Agriculture Academy Sees Enrollment Climb

Check out this story from the Watertown Daily Times.

Go to https://www.nny360.com/news/stlawrencecounty/student-enrollment-climbs-at-agriculture-academy-for-st-lawrence-county/article_71bf5420-7b7c-5aa4-a04c-934b1c91bc52.html to see the story about this agriculture academy.

Soil Health Program Coming Up Aug. 7 in Madrid

Info on an important program coming up Aug. 5 in St. Lawrence County.

New Food Processor Job To Bring More Local Foods to School Cafeterias

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/new-food-processor-job-created-to-bring-more-local-food-to-school-cafeterias-20180405 to check out the story.

Agbotic Welcomes Hermon DeKalb Students to Celebrate Farm-to-School Work

Nice story out of the North Country.

Check it out at http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/ogd/agbotic-welcomes-herman-dekalb-students-20171008 this link.

Craft Beer Trail Bill Passes State Senate

From State Sen. Patty Ritchie's office:

A bill that would help support local businesses and farmers by creating a “craft beer trail” has passed the New York state Senate. 

New York state-grown hops

Similar to the way in which wine trails have been established throughout the state, the bill sponsored y Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, (S.1914) would create a unique tourist destination — known as the “North Country Craft Beer Trail” — by linking craft breweries in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

“More and more frequently, people are looking to eat—and drink—locally made products,” said Ritchie, who serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“By creating the North Country Craft Beer Trail, and potentially establishing other Craft Beer Trails throughout the state in the future, we can support local businesses, create jobs and boost the bottom lines of our hardworking farmers.”

In recent years, New York’s craft beer sector has grown dramatically, with the number of breweries growing from 95 in 2012 to 320 in 2016. In addition, New York state is fourth in the country when it comes to craft beer production and the industry has a total economic impact of $4 billion. 

This legislation is the latest effort by Ritchie to highlight locally produced goods. Last week, the Senate passed two measures supported by Ritchie that will help expand markets for New York’s hard working farmers, which will provide the opportunity to easily enjoy fresh, locally grown products across the state.

The measure was sent to the Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Assemblyman Bill Magee. 

Veterinarians Can Apply Now for Loan Repayment Program

From NEW YORK STATE
 
Qualified veterinarians who agree to provide veterinary services for livestock in Delaware, Sullivan and St. Lawrence counties can now apply for the 2017 Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program.
 
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. It was created to provide incentives for veterinarians to fill the most serious veterinary shortage situations in the U.S. to protect the food supply and preserve animal and public health.
 
“This program addresses critical veterinary needs in our state and across the nation while providing valuable work experience for many highly skilled doctors,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. 

“It encourages veterinarians to practice in communities that play an important role in maintaining the food supply but that also have limited access to vital animal care," Ball said. "By improving veterinary medicine in these areas, we can ensure our animals are healthier and threats to public health are reduced.”
 
The program will pay up to $25,000 per year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a National Institute of Food and Agriculture-designated veterinarian shortage area for three years. State Animal Health Officials identify about 185 priority shortage situations across the U.S. each year.
 
In New York State, Delaware, Sullivan and St. Lawrence counties are considered high-priority shortage areas. A map of all National Institute of Food and Agriculture-designated veterinary shortage situations can be found at https://nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp-map .
 
About $4.2 million will be awarded nationwide to veterinarians serving in public, private or specialty practices in the areas of food animal medicine, public health, epidemiology and food safety.
 
To be eligible to apply to the program, an applicant must:
 
** Have a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or the equivalent, by July 1, 2017, from an eligible college;
** Have a minimum qualifying educational loan debt of $15,000;
** Secure an offer of employment or establish and/or maintain a practice in a National Institute of Food and Agriculture-designated veterinary shortage situation;
** Provide certifications and verifications as defined in the Request for Applications;
** Satisfy any previous obligation for veterinary service to the federal government, state government, or other entity prior to beginning service under the loan repayment program; and
** Not have a federal judgment lien against his/her property arising from federal debt.
 
Applications for the loan repayment program must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, May 26. Veterinarians awarded funding in 2014 and 2015 may submit a renewal application.
 
More information about the program is available at https://nifa.usda.gov/program/veterinary-medicine-loan-repayment-program .

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.

