Young Farmers Advisory Board Bill Signs by Cuomo

From staff reports

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed the bill creating a “Young Farmers Advisory Board.”

State Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, said the bill she sponsored would bring together leading agriculture experts to help protect the future of family farming in New York. 

The new law creates a 20-member board, made up of farmers, representatives of agricultural organizations and state agencies, to find ways to attract next-generation farmers, and connect them with existing state resources that will help them succeed. 
 
“If we want to make sure that agriculture remains our state’s leading industry, it’s imperative that we continue to come up with new, fresh ideas that will encourage more young people to consider careers in farming,” said Ritchie, who also is chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. 
 
“There’s no better way to do that than to tap into the experience and expertise of our state’s hardworking farmers,” she said. “I am pleased to see this bill become law and look forward to seeing how the Young Farmers Advisory Board will help those new to agriculture achieve success and in turn, preserve the future of family farming for many years to come.”
 
It is estimated that in five years, there will be 100,000 young farmers needed nationally and in New York, the average age of a farmer is 57 — making initiatives like the Young Farmers Advisory Board especially important to the future of the industry. 
 
“The future of farming in New York State depends on encouraging young people to pursue careers in agriculture,” said Assemblyman William Magee, who sponsored the legislation in the Assembly and is chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. 

“Through the new Young Farmers Advisory Board, those who have achieved success in agriculture can continue to help pave the way for those who will follow in their footsteps and provide the guidance needed to help new and beginning farmers thrive,” Magee said.
 
In the 2017-2018 state budget, Ritchie helped obtain $1 million for a fourth round of the “New Farmers Grant Fund.” The grant program provides up to $50,000 for agriculture professionals to help offset startup costs with equipment and land purchases. 
 
More than 70 beginning farmers already have shared in the $2.5 million in grants to help them build their farm businesses. In addition, Ritchie secured $150,000 in the recent state budget to continue the “student loan forgiveness program” to help those who commit to careers in farming cover their education expenses.   

7 New Yorkers Participate in Holstein Foundation's Young Dairy Leaders Institute

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

From staff reports
 
The Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute kicks off Phase I of its 10th class Feb. 8-11 in Phoenix, Ariz.
 
Sixty young adults from 17 U.S. states, as well as Canada and Mexico, will be a part of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 10, a cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation.
 
Participating from New York state are:
 
Carolyn Abbott, Selkirk, Albany County
 
Patricia Gilbert, Potsdam, St. Lawrence County
 
Rayne Ives, Remsen, Oneida County
 
Corey Kayhart, Bergen, Genesee County
 
Jess May, Odessa, Schuyler County
 
Nicholas Randle, Ithaca, Tompkins County
 
Holley Weeks, Farmington, Ontario County
 
Before Phase I workshops begin, the class will have an opportunity to tour two Phoenix area farms -- Danzeisen and Rijaarsdam dairies.
 
The three-phase program takes place over 12 months. Phase I includes hands-on workshops to improve attendees’ leadership, communication, and advocacy skills, while offering opportunities for networking and building enthusiasm for the dairy industry.
 
Phase II, takes place in the year between Phase I and III, during which class members develop and use their new skills in a community outreach project of their choice.
 
Phase III, held Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2018, will focus on group leadership skills and topics such as advanced communication training, conflict resolution skills, and influencing public policy. Class members will also give presentations on their Phase II projects.
 
The Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 10 sponsors are:
 
Platinum Sponsors: Allflex USA, CHS Foundation, Dean Foods Foundation, Holstein Association USA, Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, and Zoetis.
 
Gold Sponsors: Cargill, DairyBusiness Communications, Farm Credit System Foundation, Hoard’s Dairyman, Deere & Company and Land O’Lakes.
 
Silver Sponsors: Center for Dairy Excellence, Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Management Inc. and Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association.
 
Bronze Sponsors: Robert L. Cain Fund, COBA/Select Sires, Farm Credit Northeast Ag Enhancement, GEA Farm Technologies, Inc., Horace Backus Fund, Merial Ltd. and Paul Mueller Co.
 
