Maple Weekends Coming March 17-18, March 24-25

From state Sen. Patricia Ritchie:

Maple syrup is not just for pancakes anymore.  

There is maple candy, maple popcorn, maple jelly and even maple pepper.  If those — and of course maple syrup — sound like “sweet” treats you might want to try, I highly encourage you to find a nearby sugarhouse taking part in upcoming “Maple Weekend” events.

Held March 17 and 18, and then again March 24 and 25, Maple Weekend is held across the state. There are 177 maple farms across New York state set to open up their sugarhouses to show people just how real maple syrup is made, and of course offer some tasty samples.

Some smaller maple producers still use buckets to collect sap.

Here in New York state, maple is more than just something sweet. It’s an important, growing part of our agriculture economy. 

In fact, New York is second in the nation — just behind Vermont — when it comes to maple syrup production.  With the largest number of tappable trees in the United States, there is great potential for us to become number one. 

As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have been working in recent years to support the growth of New York’s maple industry in a number of ways, including by securing money for important research. 

I will also be advocating for a new piece of legislation called “Maple One,” which has the ambitious goal of overtaking Vermont as America’s leading maple producer by issuing permits to allow farmers to tap maple trees on certain state-owned lands.

Maple products at the New York State Fair

The upcoming “Maple Weekend” events are the perfect way for people to not only sample everything maple syrup, but also to help support those who help put it on our tables. I hope you’ll take part in this sweet tradition.

For more information, on “Maple Weekend”, including a list of the participating sugarhouses nearest to you, visit the New York State Maple Producers Association website at www.nysmaple.com.

NY Senate Has Plan to Bolster Agriculture

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/senate-majority-releases-plan-to-bolster-agriculture-20180309 to check out the story.

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.

Senate Bills Propose More Resources, Market Opportunities for Farmers

Check out the story http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/senate-bills-propose-more-resources-and-market-opportunities-for-farmers-20170327 at this link.

Deadline Jan. 27 to Apply for New Farmers Grant Fund

The deadline is Jan. 27 to apply for the New Farmers Grant Fund.

Ritchie

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Sen. Patty Ritchie is encouraging people who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture or just starting out as farmers to apply for the “New Farmers Grant Fund.”

Through the New Farmers Grant Fund, $1 million will help provide grants of up to $50,000 to new and beginning farmers for the purchase of equipment, supplies and other necessities essential to an agricultural business.  

The program is now in its third year and to date has allocated $1.4 million in grants to 41 farms across the state. 

"Across our state, the New Farmers Grant Fund is providing people who are new to agriculture with the resources necessary to start their businesses, and those who are just starting with the support they need to continue on the road to success,” said Ritchie.

This year, the New Farmers Grant Fund has eliminated the 150 acres or less requirement and will accept applications from agricultural operations of all sizes.  

Full guidelines for applying can be found by visiting Sen. Ritchie’s website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov  

Meeting Oct. 26 Features Information on Water, Drought

From state Sen. Patty Ritchie's office:

Farmers and other interested individuals in Central and Northern New York who have been affected by the summer’s drought should attend a special presentation at 1 p.m. Oct. 26 featuring groundwater expert M. Todd Walter of Cornell University.

The meeting featuring Walter — a hydrogeologist who serves as director of the New York State Water Resources Institute, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University — will feature a discussion on the impact the drought has had on local aquifers, how long it may take wells to recover and insights on how farmers can rebound. 

In addition, those attending will also be able to ask Walter questions.The meeting will be in the first floor conference room at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown.

“The effects of last summer’s unprecedented drought are still being felt by farmers across our region,” said state Sen. Patricia Ritchie, who is chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. 

“The goal of this meeting is for Dr. Walter to offer expert advice on how our hardworking farmers can recover from the drought and protect themselves from damage caused by dry weather conditions in the future.”

Walter’s visit is the result of suggestions from farm tours organized by Senator Ritchie in recent months to assess the drought’s impact on the agriculture industry.

Those interested in attending meeting should pre-register by calling (315) 782-3418. 

Will the State Horse Slaughter Bill Make it Out of Committee This Year?

By DEBRA J. GROOM
Empire Farm & Dairy
 
In May 2013, about 30 horses on the  way to a slaughterhouse in Quebec died in a horrific blaze when the transport truck they were in caught fire on Interstate 81 north of Binghamton.
 
A bill to prevent this from happening again has been introduced in the New York state legislature for a number of consecutive sessions and will be introduced again this spring, said a spokesman with Senate bill sponsor Sen. Kathleen Marchione , R-Saratoga County.
 

Bos at his new home in Homer. Photo from Mary Minkoff

The bill has been sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan.

The bill calls for prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the transport of horses for slaughter for human consumption in New York state.
 
