PAGE ADDED ON November 14, 2009

Email This Post Printable version

Print This Post

Madison County Agriculture’s Weekly E-Newsletter

November 13, 2009

Newsletter Includes:

Upcoming Events

An Experience in Spinning: One Day Beginner Course in Spinning

Circles of Caring NOFA-NY’s 28th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference

Beekeeping Boot Camp at New England Farms

Spikenard Top Bar Hive Seminar

New England Farms Beekeeping and Apiary Management & Winter Seminar Training Series

Upcoming Classes to be held at BMR Acres

The Winter Green-Up Grass-Fed Beef Conference

Alternatives to Rendering: Butcher Waste Composting and More

Free Communications Workshop for Farmers

Beef Marketing Tour Dec. 4, 2009

Pride of New York’s Harvest Fest is this weekend, Nov 13th-15th

International Advanced Technology Food & Ag Conference

New York Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Education Summit

Indoor Farmer’s Market in Poolville, Tomorrow, Saturday, 10-noon

In the News

Congratulations to Madison County Winners: Alambria Springs Farm and Chenango-Madison Bounty! Commissioner Awards Federal Funds for “Buy Local” Advertising

Save Our Dairy Farmers Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)

New Column (In praise of Prouduce-ers)

New York Apiculture And Pasture, Rangeland And Forage Crop Insurance Deadline Is November 30

DOT Truck Ban Will Cost Farmers Millions, Hurt Upstate Economy

Livestock processing: Licensing of Establishments/

Farms Using a Poultry Mobile Slaughtering Unit

Ag and Markets redefines mission amid budget crisis

New Support for New Farmers

Beef Issue FYI: Northeast firm recalls half million pounds of ground beef

New York Maple Task Force Report Completed

Rules being set for organic milk

Sustainable Food Jobs Website Launch

New story on Human Rain

Opportunities & Classifieds

Battenkill Kitchen Manager Job Announcement

Dairy/Livestock Senior Resource Educator/Planner

Agricultural Program Manager

Rural Health Service Corps (AmeriCorps) position working with Chenango-Madison Bounty

FSA has a program technician opening in Madison County

UPCOMING EVENTS

************************

An Experience in Spinning: One Day Beginner Course in Spinning

This class is an introduction to spinning. Students will use a drop spindle, and will cover drafting techniques, different fiber types and preparations, and a bit of the history of the drop spindle. Using a spindle is a very economical way to learn hand spinning for a beginner. They are inexpensive to buy, and also very easy to make. Once you have mastered the spindle you will have learned the steps needed for spinning on the spinning wheel. During class you will have the opportunity to try spinning on a couple of different spinning wheels as well as various drop spindles.

Skill Level: Beginner

Instructor: Elizabeth Moldenhauer

Dates Course Offered: Sunday, Nov 22nd, or Saturday Dec. 5th

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Class Cost: $40.00

Materials Cost: Will depend on fiber used and spindle choice

Class Size: 5 student maximum so reserve your place today!

Materials List:

Drop spindle (available for purchase day of class) Drop Spindle Kit available for purchase in class ($10.00)

Ball winder and/or Niddy Noddy (optional)

Fiber – to be purchased the day of class with the instructor’s guidance

Please bring your lunch and a beverage.

Please call Elizabeth Moldenhauer – fibre artist Fibre Heart Originals

118 Malden Road, Syracuse, NY 13211, 315.214.8355

Email: emoldenhauer@twcny.rr.com

A portion of the class fee will benefit Divine Nature at BMR Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation. All classes are held at BMR Acres, 2542 Pine Ridge Road, Canastota, NY 13032 For directions, call 315-697-5476 or go to www.bmracres.com

****

SAVE THE DATE- January 22- 24, 2010 – Circles of Caring NOFA-NY’s 28th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. Join us for more than 80 workshops, 3 keynote speakers, organic trade show, entertainment, and local organic meals. Information about Registration, Sponsorships, and Trade Show is available online at www.nofany.org . Questions? Contact Greg Swartz (570) 224-8515 conference@nofany.org

****Beekeeping Boot Camp At New England Farms

18 Hours of Beekeeping

Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

December 1 to December 17, 2009

Each Participant takes home a fully assembled complete hive that they will build during the class. (Retail Value $85.00)

Topics of Instruction:

· Preparation for Arrival of Bees

· Beekeeping Equipment

· Honeybee biology

· Honeybee Disease & Pests

· Spring Management

· Summer Management

· Fall Management

· Winter Preparation

· Harvest the Gold

Participants will receive discounts on all in stock equipment and supplies. Pre-registration requested by November 20th. Cost of class: $135.00 per person, which includes book, handouts, T-shirt, complete fully assembled hive, breaks and snacks made with our honey, door prizes, tour of museum and lots of fun.

