Former Farm Bureau President John Lincoln Dies

Sad news for New York state agriculture.

New York Farm Bureau has reported the death of former New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln.

Lincoln

Lincoln died last week at the age of 80. He served as this organization's leader for 14 years, from 1994-2008. 

During his time as president, Lincoln was successful in helping to secure the adoption of significant property tax savings that were essential for New York farmers. He also had a tremendous impact on funding for agricultural education and applied research, supporting Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences by serving on the CALS Agricultural Advisory Board, and helping to establish the New York Farm Viability Institute. 

He saw Farm Bureau through some major victories for agriculture, including substantial revisions to the agricultural districts and agricultural assessments program in the 1980s, the inception of the farmland protection program, passage of the farmers' school property tax credit in 1996, authorizing interstate shipment of wine, various incentive programs through NYSERDA and the tax code to encourage on-farm production of renewable energy and fighting for specialty crops funding in the federal Farm Bill.

Lincoln also served on the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.    

In all, Lincoln served for 29 years on the farm bureau board of directors. Prior to becoming president in 1994, he served as the organization's vice president for nine years and for six years as a New York Farm Bureau board member. He also served as the county president for Ontario County Farm Bureau.
Through it all he remained a farmer, operating Linholm Dairy LLC with his wife Anne. The farm has expanded over the years to include his daughter Julie and son Mike, ensuring that the next generation of Lincolns will keep the farm in Bloomfield.

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.

Court Grants Farm Bureau's Request to Dismiss Collective Bargaining Lawsuit

Message from New York Farm Bureau

New York Farm Bureau learned today that Judge Richard McNally has granted farm bureau's request to dismiss the New York Civil Liberties Union’s lawsuit that sought to create collective bargaining rights for farmworkers. 

The court’s decision is a major victory for New York’s family farms, said Farm Bureau President David Fisher.

"New York Farm Bureau argued in State Supreme Court in Albany, last July that our system of government requires that the legislature change state law, not the courts.   

The court agreed," Fisher said.

In his decision, Judge McNally wrote, “…the plaintiffs and the State have not demonstrated that the Labor Law statues are racially discriminatory or that farm workers are a suspect class entitled to constitutional protections. Any changes to the SERA (State Employee Relations Act) should emanate with the New York State Legislature as ‘the legislative power of this state shall be vested in the senate and the assembly.’”

The court previously granted New York Farm Bureau intervenor status in the lawsuit. "Our organization petitioned the court in 2016 to become a defendant only after the Governor and Attorney General refused to uphold and defend the State Labor Relations Act from the lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union," Fisher said.

New York Farm Bureau has long opposed farmworker collective bargaining for one simple reason. Farms do not have a standard eight-hour workday.  

Last year’s growing season demonstrated that. Weeks of heavy rains followed by shorter bouts of sunshine forced farmers and their employees to squeeze in weeks of work into just a few dry days. Work never stops inside the barn. For instance, cows need to be fed and milked multiple times every day, Fisher said.  

"A farmworker strike or confining work agreements could jeopardize a crop or the health of an animal. Everyone who works in farming understands this, including farmworkers," Fisher said. 

"Farmers have great respect for the people who they employ, and this court victory does not diminish that. They value their employees’ commitment, work ethic, and the partnership it takes to get the job done on the farm.

"New York Farm Bureau has represented farmers for more than a century, and today’s ruling will go down as another defining moment in Farm Bureau’s long history. 

New York Farm Bureau will always stand up for our members, either in court or at the Capitol, to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices are heard,” said Fisher.

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.

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.

Weather Extremes Show Need for Water and Soil Conservation Practices

From EMPIRE FARM & DAIRY magazine

By MARC HELLER
hellmarc@gmail.com
 
There’s an old saying that if you have one foot in a bucket of boiling water, and the other in a bucket of ice water, on average you feel about right.
 
New York farmers may be wishing that expression applied to agriculture. A year after one of the worst droughts in a generation, heavy rains threaten to dilute many farmers’ profits.
 
