Farmers Fear $15 Minimum Wage in New York

New York Farm Bureau has commented on its displeasure of the $15 an hour minimum wage law.

Here is another story on the same subject and the law's effect on farmers: http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20150914/farms-fear-15-minimum-wage

Key Ingredients to Allergy-Free Kids Are Dirt and Cows

What do all my farmer friends think about this story?

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/researchers-say-that-the-key-ingredients-to-raising-allergy-free-kids-are-dirt-and-cows-20150914?utm_source=BA25u8&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=wdt.me&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com to check it out.

Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium Oct. 2-4

The 2015 Sheep & Goat Symposium at Cornell University is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 2-4.

The event will be chock full of speakers, tours to sheep farms and other learning opportunities.

Included will be:

** A workshop by Cornell Small Ruminant Specialist tatiana Stanton and Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Livestock Educator Betsy Hodge who will talk about goat and sheep management skills, such as eartagging, hoof trimming, tattooing, drenching, vaccinating, body condition and FAMACHA scoring. Dr. Michael Thonney of the Cornell Sheep and Goat Program will cover hay evaluation

** Dr. Mary Smith, a veterinarian and co-author of Goat Medicine, will conduct a necropsy while discussing how farmers can do their own field necropsies to determine a cause of death in their sheep

** A pasture management talk includes Northwest NY CCE Livestock Educator Nancy Glazier presenting the steps of planning a grazing system; Northern New York Field Crops & Soils Specialist Dr. Kitty O’Neil focusing on pasture renovation and Stone Barns Farm Center Livestock Manager Craig Haney) reviewing the basics of electric fencing and how to determine your equipment needs. A pasture walk will help producers with forage plant identification.

** A session on poisonous plants with Dr. Dan Brown, Cornell Animal Science Nutritional Toxicologist, will show participants a simple test for measuring the amount of cyanide in cherry leaves and walk to the Vet School’s Poisonous Plants garden to learn to identify plants that commonly poison livestock. 


** Veterinarian Dr. Mary Smith will talk about preventing, controlling and eradicating diseases such as foot rot, CL abscesses, Johnes, CAE and OPP

** Veterinarian Dr. Jen Nightingale and Betsy Hodge will discuss nutritional and health management of does and ewes through the critical period from late pregnancy through early lactation.

** Mary Rose Livingston from Northland Sheep Dairy, will discuss her experiences during 2015 studies evaluating whether grazing birdsfoot trefoil pastures can help control worms in sheep and goats

** An Integrated Parasite Management Course will also be offered for farmers and educators wishing to obtain FAMACHA certification.
 
2015 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium events on Oct. 3 will be at Morrison Hall on the Cornell campus. Sunday's programs will includes tours at Shepherds Way LLC in Locke, Cayuga County, a dairy sheep and goat farm where attendees will observe some of the newest technology available for artificially rearing suckling lambs and kids, and at Kyle Farms, Avon in Livingston County, which produces a large volume of lambs yearround with minimal stress.

The 2015 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium fees are Friday: $10 per person; Saturday: $50 for the first farm member with $40 for each additional farm or family member; Sunday tour is $10 per person if providing your own transportation or $30 per person in a Cornell van.

The 2015 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium schedule, registration forms and online registration are available online at www.sheep.cornell.edu/calendar/sheep_goat_symposium.html <http://www.sheep.cornell.edu/calendar/sheep_goat_symposium.html> or by calling Barbara Jones at 607.255.7712. 

New York Farm Bureau Comments on Minimum Wage Hike

New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton commented late last week about the $15 an hour minimum wage law in New York state:

“New York Farm Bureau has serious concerns about Governor Cuomo’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15. Farmers in New York are already at a competitive disadvantage compared to those with lower labor costs in other states," Norton said.

"They cannot make up the increased spending by simply raising prices because they are competing in a global market where supply and demand dictate what consumers pay. For example, if Michigan growers can offer cheaper apples to grocery stores that is what largely will be purchased on the open market," he said.

