Provided Photos – Albion FFA members traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators including State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), shown here with FFA members, from left: Vivian Rivers, Kelsee Soule, Emily Blanchard, Garrett Derisley and Allyson Graham.

ALBANY – Farmers and FFA students from Orleans County went to Albany visiting with lawmakers on Monday and Tuesday.

They met with local state legislators and three “adopted” legislators, including one from Long Island and two from New York City.

The farmers were a contingent from Orleans County Farm Bureau. They highlighted the organization’s public policy priorities for the year, topped by opposition to a $15 minimum wage.

Monday was kicked off with the popular Taste of New York reception for state lawmakers, commissioners and staff. Farm Bureau hosted a table highlighting local farm products. Following the evening event, members participated in the annual lobby day where they met with both their local and adopted senators and Assembly members.

The Farm Bureau and FFA met with State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), and Assembly members Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Jane Corwin (R-Clarence). The adopted legislators included Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Queens), and Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R-Glen Head in Long Island).

Michael Montesano, a state assemblyman from Long Island, meets with Orleans County Farm Bureau members, including, from left, David Bittner, Adam Krenning, Jeff Toussaint and John Kast.

Orleans County Farm Bureau members shared their concern with a $15 minimum wage on New York farms. Farmers say that a nearly 70 percent increase in labor costs will make it harder to compete with products coming in from other states and countries with considerably lower production costs.

An American Farm Bureau Federation analysis found $15 minimum would costs New York agriculture $500 million or 25 percent of additional net income. This is expected to impact farms in a number of ways. The county will likely see farms reduce employment, turn to automation or close the barn doors, Farm Bureau said.

State funding for critical farm programs is another top priority for Farm Bureau. Governor Cuomo included a number of things in his budget plan which would help the farm industry. This includes increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which will assist farms with water quality, conservation and farmland protection programs.

Farm Bureau also asked lawmakers to support critical funding for animal health, promotion and research programs that also benefit agriculture in the county.

Members also asked for funding parity when it comes to repairing upstate roads and bridges. The governor is committing $20 billion to match infrastructure efforts happening in and around New York City. The parity in upstate-downstate funding remains a priority because our farms need access to safe, well-maintained roads and safe bridges in order to move equipment to farm fields and transport their goods to market.

Orleans County Farm Bureau also remains committed to securing funding to assist schools in starting up new FFA programs as well as for agricultural education programs. Each year, more schools are interested in these programs that provide career and technical skills that students need. The USDA estimates that there will be 60,000 new jobs a year in the farming and food industries, and it is vital to have a workforce that can meet those demands to help the rural economy grow right here at home.

Farmers also discussed with lawmakers about transferring farm assessment functions to the Department of Agriculture and Markets from the Department of Taxation and Finance. Moving the process to be entirely housed within the Department of Agriculture and Markets will not only streamline the assessment process, but it would be a common sense move to improve a valuable program for our farms, Farm Bureau said.

These priorities were based on member-approved public policies that originate every year at the county Farm Bureau level and are passed by the full delegate body at New York Farm Bureau’s State Annual Meeting in December.

In addition to advocating for priorities with lawmakers, members also participated in a special panel discussion with the Commissioners and representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation and Labor. Members were able to ask questions about a number of issues facing the state’s family farms.

“Orleans County Farm Bureau members spent time away from their farms to cultivate the important relationships we have in Albany,” said Amanda Flansburg, Orleans County Farm Bureau President. “We work hard to secure public policies at every level of government that support every farmer in the county, and we will continue to advocate for priorities that will not only benefit agriculture but our rural communities as a whole.”

File photos by Tom Rivers – Joseph Cecchini, 11, of Medina cleans a cow on July 27, 2015 at a new wash rack at the 4-H Fairgrounds.

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds will be the place to be this year.

The fairgrounds on Route 31 has experienced a steady increase in use over the past few years, but 2016 will be a banner year. The addition of 10 horse shows, a major dog show on Labor Day Weekend, and a Fiber Festival in November along with the return of existing horse, dog, & rabbit shows; the April Home & Garden Show; spring horse pull; and fall Christmas Antiques Show mean just about every weekend at the fairgrounds will be busy.

These activities will be held in addition to Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s educational programs in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, food preservation, and 4-H youth development, which includes the annual Orleans County 4-H Fair held July 25-30 this year.

Teams of powerful draft horses, with participants from eight states, competed on April 25 last year at 4-H Fairgrounds in the “Pull of Champions.”

Community members are encouraged to view the schedule of Events at Orleans Extension’s website, cceorleans.org. Registration forms and contact information for event organizers are posted online and the website has a contact box to email questions directly to Extension staff. The website also includes a “Facility Use” page with registration forms and information for groups interested in using the grounds.

The fairgrounds was purchased in 1965 by Orleans Extension and its first building, the Trolley Building, was built in 1966. A majority of the funding for purchase and development of the fairgrounds was raised by 4-H volunteers, members, and their families along with donations primarily from farmers, business owners, and long-time residents.

In recent years, technology-centric companies such as Baxter and Xerox have contributed to the growing 4-H Robotics program and Extension staff has sought grant funding to maintain strong programs.

With the fairgrounds 50th anniversary in 2015, significant infrastructure improvements were made and continue as funding allows. The rabbit & poultry barn, named for the Wachob family, received a new floor, a new wash rack was installed near the cattle barn, and a fitness trail was established. The Trolley Building kitchen also received updates including a 3-bay sink, fire suppression hood and updated range oven, and commercial refrigerator.

During the Home and Garden Show last April, Cindy Smith, right, of Batavia eyes the wine choices by Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms in Gasport. Mindy Vizcarra, left, served up wine tastings throughout the day, April 12, 2015.

In 2016, updates will continue with new plumbing, flooring, and stainless countertops and storage units. Orleans Extension has also requested $25,675 in grant funding to complete the kitchen update with commercial appliances, islands with prep sinks, and a stainless steel serving window, along with $250,000 from New York State for renovating the entire Trolley Building, which is estimated to cost a total of $350,000. Options are also being explored to upgrade the fairgrounds’ restroom and shower facilities, which could cost an additional $240,000.

Orleans Extension board member, Charlie Pettit, sees grant funding as a significant component to continuing fairgrounds renovation. The board has tasked Executive Director, Jennifer Wagester, with seeking funds and streamlining operations to make every dollar count.

Over the past two years, the Extension has implemented changes and renegotiated vendor contracts to save over $10,000 annually. These changes are allowing Extension to maintain services amidst rising costs.

Currently, about one third of Extension’s budget is supported by funding from the Orleans County Legislature, one third by state funding, and one third by funds raised by Extension through program participation fees, rental of the fairgrounds, winter storage, and fundraising by volunteers. Federal funding has increased in the past year from about $9,000 in Smith-Lever funds to over $50,000 with Orleans Extension’s participation in the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program; however, it remains a small part of the overall budget.

John Steier and his son Evan haul tires on Oct. 8 at the new fitness trail at the 4-H Fairgrounds, which opened that day to the public.

The Orleans fairgrounds is one of three in the state that is owned and operated by a county Cornell Cooperative Extension association. The others are in Niagara and Orange Counties. While owning and operating a fairgrounds requires a major investment in infrastructure, it ensures the Orleans community has a facility for learning, gathering, and holding activities.

Extension staff are excited about the increase in use and look forward to introducing new people to 4-H, Extension, and Orleans County. If you or your organization is interested in using the fairgrounds or reserving a classroom or building, contact the Extension office at 585-798-4265 for details.

Staff are housed in the Education Center at the fairgrounds, which is open year round, and office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.