25 Dairy Farms Receive Conservation Easement Grants

More than $18.6 million has been provided in support of conservation easement projects on 25 New York dairy farms. 

Dairy farmers continue to face challenges from prolonged low milk prices, increasing the threat of conversion of viable agricultural land to non-farm development. 

Through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program, dairy farms can diversify their operations or transition their farms to the next generation at more affordable costs, while ensuring the land forever remains used for agricultural purposes. 

Since early 2018, New York state has awarded more than $30.7 million to dairy farms, protecting 15,102 acres.

 

Protecting the agricultural land base of an operating dairy farm from conversion to non-farm use is essential to the long-term viability and sustainability of New York's agricultural industry. 

New York's dairy industry is the largest sector of the state's agricultural industry and a critical component of its economy, accounting for about one-half of New York state's on-farm production, agricultural support services and value-added products.

New York State is home to nearly 4,000 dairy farms with more than 620,000 cows, producing 14.9 billion pounds of milk. New York ranks fourth in the production of milk and is first in the nation in the production of other dairy products, such as yogurt and cottage cheese.

 

The projects awarded will protect 10,253 acres of viable agricultural land comprised of prime soils:

 

Capital Region

• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $413,670 to protect 260 acres of the New Generation Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $859,075 to protect 648 acres of the Burch Family Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $200,142 to protect 71 acres of the Wagner Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $517,737 to protect 357 acres of the Adams Acres Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $369,261 to protect 309 acres of the Chapin Family Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $821,841 to protect 439 acres of the Otter Creek Farm.
• Saratoga PLAN - $823,706 to protect 172 acres of the Drumm Farm.
• Saratoga PLAN - $1,010,164 to protect 175 acres of the Hanehan Family Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $324,968 to protect 165 acres of the Liddleholme Farm.
• Agricultural Stewardship Association - $ 572,921 to protect 332 acres of the Hickory Hills Dairy.

  Central New York

• New York Agricultural Land Trust - $500,194 to protect 200 acres of CBG Farms.
• New York Agricultural Land Trust - $339,281 to protect 164 acres of Fesko Farms.
• New York Agricultural Land Trust - $1,993,723 to protect 796 acres of Pastureland Farm.
• New York Agricultural Land Trust - $637,219 to protect 299 acres of Fesko Farms.

  Finger Lakes

• Genesee Land Trust - $1,124,759 to protect 567 acres of Koeberle Farm.
• Finger Lakes Land Trust - $967,522 to protect 414 acres of Christiansen Farm.
• Genesee Valley Conservancy - $1,999,750 to protect 1,055 acres of Highgrove Farm.
• Genesee Valley Conservancy - $2 million to protect 1,384 acres of Roll-N-View Farm.

  Hudson Valley

• Scenic Hudson Land Trust - $790,000 to protect 96 acres of Scholldorf Farm.

  Mohawk Valley

• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust - $417,690 to protect 236 acres of Groeslon Farm.
• Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy - $960,971 to protect 823 acres of Creek Acres Farm.

  North Country

• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust - $880,678 to protect 721 acres of Huntley Farm.
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust - $468,878 to protect 323 acres of Northrup & Sons Farm.
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust - $301,184 to protect 156 acres of Nemeth Farm.
• Adirondack Land Trust - $116,200 to protect 91 acres of Moran Farm.

Following the success of Round 1 of this program, New York state is launching a second round of the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program specifically for dairy.  The state will accept applications on a rolling basis for farmland protection grants of up to $2 million from eligible entities, such as land trusts, municipalities, counties, and soil and water conservation districts. There is no application deadline.

 

Conservation easement projects will be awarded to eligible dairy farms that are:

• Transitioning to the next ownership of a continuing dairy, but whose operation has been modified to ensure greater financial sustainability;
• Continuing dairy, but diversifying the overall farm operation; or
• Converting to a non-dairy farm operation.  

All farmland protection project proposals must be submitted electronically through the New York State Grants Gateway. For more information regarding the Grants Gateway, visit https://grantsgateway.ny.gov. Additional information and the Request for Applications can be found on the Department's website at https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html

Companies Chosen to Compete in Grow-NY Food, Business Challenge

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

Eighteen companies have been selected to take part in round one of the Grow-NY food innovation and agriculture technology business challenge. 

The contenders were chosen from a field of almost 200 startups that applied to be part of the initiative, which is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. 

The applicant pool represented 23 different states and 16 countries. The Grow-NY region includes a broad 22-county swath that includes Upstate New York's farming community as well as several major urban centers, including Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and Binghamton.

