, a second camp was built to expand their work force, which now numbers 37. Twelve arrive in March and 25 by the end of August. All are gone by the middle of November.

Their average harvest produces 175,000 bushels of apples annually. They use 20,000 bushels at the market for cider and sales.

As Jenna and Patrick take over more responsibility, Gary and Maggie plan to do some traveling, but not get out totally.

“The farm has been wonderful,” Maggie said. “It gives you the freedom and space to raise kids and you’re not stuck in an office all day. I enjoy meeting the customers, many of whom I know by their first name.”

“I couldn’t do any of this without our team,” Gary said. “It’s hard work, but it’s very rewarding at the end.”

He said the day Chamber director Darlene Hartway came in and told him of their award, he was making cider.

“We were surprised and grateful,” Maggie said.

Gary and Maggie thank the community for their support.

“Without them we wouldn’t be here,” she said.

At State Fair, governor signs 3 legislative bills to aid agriculture

Posted 3 September 2024 at 12:26 pm

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

SYRACUSE – Governor Kathy Hochul, last week at the Great New York State Fair, signed three pieces of legislation expanding resources and protections for the State’s agricultural industry.

Legislation S.6320/A.6821 allows the leasing of State land to be used for sap production and tree tapping for ten years to increase the return on investment for producers, including maple producers. The legislation authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation to enter into contracts for the lease or use of State lands for the purpose of tree tapping and sap production for a term of up to, but not more than, ten years.

Legislation S.9232/A.10199 would allow licensed farm wineries to use apples grown outside of New York State to manufacture or sell State labeled cider, in certain circumstances. This legislation provides crop loss determination for farm wineries to authorize the use of apples grown outside of New York State to be used for state-labeled cider when needed due to a loss of crops.

Legislation S.9248/A.7020A establishes the Beginning Farmer Advisory Board on Agriculture. The legislation establishes the Beginning Farmer Advisory Board on Agriculture with the goal of implementing a plan that moves forward the State’s efforts to bring new entrants to the farm.

“As we celebrate the State Fair, we recognize that New York’s agriculture is a central component to our State’s economy,” Governor Hochul said. “With the signing of this legislation, we continue our mission to uplift this community and prove we are here to support them every step of the way.”

Farms, small businesses collaborate to serve bountiful feast for 200 at The Gallagher

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2024 at 9:41 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Eager eaters go through the service line and fill their plates with vegetables from Pudgie’s Veggies and burgers from RLW Cattle Co.

The Gallagher on Route 63 hosted the event on Thursday evening where 200 meals were served in an event promoted as “burgers and brews.”

It was a fast sell-out in a collaboration among RLW, Pudgie’s, the Gallagher, Hilltop Restaurant in Lockport and The Coffeepot Café in Medina.

The Coffeepot owners, Dan and Hans Rosentreter, provided the buns for the burgers. Hilltop catered the event, preparing the food.

Patrick Woodworth shucks corn inside the Gallagher while his wife Rachel Woodworth greets people. Harris Farms in Gasport provided the corn roaster and some manpower to cook the corn.

The Woodworths started a retail beef store on Swett Road in Lyndonville this past spring for RLW Cattle Co. Patrick is a fifth-generation beef farmer. He also grows apples and grains.

“This is to support local businesses,” Patrick said about the event. “We all have something to offer.”

There were 200 tickets at $35 each. Besides the food served at the Gallagher, everyone received a pound of beef to take home.

“People are being so positive about it,” Rachel said. “It’s like a farm-to-table dinner.”

Pudgie’s Veggies owner Pudgie Bale and partner Debbie Fuller were happy to see so many people enjoying the food.

Pudgie’s provided potatoes, corn on the cob, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Bale also made it known he is planning to retire from growing vegetables after this year. He has grown vegetables for 25 years. He also worked as a heavy equipment operator and bartender. Bale said he wants more time to enjoy life, especially time with his grandchildren. He has been working 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“I just can’t do it anymore,” said Bale, who is 68. “I’m crawling into the house at night.”

Pudgie’s supplies eight restaurants with vegetables, and has stands outside his home on Route 63 near Boxwood Cemetery and by Lake’s Wine and Spirits at the corner of Salt Works Road and Park Avenue. Budgie’s also has a stand on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at RLW on Swett Road.

Bale said his goal was to provide top-tier produce.

“We built this business on quality,” he said.