Norton

"In turn, New York farms will be forced to absorb the higher labor costs. For those who sell directly to consumers, higher food prices will become the norm. 

"In general, farms in New York already pay more than the current minimum wage. According to the USDA, the average agriculture wage rate in the state is $12.15. Upping the minimum wage would lift all farm wages.  A worker who already earns a higher hourly rate based on experience and time on the farm would still expect a higher salary than those who are newly hired.  This proposal would likely force the average wage rate well above the $15 mark," Norton said..

"The impact will be clear. We have already seen farmers, who can afford it, turn to automation to milk cows and harvest crops in order to reduce labor costs. This trend will only be exacerbated by an extreme minimum wage hike thereby shrinking the agricultural workforce across New York," he said. "The wage hike will also be a bigger barrier for smaller farms who are interested in hiring new employees to grow their businesses. This will ultimately be bad news for the rural economy that depends on agriculture as its bread and butter.”

Cow Birthing Center An Educational Experience

Nice story about the Dairy Cow Birthing Center at the New York State Fair.

Check it out at http://www.twcnews.com/nys/central-ny/new-york-state-fair/2015/09/5/cow-birthing-center-an-education-experience.html

Sen. Patty Ritchie Brainstorms with Farmers About Food Hubs

State Sen. Patty Ritchie

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/ritchie-brainstorms-with-farmers-agriculture-leaders-about-launching-food-hubs--20150910 to read the story.

Gillibrand Hosts Farm Day

Gillibrand

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is hosting Farm Day at 5:30 p.m. today in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Farm Day brings together producers of New York’s award-winning wines, farm-fresh products and seafood, as well as leading restaurateurs from across New York state to showcase some of New York’s very best.

“Farm Day is an opportunity for farmers, vintners, restaurateurs and producers across the state to remind Americans of all that the State of New York has to offer,” Gillibrand said. 

“From our dairy farms to specialty crops, vineyards to fine dining, Farm Day allows New York to show some of its best qualities and all we have to offer, all in one location in Washington, D.C. These displays encourage agricultural growth and promote good nutrition as essential parts of New York’s health, tourism, and our statewide economy,”‎ she said.

Here are companies and farms that have contributed to Farm Day:

Micosta Enterprises – Hudson Valley syrups and juices; black & red currants; blackberries; salad and vegetables featuring Micosta Green Supreme Dressing

Schenectady County Community College – Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho; Hudson Valley Duck Rillette on a Crostini with Pickled Red Onions; Carrot Cake.  Ingredients sourced from Old World Farm and The Carrot Barn at Schoharie Valley Farms

State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill – Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with herbed Chevre and Ricotta Cheese drizzled with a Black Peppercorn Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette; Schoharie County Apple Cranberry Crumb Bars

Empire Brewing Company – Slo' Mo IPA, a new proprietary IPA brewed with a blend of New York State farm grown hops, with a full hoppy flavor and a crisp, dry finish

LI-LAC Chocolates – Butter Crunch and French Mint Chocolate, Non-Pareils, Almond Bark, and Caramel Squares 

Orwasher's Bakery – Morning Spelt, Levain Locale, Ultimate Whole Wheat, Cabernet Rustica breads made with flour from Farmer Ground and North Country Farms, and starters made with grapes from Channing Daughters Winery                                        

Wines & Spirits of New York City – A selection of award-winning products from Brooklyn Oenology, Brooklyn Winery, and Kings County Distillery

Jewel – Crescent Farm Duck Breast; Farro Salad; Blackberry-Coffee Coulis; Licorice Greens by Chef Thomas Schaudel

K & B Seafood – Fresh Oysters and Clams 

Wines of Long Island – A selection of award-winning wines from Bedell Cellars, Bouquet, Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard, Lieb Cellars, Macari Vineyards, Martha Clara Vineyards, McCall Wines, Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, One Woman Wines & Vineyards, Paumanok Vineyards, Pellegrini Vineyards, Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, and Wolffer Estate Vineyard

