Monday, February 26, 2018

Educational Programs Being Held in the North Country in March

From Cooperative Extension:



Four educational programs are taking place in the North Country this week and next.

*** Up to 4 NYS DEC core pesticide credits are available at each of two programs held in Canton and Malone this week.  Links to registration pages are highlighted.

·         Feb 27, Best Western University Inn, Canton.  Morning session, 2 credits, begins at 9:30 am.  Afternoon session, 2 credits, begins at 12:30 pm.  $20 per session, $40 for both.  Lunch on your own

           Feb 28, Franklin County Courthouse, 1st floor cafeteria, Malone.  Morning session, 2 credits, begins at 9:30 am.  Afternoon session, 2 credits, begins at 12:30 pm.  $10 per session, $20 for both.  Lunch on your own.

*** North Country Hay & Pasture School will be offered at three locations beginning this week.  Speaker lineup is similar, but not identical, at all three locations and the program runs from 9:30 am to 3 pm.  Lunch is included.  Registration is $25.  



·        March 2, Friday, Farm Credit East meeting room, Rt 12, Burrville. 
·        March 3, Saturday, Best Western University Inn, Canton.
·        March 9, Friday, BERC Auditorium at Miner Institute, Chazy.

Contact Tatum Langworthy (315-788-8450 or tlm92@cornell.edu) or your local CCE office for details or to register. Preregistration is required so those running the programs know to have enough materials and lunches on hand.


Industrial Hemp Forum Feb. 28 at Cornell University

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:



The state's first industrial hemp research forum will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Cornell University to support the development of the industry and help transform New York's agricultural economy. 

The forum is part of the Governor's 2018 State of the State proposal to establish New York as a national leader in industrial hemp research, production and processing. 

It will connect researchers and academics with businesses and processors to develop strategies to advance research in the Southern Tier and throughout the state. 
 
"New York will continue to make strategic investments that support agricultural innovation, expand the state's farming and manufacturing sectors, and help meet the growing demand for local products," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. 

"By positioning the Southern Tier at the forefront of industrial hemp research and production, our farmers will capitalize on the growth potential of this crop, create new jobs, and boost economies across the region and the state."

"Tremendous progress has been made since we convened the very first hemp summit at Cornell in April 2017," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "As I travel the Southern Tier and speak to members of the agricultural and academic communities, I sense the great enthusiasm for this opportunity to create a whole new industry in this region. 

"This research and development forum will expand opportunities for New York's businesses and farmers to tap into the full potential of industrial hemp production," she said. "Investing in hemp initiatives will create new jobs and help farmers continue to grow as part of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative."

The forum will focus on improving and expanding New York's Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program, which will boost the agricultural sector and ensure the Empire State remains at the forefront of the emerging industry. 

Growing industrial hemp has the potential to diversify New York's farms, connect growers to new markets and provide them with new sources of income. 

Industrial hemp also offers opportunities to support economic growth across the state, including advanced manufacturing of composites, fibers, nutritional supplements and other products.
 
During the forum, participants in the state's Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program will share research findings, challenges and successes from the 2017 growing season. 

In addition, attendees will discuss ways to capitalize on the potential of this crop by assessing research needs and identifying key areas for future research. 

By bringing together growers, academics, processors and business owners, the forum will build connections among participants to enhance the studies being conducted and avoid duplicating research.
 
Advancing Hemp Research and Production Across NY

To further support the development of the industrial hemp industry, the state has invested $650,000 through the Regional Economic Development Councils to establish a brand new, $3.17 million industrial hemp processing facility in the Greater Binghamton area. 

Southern Tier Hemp, the company leading this effort, develops, manufactures, and sells cannabidiol (CBD)-based health products using a proprietary carbon dioxide based method of extraction.

In addition, as promised in the 2018 State of the State address, New York will invest $2 million for a seed certification and breeding program to begin the production of unique hemp varieties. 

Current participants in the Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program rely heavily on imported hemp seeds, which are expensive and often poorly adapted for New York's agricultural environment. A seed certification and breeding program would reduce New York's dependence on seed from other states and countries, and would support more productive research. 

Cornell University will manage the seed breeding program to work to identify the existing hemp cultivars best suited for New York, and to facilitate the licensing and production of certified hemp seed. 
 
Cornell will lead the new seed breeding program by connecting New York industrial hemp farmers, processors and manufacturers to ensure that industrial hemp of the desired quality and quantity is available for various processor uses. 

Morrisville State College will expand its research as well. The college will continue to study pest and nutrient management, and identify new opportunities for the use of hemp stalks as animal bedding and the potential for the plant to be used for soil remediation.
 
 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

New York Farm Show on Now Through Saturday at State Fairgrounds

The New York Farm Show in Syracuse is open Feb. 22-24 at the state Fairgrounds.

Inside six huge heated buildings, attendees will more more than 400 commercial agriculture exhibitors, the latest technology in tractors, planters, sprayers and other precision-ag tools, dairy robotic milking systems, beef production information, handing equipment and market info, along with seed and crop protection products, farm supplies and services, woodlot and related industry supplies.

Show times are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and admission is $5 at the door. Those under age 18 are free.

New York Farm Show is co-sponsored by the Northeast Equipment Dealers Association and American Agriculturist magazine.

For more information on the show, go to https://www.newyorkfarmshow.com/en/home.html this link.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Hailey Pipher of Chemung County Named New York State Dairy Princess for 2018-19


From left, first alternate Alexis Payne of Lewis County, State Dairy Princess Hailey Pipher of Chemung County and second alternate Zoie Skinner of Onondaga County.
Hailey Pipher of Chemung County was chosen as the new New York State Dairy Princess after two days of competition at the Holiday Inn, Salina.

Chosen first alternate was Alexis Payne from Lewis County and second alternate is Zoie Skinner from Onondaga County.