Parts of northern and western New York have seen several months in a row of above-normal rainfall, which cut into the planting season and has delayed cutting of hay. And while state agriculture officials aren’t calling the season a disaster, they say production is likely to suffer in some areas.
 
The contrast in moisture is a reminder, too, they say, of the value of conservation measures that preserve the soil — and which federal and state programs are meant to promote — and of the benefits of growing as wide a variety of crops as possible.
 
“We’re a resilient lot,” said state Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball, who’s far from declaring the season a flop. “It takes a whole year to make a year.”
 
Ball, a farmer in Schoharie, said some farmers couldn’t plant their preferred crops. Dairy farmers and others have adjusted by turning to alternatives, he said. New York farmers planted only about 75 percent of the typical acreage of potatoes, for instance, and acreage is down for grain corn, a key feed for dairy cattle, he said.
 
Weather statistics tell some of the story. 

Weather stations in Glens Falls, Watertown and Rochester all show wetter-than-average rainfall from spring through July. 

Watertown had 6.18 inches of rain in June alone, roughly double the normal amount, the National Weather Service reported. Glens Falls saw more than five and a half inches in July, following above-average rain in June, May and April.
 
“We’ve really done a one-eighty,” said Steve Ammerman, spokesman for New York Farm Bureau. “Things are a bit behind this year.”
 
Spring rains also kept the soil cooler, later into the season, Ammerman said, which cuts into production of some crops. But the news hasn’t been entirely discouraging; conditions have improved in several areas, and farmers who have well-drained land have fared all right, he said.
 
Although last year was exceedingly dry, this year’s downpours may be part of a longer trend, said Jonathan Negley, district manager for the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Rain appears to fall harder and in shorter periods than in years past, he said, meaning fields that once took five or eight inches of rain in 24 hours must absorb it in half an hour instead, which often isn’t possible.
 
“This is just a reality that we are all going to have to face in the future, and now,” Negley said.  “Sometimes it is just unrealistic to design structures at this demanding level, so we just put in extra layers of protection or bypasses during those heavy flows.”
 
Officials at soil and water conservation districts — which are county-level offices that work in cooperation with state and federal agencies — continue to encourage the practices they have for years, including keeping water clean, collecting excess rainwater where possible so it can be used in dry periods, and maintaining healthy soil that’s better at holding moisture, Negley said.
 
That’s a more challenging mission in areas where land is being developed and paved surfaces create runoff, Negley said. Collecting the excess water becomes more important in those areas, he said.
 
On farms, practices such as no-till and cover crops are increasing and help the land withstand both heavy rain and drought, Ammerman said. 

Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture promote those measures and in many cases require farmers to have conservation plans. In the 2014 farm bill, Congress reinstated conservation compliance as a condition for crop insurance, and the issue is likely to come up again in the farm bill’s renewal in 2018.
 
Although much of the government investment in conservation comes from Washington, state agencies in New York play a role. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration has promoted a $300 million environmental protection fund, and Ball said his department prepared a resource guide for farmers outlining the assistance available in the case of federal disaster declarations, which applied to much of the state during last year’s drought.
 
In addition, Ball said, past floods have taught officials about the importance of maintaining culverts along roads in farm country. The experience with Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 revealed the shortcomings of those drainage systems, he said.
 
“Every one of them is a choke point, potentially,” Ball said.

Farm Bureau Foundation Produces Video Series on Buying Local

The New York Farm Bureau Foundation has a new project that will bring consumers closer to the farmers who produce their food. 

It is launching a new video series entitled “Meet Your Farmer” that the public can view online through the Foundation’s YouTube and social media pages. Links are available on the Foundation’s website at nyfbfoundation.org

The website has also been updated to be smartphone friendly for people looking to view the series on a mobile device or tablet. The Foundation will also include QR codes on its educational brochures and calendar that will increase the accessibility for viewers to watch the videos.

