By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2022 at 12:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Max Bentley, a member of the Albion FFA, moves boxes of ham that were donated by the Orleans County Farm Bureau for the Albion FFA’s annual food drive.
The FFA delivered 47,236 pounds of food this morning to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
Community Action will share that produce with 10 local food pantries, as well as at least 200 families served by the agency for the annual holiday food boxes.
FFA members Bryce Wilson, right; FFA President Sam Basinait, second from right; Daisy Reyes, and FFA alumnus Barry Flansburg help unload the food this morning.
Basinait, a senior, has been part of the food drives since she was in sixth grade. The local chapter looks forward to working with the farm community each year to bring healthy food to people in need.
Basinait said many families feel the financial pinch during the holidays and the food will take some pressure off of them.
Scott Oldenburg, Albion FFA advisor, said the chapter has a dedicated team of leadership that made calls to local farms and organized the food drive. Two of the members, Thomas Bentley and Bryce Wilson, picked up many of the boxes from local farms.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, right, has been a reliable volunteer for many of the food drives. The FFA started the food drive in 2010 and there were 3,000 pounds the first year. In recent years, the total has consistently topped 40,000 pounds.
David Bertsch, parent of FFA member Natalie Bertsch, helps in lugging some of the heavy boxes of eggs donated by Kreher Farms. FFA members Daisy Reyes, center, and Adele Mathes.
William Plummer, front, works with Oliver Beach to unload a pallet of canned vegetables.
FFA members and Community Action staff and volunteers pose for a quick photo before unloading a truck and trailers of food.
The donations from local farms include:
Torrey Farms, 500 pounds of onions and potatoes
Intergrow Greenhouses, 1,600 pounds of tomatoes
My-T Acres, 3,500 pounds of cabbage and potatoes
Kludt Brothers Farm, 5,000 pounds of butternut squash
Orleans Poverty Hill Farm, 36 pounds of cheese
Starowitz Farms, 7,300 pounds of onions, potatoes, cabbage and squash
Orchard Dale Fruit Company, 5,000 pounds of apples
Kast Farms, 2,000 pounds of apples
Orleans County Farm Bureau/Save-A-Lot, 1,000 pounds of ham
Triple G Farms, 4,000 pounds of onions and potatoes
Nesbitt Farms, 4,000 pounds of apples
Lynn-Ette & Sons, 500 pounds of cabbage
Root Brothers, 4,000 pounds of cabbage
Panek Farms, 3,400 pounds of squash
Martin Farms, 3,000 pounds of squash
Kreher’s, 1,350 pounds of eggs
Stymus Farms, 50 pounds of potatoes
Lake Ontario Fruit also donated boxes and plastic to wrap the boxes
Provided photo: David Fisher (left), NY Farm Bureau President, presents Jim Bittner with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
Press Release
BUFFALO – At New York Farm Bureau’s annual convention in Buffalo, Appleton fruit farmer Jim Bittner Received their highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
NY Farm Bureau President David Fisher spoke about Bittner’s numerous ways he’s been involved in Farm Bureau and other organizations. In addition to working on the resolutions committee and participating in the annual grassroots policy making discussions, he has served on the labor committee and fruit committees on both the state and national levels.
In addition, he served as Niagara County President twice, the second time for 12 years. Bittner has aided Farm Bureau efforts with lobbying both in Albany and Washington DC, participated in numerous media interviews and helped with Grow NY.
However, Bittner’s involvement isn’t limited to Farm Bureau. He served on the New York Farm Viability Board, New York Apple Association, and the New York Horticulture Society Board. Currently, he is the director for the New York Horticulture Society, and serves on the Cornell University Ag and Life Sciences Dean’s Advisory Committee, Niagara County Soil and Water Board and is treasurer of the Barker Lions Club.
Local farmer Pete Russell praised Bittner for his thoughtful leadership, big picture thinking, and cooperative nature.
“His office door is always open for a discussion, is willing to loan equipment, and sometimes even his sons to run the equipment,” Russell said.
Niagara County Farm Bureau President Kevin Bittner talked about how much he’s learned from his father.
