By MATT HAYES
Cornell University
With the world facing a vast array of food and nutrition security challenges that pose significant humanitarian, environmental and national security risks, a national commission that included leaders from Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences announced May 16 a comprehensive, coordinated effort to solve these problems.
The Challenge of Change Commission comprises prominent university, government, nongovernmental organization and business leaders.
The report from the commission — which includes Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Mike Hoffmann, executive director of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions and professor of entomology; and Per Pinstrup-Anderson, professor emeritus in nutrition and economics — emphasized a transdisciplinary approach leveraging the role of public research universities to solve food security issues.
Max Pfeffer, international professor of development sociology and CALS senior associate dean, served as an invited expert on the commission.
“Food insecurity is one of the most daunting issues that we face today. The challenges will only intensify without coordinated efforts by public and private partners,” said Boor.
“Harnessing food systems expertise at Cornell and other land-grant universities will enable bold action to protect the health and well-being of people around the globe. The steps outlined by the commission provide a path forward for scientists and policy experts as we work together to achieve food and nutrition security,” Boor said.
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, launched the commission in 2016.
The commission’s report recommends four key steps:
** Create a major, sustained effort by the more than 230 public research universities and university systems in the U.S., Canada and Mexico that comprise APLU, including further developing recommendations to reduce institutional barriers to cross-disciplinary research.
** Encourage multiple federal departments and public agencies to work to achieve domestic and global food security by mobilizing private sector and foundation resources to address the challenges.
** Urge governments of the U.S., Mexico and Canada to together sponsor collaborative research partnerships with universities and their partners to advance the report’s recommendations.
** Encourage public universities and their partners to identify challenges and related activities they might
undertake, including partnering with public and private entities in agriculture, public health, nutrition and health care.
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities said food security problems — hunger, obesity, malnutrition, low crop yields, inadequate food storage, poor sanitation, and the political instability they create — are poised to intensify unless there is a deliberate effort to create true global food and nutrition security.
The report calls for the academic, research and leadership capabilities of public research universities to address food and nutrition security.
“Public universities possess enormous capacity across many disciplines — from plant breeding to the social sciences — to respond to global challenges,” said Hoffmann.
The commission defined seven challenges: increase yields, profitability and environmental sustainability simultaneously; develop varieties and breeds needed for sustainable food systems; decrease food loss and waste through more efficient distribution systems; create and share resources that serve all populations; ensure inclusive and equitable food systems; address undernutrition and obesity to ensure full human potential; and ensure a safe and secure food supply that protects and improves public health.
Cornell researchers took part in interdisciplinary groups to provide subject expertise for the report. Rachel Bezner Kerr, associate professor in the Department of Development Sociology, joined with the Sustainable Production Systems working group to identify ways to increase plant and animal agricultural production yields, enhance and maintain soil health, and use water sustainably and efficiently.
Miguel Gómez, associate professor at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, focused on challenges across the food supply chain domestically and globally as part of the working group Supply Chains, Distribution, Loss and Waste in Food Systems.
Pinstrup-Anderson, the 2001 World Food Prize winner, said: “Universities are uniquely positioned to provide the science-based knowledge required to guide public and private sector action to help assure healthy diets for all. Scientific discoveries combined with enlightened policies for our food systems can make nutrient deficiencies and obesity a thing of the past.”
Showing posts with label Dean Kathryn Boor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dean Kathryn Boor. Show all posts
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Cornell Professor Wins Food, Plant Genetics Award
From Cornell University:
Plant geneticist Edward Buckler of Cornell University received the inaugural Food and
Agriculture Sciences Prize from the National Academy of Sciences
April 30 in Washington D.C.
The award recognizes his transformative research on agricultural crops crucial to global food security.
Buckler, a research geneticist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and adjunct professor of plant breeding and genetics at the Institute for Genomic Diversity at Cornell University, is a pioneer in genomics and statistical genetics to improve the resiliency and nutritional value of agricultural crops.
The $100,000 prize recognizes research by a midcareer scientist at a U.S. institution who has made an extraordinary contribution to agriculture or to the understanding of the biology of a species fundamentally important to agriculture or food production.