This event is co-sponsored by the Pember Museum & Library. A free tour of the Museum is included with the class.

www.pembermuseum.com

Boot Camp Location: New England Farms, 31 Main Street, Granville, New York 12832; phone 518-642-3270

newenglandfarms@aol.com or www.newenglandfarms.com

* * *

Spikenard Top Bar Hive Seminar

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Learn the Basics of using a top bar hive. If you just want Honeybees for the garden or you want to harvest wax and honey. The Top Bar may be the way to go to fill your needs. Topics covered:

· Preparation to receive bees

· Honeybees for the top bar

· Placement and maintenance

· Spring and Summer Management

· Preparation for Winter & Feeding

· Harvesting Wax and Honey

· Top Bar Swarm Management

New England Farms is the manufacturer of the Spikenard Top Bar Hive. Each sale of a top bar generates a donation to the Spikenard Farm to support the honeybee research by Gunther Hauk and the staff. Participants will receive a $50.00 discount on the purchase of a top bar hive during the seminar.

$ 35.00 per person, includes lunch and handouts. Breaks and snacks made with our honey, door prizes and lots of fun. Pre-registration requested by December 30th 2009 for class. If you planning to purchase and pick up a top bar hive while at the class, we will need confirmation on December 15th 2009 to be sure we have your order in stock.

Seminar Location: New England Farms, 31 Main Street, Granville, New York 12832; phone 518-642-3270

newenglandfarms@aol.com or www.newenglandfarms.com

* * *

“New England Farms Beekeeping and Apiary Management Winter Seminar and Training Series”

Saturday, January 16, 2010

10:00 am – 3:00 PM

“Lunch with Kirk Webster”

10:00 am – New Beekeeping in the Northeast

12:00 pm – Buffet Lunch with Kirk

1:00 pm – Making Varroa into an Ally

Kirk Webster, author and beekeeper will discuss his operation in respect to the changes involved in modern beekeeping in the Northeast and his work to maximize co-existence with Varroa.

$25.00 per person, includes lunch and breaks, door prizes, a portion from each participant fee will be donated to the Vermont Beekeepers Association for the New Beekeepers Scholarships. Reservations are requested. Participants will also receive discounts from the sponsor on the day of the event. Seminar sponsor and location is New England Farms, 31 Main Street, Granville New York 12832. 518-642-3270 email newenglandfarms@aol.com. See www.newenglandfarms.com for directions, reservations and discount information.

* * *

“New England Farms Beekeeping and Apiary Management Winter Seminar and Training Series”

10:00 am – 3:00 PM

January 30, 2010

“Lunch with Ross Conrad”

10:00 am – CCD & Organic Solutions

12:00 pm – Buffet Lunch with Ross

1:00 pm – Apitherapy, Products from the Hive for Healing & Health

Ross Conrad, author and beekeeper will discuss CCD and Organic Solutions in the AM session, in the afternoon session, Ross will present Apitherapy, the products from the hive for healing and health.

Ross will also be available discuss his book, “Natural Beekeeping.” Copies will be available for purchase and there will be a time set aside for signing.

****

The Winter Green-Up Grass-Fed Beef Conference

January 29-30, 2010 The Century House, Route 9,

(Exit 7 off the Northway), Latham, NY

Early Bird Registration (BEFORE 12/31/09)

Both Days (includes banquet): $75per person

Day One (includes banquet): $55per person

Day Two Only: $45per person

Registration Fee (AFTER 12/31/09)

Both Days (includes banquet): $65per person

Day One (includes banquet): $65per person

Day Two Only: $55per person

Please make checks payable to: Cornell Cooperative Extension (Albany County)

****

Webinar: Alternatives to Rendering: Butcher Waste Composting and More.”

December 1, 2009

10:00 am Pacific/1:00 pm Eastern

An expert from Cornell University and a small processor in Oregon will explain how it works and show us composting in action. We’ll also briefly discuss other alternatives to rendering.

Contact: Arion Thiboumery

(415) 260-6890

arion[at]iastate.edu

www.nichemeatprocessing.org

****

FREE Communications Workshop

– FOR – Farmers & AEM Partners

Promoting Your Value to the Environment, Economy & Community

¯ Lunch Included ¯ Space is limited, register early! ¯ CCA Credits Available

Albany County Thursday, December 17, 2009 10 AM – 3:30 PM

NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, 10 B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235

Walk out of this FREE Workshop with a roadmap to help you more effectively communicate your message.

Breakout groups will focus on issues most important to you:

Farmers & AEM Partners:

Receive training from top media professionals who share your commitment to agriculture.

· Learn how to respond quickly and effectively whether faced with questions at public meetings, media interviews or from farm neighbors.

· Turn negative attitudes about the agricultural industry into an opportunity to tell a positive story.

· Gain tips to convey the importance of your farm and agriculture to legislators and the public.

· Leave with a toolkit of consumer-tested messages and answers to the toughest environmental, animal care and safety questions.

· Email barb.silvestri@agmkt.state.ny.us or call 518-457-3186

· For information call or email coordinator Barb Silvestri at the contacts listed above.

****

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

START DATE: October 30, 2009

END DATE: December 3, 2009

DATE: October 30, 2009

CONTACT: Challey Comer, Farm to Market Manager

Pure Catskills Buy Local Campaign

Watershed Agricultural Council

(607) 865-7017

ccomer@nycwatershed.org

Beef Marketing Tour, December 4th

A day or farm tours focused on beef marketing is planned for Friday, December 4th from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Three farms located in Columbia County, NY will be visited each with distinct marketing approaches. Topics to be discussed include direct sales to customers on the farm and at the farmer’s market, restaurant and retail sales and cattle sales. Meet-up locations include Delhi, Stamford and Windham. A Liberty meet-up location will also be arranged if there is sufficient interest.