“He encourages us to grow, to be involved with the community, to use all our skills to improve our farm and help those around us,” Kevin said. “Those values he instilled in us are inspiring.”
While thanking the group for this honor, Bittner credited his parents for their encouragement, his wife for her support and all those who work to improve agriculture.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds draws about 25,000 to 30,000 people for its six-day run in late July each year. The food vendors and amusement rides are a popular part of the fair.
Posted 30 November 2022 at 3:18 pm
Press Release, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
ALBANY – New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced that the state will convene a series of roundtable discussions with county fair representatives from across New York to further strengthen these community events.
Stakeholders will meet twice annually, in the spring and fall, with the initial dates to be chosen at the annual meeting of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) in January 2023.
Representatives from NYSAAF and additional stakeholders will be invited to participate in the discussions, which will generate ideas to further the fairs’ growth. This announcement comes as a part of Governor Hochul’s commitment to evaluating ways to increase the marketing and promotion of county fairs, as well as opportunities to improve youth and agricultural programming initiatives at all fairs statewide.
“County fairs are the foundation of agricultural education and tradition for families across New York State,” said Commissioner Ball. “The more we can work together to grow these important cultural and educational touchstones, the better off our state will be. These roundtable discussions will be a great opportunity to continue coordinating and strengthening our fairs’ agricultural initiatives statewide.”
Participants will be the NYSAAF’s Board of Directors, which includes managers from county fairs across New York State of all sizes, as well as vendor representatives and members of agricultural groups that have experience and insight into the operation of exhibits at fairs.
Topics for the first roundtable discussion will include:
how to enhance fair marketing and promotion through existing programs such as Taste NY and I Love NY, as well as the creation of new programs to increase awareness of fairs statewide;
plans for enhancing agricultural competitions at fairs, including ways to encourage county fair winners to participate at the Great New York State Fair; and
other initiatives, including capital planning, emergency management, and commissioning an updated economic impact study.
“The NYSAAF Board looks forward to participating in a series of round table discussions,” said NYSAAF President Ed Rossley. “We will continue to promote agriculture at the county and state levels. Open communication is necessary to expand the county fair’s promotion, infrastructure, and financial stability. All these areas are necessary to provide a venue for youth and agricultural programming initiatives in New York State.”
In 2021, Governor Hochul directed a review to assess support, growth, and revitalization opportunities for all fairs in New York. As part of this initiative, the State created a new position, Agricultural Fair Development Director, which was a significant step forward in streamlining the State’s work with county fairs and facilitating increased opportunities for funding and growth.
In addition to the Great New York State Fair, New York is home to more than 50 county and youth fairs that operate from July through the middle of September, with the Long Island Fair closing out the season.
Local fairs provide visitors with family-friendly fun, great music, and delicious food. They also offer a unique opportunity to learn about local agriculture, including where our food comes from, and how it is grown, harvested, and marketed to the public. According to a 2013 economic impact study, the State’s fairs generate $6 million in economic activity and over 4,000 jobs in New York each year.
Kaitlin Bennett, left, gets ready for the dairy show on July 27, 2022 with other 4-Hers. Zack Welker, one of the dairy leaders at the fair, helps to get everyone organized.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Two turkeys roams along West Bacon Road in Gaines.
New York Farm Bureau’s 2022 Market Basket Survey shows the price of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner saw a double-digit price jump from last year’s meal.
The average total price, which includes a 16-pound turkey and other common items found on a holiday dinner table, is $66.39, about a 26% increase over last year’s price of $52.59.
Our volunteer shoppers found turkey prices to be about $1.89 per pound in New York State, which is 43 cents per pound over last year’s average price in this informal survey. This price is slightly above the national average of $1.81/lb. As we move closer to Thanksgiving, turkey prices may drop in the stores, reflecting sales in the final days before the holiday.
The New York numbers revealed price increases over last year in nearly every category, except for fresh cranberries which saw a 30-cent decrease. The most notable increases were for stuffing mix, brown-and-serve rolls, and frozen pie crusts.
