Provided photo: James Williams has joined United Apple Sales and HH Dobbins as business development manager.

Press Release, United Apple Sales in Lyndonville

LYNDONVILLE – A new face will be joining the United Apple team for the 2023/24 season. James Williams has joined the Lyndonville-based grower, packer and shipper as business development manager.

Williams is bringing a diverse background in the produce industry. Previously a business development manager at Intergrow Greenhouses and a produce merchant at Sam’s Club in Bentonville, AR, James has experience from tropicals, to grapes and potatoes to tomatoes.

“Growing up on the family farm here in upstate NY where we primarily did potatoes and onions, I was always drawn towards the small orchard part of our farm,” he said. “Choosing your production system and the varieties you are betting on for the next 25 years, and then year in and year out catering towards the needs of those trees to make it harvest you’ve been working towards. The commitment has to be there day in and day out. I’m excited to officially enter the tree fruit industry, and to work with and learn from our 50-plus grower partners here in New York and abroad!”

His primary tasks will be in the sales and marketing arena, but Williams also will be working with Justin Whipple, the grower operations manager, on grower relations. They will be communicating customer wants and needs, stressing importance of quality and planning out future varietal programs.

“The great thing is James is a new grower himself,” said Brett Baker, United Apple President. “He and his wife Jamie planted about 25 acres to start out their own orchard, so James has a horse in the race as well. This will give him the ability to experience and feel the challenges on the grower end while working with our retail and wholesale customers.”

The 2023 growing year has certainly presented some challenges here in New York. A mid-May frost hit much of the 3 growing regions here in New York State.

“Most areas were past bloom at the point the frost rolled in, but some were fruitlets froze off and some finishing issues becoming apparent later on,” Baker said. “On years like this it certainly goes to show the importance of our partnerships in other production regions in North America. Our Pacific Northwest Office manned by Josh Turnstall keeps United abreast to the outlook of the Washington crop, what varieties are going in and sets up strategic details with west coast shippers. Our production alliances in Michigan will also play a key part is this upcoming crop year. Although our bread and butter is here in New York, our main objective is to offer consistent quality and availability, year in and year out for our growing customer base.”

United Apple Sales is a leading northeast grower, packer, shipper and marketer of domestic apples, pears and cherries. The company has deep roots in the agricultural market starting with its initial farm in 1905.  Over the past 11 decades, it has evolved into an integrated produce company that also has import and export capabilities to offer full-year supply assurance and merchandising services to retail, wholesale, and canning and juicing companies. United Apples is a member of a select group of orchardists growing new apple varieties: EverCrisp, RubyFrost and SnapDragon.

HH Dobbins produces over 1 million finished 40-pound cases of apples annually. The business employs 60 local associates and works with over 50 NY growers.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to swiftly approve any New York Disaster Declarations in response to the May 18 frost that caused significant damage and loss to crops across large portions of New York’s Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley regions.

Additional co-signers of the letter include Reps Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Marcus Molinaro (NY-19), and Brandon Williams (NY-22).

On May 18, a late-season frost swept through much of Upstate New York and the Hudson Valley, inflicting substantial damage on various agricultural products. The unseasonably warm April caused grape vines and stone fruit trees to exit their winter dormancy early, making them exceptionally vulnerable to freezing temperatures.

While the full extent of damage to the apple and stone fruit crop is still unknown, in some parts of the Finger Lakes region, vineyards are estimated to have incurred losses of up to 90% of their crops, potentially requiring the replacement of damaged vines. An especially hard-hit area is the region around Keuka Lake and southern Seneca Lake, where there have been reports that many grape growers have seen a 50-90% loss of their vines. The New York State Department of Agriculture expects to gain a clearer assessment later this summer.

“This recent frost event is one of the most severe experienced in our community in decades, making it imperative our growers receive the aid they need,” Tenney said. “Our growers play a vital role in our region’s agricultural sector and are integral to our local economy. New York’s 24th District is home to the Finger Lakes region, the heart of New York’s wine industry, which was significantly impacted by this frost. I urge the USDA to promptly prepare for and respond to any disaster declaration requested by New York in order to facilitate the speedy recovery of impacted farmers and communities affected by this devastating event.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Blossoms at an Albion fruit orchard are pictured on May 9, 2018.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning & Development

ALBION – Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in its existing, certified agricultural district during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law. The annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property that consists of predominantly viable agricultural land.

