Companies Chosen to Compete in Grow-NY Food, Business Challenge

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

Eighteen companies have been selected to take part in round one of the Grow-NY food innovation and agriculture technology business challenge. 

The contenders were chosen from a field of almost 200 startups that applied to be part of the initiative, which is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. 

The applicant pool represented 23 different states and 16 countries. The Grow-NY region includes a broad 22-county swath that includes Upstate New York's farming community as well as several major urban centers, including Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and Binghamton.

 

 

The selected finalists include:

 

• AgVoice - Norcross, Ga.
• Capro-X - Ithaca
• Combplex - Ithaca
• Dropcopter - Syracuse
• Halomine - Ithaca
• Whole Healthy Food - Ithaca
• Independent Barley & Malt - Litchfield, Mich.
• Livestock Water Recycling - Alberta, Canada
• Nuravine - New York City
• Paragon Pure - Princeton, NJ
• The Perfect Granola - Victor, NY
• Radical Plastics - Beverly, Mass.

• RealEats America - Geneva, NY
• Re-Nuble - Rochester
• Simply Good Jars - Philadelphia, Pa.
• Slate Craft Goods - Westwood, Mass.
• Tiliter - Munich, Germany
• Varcode - Naperville, Ill.

Each startup has recently been assigned a mentor who will help them make connections in the region, plan regional business trips, and refine their business pitches. The finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of Grow-NY judges and a live audience from Nov. 12-13 at the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. 

Cornell University is administering the competition through its Center for Regional Economic Advancement.

Finger Lakes Named Best Wine Region in U.S.

Check out this great read.

The Finger Lakes have been named the best wine region in the U.S.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2018/09/21/finger-lakes-best-wine-region/?fbclid=IwAR2HZGZDBt37kTPLYfCVRhp_SgTsuz0uF9HJ9nMKIFULVAtQQxY5ufdRvW4

More than $10M Awarded to Protect Farmland in Finger Lakes Region

From staff reports
 
A total of $10.1 million has been awarded to nine projects to help protect more than 5,500 acres of at-risk farmland in the Finger Lakes.
 
Funded through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program, and announced during the Governor’s Finger Lakes Regional Sustainable Development Conference, the projects support the preservation of farmland for agricultural use and protect it from degradation through the use of perpetual conservation easements.
 
“Protecting our farmland and investing in New York’s agricultural growth is critical to a strong, thriving economy,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “With record-levels of funding, these projects will support the next generation of hard-working farmers in the Finger Lakes, preserve vital farmland and ensure the future sustainability for the entire industry for generations to come.”
 
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Farmland Protection program. The grant program is part of New York state’s Environmental Protection Fund, which was allocated a record-level $300 million in the fiscal year 2017 State Budget. Funding for the program increased by $5 million this year.
 
Since 2011, the state has invested nearly $56 million for 73 projects statewide.
 
The Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program is administered through the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. 

Municipalities, counties, soil and water conservation districts and nonprofit conservation organizations, or land trusts, were eligible to apply for individual grants under the Round 14 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants competitive Request for Proposals. Farms protected under the program remain taxable.
 
Grant Recipients
 
Genesee Land Trust for Zarpentine Farms, Town of Parma - $303,328
This land trust will permanently protect Zarpentine Farms, a 99-acre orchard that contains 79% prime soils and 2% statewide important soils. Zarpentine Farms is a diversified operation in Monroe County that includes a farm market that features baked goods, maple syrup, honey, and jams/jellies produced on the farm. The property is identified in the Town of Parma Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan as being high value farmland and located within a large, contiguous area of active farmland.
 
Genesee Valley Conservancy for Christiano Farms, Town of Leicester — $1,970,195
This land trust will permanently protect properties operated as Christiano Farms. This 709-acre portion of the farm is an alfalfa operation that then processes its high quality alfalfa into a pelletized feed (by Christiano Alfalfa Milling LLC, which is co-located on the farm) for distribution throughout the Northeast and Canada.
These Livingston County properties contain 93 percent prime soils and 1 percent statewide important soils. Christiano Alfalfa Milling remains active after the alfalfa growing season by dehydrating apple pumice and other food wastes into a dried product that is then shipped to animal feed manufacturers throughout the Northeast.
 
