CCE seeks renovations to Trolley Building, other improvements

File photo by Tom Rivers – In this photo from July 2013, Noah Preston of Barre hoses down livestock at the wash rack. The Cooperative Extension wants to upgrade the wash rack as part of a series of improvements at the fairgrounds.

Press Release
Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension has announced a new Legacy Capital Campaign. The campaign identifies several critical improvements needed at the Orleans County Fairgrounds to continue the Extension’s long-standing tradition of education and community service.

These projects include extensive renovation to the Trolley Building that will feature an updated kitchen, installing a new floor in the Wachob Building, replacing a wash rack by the Cattle Barn, purchasing a generator, and paying the debt on a new finish mower.

The legacies of past generations are featured by the campaign as a reminder that Orleans County residents are pretty amazing. For example, Harold “Mike” Trolley, for which the Trolley Building is named, led the purchase and development of the present day fairgrounds, creating a legacy for the 4-H Fair.

Later, in 1968, Paul Klatt began a walk-a-thon that spanned over three decades and raised thousands of dollars for fairgrounds improvements, building a legacy of tradition and service. Then Corkey Van Den Bosch served as baker for the 1977 world’s largest pie, leaving a legacy of ingenuity and community pride. To this day, residents visit the fairgrounds, often with children, to see the famous pie pan.

Orleans Extension seeks to honor those who have made a difference in Orleans County by continuing their efforts to build a legacy of improving people’s lives. The Board of Directors will meet with committee leaders this month as part of their strategic planning efforts to identify how to best serve more people, expand high quality educational opportunities, further youth development and leadership, and increase volunteer engagement to develop goals for Extension 2020.

Long-term plans for the 4-H food stands are also a topic for discussion as the initial community center proposal has transitioned to a Trolley Building expansion due to costs and maintenance constraints.

While many volunteers are optimistic about the future, they acknowledge improvement will take a great deal of hard work and collaboration. However, the outcomes far outweigh the costs. As Board President, Ed Neal, noted, “Even if the 4-H fair only makes a difference in the life of one kid, it is worth it.” Given 4-H’s enrollment is at about 350 youth and 70 volunteers, Orleans Extension is making a tremendous impact, and the Legacy Capital Campaign will allow this impact to continue long into the future.

The first campaign contribution received was $1,400 toward the Wachob Building project. The Board of Directors will provide an update on the campaign’s progress and the proposed projects at the OCCCE annual meeting on Dec. 2. The event will begin at 6:30 pm in the Trolley Building at the Fairgrounds.

All county residents are welcome to attend the annual meeting, enjoy dinner, and participate in voting for new board members, approving a constitutional amendment, and recognizing the exemplary service of OCCCE volunteers. Dinner tickets are $15 each and RSVPs can be made through the Extension office at 585-798-4265 or orleans@cornell.edu.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Dennis Stymus looks over his display of vegetables on Saturday at the Orleans County Farmers Market, which is in its final week of the season this week.

ALBION – A farmers market will conclude its 10th season this week with a show of appreciation for the loyal customers.

The Orleans County Farmers Market has been setting up in Albion on Saturday morning for 10 years. The market also has been in Medina for eight years.

“Even if the weather is bad we have a very broad customer base,” said Ann Nice of Nice Farms, who also serves as market coordinator, planning some special events during the season.

The Orleans County Farmers Market meets on Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. in the Erie Canal Basin off East Center Street and on Saturdays in Albion from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Save-A-Lot parking lot, 320 West Ave.

Jerome Pawlak, owner of Save-A-Lot, said the market has been an asset for the community.

“They have a nice selection of product and they’re good neighbors,” he said. “They definitely have a following here.”

Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina will offer wine tastings at the market on Thursday. Nice Farms also will offer samples of different types of fruit.

Ken and Ann Nice of Knowlesville have been with the market since it started in Albion.

Nice Farms and Stymus Farms also plan to donate produce to food kitchens in Medina and Albion following the market days this week. The vendors at the two sites are collecting nonperishable donations from the public that will be given to local food pantries.

The market has been a boost for Dennis Stymus. He has expanded his operation in Barre. He has seven greenhouses along Maple Avenue. Stymus also goes to markets in Williamsville and Batavia, and many of his market customers also come to the farm stand by the home farm in Barre.

“It’s close to home,” he said about the markets in Albion and Medina. “This is our base.”

Like Sytmus, Nice Farms has grown its market presence since joining the sites in Albion and Medina. Ann and Ken Nice’s daughter-in-law Jennifer goes to Le Roy and two markets in Batavia. Many of those customers also come to Nice Farms’ stand in Knowlesville.

There are three vendors currently at the Albion and Medina markets, with Renko’s Meat Processing of Kendall joining Nice and Stymus.

“It’s taken a few years but we’ve been able to build up our base for a nice small-town market,” Nice said.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Farm Bureau Federation has named Congressman Chris Collins a “Friend of Farm Bureau.”

The award is given to individuals who have supported Farm Bureau issues, as demonstrated by their voting records, and who were nominated by their respective state’s Farm Bureau.