The prize was established to elevate food and agriculture research in the scientific arena and highlight the critical need for scientists working toward more productive, sustainable agriculture and better health through nutritious food.
“My scientific ambition has been to improve human lives and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by creating better crops,” said Buckler. “This award reflects the vital work conducted by teams of scientists as we harness powerful tools to explore the natural diversity of crops, and work to ensure food security across the globe.”
Buckler’s lab uses statistical genetics to spearhead genome-wide association studies in crops such as maize, cassava, grapes and biofuel grasses.
For the past two decades, his cutting-edge research has been key in identifying genes responsible for variation in some of the world’s most important crops. His findings have made it possible for plant breeders to more efficiently select for traits like yield and the nutritional value in crops vital to human health.
Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said, “Agricultural research has never been more vital as our rapidly expanding human population confronts the environmental disruption caused by climate change. The work of Ed Buckler is bolstering agricultural crops and advancing scientific discovery essential to the lives of billions of people.”
His landmark explorations of the maize genome have uncovered ways to use the natural genetic diversity to improve productivity, sustainability and nutrition.
In one study, Buckler and his team identified natural variation key for making maize varieties with 15 times more vitamin-A. The findings are helping to address a key driver of global malnutrition in developing countries.
He and his group also focus on other critical issues related to global food security, such as hybrid vigor, local adaptation, drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Due to its affordability and effectiveness, Buckler’s approach to analyzing natural genomic diversity has reached far beyond his lab. His methods are used to research more than 1,000 different species and have influenced how the human genome is studied.
To make their work even more accessible to the scientific community, he and his group also developed original open-source software now used by thousands of research groups around the world.
The NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences is endowed through gifts from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
 |
| Edward Buckler and Dean Kathryn Boor |
The award recognizes his transformative research on agricultural crops crucial to global food security.
Buckler, a research geneticist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and adjunct professor of plant breeding and genetics at the Institute for Genomic Diversity at Cornell University, is a pioneer in genomics and statistical genetics to improve the resiliency and nutritional value of agricultural crops.
The $100,000 prize recognizes research by a midcareer scientist at a U.S. institution who has made an extraordinary contribution to agriculture or to the understanding of the biology of a species fundamentally important to agriculture or food production.
The prize was established to elevate food and agriculture research in the scientific arena and highlight the critical need for scientists working toward more productive, sustainable agriculture and better health through nutritious food.
“My scientific ambition has been to improve human lives and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by creating better crops,” said Buckler. “This award reflects the vital work conducted by teams of scientists as we harness powerful tools to explore the natural diversity of crops, and work to ensure food security across the globe.”
Buckler’s lab uses statistical genetics to spearhead genome-wide association studies in crops such as maize, cassava, grapes and biofuel grasses.
For the past two decades, his cutting-edge research has been key in identifying genes responsible for variation in some of the world’s most important crops. His findings have made it possible for plant breeders to more efficiently select for traits like yield and the nutritional value in crops vital to human health.
Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said, “Agricultural research has never been more vital as our rapidly expanding human population confronts the environmental disruption caused by climate change. The work of Ed Buckler is bolstering agricultural crops and advancing scientific discovery essential to the lives of billions of people.”
His landmark explorations of the maize genome have uncovered ways to use the natural genetic diversity to improve productivity, sustainability and nutrition.
In one study, Buckler and his team identified natural variation key for making maize varieties with 15 times more vitamin-A. The findings are helping to address a key driver of global malnutrition in developing countries.
He and his group also focus on other critical issues related to global food security, such as hybrid vigor, local adaptation, drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Due to its affordability and effectiveness, Buckler’s approach to analyzing natural genomic diversity has reached far beyond his lab. His methods are used to research more than 1,000 different species and have influenced how the human genome is studied.
To make their work even more accessible to the scientific community, he and his group also developed original open-source software now used by thousands of research groups around the world.
The NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences is endowed through gifts from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
New York State Specialty Crops Receive Money for Research
From state DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS
Projects in the state looking at apples, Christmas trees, kale, onions, mushrooms and garlic have been awarded money through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced the awards Nov. 1 totaling nearly $1.1 million for eight projects to strengthen New York agriculture through research, protection and promotion of the state’s specialty crops.