Finger Lakes Land Trust for Brock Acres, Town of Canandaigua — $1,549,645
This land trust will permanently protect Brock Acres, a 726-acre commodity crop farm, which contains 31 percent prime soils and 40 percent statewide important soils. This Ontario County project will enable the landowners to reduce debt as well as increase the extent of owned acreage of their farm operation. The farm has more than a mile of frontage along Mud Creek and Beaver Creek. The Town of Canandaigua will contribute $36,450 toward this project.
 
Genesee Valley Conservancy for Edgewood Farms, Town of Groveland — $1,977,545
This land trust will permanently protect Edgewood Farms, a 1,488-acre cash crop-grains operation, including two specialty crops: distiller grains sold to a local distillery and black turtle beans sold to the New York State prison system for its use in soup.
Located in Livingston County, Edgewood Farms contain 26 percent prime and 52 percent statewide important soils. The landowners are contributing 12.5 percent of total project costs.
 
Genesee Valley Conservancy for Old Acres Farm, Towns of Leicester (Livingston County) and Perry (Wyoming County) — $1,988,110
This land trust will permanently protect Old Acres Farm, a 1,294-acre dairy operation located in Livingston and Wyoming counties. Old Acres Farm contains 39 percent prime and 27 percent statewide important soils. The farm is the first in New York to install a system that recycles its manure into bedding for its cows; doing so has eliminated the need for the farm to purchase any materials such as sand or sawdust for bedding. 
The landowners are contributing 12.5 percent of total project costs.
 
Genesee Land Trust for Chase Farms, Town of Rush — $62,015
This land trust will permanently protect a portion of Chase Farms Partnership, a 54-acre parcel, which is used for hay production that contains 77 percent prime soils. Chase Farms Partnership is a diverse, multigenerational operation in Monroe County that produces fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, hay, pumpkins, flowers and beef. Genesee Land Trust anticipates receiving federal farmland protection funds toward this project and the landowner is contributing 20% of total project costs.
 
Genesee Land Trust for Willow Bend Farm, Towns of Manchester (Ontario County) and Palmyra (Wayne County) — $540,558
This land trust will permanently protect property known as Willow Bend Farm. This 424-acre property contains 54% prime and 10 percent statewide important soils and is located in Ontario and Wayne Counties. This property also includes nearly a mile of frontage along a tributary to the Erie Canal.
The landowners are contributing 12.5 percent of total project costs.
 
Genesee Land Trust for Weber Farms, Towns of Walworth (Wayne County) and Webster (Monroe County) — $1,374,510
This land trust will permanently protect a portion of Weber Farms, a beef cattle operation. This 538-acre property contains 66 percent prime and 7 percent statewide important soils and is located in Monroe and Wayne Counties. This property also includes more than a half-mile of frontage along Mill Creek. The landowner is contributing a 12.5 percent  of total project costs.
 
Genesee Valley Conservancy for Marshall Farm, Town of Avon - $339,715
This land trust will permanently protect the Marshall Farm, a 171-acre cash crop-grains operation located in Livingston County. Marshall Farm contains 89 percent prime soils. This project will help enable an eventual transfer of the farm to a lifelong neighbor and his son, each of whom now work on the farm. The landowner is contributing 12.5 percent of total project costs.

Ag Commissioner to Assess Drought Damage in Finger Lakes

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball will be in the Finger Lakes today looking at drought damage.

He will visit the following farms:McCormick Farms in Bliss; Edward Sharp and Sons, Byron; Stein Farms, LeRoy; and Branton Farms, LeRoy.

Ball also went to Jefferson County earlier this week to assess drought damage there.

Decanter Magazine Talks Up Finger Lakes Wine Region

Great information from Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

Decanter magazine's June edition includes a great, four-page spread by Howard G. Goldberg focused on experiencing the region's wine culture, compared with a 2011 piece which was more about general vacationing. 

 "The Decanter travel guide to Finger Lakes, New York State" includes a regional map, lots of great photos, and specific recommendations on winery visits, lodging, dining, and other attractions.
 

