agriculture

Community celebrates agriculture, FFA

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Nearly 200 turn out for Farmer to Neighbor Night

Photos by Tom Rivers

The Orleans-Niagara Dairy Princess Liz Meyer of Medina, right, serves up some milk punch with assistance from Jayne Bannister of Waterport, a dairy ambassador. They were part of the 16^th annual Farmer to Neighbor Night on Saturday at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

The event was sponsored by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, OC Soil and Water Conservation District, OC Farm Bureau and OC Chamber of Commerce.

Sara Millspaugh, president of the Albion FFA, delivers a prepared speech in front of about 200 people at Saturday’s Farmer to Neighbor Night. Millspaugh spoke about the need to battle hunger and highlighted the FFA’s effort to bring 19,000 pounds of produce to Community Action last December. FFA was formerly known as Future Farmers of America. It has expanded to become a leadership program.

Jack Hill, a junior FFA member in Medina, recites the FFA creed.

Haley Maier, 11, of Gasport was recognized during the banquet as one of two winners state-wide with a “Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.”

Tom Healy, a certified financial planner for Prudential, tells the crowd how Haley makes necklaces that she sells to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Haley was nominated for the award by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Association. She is a member of the Lyndonville Mogrels 4-H Club.

Haley makes the necklaces in honor of her grandmother. Haley said she wants to expand her line of merchandise for the Alzheimer’s Association. She will be honored during a conference in Washington, D.C., where two winners from each state will be recognized. During the trip in May, 10 of 102 youth volunteers from around the country will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2014.

Todd Eick, FFA advisor in Medina, thanked the community for supporting the FFA program. Medina will be hosting the state convention in May. Eick said he welcomes volunteers and judges, as well as donations for the event.

About 1,500 FFA students will be in Medina for the three-day convention, which was in Albion in May 2013.

“It’s a huge honor for Orleans County to host the convention two years in a row,” said Adam Krenning, Albion’s FFA advisor.

One nearby school – Roy-Hart – announced in January it was starting an FFA program.

State Sen. George Maziarz addressed the group and touted state legislation to encourage young farmers to pursue agriculture. That legislation would vastly reduce the estate tax, making it easier for farms to be transferred to a younger generation.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley also addressed the group. He said the “Farm Death Bill,” which would force farmers to pay overtime and give workers collective bargaining rights, could again be brought up in Albany. Hawley opposes the bill, as does New York Farm Bureau. They say it would put NY farms at a competitive disadvantage with other states that don’t have overtime requirements.

Gillibrand pushes to revive NY bee population

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Declining bee numbers hurts fruit, vegetable crops

File photo by Tom Rivers – A bee visits a sunflower in Albion last summer.

Press release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bolster its efforts to revive New York’s bee population.

Beekeepers lost an average 30 percent of their hives to Colony Collapse Disorder, hurting New York farms’ ability to pollinate crops. Last month USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack directed $3 million to study bee losses in the Midwest. Gillibrand is urging the USDA to expand their investigation to New York and the Northeast.

“New York’s farms rely on a strong and healthy bee population to pollinate our fruit and vegetable crops,” Gillibrand said. “The alarming decline of the bee population comes at a steep price for our environment, our farms, and our economy. It is critical for the USDA make this investment here in New York to respond to Colony Collapse Disorder, and help revive New York’s farms.”

New York State has an estimated 52,000 beehives, each of which produce approximately 51 pounds of honey, ranking the state 10th in honey production. Bee pollination supports blueberries, cherries, squash and other fruit and vegetables. Apple trees require two to three hives per acre to pollinate.

Bee pollination adds an estimated $300 million value to a $4.4 billion agriculture industry in New York. Throughout the U.S., a staggering 45 percent of beehives were lost just last year.

The pollination initiative would be implemented by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, a branch of USDA, from their field offices in New York State. NRCS conservation experts would provide New York farmers with the technical and financial resources to provide honey bees with nutritious pollen and nectar while providing benefits to the environment.

For example, planting certain cover crops provides a benefit to producers by reducing erosion, increasing the health of their soil, inhibiting invasive species, providing quality forage and habitat for honey bees and other pollinators, as well as habitat for other wildlife.