Projects are:
** $99,801 to test new kale varieties both in the field and at the market. The project will conduct on-farm evaluation trials, as well as consumer taste tests. The successful varieties will create new opportunities for specialty crop producers and tasty new choices for consumers.
** $99,962 to better understand the cause of Stemphyium Leaf Blight (SLB) in onions. SLB, which has emerged in recent years, is reducing the yield and harvest quality of onions. The research will identify SLB resistant varieties and the best agronomic practices for integrated management of this disease.
** $98,429 to develop a standard test for moisture content and freshness of real fir trees. This test will help wholesalers and retailers ensure they are providing fresh cut trees to holiday shoppers. The project is led by the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of NY in partnership with the SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry in Syracuse.
** $95,507 to build predictive models that will allow growers to understand which of their McIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious and Ruby Frost apples are most likely to develop superficial scald, which causes dark spots on the skin of the fruit. The models will also help growers identify which apples are likely to store well. The research will examine the use of dynamic controlled atmosphere to support long term storage of apples without chemical treatment.
** $77,939 to partner with the Cornell Small Farms Program for the development of training and business planning tools for log-grown shiitake mushroom farmers. The project, which has a goal of helping 36 new farmers develop and implement woodland mushroom production, will include one-on-one business mentoring from experienced growers as well as a full market assessment report for the product in five regions of the state.
** $75,841 to learn how to help New York garlic growers avoid costly Fusarium diseases in our typically wet and cold climate. Research will be paired with education and outreach to expand general knowledge of field-based disease identification and best-management practices; sources of disease inoculum; and cultural practices which can reduce field-based disease severity.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Markets will implement two statewide initiatives that will benefit the specialty crop industry throughout the state.
These projects are designed to evaluate water testing hold times in preparation for the USDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule and to increase the amount of locally-grown specialty crops served to students in New York schools through the state’s Farm-to-School program.
“Specialty crops are as important to the agricultural industry as they are to our health. These grants will help farmers overcome some of the critical challenges they face when growing these crops and allow for a stronger and safer food supply,” Ball said.
“By increasing our access to these healthy food options, we are also taking an important step to protecting the well-being of all New Yorkers,” he said.
Specialty crops include a variety of agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables, honey, herbs, shrubs and commercially-grown trees.
Many of the specialty crops grown in New York rank highly in the nation in terms of production and economic value. New York ranks second in production of apples, maple syrup, cabbage and snap beans, third in grapes, and fourth in pears.
Together, these projects will provide innovative solutions to many of the challenges that effect the profitability of local farming operations. They will also create new opportunities for growers by enhancing the quality of several New York specialty crops and allowing consumers to enjoy them for a longer part of the season.
By utilizing these solutions, New York farmers will be able to better protect their crops, enhance and diversify their operations and remain competitive.
“The farmers on our review panels did an outstanding job selecting projects that will help New York growers bring to market a diverse range of foods that will connect with today’s consumers,” said Jim Bittner, Bittner-Singer Orchards and chair of the New York Farm Viability Institute.
“Whether improving the storage capability of apples, fighting diseases in garlic and onions, or increasing the availability of New York grown Shiitake mushrooms the outcomes of these projects will be a win for farmers and consumers.”
“Cornell’s research will continue to empower Empire State farmers to remain competitive and to provide New Yorkers with wholesome and safe foods to feed their families,” said Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.
“From products that spice up our meals to those that spruce up our holidays, CALS is committed to connecting the people of New York State with New York State produce.”
Projects in the state looking at apples, Christmas trees, kale, onions, mushrooms and garlic have been awarded money through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced the awards Nov. 1 totaling nearly $1.1 million for eight projects to strengthen New York agriculture through research, protection and promotion of the state’s specialty crops.
Projects are:
** $99,801 to test new kale varieties both in the field and at the market. The project will conduct on-farm evaluation trials, as well as consumer taste tests. The successful varieties will create new opportunities for specialty crop producers and tasty new choices for consumers.
** $99,962 to better understand the cause of Stemphyium Leaf Blight (SLB) in onions. SLB, which has emerged in recent years, is reducing the yield and harvest quality of onions. The research will identify SLB resistant varieties and the best agronomic practices for integrated management of this disease.