We will start out the day at Sir William Angus in Craryville. The farm is operated by Justin and Bruce Conover. The Conover’s raise registered Angus and hogs and sell their products on the farm as well as to restaurant and retail buyers. Registered cattle are also available for sale. Next, we will visit Trowbridge Angus in Ghent. Operated by Phil Trowbridge and family, this farm is known for their cattle sales throughout the region. Finally, we’ll stop at Grazin’ Angus Acres just up the road in Ghent. Dan Gibson grass feeds and finishes his cattle and sells at farmer’s markets, on the farm and to buyers.

The schedule for the tour is:

9:30 am – Pick up in Delhi

10:00 am – Pick up in Stamford

10:30 am – Pick up in Windham

11:30 am to 12:30 pm – Tour Sir Williams Angus Farm

12:45 pm – Lunch at Trowbridge Farm

1:30 to 2:30 pm – Tour Trowbridge Farm

2:45 to 3:45 pm – Tour Grazin’ Angus Acres Farm

3:45 pm – Return trip

The registration fee for the day is $15 and includes all tours, transportation and lunch. Please contact Leslie Deysenroth at ldeysenroth@nycwatershed.org or (607) 865-7017 to register.

****

Pride of NY’s Harvest Fest is this weekend, Nov 13th-15th

Pride of NY’s Harvest Fest is this weekend, Nov 13th-15th, and takes place in the Horticulture Building located on the NYS Fairgrounds. At the Harvest Fest you will enjoy a full weekend of unlimited sampling and purchasing fine quality food, wine and beer from New York growers and producers. You will attend cooking demonstrations presented by exceptional restaurateurs from across the state and educational seminars by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.

You will taste the “Pride” in everything from savory sauces, sophisticated wines and hearty beers, to quality meats, distinctive specialty foods and fresh-from-the-farm produce.

So make plans to attend Harvest Fest weekend at the New York State Fairgrounds and share in the abundance of the Pride of New York.

For more information, visit their website at: http://www.harvestfestny.com.

****

International Advanced Technology Food & Ag Conference

The 3rd Annual International Technology, Food & Agriculture Conference, Investigating Specialty Crops Challenges and Solutions, will be held December 3-4, 2009, in Rochester, NY. The conference will bring together and seek to develop networks among producers and processors of specialty crops. Joining them will be representatives from small to large technology companies and research centers who share an interest in investigating the challenges within specialty crops. The unique feature of this conference is that people, who never would have crossed paths otherwise, meet and start to solve practical problems.

Registration is available at: http://www.factny.org/pages/conference/

Thank you,

Pam

****

New York Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Education Summit: Challenges and Opportunities

Monday, November 30, 2009

Cornell Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with a number of local and statewide partners, will host a Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Summit at the Owego Treadway Inn, in Owego, NY, on Monday, November 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Local government officials, landowner coalition representatives, citizens seeking more information, industry representatives, environmental advocates, and researchers and educators are encouraged to attend.

Cornell faculty and educators will join with other professionals to address such educational workshop topics as the Geology of the Shale; Municipalities and the Marcellus Shale; Environmental, Water and

Regulatory Issues; Local Government Preparation; Workforce Development and Small Business Application; Landowner management; Legal Issues; Water and Wells; Community Development; Taxation, Revenues, and Property Valuation; State and National Energy Plans.

The summit is open to the public with a $40 registration fee. Summit information, including a registration and sponsorship links, may be found at gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu.

****

The Community & Rural Development Institute at Cornell University, announces its fall Future of Rural NY Seminar and panel discussion scheduled for Friday, December 4th at 3:00.

Positioning New York’s Rural Communities: Vision, Policy, and Action in a Regional Context

Panelists will include:

Jill Harvey, State Director, USDA NYS Rural Development

Erica Heintz, Executive Director, LCRR (NYS Legislative Commission on Rural Resources)

Andy Fagan, Executive Director, CCE Tioga and Chemung Counties

David Brown, CaRDI co-chair, and Professor, Department of Development Sociology, Cornell University

The seminar will be held in room B32 Warren Hall at Cornell University, from 3:00-4:30, on Friday, December 4th, 2009.

Refreshments will be served.

Questions should be directed to Robin Blakely at rmb18@cornell.edu

Hope to see you there!

****

Indoor Farmer’s Market in Poolville, Sat. 10-noon

This Saturday, November 14th from 10:00-12:00, the Second Saturday Indoor Farmer’s Market returns in a new location – the historic Poolville Community Center! Imitate the Pilgrims by planning your November menus around fresh, locally produced greens, vegetables, meats, apples, cider, bread, milk, cheese and home baked goods. We are so, so lucky in this area of NY to have such a bountiful variety from which to choose!

Plan to come a wee bit hungry so you’ll have room for a piece of homemade apple cake topped with Evans Dairy whipped cream and a hot cup of Chenango Roasters coffee, Honey Cinnamon tea or apple cider.

I hope you can join us Saturday to fill your pantry and support our local food producers!

Patty & John Grossmann

PS – If you haven’t been there before and are heading south through Poolville, the Poolville Community Center is the old schoolhouse on the right on the south side of town.

