FFA Students, Farmland Protection Official, Attend Senate Ag Committee Meeting Today

From the office of state Sen.Patricia Ritchie:

Students representing FFA chapters from the South Jefferson Central School District and Belleville Henderson Central School District joined state Sen. Patty Ritchie Tuesday, Feb. 9 at the second Senate Agriculture Committee meeting of the year, taking place at her office in Albany.

“The future of farming depends on young people who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture,” said Ritchie, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“These students have already learned so much not only about the industry, but also about leadership, teamwork and community service.  I’m excited to welcome them to tomorrow’s meeting, and also to hear more about how they’re already, at a very young age, contributing to the success of New York agriculture.”

In addition to local FFA students, also in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting will be New York State FFA President, Sara Millspaugh.

In addition to FFA students, David Haight, state Director for the American Farmland Trust, will join attendees to discuss efforts to protect farmland and promote agricultural economic development.  

In his role with the American Farmland Trust, Haight aids state and federal legislators as they work on agricultural and land conversation legislation. In this role, he has helped coordinate projects that have permanently protected more than 4,000 acres of New York farmland.

Warm Temperatures Bring Out Maple Producers

Buckets for maple sap hang on trees last year in Lewis County.

A warm February brings the maple season on early -- at least much earlier than last year.

Check out this story from the Watertown Daily Times at http://www.journalandrepublican.com/news03/going-with-the-flow-nny-maple-syrup-season-starts-early-for-some-producers-20160206?utm_content=buffer4b653&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer this link.

Money Available for Organic Dairy Farming

The New York Organic Dairy Program has partnered with the New York Farm Viability Institute to make grant money available for organic dairy producers to participate in the Cornell Organic Dairy Farm Business Summary program and select a project for immediate attention through a modified Dairy Profit Team approach.

Farms participating in the Dairy Farm Business Summary and those that have not completed a Dairy Farm Business Summary before are both eligible for grants. Priority for grants will be given to certified organic dairies, however, farms in transition to become organic are encouraged to apply.

Farmers may first apply for funds to:
** Work with a qualified farm business consultant to upload the operating and financial information for the individual farm into the Cornell Organic Dairy Farm Business Summary,

** or, if the farmer has completed a 2016 Summary, to work with the consultant to review the data to select a short-term project that will benefit the farm. Varying levels of funding are available for this initial step.

Money is also available for farmers to work with a consultant on a project that will help the business better meet its goals. Applicants for a project grant must first complete a 2016 Dairy Farm Busines Summary.

Farmers requesting project funds will be required to work with the New York Organic Dairy Program to document their desired goal and projects must be achievable within 18 months of the formation of the consultant ‘team.’ 

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to, developing a business plan, enhancing transitioning practices and constructing facilities. The New York Organic Dairy Program will provide up to $1,500 for the consultant and team to complete its project work.

Wendy's Addresses Antibiotic Use in Beef Production

A good read.

Check it out at http://beefmagazine.com/blog/wendy-s-addresses-antibiotic-use-beef-production

Farming Is a Public Service

Check out this story everyone.

Go to http://www.cleveland.com/cooking/index.ssf/2016/02/farming_is_a_public_service_an.html to see the story.

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.

Man Charged In Horse-Killing Case

Man arrested in agriculture case.

Go to http://cnycentral.com/news/local/kirkland-police-charge-man-for-pulling-over-shooting-horse-dead to see the story.