Tony Conrad, executive chef and owner of Hilltop Restaurant in Lockport, grills burgers outside The Gallagher. Conrad and his team of employees prepared the meals for Thursday’s dinner.

The event also included music from the Dave Stoll Band in Lyndonville.

The apple crisp were made from apples from Sandy Knoll Farms, owned by Patrick Woodworth in Lyndonville. These apples came out of storage from last year’s crop. Sandy Knoll was hit hard by a hail storm on Aug. 11.

Everett Bruning busses tables during the event. His parents, Jenna and Martin Bruning, opened The Gallagher in 2016. The site hosts about 50 weddings a year, and also is used for other parties and events.

Lane Woodworth gives one of the dinner guests a bag with a frozen pound of beef to take home.

The Woodworth, Conrad and Bruning families and Pudgie’s Veggies leaders pose for a photo outside the Gallagher.

From left in front include Morgan Woodworth and Megan Fargale (from Hilltop Restaurant).

Back row includes Lane, Patrick, Rachel and Nathan Woodworth; Tony and Crystal Conrad; Debbie Fuller and Pudgie Bale; Sylvia, Aubrey, Everett, Martin and Jenna Bruning.

Oak Orchard Health continues long-standing outreach to farmworkers

Photos courtesy of Oak Orchard Health: Jose Iniguez, an owner of Lamont Farms, stands in an orchard with Sandra Rivera, a community health worker for Oak Orchard Health.

Posted 21 August 2024 at 2:06 pm

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Since 1973, Oak Orchard Health has been committed to providing person-centered and culturally competent care to our most underserved communities, especially in our agricultural community.

Oak Orchard was originally funded as a migrant health project. Agriculture is the number one industry in Western New York, specifically in Orleans and Genesee counties, where most of our farmworkers and their families reside, work and attend school.

Farmworkers are exposed to risky and harsh conditions, such as harmful chemicals, long working hours, working with large animals, operating heavy equipment, and extreme weather conditions. Agricultural workers are also responsible for feeding our local communities and our country, and we must keep them healthy.

With his permission, Jose Iniguez shares his story of working with Oak Orchard Health to keep his farmworkers healthy. Iniguez began his journey when he came to the US at age 16 in 1991. He began as a farmworker in Washington State, saying, “My employer was ahead of the times, engaging in state-of-the-art growing practices, so I learned a lot.”

In 1994, he had the opportunity to come to New York, bringing the knowledge and skills he had learned in Washington State and working his way up to VP and Chief Operating Officer at Lamont Farms. He is one of the three partners.

Apple Harvesting is labor intensive

Apple harvesting is a labor-intensive process by the time it hits the stores.

“By the time you get apples to the store, it has been touched 20-25 times from the time it blossoms and eventually turns into an apple,” Iniguez said. “Mowing is also important to the upkeep of the orchard; mowing before the harvest can make it easier to move ladders, bins, and boxes through the orchard. The bottom line is that a lot of hard work goes into each apple by the time you get it to the store. To achieve this, it takes many people; you must prune the trees, removing suckers and bad wood, which help stimulate the tree to produce more fruiting spurs. Pruning also opens the branches so sunlight and air reach the ripening fruit. This is why so many workers are needed for one harvest.”

Lamont Farms has not had a good harvest in almost eight years due to the weather and the Covid-19 pandemic. “But this year is looking much better,” Iniquez said.

Not only does Iniguez have to work with the farmworkers, but he also has to adhere to NY State labor laws, harvesting times, weather, and balancing out the needs of the farm owners. If they have bad weather or there is a miscalculation in their numbers, workers are still paid at least 30 hours per week.

Most farm workers do not know they have sick time available. Lamont Farms recognizes this and encourages workers to take the available time so that farmworkers can get the care they need. Because of how well Lamont Farms treats their employees, they have had a return rate of 95% over the last 10 years. Iniguez says, “It has taken us almost 20 years to build this team. It is built on a lot of trust.”

How Oak Orchard Community Health Centers keeps farmworkers healthy

One step to keeping farmworkers healthy is the Oak Orchard Health Outreach Team and their community health workers. CHWs visit the farms or camps and provide necessary healthcare, health education, immunizations, and blood pressure checks.