“The Friend of Farm Bureau honor recognizes Rep. Chris Collins’ voting record on American Farm Bureau Federation’s priority issues in Congress,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau president. “His support for the Farm Bill and his outstanding efforts to protect family farms from the overregulation of the Clean Water Act are much appreciated. New York Farm Bureau would like to congratulate Rep. Collins for receiving this award and thank him for his hard work on behalf of the state’s family farms.”

Collins led a fight against an Environmental Protection Agency proposal for waterway rule changes that would have increased the costs of business for farmers.

“I recognize the struggles farmers face,” Collins said. “The last thing they need is unnecessary and excessive government regulations, which is why I will continue to provide farmers the necessary support and protection needed to grow their businesses.”

Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A field of pumpkins along East Countyhouse Road in Albion awaits to be harvested.

Looks like lot of rain in the forecast this week. The National Weather Service in Buffalo forecasts a high of 56 on Monday with showers likely, followed by a high of 55 on Tuesday with a 90 percent chance of rain. On Wednesday, it is forecast for a high of 52 degrees with a chance of rain.

ALBION – A state grant will pay for advanced soil testing at 25 farms in Orleans County, a project intended to help farmers boost yields and better utilize fertilizer and resources for soil health.

Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District received a $20,674 grant from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. It will contract with BCA Ag Technologies to do the samples and take them to Cornell for testing.

Dennis Kirby, the Soil and Water district manager, would like to do the soil sampling in the spring. He welcomes interested farmers to call Soil and Water at 585-589-5959 to inquire about participating in the project.

Kirby would like to have a cross-section of farms of different sizes and crop types across the county.

The samples will provide a baseline for soil health. The goal is to improve soil health so farmers can maximize their yields while maintaining optimum soil health and reducing the impact of farming practices on the environment.

The soil tests will an expansion of the typical soil tests done at farms, Kirby said. The Cornell Soil Health test emphasizes the integration of biological and physical measurements along with the chemical measurements done in the existing test.

Soil and Water will look at water holding capacity, organic matter content and soil microbial activity. The report card on the soil will point to the best soil management practices.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion FFA is partnering with a local farm, Panek’s Pumpkin Pile, to sell pink pumpkins for the first time. The FFA planted the pumpkins last spring at the district’s land lab. The pumpkins are for sale at $8 each with $5 going to the American Cancer Society.

Kerry Panek, owner of the Pumpkin Pile, is pictured with FFA President Sara Millspaugh, center, and FFA member Logan London at Panek’s, 13420 West County House Rd.

Panek’s will be selling the pink pumpkins. The FFA also will have them for sale on Wednesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at ag shop by the high school.

Proceeds from the sale will be presented to the Cancer Society during the Oct. 26 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Watt Farms.

The FFA grew the pumpkins with a specialty seed. They are also selling giant pumpkins 80 pounds and heavier, apple cider and mums.

Photo by Sue Cook – Simon poses for the camera at Stoney Meadows Alpacas.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

Two Orleans County alpaca farms are holding open houses this weekend to celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days. It is an opportunity for the public to see the animals up close and learn from their farmers.

Tacha Gennarino and her husband John own Genna-rations Farm in Kendall. Tacha has been happily educating people about the alpacas and encouraging questions to help people understand what happens at their farm.

“We want people to come in and educate them on why we raise alpacas, about the fiber industry in America and how to take care of them. We let the kids feed them and pet them,” said Gennarino.

The Gennarinos began their farm in 2003 with three animals. They moved to Kendall after needing more space. They use their pack for fiber and breeding purposes.

Photo by Sue Cook

The female alpacas at Genna-rations Farm enjoy some lunch together.

Genna-rations teamed up with three other farms, including one from Monroe County, one from Genesee as well as Stoney Meadows Alpacas in Holley. They have created a mini fiber-education trail.

“The trail we have today, people can go to four different farms and see the different operations,” Gennarino said. “Here, we’re teaching people about the processing of fiber. We teach what we do once the animal has grown it all year long from shearing right into when it’s made into a product that can be used by fiber artists and textile mills.”

Gennarino also explained to people how alpacas and llamas are different animals. The most obvious difference is the size with llamas running much larger. Llamas can average 400 pounds, while alpacas can be about 150 pounds. Llamas can be almost 6 feet tall and alpacas are about 4 feet. Llamas also have an underlayer to their fiber.

Gennarino submits her fiber to the Northeast Alpaca Fiber Pool. It gets graded for quality, then farms can purchase items made in the United States out of the submitted fiber. This year Tacha is beginning to make items at the farm herself to add to her store. She has made boot cuffs, scarves, fingerless gloves and is starting on teddy bears.

Photo by Sue Cook

Genna-rations farms sells items made from alpaca fibers that demonstrate how versatile it is.

“Alpacas come in 22 different colors and their fiber is water repellant and flame retardant naturally,” she said, explaining how the material is great for both practical and fashionable clothing, especially in wet or winter weather.