This year’s survey also includes a similar increase for an expanded menu that includes a four-pound ham, five-pound bag of russet potatoes and a package of frozen green beans. When those prices are included, the total meal price jumps to $82.16 or a 22% increase over last year’s number. New York shoppers found bargains on hams compared to the national numbers, with a four-pound ham costing $10.08 or $1.56 less than the national average.
There are several reasons for the increased costs of this year’s meal. They reflect the continued supply and demand issues, higher commodity prices because of the war in Ukraine, as well as the increased costs for packaging and transportation. Despite those increases, most of those higher costs do not trickle down to the farmer who receives only about eight cents of each dollar consumers spend on food at the store. The rest goes to pay for things like marketing, processing, and transportation of the food.
This dinner price represents the greatest increase since the survey began more than three decades ago and will undoubtedly make it more difficult for some families to afford a big holiday dinner. But it is important to put the cost into context: at just under $6.64 per person for a family of 10, New Yorkers still enjoy one of the most affordable food supplies in the world.
This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and Education Committee and is part of the national effort with the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 37th annual informal national price survey found the average national cost of this year’s feast is $64.05, or $2.34 cents less than New York’s number. That is in part attributed to the competitive nature of grocery store markets and perhaps better promotional pricing in other regions of the country. More information on the national survey can be found at www.fb.org.
“New Yorkers continue to face challenges at the grocery store, but the supply of food remains strong in this country thanks to our farmers and farmworkers who continue to produce amidst their own price and labor challenges. The best plan of attack for shoppers is to do comparison shopping to find the best deals near you. We expect more people to purchase store brand and frozen food items compared to years past because of the ongoing inflation,” said Darleen Krisher-Meehan, chair of New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee.
New York Farm Bureau’s volunteer shoppers sampled prices at more than a dozen different supermarkets throughout the state between October 18 – 30, trying to get the best prices available, but they did not use promotional coupons or special deals such as “buy one-get one free.” They were also encouraged to use online shopping. The shopping list includes 15 common Thanksgiving food items ranging from turkey and rolls to stuffing and celery to pumpkin pie mix, enough to feed 10 people around the dinner table. An average for miscellaneous ingredients, like flour and butter, is also included.
The numbers below reflect the overall average of the volunteer shoppers and is not meant to be a true scientific survey, but rather a snapshot of what shoppers may find leading up to the holiday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 November 2022 at 9:29 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: These bales of straw shown in mid-July are in a field by East Shelby Road in Shelby near the Millville Cemetery.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture will soon be sent to millions of producers across the 50 states and Puerto Rico. The census is done every five years to provide comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county and territory.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, says the census will be mailed in phases, starting with an invitation to respond online in November followed by paper questionnaires in December.
Farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2022 are included in the census.
The census has been collected since 1840 and conducted every five years. The census highlights land use and ownership, producer characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, among other topics.
Revisions to the questionnaire document changes and emerging trends in the industry. Changes to the 2022 questionnaire include new questions about the use of precision agriculture, hemp production, hair sheep, and updates to internet access questions. The census data is expected to be released in the spring/summer 2024.
To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus or call 800-727-9540.
The 2017 agricultural census showed farm revenues in New York totalling $5,369,212,000 in 2017. That was down slightly from the $5,415,125,000 in 2012.
In Orleans County, farm products sold for $155.3 million in 2017. That was up 3.3 percent over 5 years from the $150.3 million in 2012 for sales of fruit, vegetables, milk, livestock and other farm products. The 2012 figure was a 48.8 percent jump from the $101.0 million recorded in 2007, according to the Agricultural Census.
Agriculture is Orleans County’s leading industry. The 2017 Ag Census counts 498 farms in the county. The number of farms in the county is up from the 487 in 2012. (It was 554 in 2007.)
The top 15 counties in NYS for farm revenue in the 2017 census include:
Provided photo: Niagara County Farm Bureau President Kevin Bittner, left, is congratulated by NY Farm Bureau District 2 Director Pat McCormick.
LOCKPORT – Niagara County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting at the Farm and Home Center. It focused on the grassroots foundation of the organization.
