Manure Hose Malfunction Injures Farmer and Workers

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/manure-hose-malfunction-injures-farmer-and-employees--20171223 to read the story.

Cuomo Announces Money for CAFO Waste Storage Programs

From staff reports
 
The state has awarded $20 million to implement water quality protection projects on 56 farms across the state.
 
The money was provided through the first round of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Waste Storage and Transfer System Program. It supports projects that will allow livestock farms to better manage and store nutrients, such as manure, to protect ground water and nearby waterways.
 
The program is a part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 which invests an unprecedented level of resources for drinking water, wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protections statewide.
 
“Agriculture remains a key part of New York’s economy and this funding will help farms in every corner of this state protect drinking water supplies and waterways, while also remaining competitive,” Cuomo said in making the award announcement Dec. 20. 

“With this program, we are supporting New York’s economy and ensuring our essential natural resources are preserved for years to come,” he said.
 
Through the program, 61 waste storage and transfer systems will be installed on CAFO-permitted farms in 25 counties throughout the state. Grants will help offset the cost of construction, site preparation and associated best management practices. 

Funded projects will also help farmers meet the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s new environmental requirements first announced in January of this year.
 
The money is being provided to County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which applied on behalf of eligible farmers, in the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York Regions. 

A list of the award totals is available at https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/Press%20Releases/CAFO_WST_System_Rnd1_Awards.pdf#_blank

“The grant money under the governor’s water infrastructure plan will build on the agricultural community’s strong record of environmental stewardship,” said David Fisher, president of New York Farm Bureau. 

“The cost sharing assistance provides more flexibility on farms to manage nutrients, which helps protect water quality for all New Yorkers. New York Farm Bureau appreciates the public-private partnership, especially as livestock farmers are putting new environmental management plans in place to meet tougher CAFO regulations,” he said.
 
“One of the biggest responsibilities our farmers have is to be good stewards of the land and other natural resources they use. Through this funding, our state’s hardworking farmers can continue the important work they do to support New York’s leading industry, and at the same time, continue their efforts to be leaders when it comes to implementing environmentally safe practices,” said state Sen. Patty Ritchie, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
 
“The governor’s historic clean water initiative is critical to ensuring the quality and sustainability of our natural resources and our farms,” said state Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball. 

“We received more applications than we were able to fund through the first round of this program, which shows the strong commitment of our livestock operations to environmental stewardship," Ball said. "We look forward to releasing the second Request for Proposals in the coming year to benefit even more farms as they strive to maintain nutrient recycling year-round.”

New York Farm Bureau Names 'Circle of Friends'

New York Farm Bureau has released its annual “Circle of Friends,” naming 172 New York State Legislators to the distinguished list. The award is an indication of the individual lawmaker’s support of New York agriculture and Farm Bureau.

The “Circle of Friends” honor is based upon each legislator’s voting record on issues of agricultural importance as well as other evidence of legislative support, including sponsorship of bills that New York Farm Bureau has either supported or opposed during the most recent legislative session.

“New York Farm Bureau selected these Senators and Assembly members because of their commitment to the hard working farm families in New York," said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. 

"We appreciated their support on a whole host of bills and budget items this year, and we look forward to collaborating with them as a new session is about to begin," he said. "It is imperative that we work together to support local food production and the agricultural economy that benefit all New Yorkers.”


The “Circle of Friends” is not an endorsement, and this distinction only recognizes the 2017 legislative session.

“Circle of Friends” recipients for 2017 are:
New York Senate
Addabbo, Jr., Joseph
Akshar, Fred
Alcantara, Marisol
Amedore, Jr., George A.
Avella, Tony
Benjamin, Brian
Bonacic, John J.
Boyle, Philip M.
Breslin, Neil D.
Brooks, John
Carlucci, David
Comrie, Jr., Leroy G.
Croci, Thomas D.
DeFrancisco, John A.
Felder, Simcha
Flanagan, John J.
Funke, Rich
Gallivan, Patrick M.
Gianaris, Michael N.
Golden, Martin J.
Griffo, Joseph A.
Hamilton, Jesse E.
Hannon, Kemp
Helming, Pamela
Jacobs, Chris
Kaminsky, Todd
Kennedy, Timothy M.
Klein, Jeffrey D.
Lanza, Andrew J.
Larkin, Jr., William J.
Latimer, George S.
LaValle, Kenneth P.
Little, Elizabeth O'C.
Marcellino, Carl L.
Marchione, Kathleen A.
Montgomery, Velmanette
Murphy, Terrence P.
O'Mara, Thomas F.
Ortt, Robert G.
Peralta, Jose R.
Persaud, Roxanne
Phillips, Elaine
Ranzenhofer, Michael H.
Ritchie, Patricia A.
Rivera, J. Gustavo
Robach, Joseph E.
Savino, Diane J.
Serino, Susan J.
Seward, James L.
Squadron, Daniel
Stavisky, Toby Ann
Stewart-Cousins, Andrea
Tedisco, James
Valesky, David J.
Young, Catharine M.
New York Assembly

Abbate, Jr., Peter J.

