Loss of the State Fair Doesn't Mean Our Farmers Should Be Forgotten

 

 The inside of the Dairy Cattle Building usually is filled with dairy cows ready for showing.

 

By DEBRA J. GROOM

The New York State Fairgrounds is eerily quiet this week.

The crowds of happy fairgoers are missing. The jubilant cheers of people winning Midway prizes are absent. The laughter of children as they fly up and down on rides is gone. The wonderful smells of sausage, chicken and beef are nowhere to be found. And the glorious sounds of New York – mooing, oinking, neighing and cock-a-doodle-doing – are a memory.

The cancellation of the New York State Fair due to COVID-19 has left a hole in the hearts of many across the state. Farmers, vendors, 4-Hers, FFA members, exhibitors and fairgoers all are missing out on one of the – if not the – highlight of the summer.

During a recent stop at the fairgrounds, visitors saw just how lonely the place can be. It was Aug. 20, the day before the fair would have opened. The first-ever 18-day fair was set for Aug. 21-Labor Day. This is the second time the fair has been canceled – the first time was from 1942-47 during World War II. The fairgrounds actually was a military base during the war.

Normally the day before the fair opens is a rush of humanity and activity. Final touches being placed on booths. Animals being unloaded and given baths to ready them for shows. Building superintendents, vendors and others filing in and out of the administration building trying to fix problems and ask questions.

Aug. 20 – pretty much nothing. A few trucks driving around but that’s about it.

Oh, there was a press event at the pavilion behind Chevy Court. The American Dairy Association North East announced it was sponsoring a virtual butter sculpture. More about that later.

While the New York State Fair is 18 days of fun and trying to keep the waistline in check (this year was the first for an 18-day fair), it also is a special time for agriculture. The fair began back in 1841 as a way for farmers and producers across the state to show off their animals and crops so all of us would see the bounty of the Empire State.

The fair is an agricultural fair, run by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. It is a time for farmers and producers to explain what they do to the non-agriculture people living in the state. It’s an educational venue and those in the agricultural field love nothing more to answer questions and show non-ag people what they do.

 No traffic or people can be seen outside the Exposition Center on the fairgrounds on Aug. 20.

 

That’s all being lost this year.

Some agriculture organizations are trying to keep their little bit of the fair alive virtually.

The Dairy Cow Birthing Center is always a highlight of the fair. People crowd the bleachers three times a day to see the miracle of life – a dairy calf being born.

Eileen Jensen, executive director of the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition which puts on the birthing center, said this year will feature a traveling birthing center, dubbed “Dairy on the Moo-ve,” and can be viewed every day on the Ag Coalition’s social media channels.

 

“’Dairy on the Moo-ve’ aims to showcase modern dairy farming, including the birth of calves, what it’s like to be a dairy cow, the many jobs on the farm and the technology that helps dairy farms produce nutrition and delicious milk every day,” Jensen said.

 

The traveling birthing center will include videos and content posted to the Ag Coalition’s social media, including live streams from birthing barns at each farm stop over the next eight weeks.

 

The first stop was at Venture Farms in Tully, Onondaga County. Views to the Ag Coalition social media already have seen the births of a few "uddermiracles," including one set of twins.

 

Here is where to catch “Dairy on the Moo-ve:”

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYAnimalAg
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nyanimalag 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYAnimalAg    
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NYAnimalAgricultureCoalition 

As mentioned earlier, the American Dairy Association North East is unveiling its virtual butter sculpture at 10 a.m. Sept. 1 on the dairy association Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=american%20dairy%20association%20north%20east.

Sculptors Marie Pelton and Jim Victor from Conshohocken, Pa., began work on the sculpture last week at the usual site -- the carousel-like refrigerated room in the middle of the Dairy Products Building. It takes about 10 days for it to be completed and the sculptors use 800 pounds of New York state butter to make their masterpiece.