During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from County Agricultural District No.1, which in 2016 became the sole agricultural district in the County as a result of a consolidation process.

This opportunity supplements, but does not replace, enrollment in an existing agricultural district during a more comprehensive review process held once every eight years. The next eight-year anniversary review – the only time during which parcels can be both added and removed – will not occur until 2024.

Presently, there are over 117,116 acres in County Agricultural District No. 1, including an additional 279 acres through eight lots last year.

Requests for inclusion in District No. 1 will be evaluated, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. To enroll, owners must complete and sign a Letter of Intent for Annual Enrollment form.

These are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development (589-3197) or online by clicking here.

Completed forms should be sent by July 1 to:

Corey Winters, Planner

Orleans County Department of Planning & Development

14016 Route 31 West

Albion, NY  14411-9382

Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that an owner’s property will be added to Agricultural District No 1. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify your land for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact your local assessor.

Any qualifying lot must be included entirely rather than partially.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide swift relief to vineyards, farms, and orchards who have suffered major crop damage from the extreme cold weather last week that destroyed thousands of acres of grapes & apples, and if requested, be ready to approve a crop disaster declaration to provide emergency relief.

As a result of the ill-timed cold snap, scientists at Cornell are saying that the state as a whole lost up to 15 percent of its apple crop, while the Hudson Valley saw losses of between 30-35 percent and grapes were also hit hard with vineyards across New York reporting losses ranging from 5 to 100 percent.

The senators said that this widespread agricultural devastation requires prompt attention from the feds, especially since more frost is forecast in the coming days, and are urging the USDA to make any and all assistance available to impacted eligible growers.

“With apple and grape buds hit by extraordinarily low temperatures in May, the crop losses that farmers across the state are now seeing will have detrimental effects throughout the year,” Schumer said. “That is why I am calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stand ready in two key ways: first, by ensuring that direct reimbursements go out quickly to eligible growers with tree and vine damage through the Tree Assistance Program; and second, by preparing all resources and to be ready, if requested, to approve a disaster declaration and assist farmers and growers in the process of reporting losses and damages.”

“New York’s agricultural industry is essential to the economy and well-being of our state,” said Senator Gillibrand. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I’m pushing USDA to send emergency assistance to help our producers, orchards, vineyards, and businesses make it through last week’s devastating cold front. I’m also fighting to include provisions that would protect and support New York’s ag producers in this year’s Farm Bill.”

Sam Filler, Executive Director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation said, “After many growers experienced winter damage in 2022, they were looking forward to a production and uneventful 2023 harvest. It was looking like the stars were aligning for a special vintage until frost struck. The New York Wine & Grape  Foundation will work with our State and Federal partners to ensure that grower financial losses can be mitigated through available disaster relief programs.”

The senators said initial investigations show the entire state was hit hard by the frost events and more frost is forecast in the coming days. According to local officials, several vineyards in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier already appear to have met the disaster declaration threshold of 30% in damages. Apple orchards in the Capitol Region and Hudson Valley have been badly hurt, with trees losing fruit completely in some cases and in others with fruit likely having significant impacts to quality.

Initial site visits in the Hudson Valley show damage to perennial fruit crops as high as 95% on some farms. Serious damage is expected state wide. Surveying of the extent of the damage is still underway and the full impacts won’t be known until the end of the growing season. In addition to the severe damage already experienced, the state is expecting two more frost events later this week, which will cause further harm to farmers already facing devastating impacts.

According to Empire State Development, New York State is the third-largest producer of grapes, grape juice and wine in the United States. In addition, the state is the second-largest producer of apples in the country. These crops make a significant contribution to the state’s agricultural economy and support many local businesses and jobs, employing close to 100,000 New Yorkers and producing $11.5 billion worth of economic impact annually.

This year’s unseasonably cold frost had particularly devastating impacts on New York’s wine-producing regions, potentially decimating the year’s vintage. The frost, which occurred on May 18th, broke all records and put New York State crops at risk. The Finger Lakes region, which produces the lion’s share of New York State’s wines, with over 9,000 acres under vine, sustained the most widespread damage from the frosts.

