Staff Reports Posted 17 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Upstate Farms
ALBION – An ad by Upstate Farms features Jody Neal sitting in a pickup truck with his daughter, Kasey. Neal is co-owner of Poverty Hill Farms, a dairy farm on West Countyhouse Road in Albion.
His father, Ed Neal, is on the board of directors for Upstate Niagara Cooperative, the parent company of Upstate Farms, which highlighted the ad of Jody and Kasey Neal yesterday on its Facebook page.
“There are so many reasons to support family farmers like Jody Neal and his daughter, Kasey, of Orleans Poverty Hill Farms in Albion. What’s yours?” Upstate asks on Facebook.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Packing House – The Chamber’s Agricultural Business of the Year – employs 90 workers in peak season
Photos by Tom Rivers – John Russell, general manager and partner at Lake Ontario Fruit, stands inside a new controlled-atmosphere storage building that was constructed last year. The site holds 200,000 bushels of apples and slows down the ripening process say the fruit can be stored for nearly a year.
SweeTangos head down the packing line. Lake Ontario Fruit packs about 1.1 million bushels of apples each year for the fresh market. The state’s total apple crop tends to be 25 to 30 million bushels each year.
GAINES – Lake Ontario Fruit put up another new building this year, this time a 5,766-square-foot storage warehouse. The company also redid its parking lot, which serves 90 employees and tractor trailers delivering apples or taking them packed in boxes to grocery stores.
Lake Ontario Fruit has invested about $7 million in upgrading its facilities on Ridge Road since 2008. The company has added a second packing line, built a new controlled-atmosphere storage and upgraded other equipment.
When the new packing line went in in 2010, the company was able to add about 30 employees. It keeps 12 to 15 workers year-round with employment peaking at about 90.
Workers fills bags and boxes with SweeTango apples. Lake Ontario Fruit packs all the SweeTangos in New York that are grown west of Rochester.
The company is a partnership of several local fruit growers as well as John Russell, the general manager. The packing, storage and sales facility is well positioned to serve the local fruit growers for years to come, Russell said.
The company is being recognized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as the “Agricultural Business of the Year.” It will be honored on Saturday during an awards dinner at Tillman’s Village Inn.
Shane Lewis, the production manager, checks data on the packing line for SweeTango apples on Tuesday. Lake Ontario Fruit has technology, an internal defect sorter, that checks apples for pressure and other quality issues.
Russell said it is a good time to be in the apple business. Customers are willing to pay a premium for apples such as Honeycrisp, and new varieties coming into the market: SweeTango, SnapDragon, RubyFrost and Zestar, with apple breeders working on others as well.
“Customers want apples with different flavor profiles,” Russell said Tuesday at the complex at 14234 Ridge Rd., located about a mile west of Route 98.
The local fruit growers are swapping out some of their trees, removing less popular varieties with the more popular ones. Lake Ontario Fruit then packs, stores and sells the apples, working with New York Apple Sales, Inc. to market the product.
John Russell is pictured inside the new CA storage. Operators lower the oxygen and raise the carbon dioxide, which acts to put the apples to sleep so they can be stored longer.
Lake Ontario Fruit used to contract with other sites to store some of the apples. But the new CA building from a year ago allows the company to keep all of the apples on one site.
The CA also uses the latest storage technology, allowing Lake Ontario Fruit to lower the oxygen and raise the carbon dioxide levels, which slows the ripening process for apples. That extends the time apples can be in storage and allows the company to put them on the market when the command a higher dollar.
This new 5,766-square-foot storage warehouse was constructed earlier this year and is used to store pallets, cardboard and packing supplies. Lake Ontario Fruit now has enough storage space for fruit and equipment to have everything on site at 14234 Ridge Rd.
Bins of apples are stacked high in this storage room, part of the original packing house in 1982. The room uses foam insulation.
The company has worked to implement the latest technology for food quality and safety. When the apples go through the packing line, they pass an infrared defect sorting system that checks apples for pressure, water core problems and any other problems. If the apple doesn’t meet the standard, it is directed off the line.
Lake Ontario Fruit also has the latest in traceability technology. Every apple gets a sticker and that label has information that can pinpoint which farm grew the apple, what day it was picked and from what lot and block.
A truck of Gala apples from Lamont Fruit Farm in Waterport stopped at Lake Ontario Fruit on Tuesday. John Russell and Teresa Cano, who works in quality control, take samples of the truck load. They also put labels on the bins that note when the apples were picked and from what orchard, block and lot.