They can also help set up future medical appointments and get prescriptions filled. The community health workers are certified Spanish interpreters and have built a trusted relationship with the farmworkers, their families, and the farm owners. In addition to the above services, the outreach team provides the following services:

Covid-19 education, testing and vaccinations
Spanish-English interpretation and translation
Transportation
Expanded evening hours for just farmworkers so they don’t lose pay

If farmworkers are eligible for health insurance, Oak Orchard has facilitated health insurance enrollers in their health care facilities, or facilitated enrollers will tag along with the OOH Outreach team to enroll them where they live to help with medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

Having health insurance removes the financial barrier to getting health care. If they are not eligible for health insurance, Community Health Workers will help guide them to enrolling an individual into our Sliding Scale Fee program.

Our Vision for the Future

Oak Orchard Health’s Vision is to be a leader of continuous growth and transformation, where innovative, holistic, and comprehensive care—for body and mind—is provided for all in partnership with our community.

We are here for everyone, all farmworkers, and their families, regardless of financial means, immigration status, or station in life, as a caring, compassionate, nonjudgmental, trustworthy provider.

Governor gives final OK for direct shipping to consumers for NY spirits, cider

Posted 19 August 2024 at 2:51 pm

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul signed landmark legislation S.2852A/A.3132A that allows New York’s small craft manufacturers of spirits, cider, and mead to ship directly to consumers.

The newly signed law opens significant opportunities for the state’s growing craft beverage industry by providing a vital market expansion tool—allowing these producers to ship their unique products directly to consumers within New York and across state lines.

“New York’s craft manufacturers create distinctive, world-class products that deserve a broader audience,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation levels the playing field, allowing these small producers to reach new markets and foster economic growth across the state. With this new law, we are ensuring that New York remains a national leader in craft beverages, continuing to support our local businesses, tourism, and agriculture.”

Expanding Market Access for Craft Producers

New York’s craft cider and spirit producers often struggle to gain access to traditional wholesale distribution channels, placing these smaller manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage, as their products are less likely to reach licensed retailers and consumers. Direct-to-consumer shipping offers an essential new outlet for these smaller producers, enabling them to build brand loyalty by connecting directly with consumers who want to enjoy the unique products that define New York’s craft beverage industry. For consumers, the new law means greater access to high-quality New York-made products, driving demand for the state’s craft beverages both locally and nationally.

This expansion of market access is particularly significant as New York is home to the largest number of craft cideries in the nation and ranks second in the U.S. for the number of distilleries. By allowing these manufacturers to ship directly to consumers, New York strengthens its position as a leader in the craft beverage industry while supporting the state’s broader agricultural economy.

This legislation also represents a milestone for parity for New York’s spirits and cider producers, who have long advocated for the same privileges that wine manufacturers have enjoyed for nearly two decades, while providing safeguards against underage access to alcohol and ensuring proper tax collection by mirroring the responsible sales and delivery practices established under the DTC wine shipping laws.

Temporary Covid-19 Relief Now Permanent

During the Covid-19 pandemic, New York craft manufacturers of spirits and cider were granted temporary DTC shipping privileges to help them survive the economic downturn. This temporary measure proved highly successful, with no recorded violations, demonstrating that direct shipping can be done safely and responsibly. The new law permanently codifies this privilege, allowing small craft manufacturers to continue growing their businesses by reaching customers both within and outside of New York.

New York State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan said, “This legislation will hopefully support the long-term survival and create another growth spurt of New York’s vibrant craft and farm alcohol producers. I am immensely proud that our agency is able to support our manufacturing licensees in obtaining this long-sought change, which would allow them to directly touch their consumers and build brand loyalty in a meaningful manner.”

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “This legislation provides our distilleries and cideries with tremendous opportunity for growth that will have a ripple effect on our economy. With the most cideries and the second-most distilleries in the nation, New York State is committed to continuing to support these small businesses, who ultimately also help provide a boost to our farmers as well. By opening up the direct-to-consumer shipping option, producers can reach even more customers and consumers have an opportunity to discover a new, favorite New York beverage.”

The new law takes effect in 90 days, just in time for the upcoming holiday season, allowing consumers to explore and enjoy New York’s world-class craft spirits, cider and mead from the comfort of their own homes.

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “We are excited for our farm distillers and farm cideries who will now be able to expand their market by shipping their products directly to consumers. This is a lifeline for many struggling distilleries and cideries throughout the state. This will help strengthen the fruit, grain and potato industry in New York and is a huge win for agriculture.”