In reviewing the past year, President Jeannette Miller recapped the year chronologically. She talked about the lobbying efforts, the Corn booth at County Fair, Ag Literacy month and other efforts to influence the political issues during the year.
Pat McCormick, District 2 State Board Director, spoke about the state efforts. Although the Wage Board recommendations did not go the way the members hoped (with the overtime threshold to be lowered in agriculture), he encouraged those present to keep up the efforts to explain the issue to Governor Hochul.
He focused on the success of the Taste NY event in Queens. Many political and business leaders attended this educational event. There is another event planned and he encouraged county leaders to participate in the next event. In addition, there are new programs to encourage membership in the state organization.
The evening concluded with officer elections. Those elected are President Kevin Bittner, Vice President Mark Russell, and board members Kassidy Voelpel, Jeannette Miller, Kelly Raby, Trevor Ganshaw and Max Russell.
Bittner is the orchard specialist for Bittner-Singer Orchards in Appleton. His father, Jim Bittner, is a past president of the Niagara County Farm Bureau.
When asked about his plans for the coming year, Bittner stated, “My goal is that Farm Bureau will represent all farms, large and small. Anyone who wishes to become a member please contact any current member for an application. Any member who wishes to get involved in our policy development or events please contact me or any board member.”
For more information about Niagara County Farm Bureau, its projects and events, email info@niagaracountyfarmbureau.com or call 716-735-7791.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 October 2022 at 6:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
A farmer works in a corn field on Peter Smith Road in Kendall near Route 18 late this afternoon. Farmers have been working at a frantic pace to bring in the crops. They have benefitted from a recent string of sunny days in the 70s, which continues on Tuesday.
These bales of corn stalks are shown this afternoon on Harrison Road in Shelby.
These bales cast a long shadow late this afternoon on Harrison Road.
Photos by Tom Rivers: A corn field is pictured on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2022 at 3:20 pm
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that corn production in September was down 8 compared to last year’s output, and soybeans are down 3 percent.
Corn production is forecast at 13.9 billion bushels while soybeans are forecast at 4.31 billion bushels.
Based on conditions as of Oct. 1, NASS reports corn yields are expected to average 171.9 bushels per harvested acre, down 4.8 bushels from 2021. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 80.8 million acres.
In New York, the yields per acre are down from 167.0 in 2021 to a forecasted 154.0 in 2022. The harvested acreage is down from 580,000 to 515,000 in New York.
Soybean yields are expected to average 49.8 bushels per acre, down 1.9 bushels from 2021. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 86.6 million acres, up slightly from 2021, NASS reported.
In New York, the soybean yields are down from 53.0 bushels per acre to 50.0 bushels, while the acreage is up from 320,000 to 345,000.
Soybeans on the left and corn on the right are grown in this field on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway.
Jayden Neal creates new tech to help keep cows comfortable
Jayden Neal and his father Jody are featured in a new episode of “This American Dairy Farmer.” Jayden developed technology to automate curtains, lighting, sprinklers, fans and alley scrapers to create a more consistent and comfortable environment for the cows. He also developed an activity tag for the cows. Jayden also utilizes drone mapping for the farm.
Press Release, American Dairy Association North East
ALBION – Offering a glimpse into the lives of hardworking farmers, American Dairy Association North East released a new episode of “This American Dairy Farmer,” a digital series highlighting family, tradition and sustainable food production on local dairy farms.
Every gallon has a story, and “This American Dairy Farmer” offers a behind-the-scenes look at dairy farms and the families who operate them, while helping viewers make personal connections with those who produce their food.
In “Robotics Whiz Invents Farm Technology,” which debuted October 6 on AmericanDairy.com, viewers meet dairy farmer Jody Neal and his son, Jayden, of Orleans Poverty Hill Farm in Albion. Jayden Neal is a sophomore at the Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in robotics and manufacturing.
“My son Jayden helps on the technology side of things and helps make some of my dreams come true,” Jody Neal explained. Jayden has invented many gadgets that make life easier on the farm.
Jayden Neal has embraced technology to help the Neal dairy farm run smoother and track feed inputs. He is working on a system with QR codes that track equipment’s maintenance.