The videos feature New York farm families talking about their farms and their passion for growing food and caring for their land and animals. The project fits into the Foundation’s mission of sowing the seeds of understanding to educate the public about modern day agriculture.

The first farms to be showcased in the series include CY Farms in Elba, NY, McCormick Farms in Bliss, NY, and Orbaker’s Fruit Farm in Williamson, NY. The Foundation will soon add more farms to this ongoing project.

“The New York Farm Bureau Foundation reaches thousands of children and adults every year through its educational programming, and we are pleased to continue telling the stories of New York’s family farms through this new video series," said Farm Bureau President and Foundation Chair David Fisher. 

"It is more important than ever that farmers share what they do and engage with the public to clear up any misunderstanding people may have about agriculture,” said Fisher.

New York Farm Bureau Foundation’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZaYUrOwLZ52h7joV359Yg

Farm Bureau President Comment on Collective Bargaining Lawsuit

From New York Farm Bureau:

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher made the following comments July 21 concerning a lawsuit that seeks collective bargaining rights for farmworkers.

“New York Farm Bureau made a strong case today in State Supreme Court in Albany, NY as to why the Court should dismiss the NYCLU lawsuit that seeks collective bargaining rights for farmworkers. Our attorney argued that our system of government requires that the legislature change state law, not the courts.  Our attorney also argued that the State Labor Relations Act, as written, is constitutional.  

"'We appreciate the opportunity that the Court provided to us to argue the reasons for dismissal, and we are hopeful that we will have a decision in our favor very soon.

"The court previously granted New York Farm Bureau intervenor status to defend agriculture from the lawsuit after New York State abdicated its duty. Our organization had petitioned the court last year to become a defendant only after the Governor and Attorney General refused to uphold and defend the State Labor Relations Act in court.

"New York Farm Bureau has long opposed farmworker collective bargaining for one simple reason. Farms do not have a standard eight-hour workday. This growing season has taught us that. Heavy rains across New York have forced farmers and their employees to get in every dry moment they can in the fields before the next storm cloud arrives. Life inside the barn is no different.  

"For instance, cows need to be fed and milked every day. A farmworker strike or confining work agreements can jeopardize a crop or the health of an animal. Everyone who works in farming understands this. Added regulations will further tie the hands of New York’s farmers and place them in a business environment where it is becoming harder and harder to compete against farmers from out of state and out of the country.

"Farmers have great respect for the people who they employ. If we are to have a vibrant agricultural sector in New York that offers good job opportunities, farms must be able to have a chance to succeed. Collective bargaining will only make it more difficult to do that.

"New York Farm Bureau will continue to stand up for our members, either in court or at the Capitol, to ensure that their voices are heard,” Fisher said.

Counselors to Learn about Ag Careers at Food and Farm Experience

Now is the time to sign up to attend the 2017 Food and Farm Experience, sponsored by New York Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agricultural Education.

The annual event -- scheduled for Oct. 18-20 -- will provide middle and high school career counselors with a unique opportunity to learn about agriculture. The repeat focus is a response to the overwhelming success and feedback from last year’s program that highlighted career exploration and development for New York students.
 
The event, held this year at The Beeches Inn and Conference Center in Rome, Oneida County, is an annual summit focusing on learning about agriculture and making connections with a full array of people connected to farming and food production.
 
This year’s in-depth experience will connect participants to an industry that offers more than 300 ag-related career opportunities.  The participants will meet with industry experts, employers, and post-secondary educators. Participants will be selected via nominations and applications, with a goal to develop extensive agricultural understanding, networking and connections.
 
Food and Farm Experience will be packed with essential and useful information about agriculture for a focused group of up to 35 career educators. The materials provided will include the tools, resources and connections needed to assist their students who may be interested in agricultural careers.  

Participants will visit a variety of locations over the two day experience, from farm to fork and participate in interactive workshops and panel discussions to get a feel for the multitude of career opportunities available in agriculture.
 
The event begins with a dinner Oct. 18. It will include tours, panel discussions, a trade show and more before winding down at noon Friday, Oct. 20.
 
