agriculture

Today’s Fair Schedule

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Marisa Hanlon, 15, of Kendall workers with other 4-H’ers to clean a stall at the fair on Wednesday evening. Marisa is a member of the Wranglers 4-H Club.

Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Motorcycle Cruise-In, located in the Education Center parking lot

Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Dunk Tank, located across from the Senior Council stand

8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens

8 am to 3 pm: Youth Camp Day – Sponsored by the Orleans County 4-H Fair Committee

9:30 am: Western Horse Show – Carlos Marcello Arena

10 am: $5 admission per car starts

10 am: All Buildings Open

10 am: Poultry Show – Wachob Pavilion

10 am: Wildlife I.D. Contest – Log Cabin

10:30 am: Little Britches Cattle Show (open to public) – Show Arena

12 pm: Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens

12pm – 1 pm: Dog Agility Demonstration with Della’s Agility Dream Dogs and Guests –

Show Arena

1 pm: Story Hour sponsored by Hoag Library – Trolley Building

1:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

2 pm to 4 pm: Home Ec Bowl – Trolley Building

2:15 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building

3 pm: Llama/Alpaca Costume, Leaping Llama/Alpaca,

Llama/Alpaca Limbo – Show Arena

Dominic Wilder of Albion performs “U Got it bad” by Usher during karaoke on Wednesday. The $1,000 championship will be tonight at 8 p.m.

3 pm: Little Britches Llama/Alpaca, Open to Public – Show Arena

3 to 10 pm: Midway of Utica, $18 unlimited ride wristband

3 pm: Story Hour sponsored by Hoag Library – Trolley Building

3:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

4 to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center

4 pm to close: Orleans County 4-H Fair Motorcycle Cruise-In at Education Center Parking Lot

4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

4:30 pm: Chicken BBQ Sponsored by Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension,

No Presale – Curtis Pavilion

4:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building

5:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

6 pm: Sheep Show – Knight’s Building

6 pm: Small Animal Grand Master Information Session – Wachob Pavilion

6 pm: Registration for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull Ends at Fair Office

6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

6:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building

6:30 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull Pedal Tractor Course - Fair Office

7 pm: Spanish/English Story Hour sponsored by Hoag Library – Trolley Building

7 pm to 8:30 pm: Local Entertainment Variety Acts – OrleansHub.com Stage

8 pm: $1,000 Karaoke Challenge Finals – OrleansHub.com Stage

8 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

8:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building

10 pm: Buildings Close

10 pm: Greased Pole Climbing Competition (Teams must pre-register at fair office)

Sheep show features novice and veteran handlers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

James Trembley, 6, of Barre made his debut in the show ring this evening as a Cloverbud showing this sheep. James is too young to join 4-H. The Sheep Club gives Cloverbuds a chance to gain some experience in the show ring. Sheep show judge Mike Hargrave offers James a few pointers.

Amanda Armer, left, won the halter showmanship reserve champion tonight at the fair. Amanda, 18, of Albion is pictured with the Moore brothers from Albion – Zachary, 12; and Andrew, 13. Janie Schutz of Waterport won the contest.

Audrey Pask, 8, of Barre keeps her sheep under control during tonight’s show in the Knight’s Building.

Today’s Fair Schedule

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers Posted- Mason Bennett, 8, of Albion keeps his focus in the small fry tractor pull on Tuesday.

Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair annual Craft and Community Yard Sale, located in the Education Center parking lot

Daily Feature: Free coffee for senior citizens from 1pm to 4pm, compliments of the Orleans County 4-H Fair Committee

Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Dunk Tank, located across from the Senior Council stand

8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens

8 am: Goat Show (Dairy, Companion, and Pack) – Knights Building

9:30 am: Dressage Horse Show – Carlos Marcello Arena

10 am: $5 admission per car starts

10 am: All Buildings Open

11 am to 1 pm: Nutrifare Senior Luncheon with Al Howe – Curtis Pavilion

12 pm: Leader’s Pie Stand Opens

1 pm: Story Hour sponsored by the Community Free Library – Trolley Building

2 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – Orleanshub.com Stage

3 pm: Meat Goat Show – Knight’s Building

3 pm: Story Hour sponsored by the Community Free Library – Trolley Building

3 pm to 8 pm: Orleans County 4-H Fair annual Craft and Community Yard Sale – Education Center parking lot

3 pm to 10 pm: Midway Rides of Utica $18 unlimited rides wristband

3:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of the Knights Building

4 pm: Dairy Cattle Showmanship – Show Arena

4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

4 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center

5 pm: BBQ Pulled Pork Dinner, Sponsored by Dance Theater. Cost: $8 – Curtis Pavilion

5:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

6 pm: Mounted Games Competition – Carlos Marcello Arena

6 pm: Registration ends for the Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull

6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

6:30 pm: Dairy Cattle Show – Show Arena

6:30 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull

6:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of the Knights Building

7 pm: Rooster Crowing Contest, register at event – Wachob Pavilion

7 pm: Spanish/English Story Hour sponsored by the Community Free Library – Trolley Building

7:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

8 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

8:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of the Knights Building

9 pm: $1,000 Karaoke Challenge – OrleansHub.com Stage

10 pm: Buildings Close

10 pm: Greased Pole Climbing Contest (teams must pre-register at the fair office)

Today’s Fair Schedule

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Ferris Wheel, pictured at last night’s sunset, is among the attractions at the fairgrounds being provided by Midway Rides of Utica.

Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Dunk Tank, located across from Senior Council stand

8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens

9:30 am: English Horse Show – Carlos Marcello Arena

9:30 am: Dog Show (Classes 5-22 and C3) – Show Arena

10 am: $5 Admission per car starts

10 am: All Buildings Open

10 am: Horticulture I.D. Contest – Curtis Pavilion

12 pm: Leader’s Pie Stand Opens

12 pm to 4 pm: Rabbit and Cavy Showmanship – Wachob Pavilion

1 pm: Story Hour: Sponsored by Yates Community Library – Trolley Building

2 pm: Rabbit and Cavy Knowledge Contest – Wachob Pavilion

3 pm: Story Hour: Sponsored by Yates Community Library – Trolley Building

3 pm to 10 pm: Midway Rides of Utica $18 unlimited ride wristbands

3:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – Orleanshub.com Stage

4 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center

4:30 pm: Fearless Flores

5 pm: Beef Showmanship and Show – Show Arena

5:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

6 pm: Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office

6 pm: Rabbit and Cavy Costume Class and Cloverbud Show – Wachob Pavilion

6:15 pm: Rabbit and Cavy Show – Wachob Pavilion

6:30 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull. Pedal Tractor Course: Fair Office

6:30 pm: Fearless Flores

7 pm to 8:30 pm: Local Entertainment Variety Acts – OrleansHub.com Stage

7 pm: Spanish/English Story Hour: Sponsored by Yates Community Library – Trolley Building

8 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage

8:30 pm: Fearless Flores

9 pm: $1000 Karaoke Challenge – OrleansHub.com Stage

10 pm: Buildings Close

All creatures – big and small

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Rabbits, steer get their chance in limelight

Photos by Tom Rivers

Allison Mathes, 9, uses all her might to get her dairy steer to cooperate during today’s show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.

Judge John Stenson looks over the rabbits during today’s show at the fair. The three boys waiting for their rabbit inspections include, from left: John Gabalski of Byron, Ian Smith of Lyndonville and Brian Neal of Albion. There are 84 rabbits at this year’s fair. Club leader Neil Johnson, right, served as emcee for the show.

Jayne Bannister, 15, of Point Breeze won the grand market steer competition at the fair today.

Lauren Becht, 14, of Barre tries to keep her dairy steer calm during today’s show at the fair. Lauren won the dairy steer category.

4-H’ers, animals get ready for busy week at the fair in Knowlesville

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Brooke Bensley brushes “Desi,” short for “My Heart’s Desire” in preparation for today’s llama show at 10 a.m. Brooke, 18, of Albion has been showing llamas at the fair since she was 10.

Adam Eick, 18, of Medina and Joe Cecchini, 9, of Medina clean cows this morning.

Skip Lear and his daughter Jamie Schutz, 16, of Waterport lead beef cattle to the washing area at the fairgrounds. Lear, a former 4-H’er, volunteers as the beef cattle superintendent at the fair.

KNOWLESVILLE – The 4-H’ers and animals have arrived at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville, and this morning has been busy for 4-H’ers. They have been cleaning animals, and setting up stalls and pens for the animals’ week-long home.

The fair starts today and the first competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the cloverbud horse show and a walk/trot horse show. A llama and alpaca show begins at 10 a.m.

There will be an opening ceremony at 5:45, which will include a mortgage burning. Donors have paid off the mortgage on the new education center.

A talent show at 7 p.m., swine show at 7 p.m. and karaoke contest at 9 p.m. are also on the schedule for today.

Parking will be $2 per vehicle today after 4 p.m. It will be $5 per carload from Tuesday through Saturday.

Taylor Soule, 8, of Barre and her brother Matthew Mathes, 6, brush their dairy animals at the fairgrounds this morning.