“Any progressive produce company is doing this,” Russell said about the traceability technology. “We can trace every apple to the individual orchard it comes from.”
That technology will be critical if there is ever a food recall. It also is helpful for Lake Ontario Fruit and its growers, providing information that recognizes farmers for a good job if certain apples are highlighted for flavor, for example.
Russell said there is room for Lake Ontario Fruit to grow. Many of the growers in recent years have planted new trees that will be bearing full crops in the coming years.
‘There are a lot of young trees in the ground,” Russell said. “There is definitely an opportunity with more fresh fruit coming into the market.”
The Lake Ontario Fruit complex appears in the background while bins of Gala apples are on a truck at the site on Ridge Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Orleans County’s dirt roads
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – The trucks rumble down Fuller Road, carrying farm products as they wind through the countryside.
Fuller Road is a dirt route between Stillwater and Kendrick roads. It’s located in the heart of the fruit belt in Orleans County.
There are several houses along this road and a mosque, the World Sufi Foundation.
It’s a striking stretch of the rural landscape, with tree branches hanging over the road as it gets close to Kendrick. I’ll try to get back in the fall for some shots of the foliage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Outrageous feats, costumes at Steampunk Fest
Photos by Tom Rivers MEDINA – Pyromancy Fire Performance Troupe members Fuego Vicki and Potter Dee blow fire in one of the group’s daring pyrotechnic displays on Saturday at the Steampunk Festival at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.
Pyromancy of Buffalo performed before a big crowd. Nearly 1,000 people attended the fourth annual festival.
“It continues to gain steam,” said Jerod Thurber, event coordinator for Leonard Oakes. “It’s a nice laid-back funky festival.”
Jacob Verghese plays the banjo and sings for the band, Pine Fever from Buffalo, at the pavilion at Leonard Oakes.
The five-member band plays American rag-time music. Besides Jacob Verghese, other members include Patrick “Thor” Johnson on upright bass, Andrew Pother on drums, Levi Van Cleve on guitar and Alex Cleve on trumpet.
Many of the festival-goers wore costumes that combined the Victorian era with the future. This group includes, from left: brothers Adam and Mike Florczyk of Hamburg, Chase from Buffalo, and Dave Lelito of Orchard Park.
The vendors sold items related to the Steampunk culture, included Victorian hats, dresses and other clothing.
George Lama of Medina takes a picture of a group of belly dancers from Batavia, the Troupe Nissa. They performed during the Steampunk Festival on Saturday at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.
Several food trucks attended the festival, and the Steampunk logo was projected onto the cold storage building at Leonard Oakes.
Jonathan Oakes, the wine maker at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, serves up some Steampunk Cider from the tasting room. Oakes dressed up for the festival.
Asha from Pyromancy performs with fire for the crowd.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Adam Eick, right, is pictured with his FFA advisor and teacher Todd Eick of Medina during last week’s Orleans County 4-H Fair. The two are cousins.
MEDINA – A conference in Iowa assembled 49 outstanding agriculture students from 26 states in a highly competitive program. One of those students, Adam Eick, is from Medina and looks forward to running his own farm someday.
He attended the New Century Farmer Program from July 14-18 in Johnston, Iowa, learning about the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management. Eick was able to network with other emerging farmers and experience some of the latest developments in agriculture technology.
“I see a bright future in the ag industry,” Eick said. “This conference solidified that because people have to eat.”
Eick, 19, is entering his sophomore year at Morrisville State College. He plays offensive lineman on the college’s football team.
Eick is from a dairy farming family. This summer he is a paid intern at Lamb Farms in Oakfield, working in the herd health program.
He was the only student from New York picked for the New Century program. Todd Eick, Adam’s teacher and FFA advisor at Medina, gave Adam a strong endrosement for the program.
“It was a great opportunity for Adam,” said Mr. Eick, who is Adam’s cousin. “He is a young man with a bright future. It’s been nice watching him grow up from a little boy to the young man he is becoming.”
Adam said he may move out West after college to work and perhaps own his own farm.
“There’s something about the Midwest that gets me excited about agriculture,” he said.