“I think it’s so cool that I’m able to implement my love of technology here on the farm. And there is so much here that can be automated, I believe I can make a difference,” Jayden Neal said.
Watch “This American Dairy Farmer” to learn more about how Jayden’s innovations ease the workload for employees and family members, streamlining operations at the farm.
“This series is an opportunity for consumers to meet and learn about the people who produce the milk for everything from their morning coffee to their children’s school meals,” said John Chrisman, CEO of American Dairy Association North East. “You see the passion dairy farmers have for taking care of their animals, protecting the environment and leaving a legacy for the next generation.”
“This American Dairy Farmer” visits 12 dairy farms in 2022. New episodes will continue to air through the fall months at AmericanDairy.com, where seasons one and two are also available here. Other GLOW area dairies featured in the first three seasons include Stein Farms in LeRoy, Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion, HaR-Go Farms in Pavilion and Rudgers Registered Jerseys in Attica.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) expressed his displeasure with Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s decision to lower the farm overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours.
With inflation and minimum wage set to rise again, this decision could force hundreds of farms out of business in the very near future.
“This decision is going to have grave consequences for all New Yorkers because without farms, our state has no food,” Hawley said. “Farmers provide one of the most important services to our state and many of our farmers and farm laborers rely on the current 60-hour overtime threshold to ensure profits.
“Farmers face challenges unlike any other business and that last thing Albany should be doing from their ivory towers is telling our local farmers how to run their businesses,” Hawley said. “I will continue to lead the charge toward overturning this terrible ruling to protect our local agriculture operations.”
Editor’s Note: The overtime threshold will be phased in over 10 years. The overtime work limit will drop by 4 hours every other year beginning in 2024 until reaching 40 hours in 2032.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2022 at 6:04 pm
‘This is nothing short of a scheduled collapse of New York’s agricultural industry.’ – State Sen. Rob Ortt
The state will be lowering the overtime threshold in agriculture from 60 to 40 hours a week in phased-in process from 2024 to 2032, the state’s Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon announced this afternoon.
The decision from the DOL commissioner sparked concern in the farm community about much-higher operating costs in a state where New York already is at a competitive disadvantage with other states and countries.
“This is a difficult day for all those who care about New York being able to feed itself,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “Commissioner Reardon’s decision to lower the farm labor overtime threshold will make it even tougher to farm in this state and will be a financial blow to the workers we all support.
“Moving forward, farms will be forced to make difficult decisions on what they grow, the available hours they can provide to their employees, and their ability to compete in the marketplace,” Fisher said. “All of this was highlighted in the testimony and data that the wage board report and the commissioner simply ignored.”
Fisher was part of a three-person Farm Laborers Wage Board. He cast the lone no vote against recommending the overtime threshold be lowered on Sept. 6. Reardon today said she was going with the Wage Board’s recommendation, which passed 2-1. Fisher was the only representative from the agricultural sector on that board.
The overtime threshold will be phased in over 10 years. The overtime work limit will drop by 4 hours every other year beginning in 2024 until reaching 40 hours in 2032, giving agriculture businesses proper time to adjust, Reardon said.
“I come from a farm community myself, so I know how important the agricultural sector is to the New York State economy,” Reardon said in a statement. “Based on the findings, I feel the Farm Laborers Wage Board’s recommendations are the best path forward to ensure equity for farm workers and success for agricultural businesses.”
During the course of the Wage Board’s deliberations in 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul and State Legislature enacted three new tax credits to assist farm employers in transitioning to a lower overtime standard, the DOL said. Those credits include:
The Investment Tax Credit was increased from 4 percent to 20 percent for farm businesses, providing an encouragement for potential automation of farm production.
The Farm Workforce Retention Tax Credit was increased to $1,200 per employee to provide near-term relief to farmers.
Most importantly, a new refundable overtime tax credit was established for overtime hours paid by farm employers at the level established by the Board and confirmed by the Commissioner up to 60 hours.