 

 

The selected finalists include:

 

• AgVoice - Norcross, Ga.
• Capro-X - Ithaca
• Combplex - Ithaca
• Dropcopter - Syracuse
• Halomine - Ithaca
• Whole Healthy Food - Ithaca
• Independent Barley & Malt - Litchfield, Mich.
• Livestock Water Recycling - Alberta, Canada
• Nuravine - New York City
• Paragon Pure - Princeton, NJ
• The Perfect Granola - Victor, NY
• Radical Plastics - Beverly, Mass.

• RealEats America - Geneva, NY
• Re-Nuble - Rochester
• Simply Good Jars - Philadelphia, Pa.
• Slate Craft Goods - Westwood, Mass.
• Tiliter - Munich, Germany
• Varcode - Naperville, Ill.

Each startup has recently been assigned a mentor who will help them make connections in the region, plan regional business trips, and refine their business pitches. The finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of Grow-NY judges and a live audience from Nov. 12-13 at the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. 

Cornell University is administering the competition through its Center for Regional Economic Advancement.

Real Property Tax Law Exemption for Farm Buildings Extended

From Gov. Cuomo's office:

The state's Real Property Tax Law exemption on farm buildings, which provides continued tax relief for New York farmers and growers, has been extended.

The Real Property Tax Law exempts agricultural producers from paying real property tax on buildings that are essential to the production of agricultural or horticultural products, such as temporary greenhouses, dairy barns and exercise arenas for horse-boarding operations. 

 

"New York's agricultural industry is a major sector of our economy, and it's critical that we continue to support local farmers and growers," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in announcing the extension.

"This tax exemption will help New York's hard-working agricultural producers invest in their farms and grow their businesses, and as a result increase competitiveness and productivity for years to come," he said

The Real Property Tax Law exemption was extended for the next 10 years and applies to newly constructed and re-constructed agricultural buildings through Jan. 1, 2029. Since it was last renewed in 2008, the exemption for farm structures is estimated to have saved New York farmers more than $112.8 million. 

The exemption has helped support the growth of New York's agricultural industry by allowing farmers and growers to use the money saved to invest in their operations, purchase new equipment and modernize facilities, which increases the farms' competitiveness and profitability.

 

Agricultural buildings have been exempt from state taxation for decades, but the law granting the exemption was set to expire on New Year's Day 2019. The new law, sponsored by Assemblyman Bill Magee and Sen. Patty Ritchie -- chairs of the Assembly and Senate ag committees, respecftively -- amends New York State's Real Property Tax Law to extend the tax break and ensure it will remain in effect for the next decade.

 

The law prohibits tax increases based on the value of construction or improvement of structures that are used for essential agricultural operations. That includes the cultivation, harvest and storage of commodities; the feeding, breeding and management of livestock; and housing for farm employees. 

Housing for immediate family members is not covered by the exemption unless the family members are non-owners and critical to the commercial operation of the farm.

 

A complete list of rules regarding the exemption can be found at this link https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/farmbuilding.pdf

Governor Opens The New York State Fair and its New Exposition Center

From Gov. Cuomo's office:

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today officially marked the opening the brand-new Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The 136,000-square-foot Expo Center, the largest indoor events space north of New York City between Boston and Cleveland, was unveiled during the kick-off of the 2018 Great New York State Fair. 

The new facility, and the recently completed renovation of the Fair's Orange parking lot, complete the second phase of the Governor's plan to revitalize the State Fairgrounds. The improvements complement Central NY Rising, the region's strategy to boost the local economy. 

 

"The new Exposition Center is a welcome addition to the Fairgrounds that will not only help bolster State Fair attendance, but provide an event space capable of hosting a record number of visitors year-round," Cuomo said. "By boosting tourism and attracting businesses from across the country, the uniquely situated Expo Center will deliver lasting economic benefits to keep Central New York rising for generations to come."

 

The Expo Center, with 110,000 square feet of clear-span floor space, has the capacity to hold more than 500, 10 foot-by-10 foot trade show booths. 

The massive venue, which also features 4,000 retractable seats, will attract major shows and special events, including car, boat, and RV shows, pet expos, consumer and trade shows, home and garden shows, tech expos and more—many of which were previously unable to come to upstate New York due to the lack of suitable space. 

The Expo Center increases the amount of available indoor space on the fairgrounds to more than 450,000 square feet.

 

Cuomo also announced the state Department of Transportation has completed a $27 million redesign and modernization of the Orange Lot, the Great New York State Fair's largest parking lot. Improvements to the 65-acre lot to improve access, enhance safety and significantly expand capacity, began last fall. 

More than 7,000 parking spaces are available in the freshly paved lot, up from the 4,000 to 5,000 that were available last year on a dirt surface. Access improvements will reduce delays from traffic backing up onto the Exit 7 ramps to Interstate 690, easing congestion during peak travel times.