Abinanti, Thomas J.
Aubry, Jeffrion L.
Barclay, William A.
Barnwell, Brian
Barrett, Didi
Benedetto, Michael R.
Blake, Michael A.
Blankenbush, Kenneth
Brabenec, Karl
Braunstein, Edward C.
Brindisi, Anthony J.
Bronson, Harry B.
Buchwald, David
Butler, Mark W.
Byrne, Kevin
Carroll, Robert
Castorina, Ronald
Crespo, Marcos A.
Crouch, Clifford W.
Curran, Brian F.
Cusick, Michael J.
DenDekker, Michael G.
DiPietro, David J.
D'Urso, Anthony
Errigo, Joe
Fahy, Patricia A.
Farrell, Jr., Herman D.
Finch, Gary D.
Fitzpatrick, Michael J.
Friend, Christopher S.
Galef, Sandra R.
Garbarino, Andrew R.
Giglio, Joseph M.
Gjonaj, Mark
Goodell, Andrew
Gottfried, Richard N.
Graf, Alfred C.
Gunther, Aileen M.
Harris, Pamela
Hawley, Stephen M.
Hevesi, Andrew D.
Hooper, Earlene
Hunter, Pamela
Hyndman, Alicia
Jenne, Addie A.E.
Johns, Mark C.
Jones, D. Billy
Joyner, Latoya
Kavanagh, Brian P.
Kearns, Michael P.
Kim, Ronald T.
Kolb, Brian M.
Lalor, Kieran Michael
Lavine, Charles D.
Lawrence, Peter A.
Lentol, Joseph R.
Lifton, Barbara S.
Lopez, Peter D.
Lupardo, Donna A.
Lupinacci, Chad A.
Magee, Bill
Magnarelli, William B.
Malliotakis, Nicole
Mayer, Shelley B.
McDonald, III, John T.
McDonough, David G.
McKevitt, Thomas
McLaughlin, Steven F.
Miller, Brian
Miller, Melissa
Miller, Michael G.
Montesano, Michael A.
Morelle, Joseph D.
Morinello, Angelo
Murray, Dean
Niou, Yuh-Line
Norris, Michael
Oaks, Robert C.
Otis, Steven
Palmesano, Philip A.
Palumbo, Anthony H.
Paulin, Amy R.
Pellegrino, Christine
Peoples-Stokes, Crystal D.
Perry, N. Nick
Pichardo, Victor
Pretlow, Gary J.
Ra, Edward P,
Raia, Andrew P.
Ramos, Philip R.
Rivera, Jose
Rozic, Nily D.
Ryan, Sean M.
Santabarbara, Angelo L.
Schimminger, Robin
Seawright, Rebecca A.
Simanowitz, Michael A.
Simotas, Aravella
Skartados, Frank K.
Skoufis, James G.
Solages, Michaelle C.
Stec, Daniel G.
Stirpe, Jr., Albert A.
Thiele, Jr., Fred W.
Titone, Matthew J.
Titus, Michele R.
Vanel, Clyde
Walker, Latrice Monique
Wallace, Monica
Walsh, Mary Beth
Walter, Raymond W.
Weprin, David I.
Williams, Jaime
Woerner, Carrie
Wright, Tremaine
Zebrowski, Kenneth P.

Governor Signs Ritchie Bill to Maintain Farm Tax Credits

Check out this story about farm credits for farmers.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/governor-signs-ritchie-bill-to-maintain-farm-tax-credits-after-ownership-transfer--20171220

New York Farm Bureau Presents Awards at Annual Meeting

New York Farm Bureau presented a number of awards at its recent annual meeting in Albany.


New York Farm Bureau handed out the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award to two worthy individuals whose leadership has made a positive impact on New York Farm Bureau and agriculture in this state. 

Trezise

The awardees were Jim Trezise, retired president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and member of Yates County Farm Bureau, and Joe Giroux of Plattsburgh, a dairy farmer, member of Clinton County Farm Bureau and former New York Farm Bureau State Director.