GROW NY Farms, a coalition of about 150 organizations in New York’s agricultural industry, issued this statement: “New York’s agricultural community is deeply disappointed in Commissioner Reardon’s ill-informed decision to lower the overtime threshold for our family farms. This decision threatens the security of our food supply, the retention of our skilled farmworkers, and the future of New York’s farms. If Governor Hochul has the ability to step in and stop this damaging decision, she must do so immediately.”
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “Today’s decision by the New York State Department of Labor Commissioner is the wrong one. By approving this recommendation from a board composed of unelected bureaucrats, this mandate will devastate family farms still reeling from the pandemic.
“It is clear Albany’s one-party ruling class doesn’t care about family farms and seems hell-bent on destroying agriculture in New York State. This is nothing short of a scheduled collapse of New York’s agricultural industry.”
‘Our farming industry functions much differently than other industries and would crumble under this Albany mandate.’ – Rob Ortt
Press Release, NYS Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference penned a letter to the New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon urging her to reject the Farm Laborers Wage Board recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for New York State farms from 60 hours to 40 hours per week.
“Our economy relies greatly on our New York State farmers, who are already struggling with 40-year high inflation, record-high fuel prices, and severe worker shortages,” Ortt said. “Our farming industry functions much differently than other industries and would crumble under this Albany mandate. If the final report is accepted by the Labor Commissioner, we will see livelihoods across our state ruined and a mass exodus of farm workers. The damage will go beyond our farming industry and increase the price of consumer goods that many New Yokers are already struggling to afford. If we want to keep workers here, combat rising prices, and support our farmers, then Albany must stay at 60.”
During public hearings held by this Farm Laborers Wage Board, hundreds of farmers took time from their busy days to give emotional comments expressing their concerns that increased labor costs would threaten their small family farms, which make up 96 percent of New York’s farms. Several economic development and business organizations came out in opposition to reducing the 60-hour overtime threshold, including the Grow NY Farms Coalition, the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Businesses of New York (NFIB) and Upstate United.
“While it is common to hear state leaders praise the invaluable contributions of our farming community, nice words ultimately do nothing to help New York farmers who are struggling under the weight of ever-expanding state mandates and rising costs,” said Senator George Borrello, Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee. “The decision on whether to accept the Wage Board’s misguided recommendation that the overtime threshold be lowered is an opportunity to back up words with action. By rejecting the adoption of a 40-hour threshold, Governor Hochul and Commissioner Reardon can save our farming community from a long, painful demise and ensure this vital industry has a future in our state.”
“I govern by listening and when farmers and farmworkers alike tell me this change will be detrimental to their ability to produce here in New York, I take notice. It is far past time for Albany to do the same and reject this misguided change. The future of farming in New York State is on the line, and we will not stop speaking out against this bad policy until the voices of those who will be impacted are truly heard and the decision reversed,” said Senator Sue Serino.
In December 2021, Senate Republicans wrote a letter to the Wage Board, citing a Cornell University study that found that two-thirds of dairy farmers would make significant changes to their operation, including leaving the industry or investing out of state, and half of fruit and vegetable farmers indicated they would decrease their operations or exit the industry, if the overtime threshold was lowered to 40 hours.
On January 28, 2022, the Wage Board revisited the overtime threshold set in 2019 through the Farm Laborer Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA), and voted to reduce the threshold from 60 hours to 40 over the next decade, decreasing the threshold by four hours every two years.
Members of the Senate Republican Conference signed onto a follow-up letter written Aug. 16, 2022. On Sept. 1, 2022, Senator Serino joined her Republican colleagues and members of the local agriculture community calling on the Farm Labor Wage Board in Albany to reject a reduction of the overtime threshold from the current 60 hours to the proposed 40 hours.
Despite near-universal opposition, the Wage Board voted 2-1 on Sept. 6 to advance its final recommendation for lowering of the overtime threshold for farmers. The state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon has 45 days from this date to accept or reject the recommendation.
In addition, Senator Borrello carries a bill to abolish the Farm Laborers Wage Board, who ignored 70% of testimony with their overtime threshold recommendation. The legislation is co-sponsored by fellow Senate Republicans, including Leader Ortt and Senator Serino.