Schumer said Upstate farmers have a few options for how to recover from May’s damaging frost. Federal crop insurance can pay out during freezes, but not all growers have it. That’s why Schumer and Gillibrand are urging the USDA to approve a disaster declaration immediately if requested, which would open the way for USDA payments and emergency low interest loans for growers who suffer extensive damage.

Federal disasters can be declared after a freeze in counties that have seen a 30 percent production loss of at least one crop, or a determination must be made by surveying producers that other lending institutions will not be able to provide emergency financing. For a disaster to be declared in New York due to the freeze, New York State would have to request it from the Secretary of Agriculture.

Farmers are encouraged to document damage to their vineyards and orchards so they will have evidence they can use to support any disaster claims they would like to submit. While the full impact of this frost will not be known until the end of the season harvest, farmers should document damage present immediately following frost events, as well as impacts to production at the end of harvest to ensure they can utilize all support available.

While much of the damaged surveyed so far has been inflicted on buds and fruit, farmers whose trees and vines have been damaged can also use Tree Assistance Program, which provides reimbursements to eligible vineyards who suffer extensive crop damage.

Under TAP, commercial orchardists, nursery growers or vineyards that lose their trees due to natural disaster are eligible for a 65% reimbursement of the cost of replanting. Orchardists are also eligible for a 50% reimbursement for pruning and removal. The total reimbursements are capped at $125,000 per year and 500 acres.  Growers will need to work with their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to prepare the documentation for USDA disaster assistance.  The USDA is responsible for approving and distributing such reimbursements.

Loss of prime farmland for solar among the concerns

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to the House Committee on Agriculture detailing a range of priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.

These priorities reflect the input of constituents from New York’s 24th Congressional District and were shaped by Congresswoman Tenney’s ongoing conversations with farmers and agricultural stakeholders throughout our region.

In April, Tenney launched a district-wide Farm Bill Listening Tour, which included multiple roundtable events in which she heard directly from farmers and producers regarding their priorities. Over 100 farmers who produce everything from dairy, beef, poultry, feed corn, alfalfa, onions, grapes, wine, maple syrup, apples, and stone fruit participated in this process and shared with Tenney their concerns and key issues for this vital piece of legislation.

In addition to holding these forums with farmers from across the 24th District, Congresswoman Tenney has also announced and continues to meet regularly with her Agriculture Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of farmers and agricultural stakeholders from across the district who share feedback regularly with Tenney.

The Farm Bill is considered every five years and is a vital piece of legislation for rural communities like New York’s 24th District. It sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies. It will be considered this year by Congress.

“New York’s 24th District is the top agriculture and dairy-producing district in our state and among the largest in the Northeast – it is absolutely essential that this year’s Farm Bill reflects our community’s priorities and input,” Tenney said. “I will continue to advocate for our region to ensure this year’s Farm Bill delivers positive results for agricultural producers and farmers in our district.”

The following were among the top asks for the 2023 Farm Bill:

• Do not make any cuts to Farm Bill Programs;
• Allow Federal Crop Insurance to be reformed to cover a wider range of items and better fit the needs of specialty crop growers;
• Support funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, educational support for farmers, and the research and monitoring of invasive species;
• Consider raising the Dairy Margin Coverage Tier 1 level’s 5-million-pound limit to better reflect the consolidation that has occurred in the dairy industry over the past five years;
• Ensure greater transparency with the profit margins of dairy processors to better inform dairy policy and allow negotiations between dairy producers and processors to occur on a more even playing field;
• Allow for greater flexibility in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cover crop rules;
• Prioritize the cultivation and opening of foreign markets for U.S. agricultural goods and ensure fairer access to these foreign markets;
• Improve support for our nation’s maple syrup industry, including by reforming the Acer Access and Development grant program to better incorporate input from farmers, classify maple syrup as a specialty crop, and boost the domestic market for maple syrup;
• Mandate the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to expand its collection of grape production data from the top two states to the top five states nationwide;
• Include Wyoming County, New York, as part of the Northern Border Regional Commission;
• Raise the minimum fixed broadband speed for USDA ReConnect and Rural Utilities Services programs; and
• Address the loss of prime agricultural land to solar farms.

