FreshConnect Checks Can Be Used at Winter Farmers' Markets

Consumers are being reminded that FreshConnect Checks are being accepted at participating winter farmers' markets for the first time.

The program, which increases the purchasing power of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits used at farmers' markets, was extended yearround and now provides low-income families the chance to use the checks 12 months a year.

Twelve winter markets are participating in the FreshConnect program, with more expected to join in coming weeks.

**   Ithaca Farmers’ Market (Tompkins County)

**  Otsiningo Farmers’ Market  (Broome County)

**  Kingston Farmers’ Market (Ulster County) 

**  Schenectady Greenmarket (Schenectady County)

**  Veggie Mobile (Capital Region)

**  SUNY Plaza Farmers’ Market (Albany County)

**  Empire Plaza (Albany County)

**  Oneida County Public Market (Oneida County)

**  Foodlink  (Monroe County)

**  Rochester Public Market (Monroe County)

**  South Wedge Farmers’ Market (Monroe County)

**  Brighton Farmers’ Market  (Monroe County)

More than 150,000 checks already have been issued to 180 sites across the state to help eligible New Yorkers access healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, during the 2015 traditional farmers' market season.

Additional checks will be issued through the winter so even more consumers can be reached..

The FreshConnect Checks program encourages recipients to use their SNAP benefits at participating farmers' markets. The checks provide $2 incentives for every $5 in SNAP benefits spent, increasing the purchasing power of SNAP consumers by 40 percent.

In 2014, more than $3.2 million in SNAP sales occurred at farmers' markets throughout the state.

The FreshConnect Program was launched by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2011 and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  FreshConnect-funded projects aim to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gotham Greens Opens New Facility in Queens

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

Gotham Greens, a global pioneer in the field of urban agriculture and a leading regional producer of local vegetables and herbs, opened its newly built 60,000-square-foot facility located on Jamaica Avenue in the Hollis section of Queens.  
 
The massive facility nearly triples the amount of award-winning, local produce Gotham Greens can provide to New York Tri-State area consumers, and together with its new, nearly 2-acre rooftop greenhouse in Chicago, it represents an almost 400 percent expansion of Gotham Greens’ business overall.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $1 million towards the project to expand the greenhouse and help Gotham Greens reduce its energy consumption. This money helped pay for the installation of high-efficiency lighting, cooling and automated crop production systems. 

New York State Empire State Development is also providing Gotham Greens with up to $152,000, in Excelsior Jobs Program Tax Credits in exchange for Gotham Greens’ commitment to create and sustain a minimum of 46 full-time jobs through 2024. They are currently at 40 full-time jobs and expect to exceed more than 50 in the next few months.

FSA Announces Commodity Credit Corp. Interest Rates for February

From the Farm Service Agency:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for February 2016. 

The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for February is 0.625 percent, unchanged from 0.625 percent in January.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during February is 1.625 percent, unchanged from 1.625 percent in January.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for February are as follows, 2.000 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.000 percent in January; 2.125 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.250 percent in January and; 2.250 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.375 percent in January. 

The interest rate for 15-year Sugar Storage Facility Loans for February is 2.375 percent, down from 2.500 percent in January.

Further program information is available from USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Financial Management Division at 202-772-6041.

Nelson Farms to Host Presentation at New York Farm Show

From Morrisville State College:

Nelson Farms, located in Nelson, Madison County, will present a seminar at the 2016 New York Farm Show at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 in the Bistro Room of the Arts & Homes Building, NYS Fairgrounds, Geddes.

The seminar will provide answers to questions about product development, legalities, product marketing and how Nelson Farms may be able to help. The seminar is free for anyone who attends the New York Farm Show.

“We’re really excited to be a part of the show and to share our knowledge and resources about product development with the public,” said Kristi Cranwell, director at Nelson Farms. “A lot of people may have a great product but may need a little help with value-added opportunities that will add to their profits. If we can provide even a starting point for those people, we’ve done our job.”

For 13 years, Nelson Farms, Morrisville State College’s small-scale, FDA inspected food processing incubator, with newly added shared-use facility, has been providing local farmers, growers, and producers the knowledge and resources to add value to their products, while offering workshops, trainings, and classes throughout the year.

Working closely with state Department of Agriculture & Markets, Nelson Farms also operates a Pride of New York Country Store, selling products produced in their own kitchens, as well as products from all regions of New York State. A variety of these products will be available for sale and sampling at their booth in the Arts & Home Building throughout show.

Tickets to the Farm Show, which will be held Feb. 25, 26 and 27, are available for free from Northeast Equipment Dealers or by writing to the New York Farm Show, PO Box 3470, Syracuse, NY 13220 (must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with request by Feb. 15). 

Adult tickets can also be purchased at the door for $5, children under 18 are free. Free parking and bus shuttles are available. 

For additional information about the Farm Show, visit www.newyorkfarmshow.com.

Milk Myths Debunked -- Is Dairy Scary or Not?

Check out this blog entry in response to an article written by an anti-agriculture group about mistreatment of cows on dairy farms.

Go to http://inuddernews.com/2016/01/30/milk-myths-debunked-part-3-dairy-is-scary-or-not/ to check out the blog entry.

Farmers Against Proposed Hike in Minimum Wage

The New York Farm Bureau has come out strongly against the proposed minimum wage hike to $15 an hour.

Read this story to see what a couple of farmers think about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's wage hike proposal: 

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/area-dairy-farmers-daunted-by-prospect-of-15-an-hour-wage-proposal--20160201 to see the story.

Hoard's Dairyman Art Director, Jim Baird, dies

Longtime art director at Hoard's Dairyman passes away.

Go to http://www.hoards.com/blog_Jim-Baird for the story.