“The fair and the butter sculpture mean so much to the people of New York,” said State Fair Director Troy Waffner. “The cancellation of the fair is such a loss for people. They will miss the animals, the rides and the food. For the fair workers, it’s a loss of morale. Onondaga County officials would say there’s the loss of tax revenue.”

“We know how much the fair means to New Yorkers and while we’re busy planning the greatest fair in our history for 2021, we are grateful to our longtime partners at American Dairy Association North East for creating an important part of the fair in a difficult year,” Waffner said.

Peggy and Lynn Murray, who run Murcrest Farm in the town of Champion on the border of Jefferson and Lewis counties in the North Country, said New Yorkers are going to miss all the fun aspects of the fair such as rides, food and games. But they also will miss the joy of seeing farm animals up close and personal and learning about how the animals are raised by the farmers.

“People love to see the cattle, goats, sheep,” said Lynn Murray, who with his wife and son Mark milk 1,200 Holsteins on their farm. “So many people make a point of visiting year after year.”

Peggy Murray, who is retired from Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, said the butter sculpture always is a big draw at the fair. She said whenever she would enter the Dairy Products Building during the fair, she would see people lined up to take their photos in front of the sculpture.

“The dairy association is doing a good a job putting this on virtually so people can still see it,” Peggy Murray said. “But it’s sad. They are doing a good job, but it’s not the same.” 

Other events planned virtually by the dairy association include the milkshake contest at 10 a.m. Aug. 28, the Virtual New York State Dairy Princess Day at 10 a.m., Aug. 31 and the butter sculpture unveiling at 10 a.m. Sept. 1.

So, the fairgrounds is quiet. There are no youths winning ribbons for showing their prized animals or craft works. There is no apple booth where folks can buy a delicious New York apple. The New York State Maple Producers are missing, so there's no maple syrup, candy, cotton candy or ice cream to enjoy. There's no chance to see the wonderful bees and buy and taste some of the delicious honey they have made.

Perhaps, this loss of the fair this year will make New Yorkers realize what great agriculture they have here. Perhaps they will get out and support the farmers by going to a farmers market and buying fresh produce or ordering meat or eggs from a local producer. 

And then, they can talk up the products they have enjoyed, telling others how great we have it here in New York to be blessed with fresh and bountiful food grown by our neighbors. And in 2021, show up at the Great New York State Fair and have fun, ride some loop-de-loops, eat 'till your stomach is aching and say hi to all the farmers working hard for us each and every day.

 

NYS Budget Includes $54.4 M for Agriculture

From state Sen. Patty Ritchie:

For a fourth straight year, the New York state budget includes record funding for agriculture. 

Ritchie

Included in the spending plan is $54.4 million for New York’s leading industry, nearly $20 million of which is the addition of funding or the restoration of cuts made in the Executive Budget and Assembly proposals.

“New York’s hardworking farmers have very difficult, demanding jobs,” Ritchie said. “Through this critical funding, we are demonstrating that we support their efforts to grow and produce the fresh foods we depend on, and that we recognize how important they are to the success of New York’s leading industry."

"I am excited to see how the new state budget further strengthens New York agriculture today — and in the future,” she said.

The 2018-2019 budget includes funding for many innovative programs, including a second round of the “Seeds of Success” program, which helps schools create or expand an agricultural curriculum to encourage students to consider careers in agriculture. 

It also funds — for a fifth year — the “Beginning Farmers” grant program that assists new farms with grants of up to $50,000 to help with the purchase of land, buildings, tools and other farming necessities.

Other highlights of the 2017-2018 state budget include:

·       **  Increased funding to further boost New York State’s Craft

Brewing Industry, including Cornell University’s Hops and Barley, Born, Bred and Brewed Program, the New York Brewers, the New York State Distillers Guild, the New York State Hard Cider Association and Cornell University’s Hard Cider Research program;

    **  Funding for a new farm-to-school program, building on efforts to grow markets for local farmers by increasing the amount of locally produced foods in school lunches;

·        ** The restoration of funding for programs that are critical to helping dairy farms with education, research, marketing, profitability and sustainability, including FarmNet, which works with family farms on business analysis, farming with family, retirement planning and personal well-being. 