 

The improvements mark the completion of Phase 2 of Governor Cuomo's revitalization plan. Phase 1 of the transformation plan included a full-service RV park for 313 campers and a larger, relocated Midway area that allows for more open space for Fair programming and non-Fair events. 

A new Main Gate entrance was also built, along with a new exhibit area for the New York State Police, and the Sky Ride, a 1,400-foot long chairlift ride. The Indian Village also received renovations to its Turtle Mound, the home of cultural performances during the Fair. 

 

Since the beginning of renovations, State Fair attendance has grown by more than 28 percent and non-fair event estimated attendance has grown 57 percent from 2016 to 2017. 

 

Many new non-fair events are already scheduled for the fairgrounds and its new Exposition Center.

 

After the Fair, the Expo Center will host several events in 2018 that are new to upstate including:

• The Taste NY Fall Festival, October 12-13: This event will feature vendors from across New York State, who will sell locally produced and manufactured food and beverages, highlighting local and regional cuisines and showcasing the diversity of the state. The family-friendly festival will feature pumpkin patches and pumpkin carving, amusement rides and farm petting zoos so children can see how food is raised, grown and produced. 
• The HITS Indoor Championships, Oct. 24-28: This new event is a competition for Junior and Amateur horse riders at the beginning and intermediate levels in order to continue to develop the sport at the grass roots level. 
• The FlyFast Drone Racing Competition and Showcase, Nov. 10-11: This event is a set of racing competitions for amateurs and professionals. A variety of courses will be offered for the competitors to fly through as well as courses for testing the intricate skills of pilots. The Showcase will include drone flying lessons for first time pilots and workshops and clinics for developing drone operators and racers. It will also include a marketplace for attendees to shop for the latest drone technology. The event highlights the Governor's investment in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, as the area between Syracuse and Rome has been designated one of only a handful of drone testing corridors in the nation.

Number of NY Craft Beverage Manufacturers Continues to Grow

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

The number of craft beverage manufacturers holding a farm-based license has grown by over 150 percent since the first Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit in 2012, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

Immediately following the Summit, Cuomo implemented important legislative and regulatory reforms to promote the state's craft beverage businesses. Since then, 433 new farm-based craft beverage licenses have been issued.

 

"New York's craft beverage industry is booming, and by cutting red tape to industry development, we have seen significant growth in the number of manufacturers supporting our local farms and spurring job creation across the Empire State," Cuomo said.

"Home to more farm-breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries than ever before, I encourage visitors and craft beverage enthusiasts to enjoy some of the best products around, right here in New York," he said.

Since the Governor's first Summit in 2012, the Empire State has experienced a surge in craft manufacturing with the vast majority of that growth coming from farm-based producers. 

Of the 523 craft beverage manufacturing licenses added since the first Summit in 2012, 433 are farm-based manufacturers that use New York grown agricultural ingredients in their production, accounting for over 80 percent of all new craft beverage manufacturers.

A list of all farm wineries, distilleries, cideries and breweries, by region and city is available at this link -- https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/ListofFarmManufacturers_2_28_2018.pdf  

The total number of all farm-based manufacturers by region:

Capital Region	72
Central New York	57
Finger Lakes	149
Long Island	100
Mid-Hudson Valley	106
Mohawk Valley	34
New York City	35
North Country	42
Southern Tier	72
Western New York	48

Major legislation helping to spur New York's farm-based craft industry includes Cuomo's Farm Brewery Law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, followed by the implementation of the new Farm Cidery Law, effective Jan. 15, 2014. 

These laws mirrored the 1976 Farm Winery Act that lead to a tremendous growth of wineries and grape production in New York state. 

The governor also overhauled the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control laws to give more privileges to manufacturers that use ingredients grown in New York, including hosting tastings, operating gift shops selling any farm-produced wine, beer, cider and spirits by the bottle and by the glass from their tastings rooms. 

Farm manufacturers may also open branch stores, with 127 farm producers operating no-fee offsite tasting rooms across the state. 

 

As a result of these reforms, more manufacturers are choosing farm-based manufacturing licenses and in each craft beverage category, there are more farm-based licenses than any other type. New York is now home to 348 farm wineries, 202 farm breweries, 123 farm distilleries and 42 farm cideries. 

 

In addition, 80 farm wineries, 29 farm breweries, 12 farm distilleries and 6 farm cideries have opened branch stores due to legislation allowing farm breweries, cideries and distilleries to open branch stores. 

The growth in the number of farm-based licenses has led to an increased demand for locally sourced agricultural products in New York and a synergy between the craft beverage, tourism and agriculture sectors.