Led by the State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Agriculture and Markets, the project is one of 70 selected nationally and will help agriculture producers and forest landowners implement climate smart agriculture and forestry practices, and build connections between landowners and companies with a growing demand for commodities produced using climate smart strategies.
“Sustainable agriculture is critical for combatting the effects of climate change, and this significant funding commitment will greatly aid New York’s farm and forest owners, allowing us to partner together as a nation to reduce greenhouse gases,” Hochul said. “Thanks to this funding announced under President Biden and his Administration, we take another major step towards improving our environment for the next generation. The public and private partnerships leading the Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project will provide new and innovative measures that promote forestry and farming that will help achieve our ambitious climate goals, protect the environment, preserve farmland, and meet a global demand for products grown with greener technology.”
A climate smart commodity is an agricultural commodity that is produced using agricultural (farming, ranching or forestry) practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. The NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project will immediately fund landowners working to implement multiple climate smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) practices by building on current State programs.
The project will identify and mitigate social and behavioral barriers to CSAF practice adoption, particularly among underserved and minority populations. A combination of new and well-developed tools will be used for measurement, quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification. This data will also be beneficial for building continuous improvement processes to refine practices and programs, reduce costs, and mitigate greenhouse gas emission impacts.
In the first round of funding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects nationally from more than 450 submitted project proposals. The initial projects will expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers. USDA will work with the applicants for the 70 identified projects to finalize the scope and funding levels in the coming months.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, “In New York State, private forests are removing climate-altering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a rate equal to the emissions from two million gasoline-powered vehicles, highlighting the importance of partnering with landowners to sustain our forests and fight climate change. With strong partners in Washington, D.C., DEC will use these federal funds to implement our aggressive climate action plans by bolstering forest regeneration programs and encouraging landowner participation, while also helping small landowners and those in underserved communities offset costs to develop forest management plans.”
Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “This USDA award is major, exciting news for New York, and will build on the tremendous work that has been ongoing at the state level to combat climate change. From the Climate Action Council to the Climate Resilient Farming Grant program, the Department is a critical part of the solution, helping our farmers to implement conservation measures in response to environmental challenges and secure our food supply.
“Together, in partnership with DEC, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY ESF, Syracuse University and many others, we are leading the way in innovative, best agricultural environmental practices that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and helping farms build resiliency to the impacts of a changing climate. The USDA funding will help us reach even more farmers through our CRF program and ensure the participation of new, underrepresented farmers and the development of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry for small scale farms, including urban operations.”
New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires some of the most aggressive climate targets in the nation. The Climate Act provides policy certainty and ensures that this project will have an immediate impact and will accelerate the development of CSAF practices and ensure continuation for decades. This initiative also can lead to substantially larger investments to decarbonize multiple sectors of the economy, such as buildings, and energy sources, through the ability to advance the highest standards in measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification. In this way, it can unlock the agriculture and forestry industries to enable deeper decarbonization across the entire economy.
USDA ranked New York State as number eight nationally for direct jobs in the Biobased Products Industry prior to implementation of the Climate Act. The state’s biobased economy added more than $9.2 billion of total value and supported over 100,630 total jobs, with forest products, agriculture, and biobased chemicals and textiles leading the way.
In addition to contributing to the 85 percent economywide greenhouse gas reductions, agriculture and forestry will be the main source of offsets for the remaining 15 percent of State emissions by 2050. To meet these ambitious targets, New York’s farmers will need to reduce emissions while boosting carbon sequestration in soils and trees. Increases in funding and support for farm planning, reporting, benchmarking, and tracking are needed to meet these ambitious targets, along with developing market-based systems to incentivize CSAF commodities.
In addition to DEC and AGM, supporting partners in this project include the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), and Syracuse University.
Photos courtesy of nYS Department of Ag & Markets: The adults are about 1-inch long and half-inch wide with wings folded. Adults can hop several feet if startled. SLF feeding can stress plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. SLF also excretes large amounts of sticky “honeydew,” which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants, negatively impacting agriculture and forest health.