Food, lodging and workshop material costs will be covered by the New York Farm Bureau Foundation.
 
An application must be postmarked or received electronically by July 14.
 
For those interested in attending the 2017 Food & Farm Experience or if you know someone to nominate, contact New York Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agricultural Education at (800) 342-4143. Applications are also available at www.nyfbfoundation.org

New York Farm Bureau Reacts To Canadian-US Dairy Trade Issue

Statement from New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher on the dairy policy issued by Canada that is affecting New York farmers:

"New York Farm Bureau appreciates the strong, bipartisan response to Canada’s unfair dairy policy that threatens to suppress an already low dairy economy in this country. President Trump’s vocal support is a result of Governor Cuomo’s work with Wisconsin’s Governor to ask Canada to reverse course. 

"Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand also requested assistance from the White House. It is positive to see our leaders working together to address this serious trade matter.


"New York Farm Bureau has been engaged on this issue for more than a year working with the state's dairy processors and lawmakers. We are asking our leaders to continue to push Canada to stick to its commitments under current trade agreements. 

"While some processors and milk cooperatives are already losing millions of dollars in business, this has the potential of hurting dairy farms across the state. The ultra-filtered milk once destined for Canada must now find a home in other markets. The increased milk supply will potentially drive down already low milk prices. 

"American farmers benefit from fair trade policies and we need to keep the borders open to our products, in particular with Canada, which is one of New York’s main trading partners," said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President.

Farm Bureau Seeks Passage of Farm to Food Bank Bill

Go to https://www.facebook.com/NYFarmBureau/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf to check out a video on the Farm to Food Bank bill.

Senate, Assembly Favor Family Farm in their Budgets

From New York Farm Bureau:

New York Farm Bureau said the Senate and Assembly, especially the Agriculture Committee Chairs, Sen. Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Bill Magee, have made the state’s family farms a priority in their respective budgets.

Many of the funding lines have been restored to last year’s levels, which will make a difference in the support and promotion of the state’s diverse agricultural commodities. This includes funding multiple research projects that the agricultural community depends on to confront growing challenges that exist on farms.

The New York State Senate also stepped up to the plate to fund many of the priorities of New York Farm Bureau including a refundable investment tax credit to assist farms looking to reinvest in this down farm economy. 

The Senate majority is also supportive of doubling the agricultural minimum wage tax credit which will help farms better manage labor costs while attempting to remain competitive with farms in other states that have significantly lower wage rates.

The Farm to Food Bank Bill also received budgetary support for the first time in both chambers’ budgets. 

This is a big boost to the bill that has seen bi-partisan support the past two years only to have the governor veto the bill, in part, because it was passed outside of the budget process. 

Farm Bureau believes there is no excuse for the governor to pull out his veto stamp again, and we encourage him to negotiate funding in the final budget to support the tax credit, as he promised. It will allow farmers to donate even more fresh food to their regional food banks and pantries.

The support of the “Farm to Food Bank Bill” comes on the heels of New York state farmers donating more than 13.2 million pounds of food in 2016. The number is the second highest for any state in the country.  The total was announced last month at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Fusion Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. 

New York Farm Bureau participates in Feeding America’s Harvest for All Program. This record number for New York highlights the generosity of farmers in this state, and food donations will likely increase with the passage and signing of the “Farm to Food Bank Bill.” 

The tax credit on 25 percent of the wholesale value of the food, up to $5,000 annually, would help offset a portion of the costs of labor, packaging and transportation required to get more food from the fields to those in need.

“As the April 1 budget deadline approaches, we are hopeful these items will remain in New York State’s final fiscal plan. The past year has been a difficult one for the state’s farmers," said Farm Bureau President David Fisher.

"From higher labor costs to lower commodity prices, coupled with extreme weather woes, the additional support could not come at a more necessary time for the hard working farm families of New York,” Fisher said.