IN THE NEWS

*****************

Congratulations to Madison County Winners: Alambria Springs Farm and Chenango-Madison Bounty!

COMMISSIONER AWARDS FEDERAL FUNDS FOR “BUY LOCAL” ADVERTISING

56 Pride of New York Members Receive $127,000 in Awards; New Round of Funding Announced

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today awarded $127,000 in federal funds to 56 recipients of the Pride of New York “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program. This funding was provided through the 2006 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program with the intentions to increase the sales and competitiveness of New York’s specialty crops. The Commissioner also announced an additional round of funding for the same program, which includes $129,000 made available from the 2007 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

“There has never been a more opportune time for the State’s farmers and food processors to promote their locally grown products than now,” the Commissioner said. “These grants will help enable producers to take advantage of the on-going ‘buy local trend’ by initiating advertising and marketing plans to help further direct consumers to their locally grown products. If a producer missed out on this round of funding, we are offering the same program again with 2007 funds that we received from USDA.”

The Pride of New York’s “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Grant Program was a pilot project of the Department that provided up to $5,000 in matching funds to members of the Pride of New York Program. These grants were offered on a first-come, first-served basis to help create and develop promotional messages, purchase media time, print space or signage or pursue other promotional activities. There were 153 applications submitted for the program and enough funding to fund 56 projects. The awards recipients are attached.

With federal funds the State obtained through the 2007 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Commissioner also announced today the availability of $129,000 in matching funds to continue the “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program. Round 2 of the program will again provide up to $5,000 to create and develop promotional messages, purchase media time, print space or signage or pursue other promotional activities, and will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. Applications for Round 2 can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html.

The Pride of New York program is the State’s marketing program for food and agricultural products grown or processed in New York State. The program was created to help consumers identify fresh, high-quality New York State products where they shop. The Pride of New York also assists farmers and food processors in branding their products by using the Pride of New York emblem, and encourages retailers and restaurants to highlight the New York State products they use and sell by displaying the emblem. To find out more about the Pride of New York Program, call 1-800-554-4501 or visit http://www.prideofny.com.

The federal funds used for this program were targeted to promote specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, maple, honey, wine, horticulture and nursery crops. Specialty crops generate $1.34 billion annually in New York and make up one-third of the State’s total agricultural receipts. They also rank high nationally in both production and economic value. For example, New York is the second largest state in the nation for apples, cabbage and maple syrup; third for grapes and cauliflower; and fourth for tart cherries, pear, snap beans and sweet corn.

###

Pride of New York “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program

2009 Grant Recipients

WESTERN NEW YORK

Abundance Cooperative Market (Monroe County) …………………………….. $2,202

Badding Bros. Farm Market (Erie County) ……………………………. $2,500

Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards (Niagara County) ………………………….. $5,000

Eden Valley Growers (Erie County) ……………………………………………. $ 500

Gro-Moore Farms (Monroe County) ……………………………………………. $2,000

Hidden Hollow Farms (Monroe County) ………………………………………… $ 483

Lagoner Farms (Wayne County) …………………………………………….. $4,969

Murphy’s Orchards (Niagara County) …………………………………………… $3,824

Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension (Niagara County) …………….. $ 509

Zehr’s Farm Market & Nursery (Niagara County) ……………………………… $3,715

FINGER LAKES

Bakers’ Acres (Tompkins County) ………………………………………………. $3,200

Elderberry Pond Country Foods (Cayuga County) ……………………………… $2,700

Goose Watch Winery (Seneca County) …………………………………………. $2,275

Penguin Bay Winery (Schuyler County) …………………………………………. $1,625

Swedish Hill Winery (Seneca County) ………………………………………….. $2,125

Three Brothers Winery (Ontario County) …………………………………………. $ 500

CENTRAL NEW YORK

Alambria Cooperative Market (Madison County) ………………………………… $ 300

Central New York Regional Market (Onondaga County) ……………………….. $4,000

Chenango-Madison Bounty (Madison County) ………………………………… $3,978

Delaney Farms (Onondaga County) ……………………………………………… $ 500

Hunter & Hilsberg (Onondaga County) …………………………………………. $5,000

Navario Orchard (Onondaga County) ……………………………………………. $4,983

Nelson Farms (Madison County) ……………………………………………….. $5,000

Paul’s Nursery (Oswego County) ……………………………………………….. $1,500

Windy Hill Orchard (Oneida County) …………………………………. $1,950

SOUTHERN TIER

Ebenezer Hill Gardens (Alleghany County)………………………………………. $ 110

Plantasia Nursery (Tioga County) ………………………………………………. $ 925

Purdy & Son’s Foods (Chenango County) ………………………………………. $1,500

Upstate Harvest (Chenango County) …………………………………………… $ 662

NORTH COUNTRY

Adirondack Maple Producers (Essex County) ………… $1,000

Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market (Jefferson County) …… $ 473

