Agriculture is Lone Cabinet Post Unfilled by Trump

Go to http://www.flatlandkc.org/farm-field/agriculture-secretary-lone-trump-cabinet-post-nominee/ to check out the story.

Here's another story on the same topic: http://www.kristv.com/story/34260078/vilsack-leaving-usda-early-no-trump-replacement-named

Haskins Named President, CEO of New York Apple Association

New York Apple Association is starting the new year off with Cynthia Haskins at the helm as its new president and chief executive officer.
 
“I am thrilled to partner with New York Apple Association’s dedicated board, committed staff and critical partners to expand brand recognition and consumption of New York apples and products,” said Haskins.
 
“This is an ideal leadership opportunity to marry my passion for working with growers and industry to expand markets locally, nationally and globally.”
 

Haskins

Haskins joins the association with extensive background in the produce industry, having worked with organizations such as The Oppenheimer Group, Washington Apple Commission, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, Dole, Sunkist, Missouri Department of Agriculture, and most recently Illinois Farm Bureau.
 
“We welcome Cynthia’s vast experience and leadership to the New York apple community,” said Jason Woodworth, chairman of the New York Apple Association’s board of directors.
 
“Cynthia has a results-oriented approach and a broad background that will serve our diverse industry well,” he said.
 
The New York Apple Association promotes demand for New York state-produced and -packed apples and apple products, through promotional and educational work with retailers and other handlers, consumers, processors and others. The association also works with state and federal legislators and regulators.
 
New York is the second largest apple-producing state in the country, after Washington state.
 
“Cynthia’s experience in the domestic and international apple industries – coupled with her skills in marketing, association management and government relations – will be strong assets as we look to the future,” said Woodworth.
 
Haskins succeeds Jim Allen, who retired Jan. 2 after a 20-year career with NYAA, including 16 years as president.

Check Out Winter Farmers' Markets

New Yorkers should remember that dozens of farmers’ markets are open across the state through the winter season.  

Winter markets provide shoppers the opportunity to buy farm-fresh foods and other products while supporting local farmers. 

For a second year, 14 winter markets are also issuing FreshConnect Checks, which allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to increase their buying power when they shop at farmers’ markets. 

Additional markets are encouraged to join the program to provide a greater number of FreshConnect checks to people and families in need.

“This is a terrific time to shop at your local farmers’ market and enjoy all they have to offer," said Richard Ball, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.  "Despite the cold weather, New York farmers have plenty of fresh produce and high-quality products available during the winter. Our FreshConnect Checks also provide an added benefit for those in need and I encourage additional markets to join the program this season.”

There are more than 150 farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets across the state that are open now, with additional markets set to open later this month and one scheduled to re-open Feb. 1.  

The markets operate on varying days and times throughout the week and weekend to fit a variety of schedules. They provide consumers with a wide selection of fresh vegetables and value-added goods such as craft beverages, all-natural skin care products, wool products, maple syrup and honey. 

Fourteen winter farmers’ markets are also participating in the FreshConnect program and additional markets have the option to join the program at any time. These markets issue FreshConnect Checks, which provide a $2 incentive for every $5 in SNAP benefits spent, increasing the purchasing power of SNAP recipients by 40 percent. 

For the first time last year, low-income families had the opportunity to use these checks 12 months a year. Previously, the checks were only available at participating markets during the spring and summer. Although the checks are issued at select markets, they may be redeemed at any of the more than 150 markets currently open, or the more than 750 farmers’ markets and farm stands open throughout the year.

Find a complete list of farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets across New York statehttps://data.ny.gov/Economic-Development/Farmers-Markets-in-New-York-State/qq4h-8p86 at this link. Check their operating months to find those open during the winter.

The following winter markets are participating in the FreshConnect Checks Program: 

Capital Region

Empire State Plaza Farmers Market (Albany County)

Saratoga Farmers Market (Saratoga County)

Schenectady Greenmarket (Schenectady County)

Veggie Mobiles Markets (Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties)

Central New York

CNY Regional Market (Onondaga County)

Syracuse Farm Fresh Mobile Market (Onondaga County)

Finger Lakes

Brighton Farmers Market (Monroe County)

Rochester Public Market (Monroe County)

Mid-Hudson

Beacon Farmers Market (Dutchess County)

Cold Spring Farmers Market (Putnam County)

Kingston Winter Farmers Market (Ulster County)

Rhinebeck Farmers Market (Dutchess County)

Mohawk Valley

Oneida County Public Market (Oneida County)

Southern Tier

Broome County Regional Market (Broome County)

New Farm Store Opening in Onondaga County

Dan Palladino of Palladino Farms in Pompey is opening a new farm store at 2 p.m. Friday Jan. 13 (today).