Right now, horses are not slaughtered for human consumption in New York, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. But there are such slaughterhouses in Quebec, so trailers filled with animals do travel through New York state north on Interstate 81 and the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) from points in the United States.
 
The bill was sponsored last session by Glick and Marchione. It was sent to the agriculture committees in both the state Assembly and the state Senate but did not move from there.
 
In fact, the bill has been around since 2007, but never makes it out of the agriculture committees in the Assembly or Senate. To become law, it would have to be approved in committee, go to a vote by the full Legislature and then be signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
 
“Assemblywoman Glick is very committed to this bill,” said Charles LeDuc, Glick’s legislative analyst. He said the problem deals with wording in the bill.
 
“She cares deeply about this issue and will continue to work with the chair of the committee,” LeDuc said. “It all comes down to the wording in the bill.”
 
“Sen. Marchione believes that New York’s horses are majestic, beautiful animals that deserve protection from inhumane treatment and slaughter,” said Joshua Fitzpatrick, speaking for Marchione. “This bipartisan legislation continues to work its way through the legislative process.”
 
Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, Madison County, chair of the Assembly agriculture committee, said he didn’t hear much from constituents concerning the bill when it was first introduced. It was amended last year to beef up the enforcement part of the bill and was reintroduced this year, and will be discussed by the committee this session.
 
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, Saratoga County, has been a co-sponsor of the bill each time it has been introduced and continues to back it.
 
Tedisco called the slaughter of horses animal abuse and said it is a bridge crime to more heinous actions, such as the assault or killing of people. He also called horses noble “creatures of God” that “built this nation, built the Erie Canal and worked the farms” that made the U.S. and New York grow into what they are today.
 

Bos before being rehabilitated at Sunshine Horses

Bos is one of those “noble creatures” of which Tedisco speaks, says Mary Minkoff, vice president of Sunshine Horses, a rescue organization outside of Central Square, Oswego County.
 
Minkoff found Bos — a 15-year-old Standardbred — at a kill pen in Pennsylvania in 2013. He had been a champion harness race horse, bringing in about $200,000 in winnings for his owner.
 
But when he couldn’t race anymore, he was sold to some Amish farmers. He pulled carriages.
“This is a hard life for these horses,” Minkoff said.
 
She said Bos was worked quite hard and then auctioned off again when he couldn’t pull his load.
He ended up in the kill pen, where he was rescued by Minkoff.
 
“He came to us in April 2013 and he was quite ill,” Minkoff said. “He had a respiratory illness and had to be in quarantine.”
 
Today, Bos is thriving. He was nursed back to health and lived for a while with other horses at Sunshine Horses stables, enjoying the outdoors, the camaraderie  of other equine and, life in general. He’s inquisitive and is always the first to come check out a new person at the fence.
 
“He’s a funny boy,” Minkoff said.
 
He has recently been adopted by the Laughlin family in Homer, Cortland County.
Minkoff thinks the state’s slaughter bill is a good idea, although she said “enforcing it is probably going to be a problem.” She thinks more could be done if a federal bill was passed.
 
There is a federal bill called the Safeguard American Food Exports, or SAFE, which is in committee in both the House of Representatives and Senate. The bill states it would “prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the United States.”
 
“We have to stop the transport of horses over borders,” Minkoff said. “People need to be educated about horse slaughter. About 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year over the border.”
 
The federal bill keys in on the health problems that can arise from eating horse meat and prohibits the “sale or transport of equines or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption.”
 
New York Assemblyman Tedisco also is concerned about horse meat from other countries (possibly those slaughtered in Canada) making it into U.S. food.
 
“It is dangerous to people’s health,” he said. “There are a lot of drugs (used in horses) that can cause harm to people or even kill a baby in a woman’s womb.”
 
Some of the drugs listed in the federal bill are phenylbutazone, acepromazine, boldenone undecylenate, omeprazole, ketoprofen, xylazine, hyaluronic acid, nitrofurazone, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, clenbuterol, tolazoline, and ponazuril, all of which are prohibited in meat used for human consumption.
 
Jack Knowlton is operating manager at Sackatoga Stable in Saratoga Springs and was the race manager for 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. Funny Cide was the first gelding to win the Derby in nearly 75 years and the first New York-bred horse to win the Run for the Roses.
 
Knowlton has long been an advocate against equine abuse and slaughter and even has been honored for his work by various horse groups. He agrees the state bill would be difficult to enforce. But the bill should be pressed through, he said.
 
“I think the fact is at least getting a state bill passed is important — let’s get the state of New York on record,” he said. “We should say ‘this is not lawful. We do not want this in our state.’ ”
 
There used to be horse slaughter plants in the United States, but the last one closed in 2007 in Illinois. Since then, some states have tried to open plants again, but have not been successful, Knowlton said.
 