Hurlbut’s Maple Products (St. Lawrence County) ……………………………….. $2,463

North Country Farms (Jefferson County) ……………………………………….. $3,000

North Croghan Outpost (Jefferson County) ………………………………… $ 448

Orebed Sugar Shack (St. Lawrence County) …………………………………… $ 481

Rhodes Greenhouses (Jefferson County) ………………………………………… $2,500

St. Lawrence County Maple Association …………………………………. $1,650

Thousand Islands Winery (Jefferson County) ……………………………… $4,000

MOHAWK VALLEY

Canajoharie Farmers’ Market (Montgomery County) …………………………….. $ 441

Cooperstown Farmers’ Market (Otsego County) …………………………. $2,507

Fly Creek Cider Mill (Otsego County) ……………………………………….. $5,000

Maple Shade Farm (Delaware County) …………………………………………. $1,000

Pick-A-Pumpkin Patch (Schoharie County) ……………………………………… $1,125

CAPITAL DISTRICT

Ellms Family Farm (Saratoga County) ………………………………………. $3,751

Upper Hudson Maple Producers Association (Washington County)…………….. $2,200

Zorbas Natural Food (Saratoga County) ……………………………………… $ 750

HUDSON VALLEY

Evergreen Farm (Dutchess County) $1,347

Fishkill Farms (Dutchess County) ……………………………………… $5,000

Kingston Farmers’ Market (Ulster County) ……………………………………… $1,639

Little Tikes/Awesome Foods (Dutchess County) ……………………………….. $ 500

Raspberry Fields Farm (Ulster County) ……………………………………….. $ 648

Soons Orchard (Orange County) …………………………………………. $5,000

Stoutridge Vineyard (Ulster County) ………………………………………….. $ 500

Suffern Farmers’ Market (Rockland County) …………………………………… $2,177

NEW YORK CITY

Rick’s Pick’s LLC (New York County) …………………………………………. $4,583

STATEWIDE

New York State Maple Producers Association…………… $4,000

STATE TOTAL $126,718

****

Save Our Dairy Farmers Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)

HR 3935 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3935

To establish a temporary minimum price for Class II and Class III milk under Federal milk marketing orders, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 27, 2009

Mr. LATOURETTE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To establish a temporary minimum price for Class II and Class III milk under Federal milk marketing orders, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Save Our Dairy Farmers Act of 2009′.

SEC. 2. TEMPORARY MINIMUM PRICE FOR CLASS II AND CLASS III MILK UNDER FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDERS.

(a) Minimum Price- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the 12-month period beginning on the effective date of this Act, the minimum price for Class II milk and Class III milk under each Federal milk marketing order issued under section 8c(5) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(5)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, shall be as follows:

(1) For Class II milk, $17.23 per hundredweight.

(2) For Class III milk, $16.81 per hundredweight.

(b) Report on Stabilization of Prices Received by Dairy Producers- Not later than 90 days after the effective date of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report providing various options (and evaluating the feasibility and likely success of each option) to stabilize the prices that dairy farmers receive for milk.

(c) Effective Date- This Act shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

****

New column (In praise of Produce-ers)

As a tribute to my wife, Amy and Brian for balancing out the food pyramid. See other stories and where I will be speaking at www.thegrasswhisperer.com Enjoy

In Praise of Produce-ers

It’s hard to imagine eating our own grass-finished, one-cow hamburgers covered by a thick slice of Brandywine tomato, Vidalia onion, mixed greens and garnished with my wife’s homemade salsa. This summertime, sun-infused delicacy is usually accompanied by a spinach salad with crumbled bacon and eggs, roasted corn, smashed garlic baby red potatoes, and fresh yellow beans smothered in butter. It’s really all I can think about in light of Mr. Frost diminishing our garden into a pile of brown leaves and dead vines. This killing allowed the pumpkins and winter squash to finally get their chance to shine after hiding under the sea of foliage all summer. As I collected some seasoned corn stalks to decorate the fence, pulled up the tomato baskets and put all the garden hoses and tools back in the barn, I looked out over the garden remnants and thought, man this produce growing was hard work!

I say that because while I am adept at managing livestock on pasture, I am but an infant when it comes to growing vegetables. I dare say that cultivating a bounty of produce is similar to Michelangelo painting a picture, it’s just plain beautiful when all the seeds and soil brushed by a farmer’s hand, come together to create this delicious mosaic. If only I could do this. For me, it’s sort of like trying to play an electric guitar, about all the music I can muster comes from the air variety.

This green thumb challenge has not deterred me from trying however. It helps that my wife and I have a friendly competition of who has the better garden. It’s hardly a contest; she is a very conscientious gardener with her own 30×30 patch of finely manicured rows of heaven, which always receive accolades from visitors to the farm. I have a testosterone induced, machismo oriented, half acre jungle highlighted by a patchwork of poor man’s raised beds, ugly rows and black plastic surrounded by a fence line that harbors thistles, burdocks, and vermin eagerly awaiting a crop. This is actually a step up in quality from previous years.

This year was going to be different! I armed myself with knowledge from the PASA conference and consulted with Brian and Amy (Lords of the Salad Greens) from Alambria Springs Farm. They have this natural ability and a certain Midas touch to grow the finest veggies I have ever seen or tasted. Surely their influence would make me into a first class produce-er. My friend Steve tilled last years quagmire into a nice seedbed only after I picked all the rocks, pieces of steel and baling twine out of this once farm catch all area. I got the back blade out and made some impromptu raised beds and proceeded to lay the plastic down on the space where I would grow the tomatoes, cucumbers and summer squash. Oh yes, this was going well.

Spoke too soon! Late frost killed 50% of the tomato seedlings my wife meticulously nurtured in the kitchen. I had to replant with green house stock. The sweet corn is up, however with the cold spring only about 6 plants per row actually showed. I also replanted. Beans doing ok minus some bite marks. Of course the raised beds did well since I planted radishes, lettuce, broccoli, escarole and spinach which would probably grow in any medium. At least it was a confidence booster. I was going to beat the cucumber beetle this year by covering up the plants with row covers and growing them in 5 gallon buckets. By the end of June I was feeling good about the progress and being ahead of the weeding.

Then it started to rain, and rain, and rain some more, which incidentally helped grow a bumper crop of weeds and happy, hungry bugs. This period also coincided with lots of farm and conservation district work. I was losing the battle but determined to win the war. Since my holistic buddies said I should keep the ground covered with litter, I got my weed eater out and proceeded to mow down my arch nemesis while trying to spare the preferred plants from the string line. From there I became Troy sissor-hands and pruned the “mators” way back and staked them like Brian advised me to do. After many weeks of this exhausting activity, the garden actually looked like something again. Meanwhile my wife’s plot chugged right along like clockwork as usual.

We ate well, froze many Ziplock bags of veggies and canned 80 quarts of tomatoes before the dreaded blight turned all my vision of grandeur into a slimy mush. Combine that with a pesky skunk that helped himself to the juicy pumpkins, corn and squash and I have to wonder, why do I go through this every year? I visited Alambria Springs Farm a few times this summer and they hardly missed a beat providing bushels of succulent fruit to their CSA patrons. I guess it’s time to rethink or retool my truck farming practices once again.

After another year of losing face to my “queen snipper” wife and realizing how much dedication it takes to grow these highly touted heroes of the food pyramid, I have come to really appreciate the hard working men and women of the fields and greenhouses. The passion to care for these delicate plants and market them to the masses is nothing short of sheer star-power. For those that discount the importance of vegetable farmers, try growing an acre of produce and sustaining a livelihood on the fruits of your labor without government subsidies. It’s no easy task.

I will honor my local produce-“ers” and their heritage to feed a community in an upcoming harvest dinner. It will be a dining delight to enjoy grass-finished beef paired with a vegetable medley of butternut squash, greens and a dollop of horseradish. Creating this awesome eating experience celebrates the diversity that is agriculture. In the words of Astrid Alauda, “Did you ever stop to taste a carrot? Not just eat it, but taste it? You can’t taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie”. Published in Lancaster Farming 10/24/2009

****

New York Apiculture And Pasture, Rangeland And Forage Crop Insurance Deadline Is November 30

The Raleigh Regional Office, USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), reminds New York beekeepers and Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) producers that beginning with the 2010 crop year the Group Risk Protection (GRP) Rainfall Index program is now available in several New York counties and November 30, is the final date for producers to apply for crop insurance.

Producers who were insured under the Vegetative Index insurance programs in 2009 must apply for the Rainfall Index program by November 30 to continue coverage. The Vegetative Index program has been terminated in New York.

Rainfall Index is a group risk policy that covers apiculture as well as livestock grazing and forage land. The Rainfall Index uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. Insurance payments to a producer who suffers a loss are calculated on the deviation from normal precipitation within the area and time period selected.

The nationwide insurance coverage map is on the USDA Web site: http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies/pasturerangeforage/. This web site also has a mapping tool to locate which land is insurable. It also has historical data, coverage details and a premium calculator. For more information, log on to the RMA Web site at http://www.rma.usda.gov or contact a local crop insurance agent as soon as possible. A list of agents is maintained at the local USDA Farm Service Agency office and on the RMA Web site at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/

****

Ag and Markets redefines mission amid budget crisis

By Tom Rivers

trivers@batavianews.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

BATAVIA — A 600-employee agency that oversees the state’s $4 billion agricultural industry will be forced to redefine its mission and better partner with other state agencies to ensure food safety, economic development and promotions of farm products, the state agriculture commissioner said.

“We’re going to have to reinvent ourselves as part of this process,” Patrick Hooker, the agriculture commissioner, told about 300 people Monday at the New York State Grange’s annual convention.

The state faces a $3 billion deficit the remainder of this fiscal year and continued budget duress in the future with the loss of so many high-paying jobs on Wall Street and in the banking industry.

Ag and Markets is traveling less, removing light bulbs and not printing some documents to save money, he said.

“My message for you is the state can’t meet all of its expectations,” Hooker said. “Things will have to be different. The answer will be what is really important to people and what programs can we do without.”

His department has partnered with other agencies, including the Office for the Aging to promote farm market produce for seniors. The department also is trying a pilot project, allowing people on public assistance to use debit cards to buy food at farm markets.

Last month Hooker announced that New York apples would be offered at the convenience stores located at 12 state Thruway plazas, replacing Washington state apples. Some New York City schools also will be offering New York-grown apples to children.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets also stepped up promotions of New York agriculture at the State Fair, including a new booth for the maple syrup industry.

All of those initiatives didn’t require big investments, just a new way of thinking, Hooker told the Grange.