** $98,429 to develop a standard test for moisture content and freshness of real fir trees. This test will help wholesalers and retailers ensure they are providing fresh cut trees to holiday shoppers. The project is led by the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of NY in partnership with the SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry in Syracuse.
** $95,507 to build predictive models that will allow growers to understand which of their McIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious and Ruby Frost apples are most likely to develop superficial scald, which causes dark spots on the skin of the fruit. The models will also help growers identify which apples are likely to store well. The research will examine the use of dynamic controlled atmosphere to support long term storage of apples without chemical treatment.
** $77,939 to partner with the Cornell Small Farms Program for the development of training and business planning tools for log-grown shiitake mushroom farmers. The project, which has a goal of helping 36 new farmers develop and implement woodland mushroom production, will include one-on-one business mentoring from experienced growers as well as a full market assessment report for the product in five regions of the state.
** $75,841 to learn how to help New York garlic growers avoid costly Fusarium diseases in our typically wet and cold climate. Research will be paired with education and outreach to expand general knowledge of field-based disease identification and best-management practices; sources of disease inoculum; and cultural practices which can reduce field-based disease severity.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Markets will implement two statewide initiatives that will benefit the specialty crop industry throughout the state.
These projects are designed to evaluate water testing hold times in preparation for the USDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule and to increase the amount of locally-grown specialty crops served to students in New York schools through the state’s Farm-to-School program.
“Specialty crops are as important to the agricultural industry as they are to our health. These grants will help farmers overcome some of the critical challenges they face when growing these crops and allow for a stronger and safer food supply,” Ball said.
“By increasing our access to these healthy food options, we are also taking an important step to protecting the well-being of all New Yorkers,” he said.
Specialty crops include a variety of agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables, honey, herbs, shrubs and commercially-grown trees.
Many of the specialty crops grown in New York rank highly in the nation in terms of production and economic value. New York ranks second in production of apples, maple syrup, cabbage and snap beans, third in grapes, and fourth in pears.
Together, these projects will provide innovative solutions to many of the challenges that effect the profitability of local farming operations. They will also create new opportunities for growers by enhancing the quality of several New York specialty crops and allowing consumers to enjoy them for a longer part of the season.
By utilizing these solutions, New York farmers will be able to better protect their crops, enhance and diversify their operations and remain competitive.
“The farmers on our review panels did an outstanding job selecting projects that will help New York growers bring to market a diverse range of foods that will connect with today’s consumers,” said Jim Bittner, Bittner-Singer Orchards and chair of the New York Farm Viability Institute.
“Whether improving the storage capability of apples, fighting diseases in garlic and onions, or increasing the availability of New York grown Shiitake mushrooms the outcomes of these projects will be a win for farmers and consumers.”
“Cornell’s research will continue to empower Empire State farmers to remain competitive and to provide New Yorkers with wholesome and safe foods to feed their families,” said Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.
“From products that spice up our meals to those that spruce up our holidays, CALS is committed to connecting the people of New York State with New York State produce.”
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Cornell Officials Visit First Ag Committee Meeting of Year
In its first meeting of 2016, the state Senate Agriculture Committee was joined by special guests from Cornell University who spoke about new opportunities, as well as new challenges involving the state’s agriculture industry.
Hosted by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Senator Patty Ritchie, the meeting featured Dr. Kathryn Boor, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who touched on accomplishments of the past year involving Cornell-run programs like Harvest NY and PRO-DAIRY.
The meeting’s second speaker, Dr. Lorin Warnick, interim dean of the Veterinary School at Cornell University, discussed the college’s work in the area of disease surveillance, in particular, rabies.
At the meeting, guests from Cornell discussed a number of new efforts to encourage the growth of New York agriculture, including a new program aimed at reducing costs for those pursuing degrees through the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a first of its kind initiative that seeks to provide education, training and support to New York military veterans interested in careers in agriculture and farming.
Hosted by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Senator Patty Ritchie, the meeting featured Dr. Kathryn Boor, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who touched on accomplishments of the past year involving Cornell-run programs like Harvest NY and PRO-DAIRY.