New York Farm Bureau Members Meet with Legislators in Albany

Farmers from across the state spent two days in Albany this week visiting with lawmakers on March 6-7 to highlight New York Farm Bureau’s public policy priorities for the year. 

They kicked things off with the popular Taste of New York Reception at the Empire State Plaza for state lawmakers, commissioners and staff. Nearly 90 county Farm Bureaus and agricultural organizations hosted tables featuring local farm products for people to sample. 

New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan were among the many dignitaries who attended the event.

 New York Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, and Long Island Farm Bureau President Karl Novak are enjoying the New York Farm Bureau Taste of New York Reception in Albany on March 6.

Following the evening reception, more than 250 members participated in the annual lobby day on March 7 where they met with both their local senators and assembly members. The county Farm Bureaus also visited with their “adopted” lawmakers who represent the New York City area. 

In addition, NYFB’s executive committee met personally with legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Flanagan and the Chairs of the Agriculture Committees, Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Bill Magee.


“We had record participation for our Taste of New York reception and Lobby Day this year. The high turnout is a testament to our organization’s strong grassroots support, and it demonstrates the value our members place in meeting to face-to-face with their elected officials,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau president.


The state priorities for the organization include securing a refundable investment tax credit for farmers. With 2015 farm income down nearly 20 percent to $5.3 billion across the state, according to the latest figures from the National Agriculture Statistics Service, it is important that tools be in place to help farmers weather the downturn. 

This initiative would incentivize farm investment to meet the needs of global competition.


In addition, farmers pushed to double the minimum wage tax credit from $30 million to $60 million. The first step of the minimum wage hike climbed at the beginning of the year on its way to $15 for farms on Long Island and $12.50 for Upstate farmers.  

New York Farm Bureau led the way in opposition to the hike last year, resulting in a $250 tax credit per employee for this first year of the increase. That will cover only a small fraction of what it will cost family farms to implement the wage hike.


State funding for critical farm programs is another top priority for Farm Bureau. The governor included a number of things in his budget plan which would help agriculture in the state. 

This includes funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which will assist farms with water quality, conservation and farmland protection programs, as well as necessary investments into animal health programs. 

Farm Bureau also asked lawmakers to restore funding for promotion and research programs that also benefit agriculture. New York Farm Bureau also supports the governor’s proposed $2 billion clean water infrastructure program that includes $70 million for nutrient management and conservation programs to reduce farm runoff.


The Farm to Food Bank Bill is another top priority for farm bureau members who have seen the governor veto the popular legislation the past two years. Members asked their lawmakers to include the tax credit that encourages greater fresh food donations to regional food banks and local food pantries to be included in their one-house budget bills.


These priorities are based on member-approved public policies that originate every year at the county Farm Bureau level and are passed by the full delegate body at New York Farm Bureau’s State Annual Meeting in December.


In addition to advocating for priorities with lawmakers, members also participated in a special panel discussion with the commissioners from the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation and Labor. Members asked the public officials questions about a number of issues facing the state’s family farms.


“Our organization is grateful for the time our members spent off their farms to advocate on these important issues in Albany," said Fisher. 

"In addition, New York Farm Bureau appreciates the time lawmakers and staff spent meeting with their constituents. The relationships we have built on both sides of the aisle serve our members well as legislators make policy decisions in Albany that impact every farmer in this state,” he said.

3 Win Statewide Farm Bureau Youth Scholarships

Three New York high school seniors have received the distinct honor of being named statewide winners of the 2017 New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship. 

Each student received district wide recognition and then competed for one of three statewide scholarships. The students must have a family Farm Bureau membership or a student Farm Bureau membership in order to qualify.  

A panel of judges selected the winners based on their essay submissions, as well as their applications, which include their community and agricultural engagement.

Wright

The first place winner is Carolyn Wright of Franklinville. She is a member of Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau in District 1 and will receive a $1,500 scholarship from New York Farm Bureau. 

Wright grew up on her family’s dairy farm and maple operation. Recently, she was the Western New York Maple Ambassador where she spent the year promoting maple syrup. She has also been very active in FFA. 