Albion FFA students compete at district competition

Posted 8 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Albion FFA students who competed at the district competition include, front row, from left: Alexis Bentley, Alexis Maines, Julie Porter, Sophia Smith, Alaina Fleming, Laiken Ricker, Clara Stilwell, Isabel Penafiel, Lauren Beam. Back row: Megan Rosato, Sara Millspaugh, Logan London, Elizabeth Bentley, Abigail Maines, Harrison Brown and Jayne Bannister.

Article by FFA reporter Megan Rosato

BATAVIA – Albion FFA members went to BOCES in Batavia on Thursday to compete in FFA Districts. Students competed in Career Development Events (CDEs), which help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive manner.

There are 24 CDEs, covering job skills in everything from communications to mechanics. The finalists moving on to substates include:

Junior prepared: Lauren Beam 2^nd;

Junior Creed: Alexis Maines 2^nd, Alexis Bentley 4^th, Clara Stilwell 5^th;

Senior Prepared: Sara Millspaugh 3^rd;

Senior Extemporaneous: Jayne Bannister 1^st, Elizabeth Bentley 2^nd, Abigail Maines 4^th, Megan Rosato 5^th;

Job Interview: Sara Millspaugh 3^rd, Logan London 5^th.

Congratulations to everyone who competed and also to those who will be advancing on to the next level.

Punishing winter will take a bite out of peaches and grapes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Apples should be fine, fruit specialist says

Photo by Tom Rivers – An apple orchard on East Bacon Road endures the cold in this photo taken on Wednesday.

ALBION – If you love local peaches you might be out of luck this year. The punishing winter has damaged the buds on many of the trees, a local fruit expert said.

“Peach growers and consumers will be sorely disappointed,” said Debbie Breth, a fruit specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The trees start to suffer with some thinning of the crop at about 5 degrees below 0. When it’s 10 below, the buds see a lot of damage. The temperatures have plummeted as far as 12 below this winter, Breth said.

“We’re definitely going to have a short peach crop,” she said.

The grape industry has also suffered, especially in Chautauqua County, where growers there fear 90 percent loss of some of their most valuable varieties for producing wine.

Farmers grow some grapes and peaches in Orleans County, but apples are the main fruit crop. Those trees are hearty and go dormant during the winter. They seem to have weathered the cold just fine, Breth said.

There is a chance some trees that were pruned right before the harsh cold may have injuries, she said. But she doesn’t expect there to be too much damage.

The deep freeze may have a benefit for farmers. Some of the invasive species that have survived recent warm winters may show up in smaller numbers this year, and they may show up later in the season, Breth said.

Fruit growers have worried in recent years about the Spotted Wing Drosophila, a destructive fruit fly. The cold may keep that pest out of the area until later in the season when the crops are harvested or close to harvest.

Gillibrand seeks Fed help for farms hurt by deep freeze

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – An apple tree on East State Street is covered in snow in this photo taken last month.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is seeking federal disaster assistance for fruit growers who expect to face a decimated crop due to the extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures.

The harsh cold will likely hurt the grape, cherry and peach crops. Apples are more hearty and are expected to be fine, said Larry Meyer, the director of the Farm Service Agency in Orleans County.

The extent of the damage won’t be known for months, but Gillibrand wants to get the process started. She is asking Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to swiftly grant a disaster designation for Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Oswego, Yates and additional counties as more crop losses are determined.

Meyer doesn’t expect Orleans to be included on the list because there aren’t a lot of acres for cherries, peaches and grapes, the fruit that has been harmed the most from the deep freeze. Orleans farmers grow about 200 acres each of peaches and cherries and 20 acres of grapes. Farmers have about 6,000 acres of apples in Orleans.

“There’s definitely been a couple of very cold days that have caused damage to the minor crops,” he said.

Grapes are big business in other counties, especially in the Finger Lakes area. New York State’s vineyards generate an estimated $4.8 billion toward the state’s economy. Jobs in New York’s wine and grape industry grew by 20 percent in the last decade, she said.

Gillibrand said some vineyards have lost 90 percent of their crop.