Palladino said "we will have product samples and tastings by Trinity Valley Dairy, Clean Slate balsamic vinegars and honey, breads by Alambria Springs farm and maple products from Dutch Hill maple."

Palladino said the primary reason for starting the store is he believes there is a "huge unmet need for a place selling local foods in our town and area. In addition, the town of Pompey passed a very farm friendly law in 2015 called the "farm business overlay", which allows qualified farmers to have commercial enterprises on their farm if they meet certain criteria."

One of the main criteria is a certain percentage of foods sold must be actually grown in Pompey.

"Our goal is to bring the connection between consumer and farmer even closer," Palladino said. "The store will give other small farms that only produce one or a few items an outlet to sell their products where they otherwise could not afford to."

Palladino also believes food should be affordable and some stores and retail sites sell healthy local foods at higher prices.

"While this is unavoidable with some premium and organic products, I plan to price as competitively as possible so that all people can enjoy shopping for local products at our farm store and not have to go to a large retailer or buy from unknown sources," he said.
 
Palladino said his goal is to carry as many made in Onondaga County products as possible, as well as some regionally produced products (from other counties and a few items from Pennsylvania) until he can find a local source of those products.

Happy National Milk Day

Happy National Milk Day!

Why this day isn't held during Dairy Month in June, I'm not sure. 

But according to the National Day Calendar, the first day milk arrived by delivery in bottles was on Jan. 11, 1878. National Milk Day commemorates this day and the delivery of this important staple beverage in America.

Farmers Re-Evaluate Operations in Wake of Minimum Wage Hike

Here's one reporter's take on how the minimum wage increase in New York state is affecting farmers.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/farmers-re-evaluate-operations-in-wake-of-increasing-minimum-wage-20170109 to check out the story.

Tops Friendly Markets Promoting NYS Grown & Certified Program

Tops Friendly Markets will promote the New York State Grown & Certified program to highlight farms that qualify under the New York State Grown & Certified seal. 

Tops is the first grocery retailer to feature and market product grown by New York farmers who adhere to the program’s requirements, including verification of safe food handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs. 

Producst sold under the state’s NYS Grown & Certified seal will be available at more than 80 Tops stores in the Western New York and the Finger Lakes regions. As the state continues to roll out the retail component of the program, product will be available at additional retailers.
 
“New York is supporting locally-grown products and promoting healthy lifestyles by connecting farm-fresh food with consumers across the state," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “Under the NYS Grown & Certified program, Tops Friendly Markets will bring certified foods to local communities, support our hard-working farms and provide nutritional food options to New Yorkers statewide.”
 
A state Grown & Certified pilot display was unveiled at a Tops store in Erie County Jan. 6 that features produce, including herbs, cabbage and acorn and butternut squash from farms in the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions. 

Consumers will also find fruits and other vegetables branded under the NYS Grown & Certified seal at participating Tops stores. A total of 145 Tops stores across the state will begin promoting NYS Grown & Certified products in the coming weeks. 

The state Department of Agriculture & Markets is also working with other retailers to market NYS Grown & Certified products.
 
A NYS Grown & Certified social media campaign has launched to further market New York farms involved in the initiative and educate consumers on the value of the program. Consumers can now follow NYS Grown & Certified on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
Additionally, several promotional videos were created to give consumers an inside look at NYS Grown & Certified farms. The videos feature Satur Farms on Long Island and Minkus Family Farms in the Hudson Valley. 

They are available by clicking https://www.facebook.com/NYScertified/videos/vb.1229590680433967/1255164281209940/?type=2&theater at this link and https://www.facebook.com/NYScertified/videos/vb.1229590680433967/1254963777896657/?type=2&theater at this link.
 
To highlight the New York producers who meet program requirements, NYS Grown & Certified is supported by a multi-pronged marketing campaign, including on-product labels, promotional materials, website and social media channels. 

Cuomo launched the NYS Grown & Certified program in August 2016. The program identifies and promotes New York producers who adhere to New York’s food safety and environmental sustainability programs and assures consumers that the food they are buying is local and produced at a higher-standard. 

It requires that producers be verified for safe food handling practices through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Good Agricultural Practices program (or an equivalent program) and enroll in the state’s Agricultural Environmental Management program. 


The initiative was the focus of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets’ exhibit at the New York Produce Show in New York City in December, and the New York State Agricultural Society annual forum Jan. 5. It also will display at the Empire State Producers Expo Jan. 17-19 in Syracuse. 

For more information on NYS Grown & Certified, go to http://certified.ny.gov/ this link.