Wright is a senior at Ten Broeck Academy and Franklinville Central School and plans to attend college at either Alfred State College or Cornell University where she will study agricultural business and agriculture education.

Miles

The second place winner is Jane Miles from Himrod. She has had many responsibilities on her family’s vineyard in the Finger Lakes. She represents Yates County Farm Bureau in District 3. 

In addition to her work, Miles became active in New York Farm Bureau through her family, attending meetings and lobby days. She is a senior at Penn Yan Academy and plans to continue her education at either Clemson University or University of Central Florida majoring in agribusiness management. Miles will receive a $1,200 scholarship from New York Farm Bureau.

Klosky

The third place winner receiving a $1,000 scholarship is Elizabeth Klosky of Cornwall-on-Hudson. 

Representing Orange County Farm Bureau in District 10, Klosky became involved in agriculture in the seventh grade when she began raising game birds. She also assists in her family’s maple operation and produces honey from their six beehives. 

4-H has been an important activity for Klosky as well as volunteering at a local goat farm. With a goal to work on farm sustainability issues in the future, the Cornwall Central High School senior would like to attend Cornell University to pursue a degree in biological engineering with an emphasis in agriculture.


Other district scholarship winners include:


District 2: Melissa Keller is from Corfu, Genesee County, where she attends Pembroke Junior/Senior High School. Upon graduation, she will attend junior college with plans to transfer to a four-year school focusing on agriculture and livestock evaluation.


District 4: Sydney Jewell is from Spencer, Tioga County, where she attends Spencer–Van Etten High School. She plans to pursue a degree in animal science and eventually become a veterinarian.


District 5: Addison Randall is from Cuyler, Cortland County, where she attends DeRuyter Central School. After graduating, she will be attending SUNY Cobleskill studying sustainable agriculture.


District 6: Camille Ledoux is from Croghan, Lewis County, where she attends Beaver River Central School. She plans to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she will major in biology before moving on to veterinary school.


District 8: Julia Houser is from Greenwich, Washington County, where she attends Greenwich Junior-Senior High School. She will attend either SUNY Cobleskill or Cornell in the fall to study dairy science. 


District 9: Cheyanne Matulewich is from Grahamsville, Sullivan County, where she attends Tri-Valley Central School. Upon graduation, she will attend SUNY Cobleskill to earn a degree in agricultural sciences.

New York Farm Bureau Lists National Priorities

New York Farm Bureau leaders plan to meet with members of New York’s congressional delegation this week in Washington, D.C. to outline their federal priorities. 

They are in the nation’s capital to take in American Farm Bureau Federation’s Advocacy Conference. It is kicking off a year full of activities where New York Farm Bureau members will be engaged on the organization’s member approved public policy priorities. 

In addition, New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher and Elizabeth Wolters, New York Farm Bureau's associate director of national affairs, held a press conference call with reporters the morning of Feb. 28 to publicly unveil the priorities. The priorities are listed below.

Immigration
Immigration reform remains a top priority for New York’s farmers. While this is something New York Farm Bureau has been discussing for a long time, the issue is especially in the forefront right now with enforcement actions taken by the Trump Administration.

Farm Bureau believes in having stronger border security, but enforcement cannot be the only approach to fixing a broken immigration system. 

It also involves having a workable guest worker program that allows farmers to fill positions on their farms when they cannot find anyone locally to do the work. This involves having an improved guest worker visa program that addresses both seasonal and year-round needs of our farmers.

Reforms should allow current, trained workers to stay on farms and maintain a consistent workforce to plant and harvest crops, and care for livestock. 

There are proposals on the table to reform the federal H2A guest worker program that would open up the legal process to allow workers to be here longer than a growing season while reducing the regulatory burden that often leads to delays and headaches for farms and employees alike. 

Last year, some New York farms experienced delays of a month or more in having their workers arrive in this country to work on the farm.  That is unacceptable when you need to plant and harvest crops on time.