“When New York’s farmers struggle, our entire economy struggles,” she said in a statement. “This long and bitter cold winter has been extremely harmful to grape growers and vineyards. Losing out on these crops will set them behind all season, and hurt local businesses and jobs at a time we just can’t afford anymore setbacks. We need these federal resources on the ground without delay so we can help our farms recover, and grow our economy.”

The federal assistance can help provide farmers with prompt access to the financial and technical assistance they need to recover, including assistance through the Emergency Loan Program, the Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) program, the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

Meyer said the FSA in Orleans will be assessing the impact of the freeze. The damage should be more clear in the spring, he said.

Maziarz, State Senate unveil plan for new generation of farmers

Posted 6 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, State Sen. George Maziarz

State Sen. George Maziarz and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Tuesday unveiled their “Young Farmers NY” plan to address issues related to the advancing average age of New York farmers and to preserve the future of family farming.

“Young Farmers NY” is a series of proposals to smooth the transfer of farmland to the next generation, preserve existing farmland, and help young farmers overcome obstacles to give them a greater opportunity for a successful career in agriculture.

“Getting young people involved in farming is critical to the future of our state,” said Maziarz, R-Newfane. “We need to strengthen the environment in which tomorrow’s young farmers will work, not only for the sake of carrying on a family tradition, but because young farmers are central to our state’s economy and our future ability to grow crops, raise animals, and put food on our tables.”

Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau, said the average age of farmers grows each year, making it imperative for the state to encourage and promote the development of young farmers.

“This plan is designed to not only help young farmers that are already involved in agriculture, but to get more young people involved in farming,” Norton said.

Senators were joined at the news conference by Orion and Jessica Behling, co-operators of Behling Orchards, a family-run apple farm in Mexico, Oswego County. Orion is president of Young Farmers and Ranchers of Oswego County.

“When farming is in your family’s DNA, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else,” Behling said. “Farming is hard work at any age, but beginning farmers face particular challenges in starting their business, and the Senate’s plan takes away some of the uncertainty, and helps us create a foundation for future success.”

Young Farmers NY is in response to research that shows the average age of New York farmers is increasing, as fewer young people pursue farming careers. According to new data from the USDA Census of Agriculture, the average age of New York farmers is now 57.1 years. There are two farmers aged 65 and older for each one under age 35. This and other factors lead to farmland being lost forever to development. About 50,000 acres of farmland were lost in New York in each of the last five years, the federal agency reported.

Young Farmers NY addresses these problems in two ways, by helping to encourage more young people to consider a farming career, and by reducing financial roadblocks to starting a new agriculture business. The plan calls for a state investment of more than $30 million.

Highlights of the Young Farmers NY program include:

Loans, grants, and tax credits for the sale or lease of land and equipment, as well as for new technological innovations;

Estate tax reforms to encourage farm preservation from generation to generation;

Agricultural education efforts including an apprenticeship program, student loan forgiveness and increased funding for the in-school Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

LAND OWNERSHIP

The biggest single obstacle to starting a farm business is the high cost of land, equipment and supplies for starting farmers. Long-time farmers face pressure to sell to developers for higher prices than can be gained from keeping land in farming, lenders can be wary of extending credit to untested new farmers, and the state’s tax code makes it difficult for farmers to pass on their business to the next generation.

Young Farmers NY seeks to help prospective farmers overcome these obstacles.

Young Farmer Farm Preservation Tax Credit: Provides eligible farmers with up to 10 percent of the sale or rental price for the sale or lease of land or equipment to a new farmer. This preserves farmland, allows retiring farmers a more equitable return on their lifelong investment, and lowers the cost of farmland for beginning farmers. ($5 million)

Young Farmer Revolving Loan Fund: Provides $5 million for start-up loans for land and equipment purchases by new farmers. ($5 million)

Young Farmer Innovation Grants: Allocates up to $50,000 for new farmers through a competitive grant program that seeks to encourage new technology or production innovation. ($1 million)

Farm Savings Accounts: Establishes savings accounts similar to college or retirement accounts. Savings intended for the purchase of farmland or equipment would grow tax-free. ($5 million)

Estate Tax reform: Increases the estate tax exemption and lower rates as proposed in the Executive Budget. ($14 million)