Provided photo – Royalty at the Orleans County 4-H Fair were crowned on Saturday with a brother and sister from Lyndonville – Ian and Jordyn Smith – picked as king and queen. They are pictured at right in the back row in this photo. Other royalty include, from left: Rachel Gregoire of Murray (duchess), Zach Moore of Albion (duke); Jacques Gregoire of Murray (prince) and his sister Grace Gregoire (princess).
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair dodged rain for nearly six days last week, leading to a turnout of about 25,000 people.
That is about average for the fair, which is one of the most successful small county fairs in the state, said Robert Batt, a 4-H educator. The Orleans County 4-H Fair draws the crowds without selling alcohol. The events are all youth and family oriented.
Saturday’s fair finale included the crowning of fair royalty. The following 4-H’ers were recognized:
A brother and sister from Lyndonville, Ian and Jordyn Smith, were crowned king and queen. Both Ian and Jordyn are long-time exhibitors in the rabbit area.
Zach Moore of Albion and Rachel Gregoire of Murray were named duke and duchess. Zach exhibits in the poultry and sheep animal areas as well as having several entries in the family and consumer science division. Rachel exhibits poultry and also had many exhibits in the family and consumer science division as well as being an integral part of running the building as a teen leader.
This year’s prince and princess were Jacques Gregoire and Grace Gregoire, another brother and sister team. Jacques and Grace both exhibit poultry and both dedicated many hours to working in both the family and consumer science building and the 4-H run food stands at the fair.
Photos by Sue Cook – Claudia Drechsel explains to judge Linda Wilbur how to check rabbits for ear mites.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
KNOWLESVILLE – The Grand Master Showman of Small Animals competition tested participants’ skills in showing chickens, rabbits and dogs.
Competitors were chosen for their excellence at earlier shows in the week for the small animals. Six competed for Grand Master Showman including Jordyn Smith and Rachel Gregoire, representing rabbits; Andrew Moore and Claudia Drechsel, representing poultry; and Brooke Kiefer and Bailey Jackson, representing dogs.
Judges were brought from outside the area so that they would not have a bias or prior knowledge of any of the competitors.
Rachel Gregoire shows the Australian cattle dog.
Jordyn Smith went into the chicken portion of the show with great confidence.
During each portion of the show, the 4-H’ers had to demonstrate the correct care and handling of the animal. During the dog portion, they also had to run the dog around the show ring and make the animal perform patterns for the judge. They also had to know the nomenclature and what each of the body parts did or how it should be cared for.
Brooke Kiefer shows the dog to judge Toni Garcia.
Claudia Drechsel of Holley was named the Grand Master Showman for her competence of all three species of animals. Brooke Kiefer was named the Reserve Champion.
“This is my third year participating in small animal grand master and I really enjoy learning about all the different breeds,” said Drechsel. “I like that they switch up what we use (each year). It’s really cool to learn about all the different breeds.”
Dreschel also competed in the Grand Master Showman competition on Friday for large animals, qualifying for her prowess in showing sheep.
Kiefer (left) and Drechsel received trophies for their hard work.
Poultry judge Bill Ziehm found the 4-H’ers impressive. He said that when they weren’t sure about an answer or gave a wrong answer “they maintained their composure and moved on to the next question with a positive attitude.”
“You have to study. You really do,” said Drechsel. “Small animals are lots of knowledge. Large animals are more how you present the animal and present yourself. It’s a really good experience and a good thing to have fun with. It’s not all about winning. From a personal standpoint, I’d rather lose and have fun, than win and not have fun.”
Andrew Moore answers questions for Bill Ziehm.
Bailey Jackson talks to the judge while the audience looks on.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Ethan Bannister looks for bids at the 4-H Animal Meat Auction on Saturday. His sister Jayne is in the ring with a lamb. Jayne had the grand champion market lamb for the auction.
Her brother Robert, in back, serves as auctioneer for the event, which brought in about $27,000 for 4-H’ers. Emily Bannister was clerk for the auction and Skip Lear, back right, serves on the 4-H Livestock Auction Committee.
Trevor Bentley of Lyndonville leads the reserve champion steer out of the ring after the 1,170-pound animal sold for $6.75 a pound or $7,904 total, the biggest price on the day. Bill and Stacy Corcoran bought the steer, paying well above the market price to support Trevor and the 4-H program.
Robert Bannister, a former Orleans County 4-H member, serves as auctioneer for the event, which is now in its fifth year at the fair since it started in 2010. Robert’s sister Jayne of Point Breeze is in the ring with a lamb.