Noah Preston, 17, of Barre hoses down livestock. The 4-H’ers strive to present a good image of the agricultural industry to the public during this week’s fair.

Today’s Fair Schedule

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Many fair animals, including this cow, are ready for their moment in the show ring.

Today’s Feature: $2 Paid per car admission beginning 4:00 pm

Today’s Feature: Midway Rides of Utica $9 unlimited ride wristband 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Dunk Tank, located across from Senior Council stand

9:30 am: Walk/ Trot Horse Show and Cloverbud Horse Show, Carlos Marcello Arena

10 am: Market Auction Weigh-In

10 am: Llama and Alpaca Show (classes 1-42) – Show Arena

10 am to 12 pm: Common Garden Vegetables, Market Packages, Cut Flowers, Indoor Gardening, Fruits and Nuts, Plan Collection (Preserved and Scrapbook), Landscape Pictures and Plants, Experiments, Horticulture Methods judged – Trolley Building

11am: Field crops judged – Trolley Building

1pm to 3pm: Group Exhibits, Food Preservation, Baked Goods and Visual Arts judged – Trolley Building

4 pm: Paid per car admission begins: Special Opening Day $2 price

4:30 pm: Goat Fitting Competition – Knights Building

5:45 pm: Opening Ceremony, Presentation of Colors by Orleans County Veterans – Flag Pole Garden

6 pm: Dog Show Grooming and Handling /Showmanship, Classes 1 -4 and C1 – Show Arena

6 pm: Leader’s Pie Stand Opens

6 pm: 2013 4-H Clothing Revue: Fun in the Sun – OrleansHub.com Stage

6:30 pm: 4-H Bake Sale – Trolley Building

6:30 pm: Trolley Building Youth Exhibits Open – Trolley Building

6:30-8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center

7 pm: Talent Show – Orleanshub.com Stage

7 pm: Swine Show – Swine Pavilion

9 pm: $1000 Karaoke Contest – OrleansHub.com Stage

9 pm: 4-H Exhibitor Only Event – Show Arena

10 pm: Buildings Close

Big crowds for opening day at Fair

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H Fair officials usually expect to ease into the Fair week with a relatively quiet Monday.

But good-size crowds were out this evening, enjoying nice sunshine without really hot summer weather. Fair leaders were happy to see the seats filled for the talent show and some lines at the concession stands.

In the top photo, two children get ready to head down the Fun Slide as the sun sets in the background.

The opening ceremony included a presentation of Colors by veterans, including from left: Jim Freas of Medina, Kevin Truesdell of Medina and Ron Ayrault of Holley.

U.S. Rep. Chris Collins addressed the opening ceremony crowd. He said county fairs “are certainly a part of our great Western New York tradition.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Jim Bays, first deputy commissioner for the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, also spoke during opening ceremonies. They commended the Cornell Cooperative Extension staff and volunteers for their work in planning the fair, which runs until Saturday night.

CCE program director Jennifer Wagester is at left followed by volunteers Gary Blackburn, Pete Toenniessen, John DeFilipps, Ed Neal (CCE president) and Michele Bokman.

The opening day included the Swine Show. Here, Blake Houseman, 2 1/2, of Gasport climbs up on the fence to get a better look at the action.

The talent show was also on the center stage. Allie Amoroso of Brockport performed a jazz solo to “Looking Good – Feeling Gorgeous.” She finished fifth and qualified for the State Fair.

The sun sets on a Medina farm

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – I was on Route 63 around 8:30 tonight in Medina. I took these pictures of a farm across from Boxwood Cemetery on North Gravel Road. I couldn’t pick which one was best so I’m putting them both on the site.

Customers flock to ‘Good Life Farm’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Josh Trexler, right, and Jules Bonafede feed some goats at their farm on Gaines Basin Road. They would like to use goat milk to make soap. Right now, the goats are a “hobby.”

Jules Bonafede refills the water for a group of chickens on a 90-degree day.

ALBION – When Jules Bonafede saw the forecast for scorching temperatures this week, his chief worry was his flock of month-old chickens.

Bonafede, 29, didn’t want the animals to overheat. He set up a canopy over the birds, and placed fans on the ground to try to keep them cool. He thinks the contraptions have been working during this week’s heat wave.

Bonafede and Josh Trexler, 26, this year started Our Good Life Farm on Gaines Basin Road in Albion. The partners had been raising chickens, about 15 a year, for themselves and their friends the past three years. This year they decided to offer chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese to the general public.

They have had a huge response. They expect to raise 1,000 chickens this year.