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

Just as many other successful industries, modern farming relies on technology and cutting-edge information to improve production, cut costs and boost profits. Young Farmers NY includes:

Young Farmer Apprenticeship Program: Provides funding to BOCES programs to establish partnerships with real working farmers to help young people gain hands-on experience they can bring to their own successful farm operation. ($500,000)

Young Farmer Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Directs the Board of Regents to establish a student loan forgiveness program for up to 10 agriculture degree graduates annually who agree to work full-time in agriculture a minimum of five years. ($100,000)

Funding for Agriculture Education: Increases funding for the in-school FFA program, which encourages careers in agriculture. There are 77 FFA chapters in New York, including in New York City. ($158,000)

The Young Farmers NY program will be included in the Senate’s budget resolution.

Ag community plans 16th annual farmer to neighbor night

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2014 at 12:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The 16^th Annual Orleans County Farmer to Neighbor Night will be Saturday on March 15. The event will include awards, a silent auction, a showcase of FFA students, and dinner and dancing.

The event will celebrate the county’s leading industry. Agriculture generates more than $100 million in sales to the farms, and that doesn’t count the spinoff economic impact with tractor dealerships, veterinarians and other businesses.

Farmer to neighbor night begins at 6 p.m. at the White Birch Golf Course, 1515 North Lyndonville Rd. The event is sponsored by Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau, Soil & Water Conservation District, Chamber of Commerce and Albion FFA Alumni.

Reservations are due by March 12 and can be made by calling the Cooperative Extension at 585-798-4265 ext. 26.

Maple farmer known for his sweet soul

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Terry Laubisch, 66, owned Flyway Farm in Shelby

Photo by Tom Rivers – Terry Laubisch posed for this picture on Feb. 3, 2012, part of a series of portraits of farmers and their hands. Mr. Laubisch died on Feb. 20.

SHELBY – Drive on Route 63 in Shelby and you’ll see a sign for Flyway Farms, noting a maple syrup producer is on West Shelby Road.

Many maple producers in the state have the signs on state highways, pointing potential customers to sugar shacks on rural roads. Terry Laubisch pushed for the signs more than a decade ago. He saw how vineyards and wine trails used the roadside signs to brand their product and help promote tourism.

The Flyway sign near Laubisch’s farm was the first for all the maple producers in the state. It’s one of the many ways Laubisch helped promote the maple industry in New York, which is the country’s second-leading maple producer behind only Vermont.

“That really helped get customers out there to some of the places off the beaten path,” said Lyle Merle, a maple producer from Attica.

Laubisch was 66 when he died on Feb. 20. He was a participant in the popular Maple Weekend events in March, when producers opened their sugar shacks to the public. Laubisch saw the weekend as another way for maple producers to promote their industry.

“He was creative and innovative and always looking for new ways to do things,” Merle said.

Laubisch and Merle had a friendly rivalry every State Fair when their syrup and maple flavored products were judged. Laubisch perennially challenged for some of the most prestigious awards. He took pride in the quality of his syrup.

He urged the other producers to use the blue ribbons and awards to help brand NY maple as a superior product and to help the individual farms sell their syrup.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Terry Laubisch opened Flyway Farm in 1990. He tapped 900 maple trees.

The other producers welcomed Laubisch’s ideas, whether it was in selling the syrup or trying technology and techniques for tapping trees and making maple products. However, one time Laubisch had an idea that had the other producers shaking their heads in disbelief.

Laubisch saw the popularity of cotton candy and he thought a maple-flavored cotton candy would be a big seller. The cotton candy machine would have to be altered for maple, and Laubisch talked the manufacturer into making the changes.

“We thought it was crazy,” Merle said.

Maple cotton candy has been a sensation at the State Fair in recent years. Laubisch was often behind the booth, volunteering and happily selling the treat.

“I was impressed with that,” Merle said. “He found a way to make it happen.”

Laubisch and his wife Pat tapped about 900 trees for Flyway Farm. They attended many industry events. Mrs. Laubisch said her husband liked to experiment with maple and growing orchids. If Laubisch was involved in something, he gave it his full attention, his wife said.

“He was a special man who did it all and did it in a big way,” she said.

