Happy National Agriculture Month

Happy National Agriculture Month.

Here is some news from New York Farm Bureau about National Ag Month.

New York Farm Bureau kicked off National Ag Month, a first for New York, with a celebratory brunch March 1 in Elbridge, Onondaga County.

Agricultural leaders from across the state came together for the exciting event that recognizes all of agriculture and what it means to farm families, rural communities and consumers across the state.

Since 1973, New York has traditionally recognized National Ag Day, which is March 20, 2018. But there are too many great things happening in food and farming in New York to limit the acknowledgement to just one day. 

New York Farm Bureau invited a diverse group of leaders representing different commodities and organizations to join in on the festivities at the Bailiwick Market and Café owned by the Hourigan family whose dairy farm is nearby. 

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher welcomed everyone and highlighted the strength and diversity of agriculture in New York.

“It is exciting to have a full month to celebrate all that is great about New York agriculture. Our farms generate $5 billion in farm sales and create nearly 200,000 jobs on and off the farm in the state," Fisher said. 

"At a time when many farm families are struggling with low commodity and milk prices, it is more important than ever for the agricultural community to come together to support each other in these tough times while recognizing there is still much to be proud of in New York agriculture," he said. "New York Farm Bureau salutes all of the hard working men and women who carry on the strong agricultural tradition in this state.”

In addition, the commissioner of state Department of Agriculture and Markets, Richard Ball, and Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair, Bill Magee, took part in the program providing remarks to the dozens of attendees. 

Magee also read a resolution that he sponsored jointly in the legislature with the Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Patty Ritchie. Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, also sent his regards to the attendees who came to his district for the event.

“Agriculture has a vibrant history in New York and continues to be a major contributor to our economy, the preservation of our natural landscapes and our food supply,” said Ball. “One day each year is not enough to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of the industry.  I am thrilled to join New York Farm Bureau as we extend the celebration all month long and give our hardworking farmers the recognition they deserve.”

 “National Agriculture Month honors the men and women of our state who work long hours in the fields and barns, producing quality food and fiber. I’m grateful for all that farm families do to make our state a great place to live,” said Magee.

New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Chair, Phyllis Couture, emceed the brunch celebration and recognized her committee for their year round dedication to educating the public about farming.

From Dairy Farming to "Buy Local'

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

By DEBRA J. GROOM
EMPIRE FARM & DAIRY
 

The outside of Bailiwick Market & Cafe on Route 5, Elbridge

An old rundown farm on Route 5 in Elbridge, Onondaga County, has been rejuvenated into a market and cafe showcasing the hard work of other local farmers.
 
The Bailiwick Market & Cafe opened in May in the gateway to the Finger Lakes — just six miles north of Skaneateles and a couple of miles west of Elbridge.
 
A magnificent building with a rustic feel, it measures 40 feet wide and 180 feet long with 24-foot high cathedral ceilings, a wall of windows opening on lush tillable soil and filled with the scents of baked goods, fresh soups, sandwiches, coffees and even homemade ice cream.
 
Nancy Hourigan, who has been dairy farming in Elbridge with her husband John  for more than 50 years, was given a blank canvas and told to come up with something for it.
 

Making espresso at Bailiwick Market & Cafe in Elbridge

“We bought this old farm and there were a couple hundred acres for farmland,” Hourigan said. “My husband was going to farm the acres and he said to me ‘see what you can do with the open space in the front.’”
 
The front was filled with a “broken-down old barn,” rundown house and old silo. Nothing was salvagable except some boards and pieces of wood here and there.
 
In stepped friend and fellow Elbridge-area farmer Meg Schader. She and her husband Bruce have a dairy with Jersey cows near the village of Jordan where they make their own cheese and yogurt from that higher-butterfat Jersey milk.
 
“We thought if someone like her could sell her products here at a site on the main road that would be great,” Hourigan said of Schader, whose Wake Robin Farm is a bit off the beaten path instead of on a main highway like Route 5.
 
Then Hourigan and Schader thought further — what about selling other local products and foods?
 
The idea snowballed and today more than two-dozen local folks and farmers are involved selling their items at the market and cafe. In addition to foods, there are knitted hats, metal items and other types of art. The coffee is fresh from farmers in Guatamala and Ethiopia and then ground at Kubal Coffee Roaster in Syracuse.
 
“It’s always fresh,” Hourigan said, noting the ground coffee and beans are never more than two weeks old at the cafe.
 
According to its website, “Bailiwick Market & Cafe is a community gathering space offering food, art, and fresh air. It is a place for people to connect with their friends, loved ones and the land over fresh food and coffee inspired by local products, artwork by local artists and craft-workers, and events for the whole family.
Enjoy the bounty of CNY at Bailiwick Market & Cafe.”
 
The site had a soft opening in April and opened with a full menu and ice cream May 1. Its official grand opening was May 15.
 
Hourigan said chef Susanne “Cookie” Wheeler, formerly of Pumpkin Farm Bistro in Aurora, Cayuga County, is coming up with delectable recipes using all sorts of local vegetables, fruits, grains and meats. As various items come into season, check out the menu for those items.
 
Ten flavors of homemade ice cream will be sold, made with fresh ingredients. Think strawberry ice cream with locally grown berries. There also will be local fruits and other items for sundae toppings.
 
Farmers from throughout the area will sell their goods on site during their particular seasons. From maple syrup to asparagus to strawberries to veggies to corn to pumpkins and back again, just about everything fresh and local will be found at Bailiwick Cafe & Market.

Beautiful Rainbows Caress Elbridge Dairy Farm

I found this gorgeous photo on Facebook. It was taken of two rainbows that look like they are blessing the Hourigan Dairy Farm in Elbridge. The photo was taken by Hourigan employee Rick Perry. Photo shared courtesy of the Hourigan family.