Public Discusses Manure Runoff into Owasco Lake

Go to http://auburnpub.com/news/local/public-discusses-manure-runoff-into-owasco-lake/article_9f1472c0-39fd-53e5-8827-ccc3de3f062b.html to see the story.

Pamkowski Named An Outstanding Alumni

Very deserving award for Peter Pamkowski of Ag and Markets.

Go to http://cals.cornell.edu/get-involved/alumni/leadership-and-recognition/oaa/peter-pamkowski/ to read about it.

You Think Whole Milk is Bad for You? Read This

Great story.

I've known this for years, but so many consumers don't. They won't buy "whole" milk because they think it's loaded with fat. In fact, whole has only a little bit more fat than 2 percent and 1 percent.

Check this out http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/10/03/whole-milk-is-actually-3-5-milk-whats-up-with-that/ by clicking on the link.

Program Set for November on Land Plans

Everyone should have a plan on what to do with his or her land in the future.

If you don't know how to get a plan going, plan to attend an upcoming seminar put on by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County.

Go to http://www.extendonondaga.org/events-10/loveyourland2014/ for more information.

Another Song Parody from the Peterson Farm Brothers

Check this out, folks. Have a fun, farming day.

Hulu Streaming "Farmland"

In case you missed Farmland in theaters, the film is now available for streaming on Hulu. 

You can watch it at home, on a tablet or mobile device, on your computer and more, by going to http://hulu.tv/gBx

Nutrition Educators at Price Chopper This Friday

Want to get the most out of your grocery store visits?

Then check this out -- http://www.extendonondaga.org/events-10/nutrition-educators-at-pricechopper-for-world-food-day-this-friday/

Great even coming up Friday at Price Chopper.

Oswego County Holiday Farmers Market Dec. 6

From Oswego County Cooperative Extension:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County is putting on its sixth annual Oswego County Holiday Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 as part of the “Christmas in Mexico” festivities. 

Attendees will be able to find great holiday gifts, decorations and food from local farmers. There is no better way to support the local economy than buying local.

In addition to finding local goods, customers have the opportunity to speak directly with the agricultural producers present at the market. This popular event usually draws a large crowd of more than 500 people. 

The Oswego County Holiday Farmers Market will be held at the Mexico VFW at 5930 Scenic Ave. (State Route 3) just north of the village of Mexico. Free coffee and hot chocolate will be provided and Santa Claus will make an appearance. 

For more information, call Lynnette Wright at 963-7286 ext. 203 or visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County website at www.thatscooperativeextension.org.

North Country Residents Charged with Harming Horses

Go to http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/25-Horses-Allegedly-Suffer-Neglect-3-Charged-279748632.html to see the story.

New York Farmers are Progressive, Passionate

Check out this video from Jessica Ziehm at the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition.

Veterans in Ag Summit Coming Up

Go to http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2014/10/06/veterans-in-ag-summit-registration-open-2/ to check out the information.

Farmers Grant Fund Announced

Go to http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10142014agribusiness to check out the news.

Yogurt and Dairy Summit Today at Cornell

Dairy farmers, industry leaders and state officials are at Cornell University today (Oct. 15) for the 2014 Yogurt and Dairy Summit.

Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau, also will join dairy industry personnel in a discussion about a partnership to grow the dairy economy. Norton also participated in the “2012 Yogurt Summit.”

“New York Farm Bureau is once again looking forward to sitting down with the governor’s administration to discuss significant ways the state can support our dairy industry," Norton said. 

"From the family farm to the yogurt maker, each performs a vital role in our state’s rural economy.  By partnering together, we can develop new avenues to support this critical agricultural sector that drives job creation and produces local food across upstate New York,” he said.

Writer: Farmers Not Invited to Food Production Event

Interesting post.

Check it out at http://www.handpickednation.com/new-york-times-throws-food-party-forgets-to-invite-farmers/

Vilsack Discusses Bioproducts Shown at Showcase

Weekly column by Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack:

Today, small businesses and global companies alike have harnessed the power of America’s farms to create new biobased products that are used all around the world. 

Everything from cleaning products to packing peanuts originates in rural America, and the potential to create even more new products derived from the crops grown in rural America is nearly limitless.

Yesterday, I visited the first-ever Bioproducts World Showcase, hosted by the Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center at Ohio State University. At the Showcase, I had the opportunity to see the latest and greatest in cutting edge innovation in the bioeconomy and speak with leaders across the bioeconomy about emerging opportunities and challenges in the bioeconomy.

In conjunction with the event, USDA also released a new report, titled Why Biobased?. The report is a precursor for a more comprehensive economic study to be released in the coming months that will capture the full economic impact of the biobased products industry in the United States.

Results from the new report show that the potential for future growth in the bioeconomy is significant. For example, two-thirds of the total volume of chemicals — more than 50,000 products and a $1 trillion annual global market — could be produced from biobased material. 

Recognizing this, many companies are forging ahead with the integration of biobased products into their market and product development design strategies. Estimates indicate that U.S.-based jobs for the renewable chemicals sector alone will rise from about 40,000 jobs in 2011, which represents 3 percent to 4 percent of all chemical sales, to over 237,000 jobs by 2025. 

This employment level would represent approximately 20% of total chemical sales.

The expanding bioeconomy means more than just additional choices for customers or new growth opportunities for companies along the supply chain — it also means new jobs. For example, shifting just 20 percent of the current plastics produced into bioplastics could create about 104,000 jobs. 

The U.S. Office of Science and Technology has projected that the economic growth associated with just one application – cellulose nanomaterials in the paper industry – could create as many as 425,000 jobs in the U.S. by 2020. Potential applications of nanocellulose particles include recyclable electronics, biobased plastics, paper and packaging materials with improved surfaces, flexible cement, automotive and aircraft components, and protective armor.

USDA has supported the growth of the bioeconomy through a variety of efforts. 

For example, our BioPreferred program, designed to help companies market biobased products, is now featured on more than 1,940 products sold in stores across the country. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the BioPreferred program to include mature market wood products and other materials. 

Companies in more than 40 countries on six continents are now participating in the BioPreferred program. Under President Obama, the Federal Government has prioritized these biobased products for procurement and use. 

Later this week, USDA will launch a new prize competition for developers, institutions, organizations and design teams competing to demonstrate the architectural and commercial viability of using sustainable wood products in high-rise construction. 

The competition will help spur increased sustainability in construction and will give priority to applicants that source materials from rural domestic manufacturers and domestic, sustainably-managed forests.

These are some of the many ways USDA is helping to revitalize the economy and create jobs in small towns across America. Collectively, these efforts help to support an innovative biobased economy in rural America, which supports agriculture, helps reduce our dependence on oil and ultimately creates job opportunities and supports economic development in rural America.

November Event Draws Support to FFA in Jefferson County

Do you want to support FFA?

Then check out this link https://www.facebook.com/events/841327985898740/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular about an upcoming event in Jefferson County.

Celebrate National 4-H Week

Oct. 5-11 is National 4-H Week.

Idaho Farmers Surprised by Chobani Announcement

Go to http://www.capitalpress.com/Dairy/20141007/chobanis-non-gmo-feed-initiative-surprises-dairymen to check out the story.

Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County Offering Farming 101 Courses

Want to learn to grow your own food? 

Want to start farming?

Go to http://www.extendonondaga.org/events-10/farming-101-workshops/ this link and find out about some courses coming up to help you out.

NY Agri-Women Annual Meeting Set for November

Go to http://newyorkagriwomen.com/?p=1285 this website for information on the upcoming annual meeting for New York Agri-Women.

Oswego County Harvest Dinner Tonight in Oswego

We'll be celebrating all that's great in agriculture in Oswego County tonight at the annual Harvest Dinner at the American Foundry in Oswego.

It's Still Apple Season

Remember to get out there and get your New York apples and cider.

Event Coming Up Oct. 9 in the Hudson Valley

From American Farmland Trust:

An announcement concerning the new Hudson Valley Farmlink Network is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 9 at the Wright Family Farm, 329 Kings Highway, Warwick, Orange County.

The Hudson Valley Farmlink Network is a new partnership dedicated to connecting farmers and owners of agricultural land and strengthening opportunities for agriculture and land conservation in the Hudson Valley.  

The network offers new resources for senior farmers, next generation farmers and non-farming owners of agricultural land – and features the new Hudson Valley Farmland Finder website, which will help connect farmers looking for land and landowners seeking to sell or lease their land for farming. 

Attending the Oct. 9 event will be farmers, local, state and federal officials such as Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, land conservation and agricultural organization representatives such as James Delaunes of the Orange County Land Trust and David Haight, state director of American Farmland Trust.

More information about the Hudson Valley Farmlink Network can be found atwww.hudsonvalleyfarmlandfinder.org 

The Hudson Valley Farmlink Network is funded thanks to the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The network is coordinated by American Farmland Trust and includes the following partners:

·         Agricultural Stewardship Association

·         Catskills FarmLink

·         Columbia Land Conservancy

·         Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County

·         Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County

·         Dutchess Land Conservancy

·         Glynwood

·         GrowNYC

·         Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York

·         NY FarmLink

·         Orange County Land Trust

·         Saratoga PLAN

·         Stone Barns Center

·         Westchester Land Trust

Movie "Farmland" Makes Streaming Preview on Hulu

Go to http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/277862511.html to check out the story.

Keep Up with the World Dairy Expo at These Sites

Keep up with what's happening at the World Dairy Expo by going to https://www.facebook.com/worlddairyexpo or https://www.worlddairyexpo.com/. 

The second link here actually has a live broadcast from the expo.

What Part of Agriculture is Being Featured for Ag Literacy Week in 2015?

The book to be featured in next year's Ag Literacy Week has been chosen.

Go to http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs177/1105132857985/archive/1118469119777.html to find out what it is.