File photo: Tracy Jennings (left) of Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels and Rose Baker of Baker Farms in Medina chat in November at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina. The market moved indoors for the winter at the former NAPA Auto Parts store on North Main Street.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new initiative that will double the buying power for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients at farmers’ markets across New York State.

The FreshConnect Fresh2You program will now provide eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match, which will allow families in need to purchase more healthy food, including produce, dairy and meats.

This new initiative will help to offset the recent reduction in SNAP benefits that were a part of pandemic relief efforts as well as record inflation costs, provide increased revenue for New York’s farmers, and boost local food sourcing while eliminating food scarcity, which are among the goals outlined in the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal and her State of the State address.

“New York has taken significant steps to develop strong, mutually-beneficial relationships between local farmers and the communities they feed,” Governor Hochul said. “The new Fresh2You initiative will help ensure New Yorkers have more money to spend on healthy foods like dairy, meat, produce and more, while creating greater health outcomes, an economic boost to New York’s farmers and a stronger food supply chain.”

The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative will now provide SNAP beneficiaries at participating farmers’ markets with $2 checks for every $2 spent as part of the SNAP program, up from $2 for every $5 spent.

This new initiative is part of the long-standing FreshConnect Checks Program, which is administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. It helps expand access to fresh food in underserved communities, to improve the diet of individuals in those communities and to foster economic development by supporting local farmers. By allowing the purchase of dairy products, meats and more in addition to the purchase of fruits and vegetables, the FreshConnect program supports even more farmers across New York State.

Any farmer or vendor who is selling a SNAP-eligible food item at any farmers’ market, farm stand or mobile market operating in New York State may accept a FreshConnect Check and now take part in the Fresh2You initiative. Checks can be used to purchase dairy, produce, meats, fish, eggs and more.

The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative will launch and be available to consumers April 15. Market operators will also be receiving new marketing materials and training on the new initiative.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are excited to launch this new match program, understanding the significance of what this will mean to New York consumers and farmers alike. It will increase access to nutritious healthy foods, which will also have a direct benefit to our farmers and producers. I thank Governor Hochul for making this possible, and for her commitment to New York agriculture and strengthening the local food system.”

In addition to SNAP consumers, the FreshConnect Checks program is also available to veterans, service members and their immediate families to use the benefits at New York State farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets. Veterans can receive $50 in FreshConnect coupons this year from New York State Department of Veterans’ Services offices.

About Farmers’ Markets in New York State

Farmers’ markets fill an essential gap in New York’s local food supply chains by improving access to and encouraging consumption of locally grown foods and supporting direct farmer-to-consumer transactions. Farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets are crucial components to a healthy food system.

Today, New York has more than 400 farmers’ markets, 250 farm stands and 10 mobile markets. They provide outlets for agricultural producers to meet the rising consumer demand for a variety of fresh, affordable and convenient products grown directly from the farm.

The Department of Agriculture oversees the FreshConnect Checks (FCC) Program and the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP), and maintains a list of farmers’ markets, farm stands, and mobile markets that participate in these programs.

Key

• “FMNP Accepted” – A market that is authorized by the Department to participate in FMNP.
• “FCC Issued” – A market that issues FreshConnect Checks to SNAP EBT card users.
• “FCC Accepted” – A market that has vendors that may accept but does not issue FreshConnect Checks.
• “SNAP Accepted” – A market where customers enrolled in SNAP may use their benefits.

Editor’s Note: The Department of Agriculture lists these farmers’ markets in Orleans County:

• Canal Village Farmers’ Market, 345 Main St., Medina, open Saturdays year-round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – SNAP accepted, FMNP accepted, FCC issued and FCC accepted
• Circle R Farm Market, 13490 Roosevelt Hwy, Waterport, open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 1-October 31 – FMNP accepted and FCC accepted
• Lori’s Market Basket Farm Stand, 51 State St., Holley, open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1-November 30 – FCC accepted
• Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses, 3272 Eagle Harbor Rd., Albion, open year-round from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SNAP accepted and FCC accepted
• Roberts Farm Market, 11170 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina, open year-round Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with winter hours Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – FCC accepted
• Saeva Farm Stand, 3715 Eagle Harbor Rd., Albion, open year-round daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – FCC accepted

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney   

Claudia Tenney

BATAVIA – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today kicked off the first stop of her Farm Bill listening tour in Western New York with an open-door roundtable meeting in Batavia.