"Goldberg's ultimate Seneca Lake wine tour" cites Atwater, Chateau Lafayette Reneau, Red Newt, Hazlitt, Standing Stone, Silver Thread, Wagner, and Lamoreaux Landing on the east side (from south to north); and on the west side (north to south) Ravines, Billsboro, Fox Run, Red Tail Ridge, Kemmeter, Anthony Road, Hermann J. Wiemer, Glenora, and Lakewood.

Other Finger Lakes wineries recommended in another sidebar, "My perfect day in the Finger Lakes", include Dr. Konstantin Frank, Heron Hill, Heart & Hands, Goose Watch, and Sheldrake Point. 

"Your Finger Lakes address book" starts with lodging recommendations: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, The Inn at Glenora, Inns of Aurora, New Vines Bed & Breakfast, and The Inn at Gothic Eves.  For fine dining: Dano's Heuriger, Suzanne Fine Regional Cuisine, Ports Café, Moosewood, and Ginny Lee Café.  Other attractions include the New York Wine & Culinary Center, Lively Run Goat Dairy, Climbing Bines Craft Ale, Red Jacket Orchards, and the Corning Museum of Glass.

There is a huge amount of practical information efficiently presented, but another great attraction is the quality of Howard Goldberg's writing, and especially this description of the region:

"Some small folksy hometowns dotting the map evoke America at mid-20th century.  Panoramic sites are grandstands for spacious blue skies with lazy clouds and Impressionist sunsets, a serene atmosphere, sweet air, rolling hills, tree-bordered vineyards sloping down to sparkling waters, gorges and waterfalls, quilt-patterned corn, vegetable and berry plantings, fields of flowers, apple and cherry orchards, farmhouses, red barns, silos, dairies and graving livestock.  In autumn, scarlet, orange and gold foliage dazzles the camera."

               

New Vineyard, Winery Coming to the Finger Lakes

A new vineyard and winery making Riesling is coming to Seneca Lake.

Check it out http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/49515 here at this link.

Finger Lakes Rieslings Big on the International Front

Here is news from Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

        I'm sorry if my frequent mentions of Finger Lake Rieslings sound like a broken record, but the fact  is that they have become internationally recognized for quality, and have really put the Finger Lakes on the world wine map (like Oregon Pinot Noir or Napa Cabernet Sauvignon).

Most recently, the current edition of Wine & Spirits features the "Year's Best Riesling" with a listing of 26 American Rieslings rated 90 or above, of which 16--nearly two-thirds--are from the Finger Lakes, including 5 which received the highest rating (93) of any wines.  Washington had 5 wines, Oregon 4, and Idaho 1.  In addition, 5 Finger Lakes Riesling were designated as "Best Buys".

      

Wines with scores of 93 include Hermann J. Wiemer 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Magdalena Vineyard Riesling and 2011 Finger Lakes Dry HJW Vineyard Riesling; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Homestead Reserve Riesling; Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (Best Buy); and Red Newt 2011 Finger Lakes Lahoma Vineyards Riesling.

Those rated 92 are Hermann J. Wiemer Finger Lakes Late Harvest Riesling and 2011 Finger Lakes Reserve Dry Riesling; and Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Red Oak Vineyard Risling.  Scores of 91 include Anthony Road 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (Best Buy); Hermann J. Wiemer 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (Best Buy); and Red Newt 2011 Finger Lakes Sawmill Creek Vineyards Riesling.

Wines scored at 90 are Damiani Wine Cellars 2011 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (Best Buy); Fox Run 2011 Seneca Lake Reserve Riesling; Tierce 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; and Wagner Vineyards 2011 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (Best Buy). 

Need a Lakeside Summer Vacation? Try the Finger Lakes

This is great for the Finger Lakes wine region.

http://travel.yahoo.com/blogs/compass/lakeside-vacations-170410748.html?page=all&utm_campaign=Yahoo!+Travel&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=91a111a5-890a-46c1-8a4c-0541a3cee185

Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil Tasting Friday

Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/337059799737260/ this Facebook link to read about a tasting coming up for Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil.