Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 

And please, as you count your blessings, be sure to thank the farmers who toil every day for every morsel of food you enjoyed today.

It's Important for Consumers to Know Their Farmers

Nice blog entry from Buffalo Eats!

Go to http://www.buffaloeats.org/2014/11/20/recap-nys-dairy-tour-2014/ to read the story.

Snow Wreaks Havoc on Western NY Farms

Here are two more stories on how the snowstorm in Western New York is affecting farmers:

Go to http://www.dairyherd.com/news/buffalo-area-dairies-dig-out-record-blizzard
and http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/weather/in-eden-cows-suffer-as-barns-collapse-under-snows-weight-20141122

Farm Bureau Reacts to Western NY Snow

Statement from New York Farm Bureau president on snow in Western New York:

“Our immediate concerns are with those farms that are dealing with the devastating impacts of the record snowfall," said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau.

"The snow load weighing down the roofs of barns and greenhouses remains a serious concern, and we encourage all farmers to keep a close watch on the conditions and prepare to move people, animals and equipment to a safer location if need be.

Dean Norton

"New York Farm Bureau is working with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the rest of the team with the State Office of Emergency Management and Cornell Cooperative Extension to monitor the damage and response," he said. 

"In addition, we have been in touch with our Congressional delegation as well concerning needs and resources. We greatly appreciate everyone’s hard work in this emergency situation. New York Farm Bureau will assist our members to navigate any disaster assistance should it become available,” Norton said.

Southern Tier Farmer Takes His Tortilla Chips to the Shark Tank

Cameron Sheldrake, a farmer from the Southern Tier (near Newfield), is going to the sharks to get his business funded.

He will be seen on Shark Tank tonight as he moves forward in his Off the Cob Sweet Corn Tortilla Chips business.

To hear more about the business, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sweetcornhips/off-the-cob-sweet-corn-tortilla-chips this link to see his Kickstarter page and watch a video by Cameron. Or got to http://heavy.com/entertainment/2014/11/off-the-cob-sweet-corn-tortilla-chips-shark-tank-products-season-6-november-21-episode/

Shark Tank is on at 9 p.m.

Massive Snowstorm Hampers Milk Collections

Yes, that killer storm out in Western New York is affecting farmers.

Read the story http://www.agweb.com/article/new-york-storm-hampers-milk-collections--catherine-merlo/ at this link.

NY 4-H Sweeps National Dairy Quiz Bowl

Way to go New York 4-H!!!


Read the story at http://www.hoards.com/blog_New-York-4H-wins-National-Dairy-Quiz-Bowl this link.

NY Family Farm Named to National Dairy Hall of Fame

Go to http://www.registerstar.com/columnists/growing_the_land/article_a5dd8394-6122-11e4-9ac2-0bb83e331ba3.html to see the story.

Magazine Names NY "Wine Region of the Year"

From Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

     When Wine Enthusiast magazine this week announced that New York state was chosen of "Wine Region of the Year"-- ahead of Champagne, Chianti, Sonoma, and Washington -- it was a long-awaited and fitting tribute to the hundreds of people in our industry who have worked so hard for so long to get better every day.

      It was also a tribute to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has created the best business climate in history for our industry; to former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who rescued a dying industry through legislation allowing us to grow; to the many legislators who have been a key part of our success; and to numerous organizations which have been such valuable partners for decades.

    

     On Valentine's Day of 1982, I left a secure and lucrative corporate job in Philadelphia and U-hauled my family and furniture to Penn Yan through a blizzard to become Executive Director of the New York State Wine Grape Growers.  The landscape was bleak: abandoned vineyards, padlocked wineries, ramshackle farms, zero hope.

     

     Today the Finger Lakes has well over 100 wineries, an international reputation for quality wines (especially Riesling), and consistent recommendations as one of the world's top wine country travel destinations.  The landscape has changed.

      Other regions, from Long Island to Lake Erie and even North Country, have had different evolutions but the same basic result: beautiful landscapes with passionate people making wonderful wines.

      Quality and cooperation have been key to New York's success.  We are so fortunate to have Cornell University and Cooperative Extension as our partners, and to also have so many grape growers, winery owners, and wine makers who, while technically competitors, cooperate in so many ways.

      Diversity is our strength; Unity is our power.  Excelsior!

WNY Vegetable Growers Expanding Facility

Go to http://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2014/10/30/118242/western-new-york-regional-economic-development-council-eden-valley-growers-expanding-facility-in-erie-county to see the story.