During the event, Tenney heard directly from constituents, including many area farmers, about the challenges they are facing and their priorities in Congress.

Tenney held the open-door roundtable as part of her Farm Bill listening tour, which she kicked off ahead of Congress’s consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill later this year. The Farm Bill is considered by Congress every five years and sets comprehensive policies that guide agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies across the country.

This was the first of three stops Tenney announced as part of her listening tour. Additional roundtables will be held for constituents in Oswego on April 5 and in Phelps on April 6.

“Thank you to the many farmers from across Western New York who attended today’s roundtable discussion,” Tenney said. “New York’s 24th District is the largest agriculture district in the Northeast, home to some of the nation’s finest family farms and agricultural enterprises. As Congress begins to craft the 2023 Farm Bill, this was a great opportunity to hear testimonies directly from our farmers, who are hurting because of Democrat policies in Albany and Washington. I am bringing their feedback with me to Congress to ensure their voices shape the legislative process. I will always be a tenacious and compassionate advocate for our region’s farmers and hardworking families.”

At today’s roundtable event, Tenney was also joined by State Senator George Borello, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and a representative from the office of Satte Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

Following today’s roundtable, Tenney visited Sweet Dream Maple Farm to meet with the owners of this family-owned business and learn more about the needs and priorities of our region’s maple farmers. Tenney is co-chair of the Maple Caucus in Congress.

“I want to thank Congresswoman Tenney for hosting this important listening session and applaud all of the individuals involved in our local agriculture industry for taking the time out of their busy schedules to discuss the future of farming in our nation with us,” Ortt said. “New York’s family farms are quite literally the backbone to our economy – making up 90 percent of our state’s agriculture industry. Forty-year high inflation, record-high fuel prices, severe worker shortages, and the overtime threshold passed by Albany bureaucrats has severely impacted this industry.

“Each year, we lose more and more of these family farms directly due to their detrimental policies,” Ortt continued. “I can confidently say, on behalf of the NYS Senate Republican Conference, that we will continue the fight for common-sense legislation that protects, supports, and enables our family farms to succeed.”

Claudia Tenney

BATAVIA – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will have three roundtable discussions with the agricultural community next week as part of a Farm Bill listening tour.

Tenney said she wants to hear from farmers in the 24^th Congressional District about their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.

“As your voice in Congress, it is essential that I hear directly from you about the issues facing our community,” she said. “Our sprawling district, the largest agriculture-producing district in the Northeast, is home to so many hardworking farmers who feed our community, state, and nation. I am committed to hearing from them about their top priorities as we prepare for the consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill. I will always be a tenacious advocate for our region’s agriculture community.”

The sessions include:

• Western New York Farm Bill Roundtable

Tuesday, April 4, 10 a.m. Old Courthouse

7 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020

• Central NY & North Country Farm Bill Roundtable

Wednesday, April 5, 10 a.m. Oswego County Legislative Chamber

46 E Bridge St., 4th Floor Oswego, NY 13126

• Finger Lakes Farm Bill Roundtable

Thursday, April 6, 10 a.m. Phelps Community Center

8 Banta St., #100, Phelps, NY 14532

Every five years, Congress passes Farm Bill legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies.

New York’s 24th District is the largest agriculture and dairy district in the Northeast, producing dairy, beef, grain, wine, apples and other crops.

Those interested in attending one of the discussions can click here to use a link to RSVP. Those who can’t attend in person also can use the link to submit a comment.

First phase starts Jan. 1, 2024 with OT cap at 56 hours a week

Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer works a field by an orchard on Route 31 in Ridgeway in May 2016.

ALBANY — The overtime threshold for farm workers will be 56 hours a week starting Jan. 1, 2024 – down from the current 60 hours a week.

After 56 hours, farm workers will be paid at an overtime rate. It is part of a phased-in plan to bring the OT threshold to 40 hours a week in 2023.

The threshold will be reduced by 4 hours a week every two years until it is at 40 hours.