The department can’t slack on its mission of food safety. The state next year is expected to open a new $40 million food laboratory facility in Albany. Another new facility at Cornell University will focus on animal health and illness testing.

The department makes 40,000 inspections of incoming food annually at ports in New York City. Hooker said the state shouldn’t reduce those efforts.

He also noted last month’s announcement of about $1 million in funding through the federal Farm Bill to help with research and promotion of New York’s specialty crops. Those fruit, vegetable, honey and Christmas tree industries typically have been excluded from the Farm Bill.

He is concerned about the threat from the Emerald Ash Borer on the state’s ash trees and the Asian long-horn beetle that preys on maple trees. Hooker said the pests could destroy billions of dollars of wood.

“I am very worried about our plant world,” he said.

He praised the state’s resources at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva and Cornell University for identifying and combating many of the pests that threaten trees and crops.

Hooker spoke for an hour with the Grange, which completed a five-day annual meeting Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. Hooker is a member of the Millers Mill Grange in Herkimer County.

He said the Grange remains a strong partner in the state’s agriculture. Many state agriculture committees require a member of the Grange.

There are 225 Grange organizations in the state that collectively have about 7,000 members. The group also has a Junior Grange youth program that offers competitions in crafts, creative writing and other skills.

“Our focus is to build better communities,” said Oliver Orton, the state Grange president from Dutchess County. “We’re not a dying group.”

****

DOT TRUCK BAN WILL COST FARMERS MILLIONS, HURT UPSTATE ECONOMY

Illogical state regs aim to ban farm trucks from rural roads

ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau is protesting a proposal by the state transportation department to ban truck traffic on New York’s rural roads, which will add millions in transportation costs to the state’s already struggling farm industry.

“It makes no sense at all to propose regulations that make New York more hostile to business than it already is,” said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau and a dairy farmer from Batavia, N.Y.

“Our farm families are facing the worst economic climate for agriculture in three decades as a result of fallout from the global fiscal crisis, and the state’s transportation department’s response is to make it even costlier to do business here,” Norton said.

The state Department of Transportation is calling for all trucks 45′ or longer to first utilize major interstates before traveling on rural roads, where most farms are located.

This will force hundreds of farms to reroute produce and milk deliveries, making trucks travel countless miles out of their way to deliver local agricultural products to local consumers in New York City and beyond.

The proposed regulations also completely restrict truck traffic on seven state highways, including highways 41, 41A, 38, 79, 89, 90, and 96 unless there is a direct point of delivery or terminal located on the route.

Other rural highways around the state will be under review by the state DOT to restrict access, which causes an even greater concern for farmers state wide.

Increasing lengths of routes will create untold millions in added costs to the farmer on an annual basis, including increased fuel consumption, tolls, labor and other incidentals.

This in turn will create higher food prices for New York grown farm products for New York consumers.

Increasing route lengths causes greater carbon emissions.

“In an era where environmental stewardship is foremost in policymaking, the State DOT is demanding that we consume more fossil fuels, not less,” Norton said.

Farm Bureau will be rallying its almost 30,000 member families to fight the proposal and will be furiously lobbying the legislature to stop the DOT from going through with the ban.

“We will do everything we can to stop this unnecessary restriction on our farm families,” Norton said.

****

Livestockprocessing: Licensing of Establishments/Farms Using a Poultry Mobile Slaughtering Unit

As you know New York has now approved certain mobile poultry processing units for use in 5-A poultry processing. The New York State Department of Ag & Markets has written up the protocol and licenses required to use these mobile units for 5-A poultry slaughter. Clarence Davis, the Supervising Food Inspector at the Division of Food Safety and Inspection has asked for help disseminating his notices to interested poultry producers. Please help spread the word.

Please keep in mind that these notices do not apply to farmers slaughtering less than <1000 chickens under the 1000 bird exemption and the mobile processing units that several of them have access through thanks to several nonprofit organizations in the state. However, for poultry producers wanting to market to restaurants, retail stores and distributers within state rather than just at farmer’s markets or direct to consumers, the ability to use an approved mobile unit in conjunction with your farm’s 5A license may be helpful. Tatiana

****

Ag and Markets redefines mission amid budget crisis

By Tom Rivers

trivers@batavianews.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The state faces a $3 billion deficit the remainder of this fiscal year and continued budget duress in the future with the loss of so many high-paying jobs on Wall Street and in the banking industry.

Ag and Markets is traveling less, removing light bulbs and not printing some documents to save money, he said.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets also stepped up promotions of New York agriculture at the State Fair, including a new booth for the maple syrup industry.

All of those initiatives didn’t require big investments, just a new way of thinking, Hooker told the Grange.

The department makes 40,000 inspections of incoming food annually at ports in New York City. Hooker said the state shouldn’t reduce those efforts.

“I am very worried about our plant world,” he said.

He praised the state’s resources at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva and Cornell University for identifying and combating many of the pests that threaten trees and crops.

Hooker spoke for an hour with the Grange, which completed a five-day annual meeting Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. Hooker is a member of the Millers Mill Grange in Herkimer County.

He said the Grange remains a strong partner in the state’s agriculture. Many state agriculture committees require a member of the Grange.