“We thought we’d grow a larger batch,” Bonafede said at the farm on Tuesday afternoon. “But it quickly turned into more than that.”

Josh Trexler holds a frozen duck, one of the meat products available through Our Good Life Farm in Albion.

The animals are fed organic feed and they are pasture-raised. At least once a day, the caged chickens are moved to a new patch of grass.

Our Good Life is part of a trend of new small farms that are cropping up in New York. The number of farms in New York with revenue between $10,000 and $99,999 annually increased by 500 last year, going from 10,800 in 2011 to 11,300, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Trexler and Bonafede invite people to the farm to see the chickens and animals, and pick up the finished frozen product.

“People want to know where their food is coming from,” Trexler said. “They want a relationship with their farm.”

Our Good Life has taken a pledge to treat the animals as humanely as possible. They feed the animals grain that is grown without pesticides or genetically modified corn. Bonafede and Trexler butcher the animals, and they do it as quickly and painlessly as possible, they said.

Chickens are their top seller right now. The birds sell for $3.25 dressed. That compares to about $1 a pound when chicken is on sale in the grocery stores. Our Good Life has a waiting list of customers willing to pay the premium.

“They want the better-tasting chicken,” Bonafede said. “Our chicken has a different taste.”

Josh Trexler, right, and Jules Bonafede prepare to move a cage of chickens to fresh patch of grass at the farm on Gaines Basin Road.

Our Good Life has developed a local following in the Albion area. The farm saw demand really take off when it was invited to the Pittsford Farmers Market. Our Good Life expects to raise four cycles of chickens a year.

It takes about two months to grow a mature Cornish Cross chicken and 12 to 14 weeks to raise a Kosher, a heritage chicken.

Trexler and Bonafede expect to have their turkeys ready for Thanksgiving.

They are also juggling the Sports & Graphics business, a screen-printing and embroidery business.

“There’s always something going on,” Bonafede said.

For more information on Our Good Life Farm, click here.

Orleans 4-H Fair is a week away

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Robert Batt, president of the Fair Board, and Kerri McKenna, a community educator for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, have been busy gearing up for next week’s 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.

KNOWLESVILLE – The animals are soon to arrive, a group of nearly 550 creatures that include cows and pigs, llamas and rabbits, goats and horses.

After seeing the numbers drop at recent fairs, next week’s event in Knowlesville shows a sizable uptick in animals. The number of cows and beef cattle are up from 20 last year to 65 next week.

And the number of 4-H animal exhibitors also is on an upswing with nearly 200 kids showing animals.

“Most fairs are seeing their numbers go down,” said Kerri McKenna, the community educator for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. “Our leaders have been out recruiting new members.”

The fair officially starts on Monday, July 22, and runs until the 27^th. The week-long event typically draws about 30,000 people. It’s considered one of the most successful youth fairs in the state, a small-county celebration that bans alcohol and limits exhibitors to children.

“We have a community that supports youth, agriculture and the community in general,” said McKenna, a former 4-H’er. “This is the biggest event of the year where everyone is involved.”

The fair includes a new Midway provider, Midway Rides of Utica, which is bringing a 90-foot-high Ferris wheel to Knowlesville, the biggest to ever come to the Orleans fair.

The Fair Board is spending $16,000 for entertainment, with bands, the Midway, a Motorcyle Thrill Ride and other entertainers. The board is not hiking the cost to enter the fair. That remains at $5 per carload, which Fair Board President Robert Batt said is the least expensive in the state.

“We’re definitely the cheapest,” he said. “We want to keep it low so families can come and have money to spend.”

He is pleased to have many new food vendors for the week. The Fair Board also is trying to make better use of the parking lot by the Education Center for the fair. On Wednesday the 24^th the lot will be used for a craft show and community yard sale.

There will be a motorcycle cruise-in on Thursday with a Classic Car Show on Friday. On Saturday, the last day of the fair, first responders will bring fire trucks, ambulances and a helicopter. Children and community members are encouraged to come meet firefighters, medics and other first responders.

For more information, check the 4-H Fair Website by clicking here.

Elba’s new sign proclaims muck roots

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Elba put up new welcome signs today that claim the community is the “Onion Capitol of the World.”

ELBA – The village has put up a much-improved welcome sign that celebrates its muck roots as the “Onion Capitol of the World.”

For years Elba had signs that said, “Population: Just Right.” That was a cute slogan, but I also thought it sent a message that the community didn’t want any newcomers.

The new sign shows pride in Elba’s onion heritage and productivity. Another NY onion-growing region, the Black Dirt Region in Orange County, also claims to be the world’s onion capitol.