The first class was held in 1994, and the program now boasts more than 500 alumni.
 
For more information about Young Dairy Leaders Institute and other Holstein Foundation programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Jodi Hoynoski, at (800) 952-5200, ext. 4261 or by email, at jhoynoski@holstein.com.

New York Invests in Next Generation of Farmers

Good report from WRVO.

Check it out http://wrvo.org/post/new-york-investing-next-generation-farmers#stream/0 at this link.

FarmNet Director Discusses Passing Farms to Younger Generations

A good read from the Watertown Daily Times.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/farmnet-director-discusses-passing-farm-ownership-to-younger-generations-in-senate-ag-meeting-20160511 to check out the story.

Peterson Brothers Visit Syracuse

Want to read something about the recent visit to Syracuse by those farm parody guys, the Peterson Brothers?

Go to https://www.morningagclips.com/peterson-brothers-meet-morning-ag-clips/ to check out a blog and a Q and A with the brothers. 

Peterson Brothers of Parody Fame to Speak at 2016 Celebration of Agriculture Conference

The Peterson Brothers of farm song parody fame are coming to Central New York.

The brothers will speak at the 2016 Celebration of Agriculture Conference Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in DeWitt.

 Come and learn from the Peterson brothers, who have made agriculture a common theme and learning experience via social media. Attendees will be able to pick up some pointers from the brothers on how to enrich your farm image, share your success stories and get the biggest bang from your operation.

Farmers from Kansas, the brothers are well known on YouTube for their parodies with agricultural themes. There often are some good educational tips in the songs too.

Also at the conference, attendees will be able to attend a variety of workshops covering photography, public speaking, enhancing your farm image and adding dollars to a county farm bureau treasury.

There also will be and extended Young Farmers conference with networking, leadership programs and tours.

A morning session for young farmers Saturday, March 12 will feature Greg Peterson of the Peterson Brothers. 

For more details, to view the conference agenda or to find a registration form, go to http://bit.ly/1ZpZ3wL

Meal registration deadline is March 2. For information or to answer other questions, call (800) 342-4143 or email membersupport@nyfb.org

Go to http://www.dailyliked.net/farmers-feed-the-world/ to see a couple of the song parodies.

Miss America to Promote Agriculture

Well, it's about time.

Check this out -- http://beefmagazine.com/blog/miss-america-betty-cantrell-promote-agriculture-platform

Farming Is a Public Service

Check out this story everyone.

Go to http://www.cleveland.com/cooking/index.ssf/2016/02/farming_is_a_public_service_an.html to see the story.

Matchmaking Young Farmers with Available Land

Interesting story from the Hartford Courant.

Check it out at http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-farmer-to-farmer-matchmaking-20151130-story.html

Young Farmer Testifies Before Congress

Something to check out.

Go to http://www.youngfarmers.org/farmer-testifies-to-congress-about-student-loans/ to read the story.

Farmers Can Apply for Money to Fund Projects on the Farm

From the state Department of Agriculture and Markets:

A total of $1 million is available to assist new farmers in New York state begin their careers.

Now in its second year, the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund will build upon a successful 2015 when more than $610,000 was awarded to 19 farms across the state in order to support the continued growth of New York’s agricultural industry.
 
The $1 million New Farmers Grant Fund will provide grants of up to 50 percent of total project costs. Funds may provide a minimum of $15,000 and maximum of $50,000 for up to 50 percent of project costs with the remaining 50 percent being matched by the recipient.
 
Eligible project costs include the purchase of farm machinery, supplies and equipment, and construction or improvement of farm buildings. 

Empire State Development, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, will administer the fund, which is open to New York farmers in the first 10 years of having a farm operation of 150 acres or less.
 
The application and guidelines for the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund are available online and the deadline for submission is Jan.22.

Go to http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/grants-gateway-new-farmers-wny  for both the application and guidelines.