Knowlton discussed the fire on Interstate 81 that killed the horses en route to Quebec.
 
“Without an outlet in the United States, they have to take them elsewhere,” Knowlton said. “We don’t want to be the gateway for horses going to Quebec. It would be my thought that we could get them at the border — find out where the horses in the trailers are going and why.”
 
Some people believe the reason the bill doesn’t go anywhere in New York is because of lobbying by New York Farm Bureau. A Farm Bureau official said the state’s largest agriculture organization opposes the horse slaughter bill.
 
“This is an issue of compassion for anyone concerned about the overpopulation of unwanted horses in New York state and across the country,” said Jeff Williams, New York Farm bureau public policy director. “It is important to have a properly regulated alternative to deal with unwanted livestock, as opposed to neglect or the animals being turned loose.”
 
Farm Bureau also believes horses are livestock and not pets and therefore should be treated differently than dogs or cats.
 
State Sens. Patricia Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, and Marchione, R-Halfmoon, Saratoga County, would not comment on why the bill hasn’t moved out of the Senate agriculture committee for many years.
 
Assemblyman Magee, chair of the Assembly agriculture committee, said nothing about the Farm Bureau holding the bill up and instead, mentioned the amendment made to the bill last session, adding the bill should be taken up by the committee this session.
 
Minkoff said Farm Bureau should not worry about  maintaining slaughter as an option for disposing of unwanted horses.
 
“There are many other ways to deal with the horse population than slaughter,” she said. She said Sunshine Horses is trying to seek its sanctuary certification so it can take in and care for more unwanted horses.
 
“They should be able to go to a sanctuary and live out their lives with dignity,” she said. “There is no reason why they have to go to slaughter.” 
 
Many news outlets, including ESPN and the New York Times, reported that 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand apparently died in a Japanese slaughterhouse in 2002, where his meat was used either in pet food or steaks for human consumption. His story often comes up during discussion of New York’s anti-slaughter bill.
 
There have been a number of protests outside the horse slaughter plant in Massueville, Quebec and a bill was introduced in Canada’s Parliament in 2010 to stop horse slaughter in that country. But it did not become law.
 
The New York Times in 2009 published commentaries both pro and con horse slaughtering. Those in favor of slaughter said there has to be an option for horse owners who need to rid themselves of expensive, old or infirmed horses. Those against horse slaughter believe there should be a more humane end for these beasts.
 
“These horses have been good companions and show horses for years,” said Minkoff, who called the slaughter process barbaric. “They deserve a lot better.”

State Senate Budget Includes More for Agriculture

A story on the sate Senate's budget plan, which includes more for agriculture and infrastructure.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/state-senate-budget-puts-more-emphasis-on-agriculture-infrastructure-20160316 to see the story from the Watertown Daily Times.

Ritchie Offers Survey on Legislative Issues

From the office of state Sen. Patty Ritchie:

Ritchie

State Sen. Patty Ritchie is encouraging Central and Northern New Yorkers to share their opinions on a variety of issues expected to come before the Senate in the coming months through her 2016 Legislative Survey. 

Ritchie’s survey, which is available at www.ritchie.nysenate.gov or by calling (315) 782-3418, focuses on a number of topics, including the following:

** Creating stronger ethics measures to increase transparency in government;

** A proposal by thegGovernor to require businesses to provide up to 12 weeks of paid family leave;

** Efforts to strengthen various sectors of our economy, including agriculture, manufacturing and technology;

** Potential increases to the minimum wage; and

** The governor’s proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility.

Last year, nearly 5,000 people took part in Ritchie’s Legislative Survey. In addition, in the past she has also gathered feedback from constituents through surveys on topics like Common Core and sportsmen’s issues.

Ritchie, Oswego County Farmers Talk about Food Hubs

From state Sen. Patricia Ritchie:

Ritchie

More than 20 Oswego County farmers and agriculture professionals met with state Sen. Patty Ritchie Wednesday for a forum to discuss the establishment of a “food hub” to link Upstate farmers with larger metro markets across New York state.

“Despite a growing demand for local foods, Upstate farmers are still facing challenges when it comes to getting their foods to large metro areas — however, a ‘food hub’ could help connect our farmers with new, larger markets across the state,” said Ritchie, who serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“I’ve had the opportunity to hear from dozens of farmers and agribusiness owners in recent months about how we can make our “food hub” venture a success and I’m looking forward to using this most recent feedback as we continue to work to expand business for our farmers and make fresh foods more accessible to people throughout our state.”

At Wednesday’s meeting in Mexico, Ritchie and other agriculture leaders, including members of the Senator’s Agriculture Advisory Council, discussed how to best utilize more than $1 million in the 2015-2016 state budget to establish food hubs.

