Coyote Moon Named Winery of the Year

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/coyote-moon-wins-new-york-state-winery-of-the-year-20160615 to check out the story.

Beezie Madden on Memories, Medals and Mapping it Out for Rio

Great story about Central New York horsewoman Beezie Madden.

Check it out at http://www.worldofshowjumping.com/WoSJ-Exclusive-interviews/Beezie-Madden-On-memories-medals-mapping-it-out-for-Rio-and-maintaining-the-privilege-factor.html this link.

Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge Applications Due

Check this out, folks!!

Go to http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge/ this link to find out information on an exciting opportunity.

Lady LeWinDa Milkzalot Celebrates Graduation

LeWinDa Milkzalot

Well, Lady LeWinDa Milkzalot at the Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative in Lowville, Lewis County, is getting ready for graduation season donning her mortarboard and tassels.

The famed Holstein often wears different garb for the particular season. In summer, she has been seen with big sunglasses on and in the winter, she shivers even while bundled up in a scarf and socks on her ears.


From its website, the cooperative began in 1936 and has been in business for 75 years. It has about 175 member/owner farms who produced in excess of 310 million pounds of milk in 2011; the equivalent of 36 million gallons of milk.

The cooperative's website states Lowville Producers is the largest dairy cooperative in Lewis County with more than 65 percent of the milk produced in Lewis County handled through it.

It's National Corn on the Cob Day!!

Well again, this one is a little early for us here in Central New York.

But today, according to the National Day Calendar website, is National Corn on the Cob Day.

Some warmer areas of the country already are enjoying corn this year, but here, we have to wait until a bit after the Fourth of July for our sweet corn.

Here is what the National Day Calendar website says about the day:

"June 11 of each year is the day to celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day. Fresh corn on the cob is a summertime treat that people from all corners of the United States look forward to as we start the picnic season.

Corn on the cob is also known in different regions as 'pole corn,' 'cornstick,' 'sweet pole,' 'butter pop' and 'long maize.' It is a sweet corn that is picked when the kernels are still tender.

Boiling, steaming, roasting or grilling are the most common ways of preparing corn on the cob. Celebrate by using @CornOnTheCob on social media."

Great New York State Food and Wine Festival Begins Today in Clayton

The Great New York State Food and Wine Festival is this weekend.

It is in Clayton at the Cerow Recreation Park Arena. Times are 3 to 8 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $10 for adults; $9 for military; $5 for children and ree for those under age 12.

Go to http://www.1000islands-clayton.com/foodwinefestival/ to check out more details.

Two Ag Bills Pass NYS Senate

From state Sen. Patricia Ritchie:

Two bills that will make entering into farming easier for people new to the profession, boost business for existing farmers and connect consumers with more New York-grown and produced foods have passed the state Senate. 

The first measure, Senate bill 6648, also known as the “Buy From the Backyard Act,” would require state agencies to buy 20 percent of all their food products from producers and processors in New York state. The measure is seen as a way to get more locally grown and produced foods in our state’s hospitals, colleges, offices, prisons and other places, as well as to support local farmers.

Ritchie

Under the second measure, Senate bill 7011-A, the state would be required to develop an inventory of state-owned property that’s prime for agricultural development, making it easier for those new to the industry to access land that’s ready to be farmed. The measure is now headed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk to become law.

“This year we have made great strides in not only strengthening the connection between consumers who are increasingly looking to eat local — and healthy — foods, but also in fostering new opportunities for people who are looking to enter into agriculture careers and produce the nutritious fruits, vegetables and other products people depend on,” said the bills' sponsor, state Sen. Patty  Ritchie.

“These measures take us closer to our goals of strengthening New York’s leading industry, and providing a boost for farmers — both new and experienced — across our state.”

As Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Ritchie has been focused in recent years on making New York-grown and produced foods more accessible to consumers, as well as to encourage state agencies to increase their use. 

Providing new farmers with the tools and resources needed to be successful has also been a priority of Ritchie’s, and through her “Young Farmers NY” program, those new to the profession are benefiting from grants, a loan forgiveness program and other incentives that are helping them to begin and strengthen their agribusinesses.