Wines of the Hudson Valley – A selection of award-winning wines from Benmarl Winery, Brotherhood Winery, Millbrook Vineyards, Robibero Family Vineyards, Stoutridge Vineyard, and Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery

   

Cabot Creamery Cooperative – Cabot New York Vintage, Cabot New York Extra Sharp, and McCadam Empire Pepperjack Cheeses                                     

Mercer's Dairy – Strawberry Sparkling, Spice, Chocolate Cabernet, and Red Raspberry Chardonnay Wine Ice Creams 

North Country Specialties – Maple Mini's, Maple Straws, Tri-berry Jam over Philadelphia Cream Cheese with Crackers, and Sweet Tango Apples  

Seaway Trail Honey – Fresh Light Honeycomb, Three Village Cheese Company Cascadita Goat Cheese Drizzled with Light Honey, Honey Chocolate Cookies, Wixon's Honey Creamed Cinnamon and Creamed Apricot Honey on Baguettes, Catskill Provisions Honey Whiskey

Wines & Cider of the Thousand Islands – from Coyote Moon Vineyards, Kaneb Orchards, Thousand Islands Winery, and Tug Hill Vineyards 

Dessert & Ice Wines of New York – A selection of award-winning wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank, Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard, Heron Hill Winery, Hunt Country Vineyards, Lakewood Vineyards, Penguin Bay Winery, Sheldrake Point Winery, Thirsty Owl Wine Company, and Tug Hill Vineyards

New York Wine & Culinary Center – Charcuterie Board of Local Meats, Cheeses, and Accompaniments; Chocolate Bark with Seneca Salt. Ingredients sourced from Bostrom Farms, Ithaca Water Buffalo, First Light Farm & Creamery, Muranda Cheese Co., Old Chatham Sheep Herding Co, Artesian Foods, Jake's Gouda, The Piggery, Lively Run Goat Dairy Farm & Creamery, Oak & Osage Farm, Italy Hill Produce, Shimmering Light Farm, Doan Family Farms, Seneca Salt Co., and Luke's Mill Creek Farm

Wines of the Finger Lakes – from Atwater Estate Vineyards, Dr. Konstantin Frank, Fox Run Vineyards, Lakewood Vineyards, Lucas Vineyards, Red Newt Cellars, and Swedish Hill Winery

Wines, Spirits & Ciders of the Finger Lakes – A selection of award-winning products from Anthony Road Winery, Billsboro Winery, Buttonwood Grove Winery, Honeoye Falls Distillery, Hosmer Winery, Knapp Winery, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Owera Vineyards, Penguin Bay Winery, Silver Thread Vineyard, and Wagner Vineyards

Chobani – All natural Greek yogurt

Cornell University – Consider Bardwell Rupert Reserve, Nettle Meadow Kunik, and Cornell University's Charter Day Cheddar Cheese

National Grape Cooperative/Welch's – Concord Grape Juice, and Red and White Sparkling Grape Juice 

Upstate Niagara Cooperative – Non-fat Greek Yogurt; Intense Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Flavor of the Month milks

  

Wines of Lake Erie and Niagara – A selection of award-winning wines from 21 Brix Winery, Black Willow Winery, Johnson Estate Winery, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Liberty Vineyards & Winery, and Schulze Vineyards & Winery 

Food Network – Chilled Tomato Soup with Corn Relish and Kale, and Goat Cheese Bread.  Ingredients sourced from Kelder's Farm & U-Pick, Flying Pigs Farm, Sycamore Farms, Painted Goat Farm, Hudson Valley Fresh

New York Apple Association – Fresh New York Apples and Red Jacket Orchards Cider    

New York State Maple Producers – Soft Maple Sugar Shapes