Lowville Academy Grad Finishes Strong at National Competition

Willits

Ashley Willits, a Morrisville State College student from Copenhagen, Lewis County, earned a spot in the "Sweet 16" as one of the top finishers in the Collegiate Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Nashville.

Willits, who represented the New York Farm Bureau, was one of 47 participants in the meet. She is a freshman in the agriculture business program and qualified for the national competition after placing first at the New York State Collegiate Discussion Meet competition held at Morrisville State.

During the three-day leadership and development conference in Tennessee, Willits participated in many educational sessions where she learned about the Farm Bill, growing trends in the agricultural industry and how to be a better leader.

The Collegiate Discussion Meet is a competition in which four contestants simulate a committee meeting where they discuss rising issues in the agricultural industry and develop possible solutions for these problems, taking into account how the problems change across state boundaries. 

Judging is based on contestants’ constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.

Willits has extensive experience in the agriculture industry, having served as the 2013-2014 president of the New York State FFA Association and as chapter reporter and secretary and the District VI President on the 2012-2013 State Officer Team. 

She was a state finalist in 2012 and 2013 in the Prepared Speaking and Job Interview Career Development Event and was a national finalist in 2010 for the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event. She also was a member of the National Poultry Judging Team in 2011 and was the recipient of the 2014 Empire State Potato Growers Association Scholarship.

She also has traveled with the National FFA Organization to South Africa as a part of the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. The two-week long trip gave participants the opportunity to volunteer in a South African community, meet agricultural leaders, explore South African agriculture, and gain a better understanding of the global marketplace.

Willits, a 2014 graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School, is the daughter of Jennifer and Melvin Phelps of Copenhagen.

Have You Signed Up for the Local Food Directories?

Go to http://www.youngfarmers.org/usda-launches-local-food-directories-but-still-needs-more-listings/ to find out more.

Young Farmers Ask Cuomo to Support Land Access Legislation

Go to http://www.youngfarmers.org/new-yorks-young-farmers-ask-governor-cuomo-to-support-land-access-legislation/ to see the story.

Farm Bill's Effects on New Farmers Subject of Sept. 9 Program

The USDA is conducting a discussion at 3 p.m. Sept. 9 on how the Farm Bill is affecting new and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Check out a story about the program at http://ruralcommunitybuilding.fb.org/2014/09/04/the-farm-bills-impact-on-new-farmers/ this link.

Retaining Youth to Work in Ag in Upstate NY

Interesting read on retaining youth in ag careers in Upstate New York.

Go to http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/lifestyles/article_9aa93186-325a-11e4-b5d4-001a4bcf887a.html to check it out.

What Does a Farmer Look Like?

A great piece.

Read http://www.huffingtonpost.com/val-wagner/anatomy-of-a-farmer_b_5155732.html?utm_content=buffer0865d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer this blog. It may be written by a person from North Dakota, but the thought is universal.

What If There Were No Farmers?

A column by state Sen. Patricia Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie

From the food we eat to the products we use, not a day goes by that we don’t have a farmer to thank for helping to provide life’s necessities. 

But, what if there weren’t any farmers?  As recent research suggests, that’s a question we should be considering. 

Farming is our state’s most important industry, it’s also a way of life handed down from generation to generation. But as the recent USDA Census of Agriculture depicted, the average New York farmer is changing. According to the report, the average age of New York farmers is 57.1 years, with two farmers aged 65 and older for each one under 35.  

In addition, the survey also pointed to the fact that roughly 50,000 acres of farmland were lost in New York in each of the past five years. There are a number of factors—including skyrocketing start-up expenses, tight profit margins and high risk—that are contributing to this change. 

As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, protecting and preserving the farming industry is a top priority for me.  That’s why I recently unveiled my “Young Farmers NY” plan to help address issues related to the advancing age of New York’s farming population as well as protect the future of family farming by encouraging more young people to consider careers in agriculture and reducing financial roadblocks to starting a new agriculture business. 