New York Farm Bureau announced that two members received the James Quinn Award that recognizes extraordinary efforts by individual Farm Bureau members during the course of a given year “to serve and strengthen agriculture.” 

The honorees are Jay Douglas from Franklin County Farm Bureau for his leadership and tireless work signing up 50 new members and Christina Hudson of Onondaga County Farm Bureau for her creative promotion and education efforts in her county.

The New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Richard Ball, joined more than 300 members at the event. Senator Pamela Helming and Assembly Members Bill Magee and Carrie Woerner also attended along with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Markets Pat Hooker.

In addition, delegates re-elected district representatives to the State Board of Directors. Those elected are Richard Kimball of Chautauqua County in District 1, John Sorbello of Wayne County in District 3, Paul Fouts of Cortland County in District 5, Tony LaPierre of Clinton County in District 7, Darin Hickling of Otsego County in District 9 and Robert Nolan of Long Island in District 11. 

Kristen Brown of Orange County was also re-elected as the Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair on the State Board and Phyllis Couture of Cattaraugus County was re-elected as the Promotion and Education Chairperson on the State Board.

The State Annual Meeting also serves as an important fundraising opportunity for the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education. This year, through both a silent and a live auction, members raised nearly $10,000 to support the Foundation’s efforts to inform and educate all New Yorkers regarding agriculture and to increase understanding of agriculture between the farm and non-farm public.

This concluded the annual two-day long meeting where public policy resolutions were discussed and voted on to set NYFB’s 2018 public policy agenda.

From EMPIRE FARM & DAIRY magazine

Magenta tree at Henderberg Tree farm

Christmas trees are green.
 
Everyone knows that.
 
But what about magenta? Or blue. Or purple. Or turquoise. Or even red?
 
Two Christmas tree farms in Central New York — one near Canastota in Madison County and one between Verona and Rome in Oneida County — are selling colored Christmas trees this season. 

Farmers are offering trees in red, turquoise, pink, magenta, white, light blue and purple.
 
“It’s just something new I’m trying out this year,” said Jay Henderberg, owner/operator of Henderberg’s Tree Farm off Route 365 south of Rome. “The response we’re getting is overwhelming.”
 
The same is true at Romagnoli Christmas Tree Farm on Oneida Valley Road outside Canastota.
 
“We did a red, a white and a blue tree for a patriotic theme,” said Dewey Romagnoli. “We also have some purple and pink. I’m just experimenting with it to see how it goes.”
 
Henderberg opened his farm for people to come and tag colored trees for purchase. They were sold out that day.
 
The trees are real Christmas trees grown with care and love by the Christmas tree farmers.
 
Then they are colored with a food-grade colorant purchased from a company based in Wisconsin called Kirk, which makes the product in red, green, blue, white, orange, magenta, pink and light blue.
 
“I colored about 20 trees,” Romagnoli said. “But I saw an article about this guy in New Jersey who painted 150-200 trees and sold them all out.”
 
Faye Beckwith, past president of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, said she and her husband Jack, who run Beckwith’s Christmas Tree Farm in Hannibal, Oswego County, said they also bought some colorant and used it to make a purple tree for a Hannibal school function. 

Hannibal’s colors are purple, gold and white.
 
Both Henderberg and Romagnoli found out about the colorant at a recent meeting of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York. A representative from Kirk Co. was there with the colorant and the two farmers decided to give it a whirl.
 
This is the second year the colorant has been sold for Christmas trees.
 
Here’s how it works:
 
The farmer sprays the colorant onto the trees. It has to be 40 degrees or warmer for the mixture to adhere well.
 
Once it dries, within a few hours to a day or so, it is permanent. It doesn’t wash off or come off on your hands or clothes.
 
It is not toxic, so if Spot or Puff or even your toddler decide to take a bite out of the tree, it will not hurt them.
 
It is not paint, so it contains no metals or mercury. It is environmentally safe.
 
Any species of tree can be colored.
 
The farmer has to put up a good amount of money to do the colored trees, buying not only the colorant, but also the equipment for spraying it onto the trees.
 
And because of the monetary investment, farmers are charging about $30 more for the colored trees, Henderberg said. He has colored 20 of his trees — Fraser firs, Canaan firs and white spruce.
“It’s new, so you don’t know how it’s going to be received,” Henderberg said.
 
Obviously it was well received this year, since Henderberg has sold out of his colored trees.