St. Lawrence County Dairy Farmer New President of NY Farm Bureau

From New York Farm Bureau

David Fisher

David Fisher, a dairy farmer from St. Lawrence County, is the new president of New York Farm Bureau.

He succeeds Dean Norton, who has been president for eight years. He was elected by voting delegates at the statewide New York Farm Bureau annual meeting held this past week in Albany.

Fisher and his family have operated Mapleview Dairy in Madrid for four generations. He has served on the New York Farm Bureau Board of Directors for the past five years and previously was president of St. Lawrence County Farm Bureau. A graduate of Cornell University, Fisher earned a degree in Animal Science.

“I am humbled that the farmer members of New York Farm Bureau have placed their confidence in me to lead this great organization," Fisher said. "My family has a long history with Farm Bureau, and I am excited to work on behalf of our diverse membership to increase the value and visibility of New York agriculture. I would also like to thank Dean Norton for his service and commitment to New York Farm Bureau.”

Vice President Eric Ooms, a dairy farmer from Columbia County, was re-elected to his position.

In addition, representatives to the state Board of Directors were elected, too. This concluded the annual two-day long meeting where resolutions were discussed and voted on to set NYFB’s 2017 public policy agenda.

Those elected include Pat McCormick of Wyoming County, re-elected as District 2 Director; Lin Davidson of Tompkins County was elected as District 4 Director; Jacob Schieferstine of Oneida County was re-elected as District 6 Director; Dean Casey of Rensselaer County, re-elected as District 8 Director; Chris Kelder of Ulster County, re-elected as District 10 Director; Kristen Brown of Orange County as the new Young Farmer and Rancher Chair on the State Board and Phyllis Couture of Cattaraugus County was re-elected as the Promotion and Education Chairperson on the State Board.

In addition, New York Farm Bureau handed out the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards to two worthy individuals who have made an impact on New York Farm Bureau and agriculture in this state. 

The awardees were Chris Fesko of Spafford and a member of Onondaga County Farm Bureau, and Michael DellaRocco of Melrose,  a member of Rensselaer County Farm Bureau.

Finally, New York Farm Bureau announced two recipients of 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 were Joe and June Swyers of Livingston County Farm Bureau and Brad and Carolyn Almeter of Wyoming County Farm Bureau.

A Snapshot of Farming in St. Lawrence County NY

Check out this http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/32893/20161110/a-snapshot-of-farming-in-st-lawrence-county New York ag story from North Country Public Radio.

Agricultural Hearing Tonight (Nov. 3) in St. Lawrence County

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/st-lawrence-county-agricultural-hearing-tonight-20161103 to check out the story.

Soybean Processing Plant Receives OK for Tax Exempt Bonds

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/proposed-soybean-processing-plant-receives-approval-for-10-million-tax-exempt-revenue-bonds-20161026 to check out the story from the Watertown Daily Times.

Grand Opening for St. Lawrence County Wine Trail Set for Oct. 8

The St. Lawrence County Wine Trail is ready to officially open.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/new-directional-signs-mark-st-lawrence-countys-new-wine-trail-grand-opening-celebration-set-for-oct-8-20150930 this story to check it out.

Montana Woman Stops in St. Lawrence County During Cross-Country Horseback Tour

Cool story.

Check it out at http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/montana-woman-stops-in-st-lawrence-county-during-cross-country-horseback-tour--20150420

New Ag Development Plan Being Created in St. Lawrence County

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/dco/new-agriculture-plan-being-created-for-st-lawrence-county-input-wanted-20150306 to see the story.

Program on Research Results Set for Feb. 27 in Chazy

From the North Country Agricultural Development Program:

North Country farmers will hear the results of on-farm research funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at the Miner Institute in Chazy.

Registration is not required to attend.

The afternoon program is expected to have presentations on:
 
** The Juneberry ‘superfruit’ nursery established with Northern New York Agricultural Development Program funding at the Willsboro Research Farm,
** The latest corn grain variety trials results,
** An update on the Northern New York corn and soybean disease survey and database results which has identifying emerging and potentially new challenges for regional crop producers,
** How evaluating alfalfa-grass crops before and after harvest can improve forage quality,
** Mastitis-causing pathogens that are becoming more prevalent in NY dairy herds,
** Parasite management strategies for sheep and goat producers, and
** Update on how the long-term Northern New York Agricultural Development Program funding that successfully developed a biocontrol for managing alfalfa snout beetle is paying off with extension of the protocol to manage pests in other agricultural systems in Northern New York and statewide.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a farmer-driven research and technical assistance program serving all sectors of the agricultural industry, from dairy and crops to livestock, maple and horticultural production, in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton and Essex  counties.