      In addition funding has been awarded to a number of Cornell University-based programs such as its Diagnostic Lab, its Quality Milk and Cattle Health Assurance programs, and new funding has been created for Cornell’s Salmonella Dublin program to help farmers diagnose and contain the deadly disease, which impacts dairy herds. 

      Funding has also been restored to programs such as Northern New York Ag Development, PRO-DAIRY and the Farm Viability Dairy Profit teams, which work with farms to develop profitability and sustainability strategies;

·       **  Increased funding for Cornell’s honeybee program;

·       ** Increased and/or restored funding for New York State producers including the Wine and Grape Foundation, the Apple Growers Association, Maple Producers, berry growers, Christmas tree growers and more;

· 

     **  The restoration of funding for vital programs designed to support agriculture education;

·        ** Restored funding for Tractor Rollover Protection Program, which helps equip tractors with an important piece of safety equipment that helps reduce the risk of injury in the event of a tractor overturn; and

·         ** The restoration of funding to continue fighting diseases such as EEE and rabies.

Since becoming chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee in 2011,  Ritchie has been successful in efforts to secure more than $79 million in restored budget cuts and new funding to help the more than 35,000 farms across New York state.

Ritchie Releases New York State Agriculture Report

From state Sen. Patricia Ritchie's office:

The 2017 Annual Report of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released by the committee’s chair state Senator Patty Ritchie, highlights record funding for agriculture, new programs to secure the future of family farming and new funding to promote New York’s booming, farm-based craft beverage industry.

“In every corner of New York state, agriculture is helping to boost local economies, create jobs and of course, feed hungry consumers,” Ritchie said. 

To ensure that agriculture remains as our state’s leading industry, we need to support the efforts of our hardworking farmers. In 2017, that’s just what the Senate Agriculture Committee did, and I’m pleased to share the results of our efforts through our Annual Report,” she said.

In 2017, the committee helped to secure — for the third year in a row — record budget funding for agriculture totaling $51 million, reversing $10 million in cuts that were proposed in the governor’s Executive Budget.

As chair of the ag committee, Ritchie in 2017 also continued her tradition of welcoming agriculture leaders to public committee meetings in an effort to highlight agricultural trends, challenges and opportunities confronting the industry, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of farming to New York’s future. 

Individuals and groups welcomed to the meetings included FFA members, Cornell University, the American Farmland Trust, NY FarmNet and others.

Other highlights of the report include the following:

**   A new law, backed by the committee, that created a “New York State Young Farmers Advisory Board” to identify challenges to meeting a goal of attracting 100,000 beginning farmers nationally — including tens of thousands in New York — over the next decade to secure the future of family farming;

**  Support for “F.A.R.M.” camp, a new, Cornell-sponsored, regional training program to provide assistance to new and existing farmers, with a special emphasis on veterans in the North Country;

**  Funding for a fourth round of “New Farmer Grant Fund” grants providing financial help to farmers who have been in business for less than 10 years and who are looking to purchase land, buildings or supplies;

**  New funding to help promote New York’s growing, farm-based craft beverage industry, including brewers, distillers and cideries;

** Funding for FFA programs that provide students with opportunities to learn about agriculture and develop leadership skills;

** New funding to establish a “Farm-to-Table Trail,” which will help consumers more easily locate local food and drink and help boost the bottom line of farmers;

**  Funding to prevent the spread of diseases such as wildlife rabies and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE); and

**  Renewed funding for student loan forgiveness for beginning farmers.

In addition, at the close of 2017, the Agriculture Committee hosted a public hearing at the capital to solicit ideas from farmers and industry representatives on additional ways to help New York agriculture succeed. 

