Farmers and Artisans Offer Western NY Agriculture Holiday Tables

Nice story from a former colleague, Scott Scanlon, who now is at the Buffalo News.

Read it http://buffalonews.com/2016/12/09/farmers-artisans-offers-wny-agriculture-holiday-tables/ by going to this link.

Man Killed at Western New York Animal Safari Business

Go to http://cnycentral.com/news/local/deputies-animal-safari-owner-gored-to-death-by-animal to see the story.

Western New York Greenhouse Owner Back on his Feet Thanks to New York Power Authority

One of the Zittel greenhouses.

Amos Zittel & Sons, a large Buffalo-area farm, has rebuilt two acres of greenhouse space destroyed in a severe snowstorm, using funds from the New York Power Authority to help support 30 jobs.

New York Power Authority provided $380,000 for the $2.5 million project from money authorized by the Western New York Power Proceeds Act. 

It allows for net earnings of unused power from the authority's Niagara Power Project to be sold into the wholesale electricity market in order to spur capital investments and job creation in Western New York.

“This is precisely the result that Governor Cuomo had in mind when he signed the Proceeds Act in 2012,” said power authority President an Chief Executive Officer Gil C. Quiniones.

“Proceeds funding allows for NYPA to be a more flexible economic development engine, turning power earmarked for the region into dollars that can be used in ways power alone cannot,” he said.

Amos Zittel & Sons, a fresh market vegetable producer with a significant greenhouse operation, has finished building state-of-the-art greenhouses that will allow the farm to be more competitive with its rooted liner and finished annual flower business. In addition, the farm plans to extend its vegetable growing season this fall by producing an organic vegetable crop.

Zittel had applied for the money following a crippling 2014 storm that destroyed two large greenhouses. The new project will facilitate the retention of 25 jobs and the creation of five new positions.

“The Power Authority’s support of our business enabled us to build back our greenhouse operation and make it more energy efficient than ever,” said co-owner Bill Zittel. “We want to thank NYPA for providing financial aid at such a critical time.”

Under the Proceeds Act, eligible applicants must be located within a 30-mile radius of the Niagara project and their proposed initiatives must underpin the growth of a business. 

Consideration is also given to how providing the money would be consistent with the strategies and priorities of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. 

Power authority trustees have approved about $32 million in power proceeds funding for 36 Western New York enterprises.

Visit the Grape Discovery Center

Hey folks.

This looks like a great place to visit. A lot of people in New York forget about western New York as a grape and wine region. This is where all those deep, purple Concord grapes are grown for grape juice. That section of the grape industry contributes a lot to the economy.

The Grape Discovery Center opened in May 2013. Read more at http://www.grapediscoverycenter.com/?www.grapediscoverycenter.com

Winter Dairy Programs Set for Northern and Western New York

From Cornell Cooperative Extension:

The Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of Northern New York, Quality Milk Production Services, and Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team are partnering to present winter dairy programs on cattle housing and handling, cow comfort, animal welfare, and communicating positive messages about cattle welfare.

Dairy specialists with the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Vermont Department of Animal and Veterinary Services will speak in programs to be offered from 10am to 3 p.m. on:

** Jan. 12 in Burrville at Farm Credit East
** Jan. 13 at Extension offices in Canton in Northern New York and in Albion, Canandaigua and Warsaw in Western New York and
** Jan.. 14 in Chazy at the Miner Institute.

Speakers at the Jan. 12, 13 and 14 programs are:
Dr. Katie Proudfoot, dairy handling and cow comfort
Dr. Julie M. Smith, animal welfare in the milking parlor
Dr. Kimberley Morrill, calf comfort an cold weather considerations.


Internet broadcasting and webinar technology will make the programs possible in multiple sites.

On Jan. 20, American Dairy Association and Dairy Council and Upstate Niagara Cooperative representatives will present information on the National Dairy F.A.R.M. Program and on communicating positive messages about dairy cattle welfare. The programs will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.in Burrville, Canton and Chazy in Northern New York and Albion, Canandaigua and Warsaw in Western New York.

F.A.R.M. is the acronym for Farmers Assuring Responsible Management. The National Dairy F.A.R.M. Program is a nationwide, verifiable animal wellbeing program being adopted by dairy producers and cooperatives across the United States.

Speakers at the January 20 program are:Beth Meyer, Vice President for Industry Communications with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council
Sara Gillette, a Senior Animal Well-Being Specialist and Area Manager with the Upstate Niagara Cooperative, and a certified National Milk Producers Federation trainer and evaluator..

The fee to cover two programs in Northern NY is $75 if you preregister by Jan. 4 or $95 at the door. Contact 315-379-9192 or go to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/_10512

Registration for two programs in Western NY is $75 for those enrolled in the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crop Team program, $95 for non-enrollees. For more information or to register, call 585-786-2251 or go to http://wyoming.cce.cornell.edu/dairy-institute. 

Snow Wreaks Havoc on Western NY Farms

Here are two more stories on how the snowstorm in Western New York is affecting farmers:

Go to http://www.dairyherd.com/news/buffalo-area-dairies-dig-out-record-blizzard
and http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/weather/in-eden-cows-suffer-as-barns-collapse-under-snows-weight-20141122

Farm Bureau Reacts to Western NY Snow

Statement from New York Farm Bureau president on snow in Western New York:

“Our immediate concerns are with those farms that are dealing with the devastating impacts of the record snowfall," said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau.

"The snow load weighing down the roofs of barns and greenhouses remains a serious concern, and we encourage all farmers to keep a close watch on the conditions and prepare to move people, animals and equipment to a safer location if need be.

Dean Norton

"New York Farm Bureau is working with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the rest of the team with the State Office of Emergency Management and Cornell Cooperative Extension to monitor the damage and response," he said. 

"In addition, we have been in touch with our Congressional delegation as well concerning needs and resources. We greatly appreciate everyone’s hard work in this emergency situation. New York Farm Bureau will assist our members to navigate any disaster assistance should it become available,” Norton said.

Massive Snowstorm Hampers Milk Collections

Yes, that killer storm out in Western New York is affecting farmers.

Read the story http://www.agweb.com/article/new-york-storm-hampers-milk-collections--catherine-merlo/ at this link.