“This is an issue that has major implications for farmers and their employees.  We have to have a system in place that will allow farms in this country to grow the food we need to feed ourselves. The only alternative is to import food grown outside of our borders and that becomes a national security issue,” said Fisher.

A lack of serious reform is not just a problem for farms, but for their seasonal and year round foreign employees as well. They are hardworking people who sought new opportunities in this country to support themselves and their families. They are giving back in many ways. 

“Let’s be clear, when they seek employment on our farms, we are obliged under the law to accept their paperwork. As far as we know, they are here legally,” said Fisher. “However, when they are targeted by ICE and law enforcement, some workers may not have legal documentation after all.  Enforcement actions can break up families and send others into hiding. This is in addition to leaving farms without enough employees needed to care for animals or harvest the crops.”

New York Farm Bureau will work with the Trump Administration and our representatives in Congress to find a workable solution that strikes an important balance between strong enforcement and a strong guest visa program.

Regulatory Reform
Regulatory Reform is another national priority for New York Farm Bureau. Its members have long been in opposition to proposed changes to the Clean Water Act that they believe broadens the jurisdiction of “Waters of the U.S.” rule. 

It would expand regulations from traditional navigable waters to also including dry land. The Environmental Protection Agency has placed an undue burden and increased regulatory control on farmers with no added benefit to the environment.

The issue is currently tied up in the courts after a federal appeals court issued an injunction on its enforcement.  However, Farm Bureau will continue to support efforts to prevent the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from implementing the rule.  

This does not mean farmers are looking to dismantle regulations that have proven value in keeping our water clean in this country. However, the EPA failed to establish scientific justification for its rule change, did not address the tens of thousands of public comments that explained how it is unworkable on farms in this country, and it created a public campaign meant to discredit those people who disagreed with the rule change. 

New York Farm Bureau is confident the courts will find that this is a violation, and farm bureau members will look to their congressional representatives to hold the EPA accountable to follow the intent of the law that Congress established under the Clean Water Act. 

It is a priority to pursue rational and effective regulatory policies that are transparent, fact-based and the will of Congress.

“Necessary regulations are one thing.  A federal government that oversteps its bounds and circumvents Congress is quite another,” said Wolters.

Farm Bill
Finally, discussions are beginning on the Farm Bill, which comes up for renewal every five years. This is the biggest piece of legislation that impacts every farmer in the state as it sets policy and funding for things like crop insurance, specialty crop research, rural development, farm to consumer programs, disaster assistance and so much more.  

A large component of the bill is also nutrition assistance, which New York Farm Bureau believes is an important part of the Farm Bill and is a necessary component to get the legislation through Congress.

As discussions continue leading up to a vote next year, it is a priority of New York Farm Bureau to keep baseline funding for the myriad of programs. In the previous 2014 Farm Bill, agriculture took a major funding hit of around $23 billion. That cannot happen again.   

There are many needs for agriculture. A proper safety net and a reformed Margin Protection Program for dairy farmers are two examples.

Farm income dropped a billion dollars in New York in 2015 to $5.3 billion. Farm income is expected to be down again for 2016. These tough economic times demonstrate why a strong, supportive Farm Bill is critical to the success of this state’s diverse agriculture community.

“We have to have a strong Farm Bill that invests in this country’s family farms and its rural communities to ensure we have a sustainable farm economy in this country,” said Wolters.

Fisher Honored for His Achievements in Agriculture

Pictured left to right are Kevin Acres, farmer and St. Lawrence County Legislature chairman; Sen. Ritchie; New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher; and Jon Greenwood, farmer and co-chair of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

State Sen. Patty Ritchie recently honored New York Farm Bureau’s new president, David Fisher of Madrid, St. Lawrence County, congratulating him on his new role, as well as recognizing him for his contributions to the agriculture industry.

Ritchie, who serves as chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, presented Fisher, a St. Lawrence County dairy farmer, with an official Senate proclamation honoring him for his achievements.