Laubisch first tapped trees and captured the sap with lasagna pans. He learned to use sophisticated equipment, and had a network of tubes to collect and move the sap at his maple farm.

When he made a discovery or perfected a process, Laubisch would eagerly share what he learned. He taught maple classes at the Erie County and State Fairs. He served as a director on the NYS Maple Producers Association and also was a president for the NYS Maple Foundation.

“Whatever Terry got into, he jumped in with both feet,” his wife said.

Friends and family celebrated his life this past Saturday during a memorial service at East Shelby Community Bible Church. For many summers, Laubisch and his wife manned the candy store at the church’s Old Fashioned Day celebration.

Farmworker rights advocate speaks in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

Librada Paz, a farmworker rights advocate from Brockport, addresses a group at the First United Methodist Church of Albion on Friday evening as part of the church’s “Stand Against Racism” series of discussion. The series continues at 7 p.m. on March 28 with Kae Wilbert leading a discussion about Native American issues.

Paz has been working with the Rural and Migrant Ministry to try advance immigration reform at the national level. At the state level she has been advocating for the “Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act” that would grant farmworkers collective bargaining rights, workers’ compensation, overtime pay and unemployment benefits.

Paz in 2012 was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.

Area native joins national Farm Bureau as external relations director

Posted 26 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Sarah Brown grew up on fruit farm in Carlton

Sarah Brown

Press release, American Farm Bureau Federation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An area native who grew up on a fruit farm has been picked as the external relations director for the American Farm Bureau Federation, based in the nation’s capital.

Sarah Brown will work as external relations director in Farm Bureau’s Industry Affairs Department. As external relations director, Brown will play an important part in increasing the organization’s role as the “Voice of Agriculture” for the industry.

She also will focus on expanding Farm Bureau’s influence by building alliances and coalitions with key industry partners to increase engagement with AFBF, according to Dan Durheim, executive director, Industry Affairs.

“Sarah has extensive experience in marketing and communications strategy, client relationship management, and sales and service optimization,” Durheim said. “AFBF will greatly benefit from Sarah’s experience and insights gained from working with clients, companies and organizations both inside and outside of agriculture.”

Brown comes to AFBF from Weber Associates, where she was a senior consultant charged with managing client relationships. Prior to that, she was assistant director of admissions at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences in New York. She also worked as sales and marketing manager at Intergrow Greenhouses in the town of Gaines.

Her family owns Brown’s Berry Patch and Orchard Dale Fruit Company. That family farm dates back to 1804.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in applied economics and management from Cornell’s CALS.

“AFBF is pleased to have Sarah play a key role in strengthening our stakeholder outreach efforts,” said Durheim. “The strategic outreach skills she brings to this position will benefit America’s farm and ranch families as we continue to realign our organizational resources behind implementing our grassroots policies.”

Farm Bill provision cuts costly inspection procedures for apples

Posted 25 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Gillibrand: New York exporters to save $450K annually

File photo by Tom Rivers – Some RubyFrost apples are displayed at Brown’s Berry Patch in Waterport last fall. Orleans County is the state’s second-leading apple producer, behind only Wayne County.

Press release
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a push by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens of northern New York, apple exports from New York State to Canada are now moving at a swifter, more cost-effective pace because of a measure included in the Farm Bill.

Last week, the first shipment of apples that were not subject to inspection crossed the border without incident. Gillibrand and Owens worked to exempt bulk shipments of U.S. apples to Canada from inspection required under the Apple Export Act, saving apple growers up to $300 per truckload, and allowing growers to create their own distribution schedules, eliminating costly after-hours inspection procedures.

“New York State is home to some of the world’s finest apples and hardest working growers,” said Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “But this costly inspection was hurting our growers and holding our economy back. Now our apples can reach markets faster, help New York’s apple growers cut costs, and help our economy grow.”

New York is the country’s second-leading apple producing state with an annual crop of about 30 million bushels, behind only Washington. The New York crop generates about $330 million annually for the state’s economy.

“After more than two years of hard work, we finally have succeeded, with the elimination of the inspection requirements of the Apple Export Act,” New York Apple Association President Jim Allen said.