Highlights of my “Young Farmers NY” plan include:

• Loans, grants and tax credits for the sale or lease of land and equipment, as well as for new technological innovations;

• Estate tax reforms to encourage farm preservation from generation to generation; and

• Agricultural education efforts including apprenticeship programs, student loan forgiveness and increased funding for the in-school FFA (Future Farmers of America) program.

This plan builds upon the hard work we’ve done in recent years to foster growth in the agriculture industry.  For the past three years, I have successfully fought alongside my colleagues to restore budget funds affecting key agricultural research, education and marketing programs.  

In addition, I was also pleased to back the “Grown in New York Plan,” and other important new laws that support our state’s hardworking farmers, including a cap on farmland tax assessments to cut land taxes and additional funding for efforts that promote farm safety, research and marketing.

Hardworking farmers are the foundation of New York State and in the weeks to come, I’ll be working just as hard to help support initiatives that encourage growth in the agriculture industry and ensure it stays vibrant for many years to come.

Plan to Help Young Farmers Gains Bipartisan OK

From the office of state Sen. Patricia Ritchie:

Sen. Patricia Ritchie’s “Young Farmers NY” plan to secure the future of family farming and encourage more young people to pursue careers in agriculture won bipartisan approval Sunday March 16 as part of the Senate’s state budget plan that also included nearly $9 million in new investments in programs to help farmers grow.

That amount is the largest increase in support for agricultural research, marketing and education programs in at least six years.

Senator Ritchie’s Young Farmers NY plan was modeled on successful programs in other states that are bringing young people back to agriculture.

“To keep farms growing from generation to generation, we need to break down some of the barriers to young farmers, such as the high cost of farmland and equipment, education and red tape,” said Ritchie, who chairs the Senate’s Agriculture Committee.

“Approval of my Young Farmers plan by the Senate is a step toward ensuring that family farmers will continue to feed New Yorkers into the future," she said.

Young Farmers NY included a number of provisions intended to ease the passage of farms across generations, as well as help beginning farmers star their own successful farm businesses, including:

· a $5 million revolving loan fund to help beginning farmers purchase land and equipment, and tax credits to encourage retiring farmers to sell their business to another farmer, instead of a developer;

· $1 million in innovation grants to provide start-up funding for novice farmers;

· Farm Savings Accounts to encourage families to save for the purchase of a first farm;

· An apprentice program for beginning farmers, administered by local BOCES;

· Student loan forgiveness;

· Increased funding for high school based ag education.

In addition to embracing the Young Farmers plan, the Senate also approved increased funding for agricultural programs, as well as funding for new initiatives.

The $9 million in added funding is a significant increase, and continues Senator Ritchie’s efforts to reverse years of cuts that occurred before she joined the Senate, and which devastated many programs that farmers relied on to improve their bottom line and help their businesses grow.

Senate GOP Introduces "Young Farmers NY" Program; Will Include Funding for it In Budget Resolution

Sen. Patricia Ritchie, center, is pictured at the press conference with Jessica and Orion Behling, left, of Mexico, Oswego County, New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton, at podium, and Sen. Cathy Young, right.

State Sen. Patricia Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today unveiled her “Young Farmers NY” plan to address issues related to the advancing average age of New York farmers and to preserve the future of family farming.  

The initiative will support and encourage a new generation of farmers and help strengthen the state’s leading industry for decades to come.

“Young Farmers NY,” which was announced today at a Capitol news conference, is a series of proposals to smooth the transfer of farmland to the next generation, preserve existing farmland, and help young farmers overcome obstacles to give them a greater opportunity for a successful career in agriculture.

 “Farming is critically important to the economic success of our state. It’s also a way of life, handed down from generation to generation,” Ritchie said. “But the next generation of family farmers is being driven off the land by skyrocketing start-up expenses, tight profit margins, and high risk. 

"The real risk we face is a continuing decline in family farms if we don’t do more to preserve them by investing in the next generation of farmers. The Senate plan would do that and more,” she said.