As state princess, Pipher receives a $1,200 scholarship and will represent the American Dairy Association North East at county dairy princess pageants, farm meetings and a variety of special events, which includes training new county princesses at a summer seminar.

Payne and Skinner receive a $700 scholarship and $600 scholarship, respectively. Both will assist the State Dairy Princess with training, appearances and other duties.


The New York State Dairy Princess contest concluded Tuesday with the crowning after a two days of judging at the Holiday Inn in Salina, north of Syracuse. 
A total of 16 girls who had already won their county dairy princess contests participated in the state pageant. They had to take tests to judge their dairy knowledge and writing skills, go through intensive interviews with the three judges, give both impromptu and prepared speeches and also were judged on their informal interaction with others.

Judges evaluate contestants on communication skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality. 
Pipher will serve as New York State Dairy Princess for one year and will promote dairy farmers and dairy products throughout the state in schools, industries, companies and at special events.

The big event for the dairy princess each year is the New York State Fair in Geddes, west of Syracuse. She and other county dairy princesses man the dairy princess booth inside the Dairy Products building and make special appearances throughout Dairy Day at the fair.

The new princess takes over for Sarah Rohe of Onondaga County, who was New York State Dairy Princess for 2017-18.


Pageant judges were: Judi Dixon, International Sales, Dot Foods; Davis Chlus, Morgan Stanley, Senior Vice President; and Holly Pullis, Hollywood Enterprises & Roedale Farm.
 
Other award winners were (in no particular order):


Written communications -- Connie Frasier, Herkimer County; Hailey Pipher, Chemung County; Natalie Vernon, Wayne County.

Speech winners -- Alexis Payne, Lewis County; Hailey Pipher, Chemung County; and Natalie Vernon, Wayne County.

Product knowledge winners -- Kathryn Bosley, Franklin County; Hailey Pipher, Chemung County; Zoie Skinner, Onondaga County.

Miss Congeniality -- Megan Wilmot, Otsego County

Finalists for state dairy princess -- Sonya Helms, Cortland County; Elizabeth Maslyn, Ontario County; Alexis Payne, Lewis County; Hailey Pipher, Chemung County; Zoie Skinner, Onondaga County; Natalie Vernon, Wayne County; and Abigail Wratten, Oneida County.

American Dairy Association North East is the local affiliate of the National Dairy Council® and the regional consolidation of three promotion organizations including the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. 

Committed to nutrition education and research-based communications, the association provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. 

    

New York State Grown & Certified Expands to Include Maple

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:



The New York State Grown & Certified program is expanding to include the New York maple industry. 

The program will increase exposure for New York's maple producers, who rank second in the nation (behind Vermont) in syrup production and generate an estimated economic impact of $141 million each year. 

Annual Maple Weekends scheduled for March 17-18 and March 24-25 will help spotlight the growing maple industry and boost awareness of producers in the Grown & Certified program.

 

"Maple production in New York is thriving once again and it continues to be a driving force for this state's agricultural industry," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "Expanding the New York State Grown & Certified program to include maple means we can promote more of New York's finest producers, connect consumers to high-quality products, and support the growth of local communities across the state."

 

To celebrate the addition of maple into the New York State Grown & Certified program and to kick off the upcoming Maple Weekends, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul participated in the first ceremonial tree-tapping of the season at Smith's Maple Farm in Hamburg, Erie County.

 

"As someone who has visited countless maple syrup facilities, I've seen the struggles faced by our farm community, particularly when Mother Nature wreaks havoc with the weather," Hochul said. "Maple syrup production in New York ranks second in the nation. This program will continue to build and support the syrup industry and we're proud to celebrate the producers' success with Maple Weekends in March."

 

Starting next week, maple farms across the state will open their doors to the public to offer tours and pancake breakfasts, sell maple products, and demonstrate the syrup-making process, which includes the traditional system of hanging buckets on trees or more modern methods of production using vacuum systems to increase the yield of sap per tree. 

 

Maple Weekends will take place March 17-18 and March 24-25 at 178 maple farms in 45 Upstate counties. Over 400,000 visitors are expected to participate in Maple Weekends activities. 

A list of Maple Weekend events is available at this link https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com/

 

New York State Grown & Certified promotes New York's agricultural producers and growers who adhere to food safety and environmental sustainability standards.  

For maple, the syrup must be sourced from New York maple trees and processed in New York State. 

To meet the food safety standards, participants must have successfully completed a maple food safety class, developed in partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Western New York Maple Producers Association, and must follow food safety best practices that are subject to an onsite audit.

 

In addition, a maple producer must participate in an environmental management program that promotes sustainability and keeps forests healthy and productive, such as the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management program, which is administered through the Soil and Conservation Districts, or the Certified Tree Farmer, administered by the American Tree Farm System.

 

A current list of maple producers who have joined the New York State Grown & Certified program includes: 


  • Adirondack Natural Products Inc - Croghan, Lewis County
  • Brandy Brook Maple Farm - Ellenburg Center, Clinton County
  • Brow's Sugarhouse - West Chazy, Clinton County
  • Cedar Brook Farm Maple Confections - Malone, Franklin County
  • Hamley's Maple - Barton, Tioga County
  • Lakeside Maple - Chateaugay, Franklin County
  • Maple Hollow Farm - Hannibal, Oswego County
  • Mapleland Farms - Salem, Washington County
  • Maxon Estate Farms - Attica, Wyoming County
  • Silver Hill Maple - Turin, Lewis County
  • Smith's Maple Farm - Hamburg, Erie County
  • Sweetrees Maple Products - Berkshire, Tioga County
  • Wohlschlegels Naples Maple Farm - Naples, Ontario County
  • Zimpfer's Maple Products - Attica, Wyoming County