Some turkeys raised by 4-H youths wait to be auctioned off on Saturday.
Janie Schutz of Waterport raised this lamb that was sold during Saturday’s auction.
Ian Smith of Lyndonville stands with his rabbit during the auction. Andy Beach, right, assisted with the event that included $26,988 in sale prices.
4-H’ers sold beef cattle, pigs, lambs, meat goats, meat rabbits, chickens and turkeys.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – This farmer works on a crop of hay on Friday evening just south of the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo says there is potential for severe thunderstorms late tonight through Monday afternoon, which could lead to flooding in Orleans and other Western New York counties.
The field of hay bales as it appears at sunset, looking west from Wood Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
A crowd gathered near the Grease Pole to watch a fireworks show put on by Young Explosives.
The crowd seemed to get bigger after the fireworks for the grease pole climbing competition. In this picture, Coming In Greasy members work their way up the pole. Mallori Wienke is on the bottom while Alexis Hartway works to go higher. The team climbed the pole. Five teams tried it on Friday night.
Marisa Hanlon of Kendall weaves between barrels during a drill at the fairgrounds on Friday while the sun was setting.
Ty Reilly, 5, of Albion powers a tractor in the small-fry tractor pull. Ty finished second in the 45 and under division with a pull of 26 feet, inches.
Jason Clark keeps several meat goats corralled while waiting for participants in the Grand Master Showman competition. Clark is superintendent of the dairy goats. The top showmen from eight different livestock breeds competed for the grand master showman title on Friday.
Kiley Stadmiller shows a dairy cow in the Grand Master Showman Competition. She qualified after winning the Western Horse title.
People filled the stands near the horse arena and grease pole grounds to watch the fireworks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Blacey Bakutis, 18, of Kendall practices dodging barrels with her horse Boomer Fritz during a drill on Friday evening.
Special Event: Kids Love Trucks: Orleans Emergency, Fire Departments, Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county will have vehicles on display from 1 to 4 p.m.
Strolling Entertainment: Amazing Magic Joe, throughout the grounds, 5-9 p.m.
8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens
9:30 am: Horse Games Day (Gymkhana) – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 am: All Buildings Open
10 am: Little Britches Swine Show: Open to the Public – Swine Pavilion
11:10 am: Iron Chef 4-H Youth Activity Starts – Trolley Building
12 pm: Small-Animal Grand Master Showman Competition – Wachob Pavilion
Aaron Sugar of Albion pedals down the lane in the small fry tractor pull on Friday evening. Aaron won the 45 pounds and under division with a full pull that went 45 feet.
12 pm: Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens – Davis Building
12 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardner – Lawn of Education Center
12:10 pm: Iron Chef 4-H Youth Activity Judging – Trolley Building
1 pm to 4 pm: Kids Love Trucks: ORLEANS EMERGENCY, Fire Dept., Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county. Education Center Parking Lot
1 pm: Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office
A classic car show drew about 100 participants and big crowds by the Trolley Building and Education Center. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles from around the county will be stationed there for tours today from 1 to 4 p.m.
The classic car show took a break from the Medina Canal Basin to move to the fairgrounds on Friday.
2:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
3:30 pm: Market Animal Auction Preview – Show Arena
4:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
5 pm: Steak Dinner: Sponsored by Renovation Lodge #97 Grand Lodge F&AM of NY Cost $12 – Curtis Pavilion
Trenton Jones, right, greets a horse ridden by Faith Woody of Albion on Friday evening. The horse riders were practicing a dance pattern set to music. Part of the routine includes a brief meeting with people along the fence.
5:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage
6 pm: Set up for Band – Orleanshub.com Stage
6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
7 pm: Julie Dunlap & High Maintenance Country Band – Orleanshub.com Stage
7 pm: Master Gardener Lecture – Education Center
7 pm: Awards Ceremony and Crowning of Fair Royalty – Curtis Pavilion
8 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
8:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
9 pm: 4-H Dairy Cow Bingo – Cattle Building
10 pm: Buildings Close
10 pm: Greased Pole Climbing Contest, Final Qualifying Round (Teams Must Pre-register at Fair Office) – At Greased Pole
10:30 pm: Greased Pole Championship – At Greased Pole
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Barre girl follows her 3 sisters in winning title
Photos by Tom Rivers – Jenny McKenna, back left, shows a goat while next to Elizabeth Storm during the Grand Master Showman Competition on Friday. Tammi Kron serves as one of the judges.