Theresa Jewell opened Stoney Meadows Alpacas and Fiber Boutique in Holley today to provide a similar education to the public. Her farm does not use the animals for breeding. Instead, Jewell focuses on the art side of raising alpacas and other animals to create fibers. Jewell takes the process from start to finish at her farm from shearing to spinning to making clothing, toys and jewelry. She does send some of her fibers out to mills as well.

When she was pregnant with her daughter almost 16 years ago, Jewell saw a magazine article in a doctor’s office about alpacas during the height of their popularity. Many of the animals cost as much as $20,000, which caused them to be much more of a rich person’s hobby.

“Thank goodness for me the market in alpacas dropped,” she said. “For me it was wonderful because I was able to purchase alpaca for just a couple thousand. It helped me as a blue-collar person. Before only doctors, lawyers, and people with a great deal of money at their disposal could afford it.”

Theresa Jewell demonstrates her spinning wheel for visitors. She is using fiber from her black alpaca Merlin.

Her farm also includes cashmere and angora goats that mingle with the alpacas. She encourages the public to bring their kids because many of the animals want to be petted and are a good size for children to approach them without being afraid. Because she raised many of them from a very young age, even bottle-feeding some, the animals are very friendly and enjoy human attention.

“Today for our open house, we invite the community to come see the animals up close and to get their hands in the fiber and feel it to truly understand why we’re doing this and what it really is to wear and have organic fiber,” Jewell said. “I really pride myself on the art side of fiber and I do consider myself a fiber artist.”

Because of her variety of animals, Jewell creates items that blend several organic types of fibers along with some items that also contain acrylic yarn. She has many cold weather items for sale including winterwear and blankets. She also teaches spinning lessons that people can create on spinning wheels that she has using fiber from the animals on the farm.

Jewell also hand dyes some of the fiber in bright colors.

For the National Alpaca Farm Days, Jewell is demonstrating many of her techniques and skills, while letting the public meet the animals that the materials come from.

“My farm is more of a petting zoo,” she said. “It’s very clean and it’s a different atmosphere than a ranch. They’re not livestock, they’re my pets and I love them. I like my farm to be open and comfortable where kids can walk through and feel comfortable and be able to pet the animals and get a feel of what farming is like.”

Both farms will be open tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. for National Alpaca Farm Days. Genna-rations Farm is located in Kendall at 1536 West Kendall Rd. Stoney Meadows Alpacas is located in Holley at 16038 Glidden Rd.

Helena Chemical has operated out of village since 2007

Photo by Tom Rivers – Helena Chemical plans to leave this site on Platt Street in Albion for a new complex on Allis Road in Ridgeway. The Orleans County Planning Board supported the project during its meeting today.

RIDGEWAY – Three years ago Helena Chemical made a push to build a new facility serving the agricultural community on Long Bridge Road in Albion.

Helena first set up shop in Orleans County in 2007 on Platt Street in the village of Albion. The company wanted a site out in the country, closer to its many fruit and vegetable farmers.

The company withdrew its plan for Long Bridge Road after some residents voiced concerns about the added truck traffic. The company believes it has found an ideal location for its expansion. On rural Allis Road off Route 31 in the town of Ridgeway, Helena wants to gradually build a complex of six structures.

The company will use the site as a distribution point for chemicals, seeds and other products for the agricultural industry. Helena won’t manufacture any chemicals there. It mostly sells bags of seeds and bottles of chemicals.

“What we do is distribute products,” Mitch Wilber, Helena branch manager, told the Orleans County Planning Board tonight.

The company would only have one neighbor on Allis Road, the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Helena isn’t open on Sunday when the church has services. The church also has some Wednesday evening programs.

The company has been operating out of the densely populated village the past seven years, and there haven’t been any complaints from residents about noise or odors, said Ron Vendetti, the village’s code enforcement officer.

“We’ve never had any issues with them in the village since 2007,” Vendetti told the Planning Board.

The Allis Road property is zoned industrial and includes access to the railroad, which Helena wants to utilize for some shipments. The company plans to put in a railroad siding. It will also extend a 10-inch waterline from Route 31 to the property.

The six buildings would be about 75,000 square feet collectively. The company is planning a 23,000-square-foot processing plant building, a 20,000-square-foot agri-chemical warehouse, a 20,000-square-foot packaging seed warehouse, a 7,140-square-foot liquid fertilizer building, a 3,260-square-foot office building, and a 2,500-square-foot shop building.

The County Planning Board recommended the Town of Ridgeway Planning Board approve the site plan for the project, while urging there be an “adequate buffer” between the Helena property and the church. The town should also make sure the structures can be readily accessed by larger sized emergency vehicles, county planners said.

Helena opened the Albion site as a satellite of the Geneva office. Albion handles the company’s business west of Route 390 in Monroe County.

“The Albion site is kind of constrained,” Wilber told county planners.

Helena sees more potential in serving the farm community with the expansion, he said.

“The company has been pleased with our results in Western New York and would like to do more,” he said.