The meeting’s second speaker, Dr. Lorin Warnick, interim dean of the Veterinary School at Cornell University, discussed the college’s work in the area of disease surveillance, in particular, rabies.
At the meeting, guests from Cornell discussed a number of new efforts to encourage the growth of New York agriculture, including a new program aimed at reducing costs for those pursuing degrees through the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a first of its kind initiative that seeks to provide education, training and support to New York military veterans interested in careers in agriculture and farming.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Cornell University's CALS Dean Discusses Cuomo's State of the State Address
Statement from Dean Kathryn Boor of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address on Wednesday included a number of initiatives designed to promote agriculture and food quality – and through them the economic vitality of New York State.
Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, praised the governor’s efforts and noted New York’s Land Grant university is committed to these same goals.
Boor says:
“I am very pleased that Governor Cuomo’s vision, as outlined in yesterday’s 2016 State of the State and Budget Address, recognizes the importance of agriculture to the state’s economic vitality and community wellness.
Governor Cuomo understands that agriculture has always been – and continues to be, more than ever – a vital component of the state’s character and economic health, especially as the dairy, beer and wine industries create fresh opportunities across the state. The Governor’s vision bolsters Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Land-Grant Mission – a mission of teaching, research and outreach – in several key areas.
“First, having been privileged to serve on the Governor’s Anti-Hunger Task Force, I am very pleased to see several of the task force’s suggestions adopted. In particular, I applaud the Governor’s continuing support of Farm-to-School programs, building upon successful partnerships between the Empire State’s school districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators and local farmers.
"Farm-to-School programs create vital conduits that bring local crops directly to school cafeterias and promote the wellness of our state’s school children. CCE educators are also working with adults throughout the state, from Wyoming to Nassau counties, in order to increase nutritional awareness and community vitality.
“As an agricultural leader, New York depends on the hardworking farmers across this state to drive business while providing all of us with the bounty of their efforts. I applaud the Governor’s announcement that the state will no longer tax those farmers delivering healthy produce to communities throughout the state by eliminating New York State Thruway tolls for their vehicles.
“The promise of New York has consistently been demonstrated by its commitment towards science and research. Having just celebrated Cornell’s 150 years of academic excellence, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is tremendously gratified to see the continuation of the successful New York State Science, Technology, Engineering and “Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program, which encourages our best and brightest high school students to pursue their educations and their futures in New York.
"I am very proud to say that, in just its first year, CALS is home to 31 STEM Incentive Awardees, with three more on their way. Across New York, STEM careers are growing twice as fast than those in any other field, and our students will be leading the way in agriculture and the biological sciences.
“Since its inception, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been devoted to developing farming techniques that allow those who work the land to reap the maximum economic benefit with the lowest environmental impact, a spirit of stewardship that continues as CALS creates a sustainable future for generations to come.
"The Governor’s commitment to increasing the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) dollars has energized the college’s highly successful and well-regarded Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
"In a time of increasing challenges from invasive insect species and ever-changing weather patterns, it has never been more important to ensure that our IPM program has the resources needed to continue working hand-in-hand with New York’s farmers on employing a common-sense, earth-friendly approach: utilizing pesticides only when necessary and focusing on good agronomic practices, as CALS forges a sustainable future focused on growth and prosperity.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address on Wednesday included a number of initiatives designed to promote agriculture and food quality – and through them the economic vitality of New York State.
Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, praised the governor’s efforts and noted New York’s Land Grant university is committed to these same goals.
Boor says:
“I am very pleased that Governor Cuomo’s vision, as outlined in yesterday’s 2016 State of the State and Budget Address, recognizes the importance of agriculture to the state’s economic vitality and community wellness.
Governor Cuomo understands that agriculture has always been – and continues to be, more than ever – a vital component of the state’s character and economic health, especially as the dairy, beer and wine industries create fresh opportunities across the state. The Governor’s vision bolsters Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Land-Grant Mission – a mission of teaching, research and outreach – in several key areas.
“First, having been privileged to serve on the Governor’s Anti-Hunger Task Force, I am very pleased to see several of the task force’s suggestions adopted. In particular, I applaud the Governor’s continuing support of Farm-to-School programs, building upon successful partnerships between the Empire State’s school districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators and local farmers.