KNOWLESVILLE – Jenny McKenna captured won the Orleans County 4-H Fair’s most prestigious titles on Friday, winning the Grand Master Showman.
The competition takes the top showman in nine different animal breeds and has them compete for the grand master showman, showing nine different types of animals. Jenny, 19, won in her final year as a 4-H’er.
“It’s a great way to end my 4-H career,” she said. “It’s been a lot of hard work and determination.”
Jenny McKenna shows a dairy cow during Friday’s event. She showed eight other animal breeds in the grueling three-hour competition.
Her three sisters – Caton, Kerri and Betsey – have all won the title. Jenny just completed her first year of college at Roberts Wesleyan. She is transferring to Cornell University to major in animal science with a minor in agricultural business.
After the grand master event, McKenna quickly changed clothes to compete in the grease pole competition. She was part of the Iron Fists team that included her mother, Iva.
Tammi Kron of Alden was one of the judges for the Grand Master Showman. She said McKenna stayed positive in the show ring and could answer her questions about each of the animal breeds.
“She had a lot of show ring presence,” Kron said.
Jayne Bannister, 16, of Point Breeze was the reserve champion. She is shown working with a goat during the Gand Master Showman Competition. Jayne has won the title before.
Melanie Klossner sets up a llama before judge Jim Lasel of Albion during the Grand Master Showman Competition.
Nicole Mrzywka answers a question from judge Tammi Kron while Nicole’s sister Natalie, left, waits her turn.
McKenna qualified by winning the dairy cattle showman title. Other master showmen include Elizabeth Storm, representing Horses – English; Kiley Stadmiller, Horses – Western; Claudia Drechsel, sheep; Natalie Mrzywka, meat goats; Nicole Mrzywka, dairy goats; Rylie Lear, swine; Melanie Klossner, llama; and Jayne Bannister, beef cattle. Last year’s grand master showman, Janie Schutz, also was invited back for the competition on Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Sue Cook – Games at the fair attracted a lot of attention throughout the day on Thursday. Many people were happy to walk away with stuffed animals or other prizes.
Special Event: Orleans County 4-H Fair 2nd Annual Craft Sale located in the Buzz Hill Education Center Lot, including professional appraisals from 4 to 7 pm at a special price of $5 per item (bring photos for your larger items).
Strolling Entertainment: Amazing Magic Joe, throughout the grounds, 5 to 9 p.m.
8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens
9:30 am: Youth Ag Olympics Fun Activities – South Lawn
9:30 am: Miniature Horse Show & Driving Competition – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 am: $5 Admission per car starts
10 am: All Buildings Open
The Hot Country Liners do a line dance on Thursday evening to “What Does the Fox Say,” a song by Norwegian comedy band Ylvis.
10 am: Grand Master Showman Workshop Starting in Show Arena
10:30 am: Tractor Driving Contest – South Parking Lot
12 pm: Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens
12 pm: Goat Knowledge Bowl: Dairy and Meat – Knights Building
12:30 pm: Dog Show, Agility Competition (Classes 23-30) – Show Arena
1 pm: Little Shepherds Sheep Show – Open to Public – Knights Building
1 pm: Story Time sponsored by Medina Community Library – Trolley Building
3 pm to 10 pm: Midway Rides of Utica $20 Unlimited Ride wristband – Midway
3 pm: Story Time sponsored by Medina Community Library – Trolley Building
Jayne Bannister squares the back legs of her animal during the sheep show.
3 pm: Horse Judging Contest – Education Center
3:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage
4 pm: Royalty questionnaires due – Fair Office
4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
4 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center
4:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
5 pm: Friday Night Fish Fry: Sponsored by Renovation Lodge #97 Cost: $9 Adult (Half portion $7) – Curtis Pavilion
5:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage
5:30 pm: Classic Car Cruise-In – Education Center Parking Lot
The Mathes sisters Emma (front) and Lillian speak with judge Chad Swartz during the wool-outfit show.
6 pm: Set Up for Band – Orleanshub.com Stage
6 pm: Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office
6 pm: Grand Master Showman – Livestock Areas
6 pm to 8 pm: Pie Eating Contest: Sponsored by Brown’s Berry Patch – (Register at Fair Office during the week) – Curtis Pavilion
6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
Lakeside Karate invited children from the community to join them on stage and learn some basics in front of the audience.
6:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