Learn more and find research reports posted online at www.nnyagdev.org.

Organic Landscape and Turf Management and Farm Transitioning Courses Set

Two courses are coming up soon in the north country.

A webinar about organic options for landscape and turf management is set for 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2043 Route 68, Canton. To register, call 379-9192 or email Paul Hetzler at ph59@cornell.edu.
 
A course about farm transition called “Managing for Today and Tomorrow: Farm Transition Planning,” for farm women is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays Feb. 10 through March 10, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm, 2043 Route 68, Canton. 

The cost is $75 per person which includes a workbook and lunch. The program is limited to 15 people. 

To register, call or email Kimberley Morrill, 379-9192, kmm434@cornell.edu or go to pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events.cfm, prior to Friday, Jan. 30.

Meetings Focus on Northern New York Farm Successes

News from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program:

North County farmers who want to learn more about the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program's latest projects should come to meetings Jan. 30 in Watertown and Feb. 27 in Chazy.

The research report sessions begin at 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Watertown and at Miner Institute in Chazy. Registration is not required to attend.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a farmer-driven research and technical assistance program serving all sectors of the agricultural industry, from dairy and crops to livestock, maple and horticultural production, in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

"The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is noted for producing real-world, practical results, and the 2014 project reports live up to that expectation," says program Co-Chair Jon Greenwood, a dairy producer in St. Lawrence County.

"Northern New York Agricultural Development Program small grants connect North Country farmers with faculty, researchers, and specialists with Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the State University of New York, W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, and other expertise to address critical needs and emerging opportunities," says program Co-Chair Joe Giroux, a Clinton County dairyman.

Reports at the meetings will cover:

** Emerging corn and soybean diseases
** The identification of mastitis-causing pathogens
** Corn grain variety trials under Northern New York growing conditions
** Evaluating alfalfa-grass mixes for dairy and livestock forage
** Production practices for the Juneberry superfruit
** Health management for sheep and goats, and
** How the inexpensive biocontrol developed with long-term program funding to beat back the highly-destructive alfalfa snout beetle now holds promise for helping fruit and vegetable growers statewide.

One of the acclaimed Northern New York Agricultural Development Program successes came through long-term funding that provided the time needed for Cornell University researchers to develop an inexpensive, biocontrol treatment that substantially reduced the impact of the highly-destructive alfalfa snout beetle. 

The concept of using native nematodes that destroy the larvae of the beetle is now being applied in trials to reduce other types of pests in strawberry crops in Northern New York, in apple and grape crops elsewhere in the state, and at the Battle Island Golf Course outside Fulton, NY.

As time allows, the meeting may also make note of recent program projects focused on winter forage crops production for the dairy and livestock industries; enhancing agricultural environmental stewardship through tile drainage, nutrient recycling, and on-farm water quality; adapting to climate change; enhancing market opportunities for North Country beef producers; and season extension for fruit and vegetable growers.

Complete research reports are posted on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org <http://www.nnyagdev.org> . For more details on the annual meetings, call 376-5270.

According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, 4,365 farms in Northern New York manage more than 1.1 million acres of farmland with a hired labor payroll of more than $67.2 million. Those numbers represent a gain of 97 farms, 64,487 acres, and $15 million in payroll since the 2007 census.
 

St. Lawrence County Wine Trail Included in State Senate Budget Proposal

Go to http://northcountrynow.com/business/st-lawrence-county-wine-trail-included-state-senates-budget-proposal-0110575 to check it out.

Bill Introduced for St. Lawrence County Wine Trail

State Sen. Patricia Ritchie just posted this on Facebook:

"I've just introduced my bill (S.6321) to create the St. Lawrence County Wine Trail. Stretching from Lisbon to Brasher, the Trail will help promote quality North Country wines, boost tourism and help farmers and this new industry grow, just as trails in Jefferson County and across the state have already done."

Here's a map to go with the post: 

St. Lawrence Brewing Co. Opens

Go to http://watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130622/NEWS05/706229935 to check out the story.