"Farm-to-School programs create vital conduits that bring local crops directly to school cafeterias and promote the wellness of our state’s school children. CCE educators are also working with adults throughout the state, from Wyoming to Nassau counties, in order to increase nutritional awareness and community vitality.
“As an agricultural leader, New York depends on the hardworking farmers across this state to drive business while providing all of us with the bounty of their efforts. I applaud the Governor’s announcement that the state will no longer tax those farmers delivering healthy produce to communities throughout the state by eliminating New York State Thruway tolls for their vehicles.
“The promise of New York has consistently been demonstrated by its commitment towards science and research. Having just celebrated Cornell’s 150 years of academic excellence, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is tremendously gratified to see the continuation of the successful New York State Science, Technology, Engineering and “Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program, which encourages our best and brightest high school students to pursue their educations and their futures in New York.
"I am very proud to say that, in just its first year, CALS is home to 31 STEM Incentive Awardees, with three more on their way. Across New York, STEM careers are growing twice as fast than those in any other field, and our students will be leading the way in agriculture and the biological sciences.
“Since its inception, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been devoted to developing farming techniques that allow those who work the land to reap the maximum economic benefit with the lowest environmental impact, a spirit of stewardship that continues as CALS creates a sustainable future for generations to come.
"The Governor’s commitment to increasing the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) dollars has energized the college’s highly successful and well-regarded Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
"In a time of increasing challenges from invasive insect species and ever-changing weather patterns, it has never been more important to ensure that our IPM program has the resources needed to continue working hand-in-hand with New York’s farmers on employing a common-sense, earth-friendly approach: utilizing pesticides only when necessary and focusing on good agronomic practices, as CALS forges a sustainable future focused on growth and prosperity.”
Friday, October 16, 2015
Cornell Ag School Dean Talks About Future of New York Agriculture
Great story about New York agriculture and its future from Kathryn Boor, dean of the ag school at Cornell University.
Go to http://www.mpnnow.com/article/20151015/NEWS/151019749/SHARED/st_refDomain=t.co&st_refQuery=/yqyWBHec5z to check it out.
Go to http://www.mpnnow.com/article/20151015/NEWS/151019749/SHARED/st_refDomain=t.co&st_refQuery=/yqyWBHec5z to check it out.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Magee Honored by Agricultural Society
Assemblyman William Magee, the long-time chair of the Assembly agriculture committee, was honored Thursday night by the New York State Agricultural Society at its annual meeting and forum in suburban Syracuse.
Magee, D-Nelson, Madison County, was presented the Distinguished Service Citation for his years of work to better New York agriculture.
Here are some comments about Magee from some ag dignitaries in the state:
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball:
Dean Norton, president, New York Farm Bureau: “ Bill Magee has long been a friend of New York agriculture. His accomplishments as Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture Committee have benefited every farmer in the state because he understands our needs and concerns. New York Farm Bureau congratulates Assemblyman Magee on this well-deserved honor.”
Magee, D-Nelson, Madison County, was presented the Distinguished Service Citation for his years of work to better New York agriculture.
Here are some comments about Magee from some ag dignitaries in the state:
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball:
Dean Norton, president, New York Farm Bureau: “ Bill Magee has long been a friend of New York agriculture. His accomplishments as Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture Committee have benefited every farmer in the state because he understands our needs and concerns. New York Farm Bureau congratulates Assemblyman Magee on this well-deserved honor.”
State Sen. Patricia Ritchie, chair state Senate Agriculture Committee:“Throughout
his long and distinguished career, Assemblyman Magee has been known not
only for working to support New York’s agriculture industry, but also
for putting the needs of our state’s hardworking farmers first.
“Throughout
my time as Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Assemblyman Magee has
been a fantastic partner when it comes to working to keep New York as a
leading agricultural state. I congratulate him on this well-deserved
honor and am looking forward for continuing to work with him to create
an even brighter future for New York farmers and the agriculture
industry as a whole.”
Dean Kathryn Boor, dean of Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: "Bill Magee is a true champion in leading the charge in research, application and new funding for the economic sustainability of agriculture in New York state. The state of New York agriculture wouldn't be the same without him."
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