The Senator was joined at the news conference by Orion and Jessica Behling, co-operators of Behling Orchards, a family-run apple farm in Mexico, Oswego County. Orion is also president of Young Farmers and Ranchers of Oswego County.

“When farming is in your family's DNA, it's hard to imagine doing anything else," Orion Behling said. "Farming is hard work at any age, but beginning farmers face particular challenges in starting their business, and the Senate's plan takes away some of the uncertainty, and helps us create a foundation for future success.”

Young Farmers NY is in response to research that shows the average age of New York farmers is increasing, as fewer young people pursue farming careers.  

According to new data from the USDA Census of Agriculture, the average age of New York farmers is now 57.1 years. There are two farmers aged 65 and older for each one under age 35.  This and other factors lead to farmland being lost forever to development.  About 50,000 acres of farmland were lost in New York in each of the last five years, the federal agency reported.

Young Farmers NY addresses these problems in two ways, by helping to encourage more young people to consider a farming career, and by reducing financial roadblocks to starting a new agriculture business. The plan calls for a state investment of more than $30 million.

Highlights of the Young Farmers NY program include:

• Loans, grants and tax credits for the sale or lease of land and equipment, as well as for new technological innovations;

• Estate tax reforms to encourage farm preservation from generation to generation; and

• Agricultural education efforts including an apprenticeship program, student loan forgiveness and increased funding for the in-school Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

"As the average age of farmers grows each year, it is imperative that we encourage and promote the development of our young farmer community," said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau and a dairy farmer in Genesee County. 

"This plan is designed to not only help young farmers that are already involved in agriculture, but to get more young people involved in farming. New York Farm Bureau thanks Senator Skelos, Senator Ritchie and the Senate Republican Conference for their work to ensure that New York State agriculture remains the state’s top industry,” Norton said.

Additional components of the Young Farmers NY program include the following:

LAND OWNERSHIP

The biggest single obstacle to starting a farm business is the high cost of land, equipment and supplies for starting farmers. 

Long-time farmers face pressure to sell to developers for higher prices than can be gained from keeping land in farming, lenders can be wary of extending credit to untested new farmers, and the state’s tax code makes it difficult for farmers to pass on their business to the next generation. Young Farmers NY seeks to help prospective farmers overcome these obstacles.

• Young Farmer Farm Preservation Tax Credit: Provides eligible farmers with up to 10 percent of the sale or rental price for the sale or lease of land or equipment to a new farmer. This preserves farmland, allows retiring farmers a more equitable return on their lifelong investment, and lowers the cost of farmland for beginning farmers. ($5 million)
• Young Farmer Revolving Loan Fund: Provides $5 million for start-up loans for land and equipment purchases by new farmers. ($5 million) Young Farmer Innovation Grants: Allocates up to $50,000 for new farmers through a competitive grant program that seeks to encourage new technology or production innovation. ($1 million)
• Farm Savings Accounts: Establishes savings accounts similar to college or retirement accounts.  Savings intended for the purchase of farmland or equipment would grow tax-free. ($5 million)
• Estate Tax reform: Increases the estate tax exemption and lower rates as proposed in the Executive Budget. ($14 million)

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

Just as many other successful industries, modern farming relies on technology and cutting-edge information to improve production, cut costs and boost profits. Young Farmers NY includes:

·         Young Farmer Apprenticeship Program: Provides funding to BOCES programs to establish partnerships with real working farmers to help young people gain hands-on experience they can bring to their own successful farm operation. ($500,000)

·         Young Farmer Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Directs the Board of Regents to establish a student loan forgiveness program for up to 10 agriculture degree graduates annually who agree to work full-time in agriculture a minimum of five years. ($100,000)

·         Funding for Agriculture Education: Increases funding for the in-school FFA program, which encourages careers in agriculture. There are 77 FFA chapters in New York, including in New York City. ($158,000)

The Young Farmers NY program will be included in the Senate’s budget resolution.