Elba became an onion powerhouse after a swamp was cleared almost a century ago. I used to be the agriculture reporter for The Daily News in Batavia, and I covered the muck. Most of the best 5,000 acres are in Orleans County, and few onions today are grown in Elba. That crop needs deep soil and the deeper muck is in the towns of Barre and Clarendon.

But most of the packing houses and farmers have Elba addresses. Panek Farms and Triple G Farms are both Albion operations and they grow onions on the muck.

I don’t fault Elba for making such a bold claim. It’s good to see them show pride in their roots.

House passes Farm Bill with Collins’ support

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Democrats decry passage without nutrition programs

WASHINGTON – A Farm Bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives today with the backing of Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence.

The legislation was criticized by another area Congressional representative. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport, noted the Farm Bill didn’t include funding for nutrition programs for the first time since 1973.

She rebuked the Republican-majority on the House floor and continued to criticize them on Twitter, saying the Republican-led approval of the Farm Bill today was “shameful and a new low for the GOP.”

Collins, in a statement, said the nutrition programs will be taken up on a later date. He serves on the House Agriculture Committee.

“Today’s passage of a House Farm Bill is a critical step forward for the hardworking men and women of our agricultural community,” he said in a statement this afternoon. “This legislation provides farmers with needed regulatory reform and cost-effective programs while saving taxpayers money by ending duplicative and overlapping programs.”

Collins said the legislation will direct more research funding to land-grant universities, including Cornell, “which provide critical support to our local farms and growers.”

The food stamp program accounted for 80 percent of a Senate version of the Farm Bill.

Dean Norton of Elba, president of New York Farm Bureau, said the legislation should have been a great victory for the farm community, but it continues the uncertainty over the country’s ag policy.

“While many of the provisions in this House Farm bill are good for New York and we fought hard for their inclusion, we opposed splitting the agriculture and nutrition portions into separate bills that break apart the urban-rural collaboration that has been critical for decades in advancing farm and food policy in this country,” Norton said in a statement.

The House vote brings “unknown long-term ramifications,” Norton said.

“New York Farm Bureau will continue to work with the entire Congressional delegation for successful completion of a Farm Bill that serves the needs of farmers, our communities and our neighbors in need,” he said.

Wambach picked as apple ambassador

Posted 8 July 2013 at 12:00 am

Abby Wambach

Press release, NY Apple Association

FISHERS – Proof that the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree: U.S. soccer star and Rochester native Abby Wambach has signed on as celebrity ambassador for New York state apples.

Wambach has deep New York roots. She grew up in Rochester, where her family owns a farm market and garden center, Wambach Farms.

Wambach will appear in television, radio, print and online advertisements promoting New York state apples and apple products for the New York Apple Association. She will also be featured on point-of-sale signs for grocery, farm and green markets, on NYAA’s website and in social media.

“Growing up around a family-owned farm and garden store, Wambach Farms, fresh produce was a huge part of my childhood. Whether it was selling homegrown New York apples, or eating them, I learned how important it is to sustain a healthy diet – and as they say, ‘an apple a day, keeps the doctor away’,” said Wambach. “Being a New York native, I am excited to join the New York Apple Association to create more awareness that the best apples in the world come from New York orchards.”

Apples are a $30 million annual business in New York. Orleans County is the state’s second-leading apple producer, following Wayne County.

Known for her trademark header goals, Wambach may well be the most decorated U.S. woman soccer player in history. She earned her latest accolade on June 21 when she scored her 160^th goal to become the world’s all-time top women’s scorer, surpassing former teammate Mia Hamm’s previous record.

“New York soccer moms and players love Abby, and with her local roots and healthy, active lifestyle she is a fantastic apple ambassador for us,” said NYAA President Jim Allen. “New York state apples, Abby and soccer, that’s just using our heads.”

Wambach is certainly well known in her home state. While attending Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, she captained the elite regional Rochester Spirit club team. In college, the three-time all American helped her University of Florida Gators earn an NCAA national championship and four conference championships.

To date, her pro career highlights include Rookie of the year in 2002, two Olympic gold medals (she scored the header goal that clinched U.S. gold in 2004), five-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, three FIFA Women’s World Cup competitions and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012. She has played on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team since 2003.

She played for the Washington (D.C.) Freedom/Boca Raton magicJack from 2002-2011. She recently returned home to New York state to play forward for the Western New York Flash.

“Abby for Apples” will unveil this fall, to promote the 2013 New York apple crop.

Hay is in season

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – The field next to the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds is dotted with bales of hay today. The fair makes its annual run on July 22-27 in Knowlesville.