The Apple and Pear Export Act of 1933 requires that all exported apples are inspected. But pears have been excluded from the law since 1999. The elimination of apples from this antiquated law would enable apple farmers to have more control over their work schedules and eliminate expensive after-hours inspection procedures.

With nearly 1.5 million bushels of apples exported to Canada annually, this amendment to the current law could save U.S. apple growers more than $550,000 annually by allowing apple growers to distribute apple products on their own schedule, saving valuable time and resources by avoiding onerous after-hours inspection procedures.

“We are very grateful for the Sen. Gillibrand and Congressman Owens for listening to our concerns and acting on our behalf,” Allen said. “Because of their diligence, NY apple growers will not be burdened with unnecessary costs and requirements to sell apples into Canada. So far this year over 650 truckloads have already paid the price, but we anticipate another 800 this season will be exempt. This is a huge cost savings for our growers.”

Monsanto gives $2,500 to Albion FFA

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Members of the Albion FFA are pictured with Albion farmers Doug and Mitchell Kirby, and Kurt Zinkievich, a lead salesman for Growmark in Knowlesville. Monsanto district sales manager Nathan Holt also was in Albion to present the ceremonial check to the chapter.

ALBION – The Albion FFA received a $2,500 check today from Monsanto through its America’s Farmers Grow Communities, money that will help the chapter send students to leadership camp, buy FFA corduroy jackets and address other needs for the chapter and its members.

“We can’t thank people enough for helping our chapter,” said Adam Krenning, the FFA advisor and agriculture teacher.

Albion farmer Doug Kirby and his son Mitchell were chosen by Monsanto to pick the recipient of the $2,500. Monsanto is giving out $2,500 grants in 1,289 counties in the United States. The company randomly selects a farmer from a county. That farmer can then pick an organization for the funds.

The Kirbys farm about 600 acres, including 300 acres of corn, 200 acres of soybeans, 80 acres of apples and 10 acres of vegetables. The family runs Kirby Cider Mill on Butts Road in Albion.

Doug Kirby said he wanted to help the FFA. He graduated from Albion in 1976 and was a member of the FFA chapter.

Monsanto previously gave the Albion chapter a $25,000 grant to help establish a 5-acre land lab on the school campus.

Raffle and pancake dinner will help Medina FFA host state convention

Posted 12 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Alaina Boyce is pictured with some of the baskets that will be raffled on Thursday night.

Press release, Medina FFA

MEDINA – The Medina FFA is getting ready for its annual Pancake Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 13 in the high school cafeteria. Proceeds from the event will help the FFA put on the state FFA convention from May 8-10.

The dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and all-you-can-eat tickets are $7. A special Valentine’s Day treat will be served as well. Students have collected baskets for a basket raffle during the dinner.

Tickets for baskets will be available all day Thursday with a drawing at 7 p.m. Winners do not have to be present to claim the prize.

For more information about the dinner, or to volunteer to help with the convention, contact the FFA advisor, Todd Eick, at 585.798.2700 x5116 or at teick@medinacsd.org.

Dunham Family Farms honored for conservation efforts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Mark Dunham and his son Brian appeared on the January cover of the American Agriculturist magazine. The two talked about the benefits of a new tile plow.

KNOWLESVILLE – A seven-generation farm that has embraced new ways of planting crops and preserving soil health has been named the “Conservation Farm of the Year” in Orleans County.

Dunham Family Farms in Knowlesville received the award today at the annual meeting for the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District at Tillman’s Village Inn.

The farm works 2,000 acres and had adopted many conservation practices, including no-tillage planting, cover crops and installation of drainage tile. Dunham also is working on precision nutrient management.

“We’re honoring somebody who has concentrated on the stewardship of the land,” said Dennis Kirby, district manager for Soil and Water.

The farm about eight years ago started to use no-till for planting. Rather than plowing a field before planting, the farm minimally disturbs the soil for planting. That has kept microorganisms thriving in the soil.

“We’ve seen some big advantages with no-till,” said Brian Dunham, co-owner of the farm with his father Mark. “The soil is a living organism in itself. Every time you disk or plow a field, you disrupt it.”

Dunham Family Farms has seen its yields increase for corn and soybeans through no-till. The farm saves fuel costs because it’s not running as much equipment over the fields, Dunham said.