These hubs will give farmers and agribusiness owners an opportunity to bring products to a central location where they can then be transported to major cities throughout our state, including New York City.  

This was the third forum hosted by Ritchie to discuss the establishment of ‘food hubs.’ Other forums took place in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

Earlier this week, Ritchie unveiled “Planting Seeds,” a new plan to support New York’s agriculture industry by restoring budget cuts and increasing funding for key agriculture programs in the areas of research, education and marketing, providing new tax and regulatory relief for farmers, supporting initiatives that promote food safety and creating new opportunities for veterans, as well as young people in the agriculture industry, among others. 

State Senate GOP Unveils Agriculture Plan for 2016

Ritchie

State Sen. Patricia Ritchie, chair of the state Senate agriculture committee, has unveiled her legislative plan for agriculture for the coming year in a program called "Planting Seeds."

Ritchie said the plan will continue to support New York’s family farmers and boost the agriculture economy.

Joined by members of the Senate Republican Conference, Ritchie unveiled the plan, which includes proposals to restore budget cuts and increase funding for key agriculture programs in the areas of research, education and marketing, provide new tax and regulatory relief for farmers, support initiatives that promote food safety and create new opportunities for veterans in the agriculture industry, among others. 

 “New York farms — and New York farmers — are the backbone of our rural communities and economies,” Ritchie said. “That’s why, once again, the Senate Majority Conference is making agriculture a top priority. We’re planting seeds to support the hard work of our farm families and grow the future of agriculture in New York state.”

Norton

“The success of agriculture is essential to the economic well-being of our rural communities. The Senate Majority’s plan focuses on critical areas including program funding, research, new farmer initiatives and agricultural education," said New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton.

"They are all pieces of the puzzle that will assist in growing an industry that supports thousands of jobs and a healthy, safe food supply said.

"We are poised for incredible growth in farming and food production if we can simply take advantage of the sometimes insurmountable opportunities that exist today," said Julie Suarez, assistant dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. 

"By providing support for the critical partnership between New York state and the Land Grant mission at Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Senate is showing incredible leadership for the research based knowledge that gives New York's farm families an economic advantage in today's marketplace," Suarez said.

In addition, Planting Seeds also proposes new programs to grow agriculture in the region Ritchie represents.  

Under the plan, a new “North Country Ag Academy” would be created.  Modeled after a similar program in Western New York, the Ag Academy would provide hands-on learning experiences for aspiring young farmers to learn and practice the agricultural arts, and prepare them for future careers.

Planting Seeds also proposes the creation of an agriculture management program at SUNY Canton, which for many students could serve as a lower-cost alternative to a traditional four-year agriculture degree program. 

Originally founded as the School of Agriculture at St. Lawrence, the college eliminated most agriculture-related degrees in the 1990s. The Senate’s plan would support the provision of staff to provide courses and real work experience allowing students to study marketing, technology, and other practical skills necessary to survive and thrive in the farming industry.

Planting Seeds builds upon key elements of the Senate Republicans’ successful Young Farmers and Grown in New York programs that have been enacted over the last five years. In addition to reductions in broad based tax rates and a statewide property tax cap that is reining in school and municipal taxes, a Senate Republican initiative to limit increases in agricultural land assessments has already saved farmers more than $11 million in its very first year. 

Other measures have reduced the estate tax to help preserve the tradition of family farming, connected young farmers with grants to help them start a new business, and reduced educational costs for those interested in beginning a farming career.

For full details of the Planting Seeds program, go to www.ritchie.nysenate.gov

FFA Students, Farmland Protection Official, Attend Senate Ag Committee Meeting Today

From the office of state Sen.Patricia Ritchie:

Students representing FFA chapters from the South Jefferson Central School District and Belleville Henderson Central School District joined state Sen. Patty Ritchie Tuesday, Feb. 9 at the second Senate Agriculture Committee meeting of the year, taking place at her office in Albany.

“The future of farming depends on young people who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture,” said Ritchie, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“These students have already learned so much not only about the industry, but also about leadership, teamwork and community service.  I’m excited to welcome them to tomorrow’s meeting, and also to hear more about how they’re already, at a very young age, contributing to the success of New York agriculture.”

In addition to local FFA students, also in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting will be New York State FFA President, Sara Millspaugh.

In addition to FFA students, David Haight, state Director for the American Farmland Trust, will join attendees to discuss efforts to protect farmland and promote agricultural economic development.  

In his role with the American Farmland Trust, Haight aids state and federal legislators as they work on agricultural and land conversation legislation. In this role, he has helped coordinate projects that have permanently protected more than 4,000 acres of New York farmland.