“These new regulations ensure equity for farm workers, who are the very backbone of our agriculture sector,” New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said on Wednesday when she announced the changes have been finalized. “By implementing a gradual transition, we are giving farmers time to make the appropriate adjustments. These new regulations advance New York State’s continued commitment to workers while protecting our farms.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature enacted new tax credits to assist farm employers to ease the implementation of the lower overtime standard. The DOL said those include:

• The Investment Tax Credit was increased from 4 percent to 20 percent for farm businesses, providing an encouragement for potential automation of farm production.
• The Farm Workforce Retention Tax Credit was increased to $1,200 per employee to provide near-term relief to farmers.
• A refundable tax credit was established for overtime hours paid by farm employers at the level established by the new regulation up to 60 hours.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said the change will drive up cost for farmers who are already struggling with soaring operating expenses.

“Our family farmers are already struggling with skyrocketing inflation, high unemployment insurance taxes, and a severe worker shortage,” Ortt said in a  statement on Wednesday. “This is one more burdensome mandate passed on by unelected bureaucrats that will cause more harm. Instead of working to make New York more affordable, One Party Rule continues to impose anti-business policies that drive up costs for our small businesses and family farms.”

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney said the decision from the state will make it more challenging for farms to be successful in New York.

“Kathy Hochul, her Department of Labor, and Democrats in Albany have turned their backs on New York’s family farms,” Tenney said in a statement. “This gravely misguided decision deliberately ignored input from important stakeholders and will worsen the already difficult headwinds for New York’s agriculture sector. No farms, no food isn’t just a slogan; it will become the new reality if Albany Democrats continue to treat New York’s family farms with such disdain. I will continue my fight in Congress to assist our farm businesses and hold Albany Democrats accountable for this disastrous decision.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement: “For the past three years, my colleagues and I have advocated for the family farmers of New York who have told us time and again that any changes to the overtime threshold would severely impact their economic security. I’m deeply disappointed that the DOL and Commissioner Reardon have ignored those pleas.

“Agriculture is the largest industry in New York, and its workers are the best in the nation. But for these smaller farms trying to get by, the costs just skyrocketed, and the burden of this mandate will unfortunately cause many farmers to fall by the wayside. With this reality in mind, I can’t help but wonder who the DOL thinks it is helping.”

Press Release, National Agriculture Statistics Service

File photo by Tom Rivers: Apples are outside the Lake Ontario Fruit packing facility on Ridge Road in Gaines.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reminds our nation’s farmers and ranchers that the deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is Feb. 6. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.

Last month, NASS mailed the Census of Agriculture questionnaires to every known ag producer in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Conducted just once every five years, the ag census provides a complete account of the nation’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by federal law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113.

The same law requires NASS to keep all individual operations’ information confidential, use the data for statistical purposes only, and publish the data in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation.

“By participating in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, producers show the value and importance of American agriculture,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “This nation owes a lot to our farmers and ranchers for providing safe and abundant food, feed, fiber, and more. To tell this story, we need to hear from all of our farmers and ranchers, no matter how big or small their part of agriculture. If you have already responded, thank you. If not, I encourage you to respond today.”

The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and U.S. territory. U.S. farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022, are included as well as Puerto Rico farm operations which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $500 or more of agricultural products in the ag census year.

“It is important that every producer respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture so that they are represented and reflected in these influential data,” said Hamer. “These statistics will directly impact producers for years. Without their input, our hardworking ag producers risk being underserved.”

Producers who have submitted their completed ag censuses may disregard any additional ag census letters and forms. Whether producers responded online or by mail, they can verify their reports were received by going to agcounts.usda.gov, entering their survey codes, and checking the submitted date under the status column of the My Surveys tab. The status update is not always immediate. The update can take a few minutes up to several days, especially if the questionnaire was returned by mail.

NASS will release the results of the ag census in 2024. Visit nass.usda.gov/agcensus, for more information.

Editor’s Note: The 2017 agricultural census showed farm revenues in New York totaling $5,369,212,000 in 2017. That was down slightly from the $5,415,125,000 in 2012.

In Orleans County, farm products sold for $155.3 million in 2017. That was up 3.3 percent over 5 years from the $150.3 million in 2012 for sales of fruit, vegetables, milk, livestock and other farm products. The 2012 figure was a 48.8 percent jump from the $101.0 million recorded in 2007, according to the Agricultural Census.

Agriculture is Orleans County’s leading industry. The 2017 Ag Census counted 498 farms in the county, which was up from the 487 in 2012. (It was 554 in 2007.)