The farm purchased a tile plow last year and has used that to add drainage tiles to some of its land. That has helped the ground to dry out sooner in the spring for planting and do better at moving water off crops after big storms.

Brian, 31, said the entire farm has embraced no-till and conservation practices. After several years of effort, it is paying off with healthier soils and bigger crops.

“I’m really proud of the effort everyone puts in,” Brian said. “It’s not just one year or one field. It’s a mindset that everyone buys into.”

Brian works closely with his father. Brian’s brother Tim also works part-time on the farm. His full-time job is as a school administrator at Holley.

Richard Dunham, Brian and Tim’s grandfather, remains active on the farm. At one time Richard had the largest hog operation in the state, Kirby said.

Dunham Family Farm now grows corn on 1,000 acres, 700 acres of soybeans, 200 acres of wheat and 100 acres of peas.

The farm is now incorporating precision nutrient management. That involves taking soil tests in the fields and entering those results on a map. A computer records that data and feeds it to GPS systems on farm equipment. Rather than blanketing an entire field with the same amount of fertilizer, precision nutrient management varies the application.

“It is based on need,” Kirby said. “You match the use with the need. That saves the extra fertilizer from becoming run-off.”

Collins and House back overdue Farm Bill

Posted 29 January 2014 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – A dairy cow is pictured last July during the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.

Press release
Congressman Chris Collins

Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) voted in support of the bipartisan Farm Bill this morning.The five-year comprehensive legislation easily passed the House of Representatives, 251 votes to 166, with large support from both Republicans and Democrats.

A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Collins admits the bill is not perfect, but says it includes real reforms and spending reductions, while removing regulatory barriers for farmers and strengthening America’s safety net. In total, the bill saves $23 billion in mandatory federal spending.

“The bipartisan Farm Bill provides our farmers and producers the certainty they deserve,” said Congressman Collins.

“The bill saves taxpayers billions of dollars, includes historic reform for our dairy policy by repealing outdated programs, and strengthens crop insurance and other protection programs our farmers need.

“And despite the rhetoric, the Farm Bill does not take away Food Stamps from those who are truly eligible,” he said. “Instead, it protects Food Stamp funding by closing loopholes to stop ongoing fraud and abuse.This is not a perfect bill, but it is a bipartisan compromise that addresses many of the critical issues facing our farmers in NY-27 and around the country.”

Specialty Crop Research

Congressman Collins fought for and achieved a significant increase for specialty crop research (boost of more than $200 million between 2012 proposal and today’s bill). The funding finances partnerships between our land-grant universities and farmers to help growers meet new marketplace demands and cultivate new products.This funding is especially essential for the continued growth of New York’s fruit farmers.

Dairy

The Farm Bill includes historic reforms to dairy policy, something the industry has long championed. The controversial Supply Management program has been eliminated and replaced with a new and voluntarily Margin Protection program which provides our dairy farmers with the safeguards they need without imposing government mandated controls.Both milk producers and processors have endorsed this new program and its flexibility will help NY-27’s booming dairy industry continue to grow.

Crop Insurance

The Farm Bill repeals direct payments to farmers and strengthens crop insurance and other risk management tools to protect both taxpayers and farmers when they suffer significant losses.

Beginning Farmer Support

To ensure young people choose agriculture as a career, the Farm Bill supports Beginning Farm Development programs. The bill will provide new farmers with discounted insurance and credit opportunities to help establish their business. With a large segment of America’s farmers and ranchers at or nearing retirement age, the Farm Bill helps encourage young people to enter this challenging and vitally important line of work which is essential to feeding our country and economy.

SNAP (Food Stamp) Reform

The Farm Bill makes the first reforms to SNAP since the bipartisan Welfare reforms of 1996. The bill closes a loophole that automatically enrolled people for Food Stamps when they receive heating assistance from their state government, regardless of their income level. The bill also cracks down on fraud and abuse (illegal immigrants and lotto winners receiving food stamps) and demands outcomes from existing employment training programs.

The New York Farm Bureau and other agricultural advocacy organizations firmly support the bill.The Senate is expected to vote on the measure later this week.

The last Farm Bill was passed in 2008. It expired in September after being extended for one year.