“Our focus is to build better communities,” said Oliver Orton, the state Grange president from Dutchess County. “We’re not a dying group.”

****

NEWS FROM THE SMALL FARMS PROGRAM AT CORNELL TOPIC: New Support for New FarmersDATE: For Immediate release, November 2nd, 2009CONTACT: Erica Frenay, Beginning Farmers Program. ejf5@cornell.edu A Word file of this article is available at our online Small Farms NewsRoom: www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/news/ New Support for New Farmers A three-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’sBeginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program will help CornellUniversity’s Small Farms Program (SFP) broaden its support for new farmersin the Northeast. “Demand for local foods has created new market opportunities for farmerswith both large and small operations,” says Erica Frenay, projectcoordinator of the SFP’s N.Y. Beginning Farmer Project.(www.nybeginningfarmers.org). “Many new farmers with little or noagricultural experience want to tap this growing market, but face dauntingbarriers. Our team is here to help.” Some of the barriers beginning and aspiring farmers face include limitedaccess to training, capital, and land. The Small Farms Program, along withCornell Cooperative Extension, targeted the first of these–training—byestablishing the NY Beginning Farmer Project in 2006. Over 3 years, theproject trained 362 new or aspiring farmers in basic farm planning andbusiness management. “We’ve collected dozens of farm success stories fromthis effort, including new farms started, market channels expanded, andpeople who have quit their off-farm jobs to work on the farm,” says AnuRangarajan, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program. The project alsodeveloped new information resources, like the Guide to Farming in NY, aset of fact sheets on the legal and regulatory aspects of farming. And,the project established a Beginning Farmer contact in every CornellCooperative Extension office, to help new farmers know who to call. A linkto this list is on the homepage of the Cornell Small Farms website atwww.smallfarms.cornell.edu. The infusion of funding from USDA will allow the NY Beginning FarmerProject to expand, drawing on the strengths of a diverse array of partnerorganizations in addition to Cornell Cooperative Extension: the Greenhorns(www.thegreenhorns.net – a national young farmers movement), NY FarmViability Insitute (www.nyfvi.org), NOFA-NY (www.nofany.org), NY FarmNetand NY FarmLink (www.nyfarmnet.org and nyfarmlink.org), the Cornell Dept.of Education, NY Association of Ag Educators (http://www.nyag-ed.org),Heifer International (www.heifer.org), and a dozen non-profits from aroundthe Northeast that train and support beginning farmers. With this USDA funding, the Team will: • Develop new online courses and how-to videos for new farmers onproduction-oriented topics. • Work with middle and high schools to develop classroom and on-farmlearning opportunities to recruit young people into farming as a career. • Analyze the hurdles that challenge farmers with 5-10 years of experiencewhen trying to grow their operations • Make training opportunities for new farmers more visible to all newfarmers in the Northeast • Assist organizations serving beginning farmers with publicity,evaluation, training and information to enhance the success of the newfarmers they serve. If you want to stay informed about our activities, please subscribe to theSmall Farms Program’s monthly e-newsletter atwww.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/contact/newsletter.cfm****

Subject: Beef Issue FYI: Northeast firm recalls half million pounds of ground beef

Northeast firm recalls half million pounds of ground beef

October 31, 2009

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this morning that Ashville, NY, Fairbank Farms is recalling 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. According to FSIS, the beef products subject to recall were packaged on Sept. 15 and 16, and were distributed to retail establishments for further processing in seven states: Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The recall is part of an ongoing investigation into a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts.

Fairbank Farms issued a statement saying “the recalled products are very specifically defined and are past their expiration date by 23 to 32 days. This means they are no longer being sold as fresh product in supermarkets.” According to Ron Allen, CEO of Fairbank Farms, “We’re assisting our customers in conducting this recall. We are urging consumers to check their freezers for ground beef products that are listed in the recall. Consumers who identify these products should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.”

Online and print media, including the Associated Press, United Press International and the Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.), have issued short reports about the details of the recall. The Philadelphia Inquirer and Buffalo News posted the Associated Press article. Broadcast stories so far have been limited to eight reports that aired this morning on four network affiliate stations in the New England area and one station out of Greenville, S.C. Again, these reports were brief, noting the size of the recall, that the recalled product is associated with illnesses in several states and identifying stores where recalled product was sold.

Since the recall is part on an ongoing investigation into a cluster of illnesses, it is possible that the investigation may lead to the recall of additional products. We encourage you to use the talking points below only in response to media inquiries. We are monitoring the recall and will keep you updated if any critical developments occur. For assistance responding to media requests, contact Meghan Pusey (mpusey@beef.org or 303-850-3340).

Funded by The Beef Checkoff

Fairbank Farms Recall Talking Points

10/31/2009

· Fairbank Farms, an Ashville-NY-based company, has announced it is voluntarily recalling a specific line of fresh ground beef produced in mid-September and totaling 545,699 pounds.

· The company’s priorities right now are informing the public and addressing their concerns. And further, helping them to identify and remove any of the recalled products that may be in their freezers.

· The beef industry takes every recall seriously. Any time a safety challenge makes it through the system, the situation is analyzed from every angle to see how we can improve.

o America’s farmers and ranchers

Madison County Agriculture’s Weekly E-Newsletter

M3P Media LLC © 2009