More than 18 farmers and their representatives — covering a broad expanse of agriculture products, regions and interests — offered testimony on challenges and opportunities for the future of agriculture.  

Information from the hearing will be used to form future actions and potential legislation affecting New York’s agriculture community.

A copy of the full report can be viewed by visiting Ritchie’s website at https://www.ritchie.nysenate.gov this link. Those interested in having a copy mailed to them can call (315) 782-3418.

Students Excel at New York State FFA Convention

From Morrisville State College:

FFA members work on a fence-building workshop during the FFA state convention at Morrisville State College

Future agricultural leaders honed their skills on the Morrisville State College campus during this year’s New York State FFA Convention May 11-13.

More than 1,000 of the best and brightest high school students fro across New York flocked to campus to gain hands-on experience in their future agricultural career fields during the event. 

Hailey Mason, in her fifth year with FFA, credits the organization with inspiring her to pursue a career as an agriculture teacher. After visiting campus, she now hopes to fulfill that career path at Morrisville someday.

“I love this place,” exclaimed Mason, 15, of the Greenville FFA Chapter located southeast of Albany. “It feels like everyone here is in to seeing the students succeed.” 

The convention featured a lineup of motivational and informational presentations, as well as competitions for participants that tested their knowledge of subjects such as agricultural communications, veterinary science, food science and agricultural issues.

The event also helped students gain a better understanding about personal growth and career success while teaching them job interview skills, public speaking skills and team building.

 

Campus and industry tours also offered educational experiences. In addition to experiencing Morrisville’s campus operations, including the college’s dairy incubator and aquaculture center, students had the chance to visit the nearby Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center, a goat dairy, a mushroom farm and a worm farm. 

Munnsville resident Rebecca Ax, 14, who hopes to become a therapeutic riding instructor, loved the college's equine rehabilitation center.

Now in her fourth year in FFA and serving as the junior high reporter for the Stockbridge Valley chapter, she said the convention would help her gain "more knowledge of agriculture and learn things I can show to other people."

Presenters from all over the country spoke, including Morrisville alumna Ashley Willits, Eastern Region vice president for the National FFA organization.

 

Willits, a 2016 agricultural business grad, is the first female member from New York to be elected as a national FFA officer. In her role, she leads personal growth and leadership training conferences throughout the country and helps set policies that guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.
 

“It’s pretty powerful and has something for everyone,” said Christopher Roman, 15, of Verona, a member of the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill (VVS) FFA Chapter. “It’s more than just agriculture; you gain leadership skills out of this, too.”

The event provided students with the opportunity to explore a career show, view an array of exhibits and attend leadership and career workshops. Among them was a fence-building workshop, presented by Jim Costello and John Leva of the college’s wood products technology program.

“It’s providing me with hands-on experience and exposing me to things I need to use in life,” Isabel Van Tassel said of the convention.

Van Tassel, 17, of the Cazenovia FFA Chapter, became interested in agriculture while raising a pig to show at a fair. “That sparked my interest in so many other things, like how to build a fence,” she said.

Students also investigated soils for agricultural productivity and learned how to effectively lobby legislatures, organizations and other groups in support of agriculture.

"I love this; it's beautiful here in Upstate (New York)," said Wanbesly Nacelus, of Queens, who is in his second year in the John Bowne FFA chapter. "Because I'm an FFA member, I'm part of something much bigger."

FFA members, who commanded the campus with their widely recognized blue corduroy jackets with gold lettering, also completed service projects during their stay. They built a willow hut, filled sand boxes and built vertical gardens at the on-campus Childcare Center and also painted around campus.

“This is giving me a lot of experience,” said VVS FFA member Cody Minckler, 16, of Verona. “I have made so many new friends through FFA.”

Most attendees earned their way to the convention competing at local, regional and sub-state levels. The top students from the state convention competitions will go on to represent New York at the national competition.