Finger Lakes Cheese Festival July 27

Do you love cheese?

Then this event is for you.

Rain, Cold Could Delay Crops; Officials Seek State, Federal Help

Check out this story from the Watertown Daily Times.

Go to https://www.nny360.com/communitynews/agriculture/officials-prepare-for-possible-crop-shortage-seek-state-and-federal/article_92d078a4-3f66-5bb9-9be6-a0cb1e2ac343.html

Former Farm Bureau President John Lincoln Dies

Sad news for New York state agriculture.

New York Farm Bureau has reported the death of former New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln.

Lincoln

Lincoln died last week at the age of 80. He served as this organization's leader for 14 years, from 1994-2008. 

During his time as president, Lincoln was successful in helping to secure the adoption of significant property tax savings that were essential for New York farmers. He also had a tremendous impact on funding for agricultural education and applied research, supporting Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences by serving on the CALS Agricultural Advisory Board, and helping to establish the New York Farm Viability Institute. 

He saw Farm Bureau through some major victories for agriculture, including substantial revisions to the agricultural districts and agricultural assessments program in the 1980s, the inception of the farmland protection program, passage of the farmers' school property tax credit in 1996, authorizing interstate shipment of wine, various incentive programs through NYSERDA and the tax code to encourage on-farm production of renewable energy and fighting for specialty crops funding in the federal Farm Bill.

Lincoln also served on the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.    

In all, Lincoln served for 29 years on the farm bureau board of directors. Prior to becoming president in 1994, he served as the organization's vice president for nine years and for six years as a New York Farm Bureau board member. He also served as the county president for Ontario County Farm Bureau.
Through it all he remained a farmer, operating Linholm Dairy LLC with his wife Anne. The farm has expanded over the years to include his daughter Julie and son Mike, ensuring that the next generation of Lincolns will keep the farm in Bloomfield.

Court, Legislative Battle Continues Over Right of Farmworkers to Organize

A great story out of the Watertown Daily Times.

Check it out at https://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/court-legislative-battle-continues-over-right-of-farmworkers-to-organize-20190224

Schumer Announces $4 million for Maple Development Research

Good news for maple.

Check out https://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/schumer-announces-4-million-for-maple-development-research-grants-20190226

Dairy Princess Grew Up on Port Leyden Dairy Farm

Another story on the new New York State Dairy Princess.

Check it out at https://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news04/newly-crowned-state-dairy-princess-grew-up-on-port-leyden-farm-20190221 this link.

Lewis County Teen Named New York State Dairy Princess

The 2019-2020 New York State Dairy Princess Court includes New York State 1^st Alternate Dairy Princess Morgan Hungerford (left) from Delaware County, New York State Dairy Princess Reegan Domagala (center) from Lewis County, and Alyssa Roorda (right) from Chemung County.

Reegan Domagala from Lewis County was crowned the 2019-20 New York State Dairy Princess Feb. 19 at the Holiday Inn in Salina, outside Syracuse.

Having served as the Lewis County Dairy Princess since spring of 2018, Domagala will devote an additional year to promoting milk and dairy products with American Dairy Association North East.

As state princess, she receives a $1,200 scholarship and will serve as a dairy industry ambassador and spokesperson, working with the American Dairy Association North East to represent dairy farmers at a variety of special events, including county dairy princess pageants, farmer meetings, fairs, and school visits. 

She will also play an integral role in the training and mentoring of new county dairy princesses.

Alyssa Roorda from Chemung County was named first Alternate State Princess, and Morgan Hungerford from Delaware County was selected as second Alternate State Princess. They receive a $700 scholarship and $600 scholarship, respectively. Both young women will assist the New York State Dairy Princess with training, appearances and other duties.

Twenty-two county dairy princesses competed in the state pageant, which included a personal interview, impromptu questions, a prepared adult speech, a product knowledge exam, writing skills test, and informal interaction with others. Judges evaluated the contestants on their communication skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality.

Pageant judges were: Judi Dixon, International Sales, Dot Foods; Katherine Brosnan, New York Beef Industry Council, Director of Industry Relations & Consumer Promotions; and Holly Pullis, Hollywood Enterprises & Roedale Farm. 

Sponsored by the American Dairy Association North East, the 56^th annual coronation completed the yearlong reign of Hailey Pipher of Elmira, Chemung County.

American Dairy Association North East is the local affiliate of the National Dairy Council® and the regional consolidation of three promotion organizations including the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program.