Posted 13 September 2022 at 12:04 pm
Press Release, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
ALBANY — The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is asking residents in Western New York to be on the lookout for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), after a population was found in the Buffalo area last week.
SLF is a destructive pest that feeds on more than 70 plant species, including tree-of-heaven, and plants and crops that are critical to New York’s agricultural economy, such as grapevine, apple trees, and hops. The invasive was first observed in New York State on Staten Island in August 2020, and since then the population has been reported in all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and now in the Buffalo area.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are concerned about the significant number of adult Spotted Lanternfly that have been found in Buffalo, especially with its proximity to the Concord grape growing area in Western New York. SLF can have a devastating impact on vineyards, as we’ve seen in neighboring states, so we need everyone’s help to be on the lookout for this invasive and to report it immediately.”
The spotted lantern fly nymphs can be over a half-inch long. When flying or startled, the insect will show bright red hind wings that are 1.5” to 2.5” wide with wings.
The Department’s Division of Plant Industry inspectors responded to reports of SLF in a residential area of Buffalo adjacent to an active rail line. As of September 9, over 100 adults have been found. Agriculture and Markets staff will continue to survey the surrounding areas in the coming days. Although the population is significant, the area was surveyed in April of 2022 and no egg masses were found, and no old egg masses have been found during the current survey.
While surveys in the area are ongoing, the Department is asking for the public’s help in slowing down the spread of SLF in this area by reporting any sightings immediately to agriculture.ny.gov/reportSLF.
In addition to reporting, residents are asked to:
• Take pictures of the insect, egg masses, or infestation you see and, if possible, include something for size, such as a coin or ruler.
• If possible, collect the insect. Place in a bag and freeze, or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
• Note the location (street address and zip code, intersecting roads, landmarks, or GPS coordinates).
• Adult SLF are easy to identify, as seen in the photos below. They are approximately one inch long and half an inch wide at rest, with eye-catching wings. Adults are active from July to December and begin laying eggs in September.
Signs of an SLF infestation may include:
• Sap oozing or weeping from open wounds on tree trunks, which appear wet and give off fermented odors.
• One-inch-long egg masses that are brownish-gray, waxy and mud-like when new. Old egg masses are brown and scaly.
• Massive honeydew build-up under plants, sometimes with black sooty mold developing.
While these insects can jump and fly short distances, they spread primarily through human activity. SLF can lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as vehicles, stone, rusty metal, outdoor furniture, and firewood. Adult SLF can hitch rides in vehicles, on any outdoor item, or cling to clothing or hats, and be easily transported into and throughout New York, so residents are being asked to be vigilant.
The public is also encouraged to thoroughly inspect vehicles, luggage and gear, and all outdoor items for egg masses and adult SLF. If SLF adults are found, residents should remove them and scrape off all egg masses.
SLF Impacts to New York Agriculture
SLF feeding can stress plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. SLF also excretes large amounts of sticky “honeydew,” which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants, negatively impacting agriculture and forest health.
The estimated total economic impact of invasive insects in the United States exceeds $70 billion per year, and if not contained, SLF could have an impact to New York State of at least $300 million annually, mainly to the grape and wine industry, which ranks third in the country in production. SLF also has the potential to significantly hinder quality of life and recreational activities due to the honeydew and the swarms of insects it attracts.
About SLF and State’s Efforts to Combat the Invasive
First discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, SLF has since been found in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio. Given the proximity to the Pennsylvania and New Jersey infestations, New York State is at high risk for infestation.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, working with many partner agencies such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, and the United States Department of Agriculture, continue to respond to the presence of SLF in New York State. Actions taken include:
• Conducting surveys of high-risk areas across the state;
• Responding to public reports of SLF;
• Enforcing the New York State quarantine on goods from other states that have established SLF populations;
• Inspecting nursery stock, stone shipments, and commercial shipments from quarantine areas;
• Implementing a comprehensive education and outreach campaign to educate the public and the transportation industries to limit the transport of SLF to uninfested areas; and
• Implementing trapping, treatment and egg scraping efforts around the state.
