3 Onondaga County Farms Receive Climate Grant Money

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office

Three farms in Onondaga County will benefit from more than $151,000 awarded through round two of the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program. 

Launched in 2015, the program help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for and recover after extreme weather events.
 
As part of this second round of funding, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in six regions across the state were awarded a total of more than $1.5 million in grants on behalf of farmers in one of the following project categories: agricultural waste storage cover and flare, on-farm water management, and soil health systems.
 
Projects awarded in the Central New York region include:  
 
Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District

• $112,577 – The district will work with two farms (Fesko Farms in Spafford and Elmer Richards and Sons farm in Marcellus) to install ponds to increase water capacity and improve the farms’ resiliency in future drought conditions. The ponds will also help farmers avoid hauling water to remote locations and provide fire protection and stormwater management for rural communities.
• $39,381 – The district will work with one farm (Kinsale Beef Farm in Pompey) to implement a 75-acre prescribed grazing system to increase soil health and reduce farm-based greenhouse gas emissions.

Awarded projects focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting energy savings and soil health. 

One project awarded also focuses on water management to mitigate the effects of periods of drought on crops and livestock following last summer’s severe dry conditions.
 
The Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program is funded through the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. During Earth Week in April 2015, $1.4 million in awards were announced through the first round of the program to support 11 projects on farms across five regions. 

All 11 projects are currently underway to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate water and soil quality concerns.

"This funding will help protect and preserve New York's natural resources by supporting farms and addressing the unpredictable conditions and challenges of climate change," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"As New York continues to lead the nation in environmental protection, these grants not only build on our efforts to create a cleaner, greener, more resilient state – they address the priorities of Central New York and the region’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative blueprint to grow the agricultural industry and boost the economy," he said.
 
"This past summer, New York farms saw unprecedented drought conditions, with many suffering crop loss and increased costs," said Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. "This program will help farmers better manage for droughts and floods that are becoming more common, while reducing their environmental footprint and protecting our surrounding natural resources."
 
"The drought of 2016 was the second major drought in our area in four years. Not only will these two new sources of water keep farms and livestock hydrated, they will benefit fish and other aquatic life by not removing water from streams," said Mark Burger, executive director of the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

"This will allow for the stream levels to be as deep as possible and for the water temperatures to ultimately be colder for aquatic life. These two new farm ponds will also provide additional water for fire protection in their rural communities," Burger said.

Funding also was provided to some Southern Tier farms. Read that story at https://www.morningagclips.com/funding-for-southern-tier-farms/?utm_content=articles&utm_campaign=NLCampaign&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_term=newsletteredition&utm_medium=email this link.

In Western New York, the following projects were funded:

Projects awarded in the Finger Lakes region include:

Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District

• $145,981 – The district will work with three farms to install water and sediment control basins and associated practices to direct, slow, and diffuse concentrated water flows. This will also reduce all forms of erosion and reduce soil loss, sediment delivery, and nutrient and pathogen runoff to nearby waterways.

• $226,500 – The district will work with one farm to install a sustainable irrigation system to help the farm be more resilient in overcoming drought conditions on 500 acres of the farm’s most vulnerable soils. This will allow the farm to improve crop cover and density, which are key components to building carbon rich healthy soils.

• $32,010 – The district will work with one farm to implement a pond expansion to improve resiliency during drought conditions and ensure the farm has a continuous supply of water in the future. It will also prevent the need to truck supplemental water to the farm and hold higher rates of runoff water that would otherwise impact downstream communities.

Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District

$44,790 – The District will work with three farms to implement soil health practice systems, including implementing 500 acres of cover crops to build healthy soils and improve soil carbon sequestration. As a result, the projects will also reduce farm-based greenhouse gas emissions and improve resiliency to the farm during periods of flood and drought. 

Farmers Should Sign Up Now for Taste NY Thruway Sites

From New York Thruway Authority

The Thruway Authority and the State Department of Agriculture and Markets  encourages farmers across New York state to sign up to sell their products at service areas along the Thruway this season.
 
For years, New York state has been committed to showcasing some of its finest vendors and their products. From locally grown fruits and vegetables to some of the most superb cheese and herbs in the northeast, promoting these products to travelers continues to be a priority.
 
“Providing motorists with exceptional service in every aspect of our system is paramount in all that we do,” said Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Bill Finch.
 
“Continuing to expand our Taste NY Farmers’ Markets to offer travelers access to locally grown, healthy foods while also helping to create agricultural jobs in New York is an initiative that all of us at the Thruway Authority take great pride in and I encourage farmers to take part in this program,” Finch said.
 
The Thruway Authority has outdoor farmers’ market locations at service areas across the state. Last year, nearly one dozen farmers from regions all across New York participated in the markets at 19 service areas, reaching millions of visitors who travel the Thruway throughout the spring and summer months.
 
A list of Thruway Authority service area locations is available here -- http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/travelplazas/index.cgi
 
“Farmers’ markets are a welcome addition to the Thruway’s service areas,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “They highlight each of the region’s agricultural strengths and provide our farmers a unique opportunity to connect with new consumers.
 
“Taste NY Farmers’ Markets also give travelers healthy food options and a chance to interact in person with our state’s great producers,” Ball said.
 
New York vendors interested in selling food products at Taste NY Farmers’ Markets should email TravelersServices@thruway.ny.gov for more information on how to participate this season.
 
Taste NY is an initiative launched by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries.
 
It is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the state and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. 

Drought Relief Money Left Out Of State Budget

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/senates-proposed-drought-relief-funding-for-farmers-not-in-final-state-budget--20170412 to see the story.

New York State Budget Includes Millions for Agriculture

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/state-budget-awards-millions-to-agriculture-thousands-for-farm-business-and-education-programs--20170412 to check out the story.

State Warns Poultry Farmers About Avian Flu

From State Department of Agriculture and Markets

State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball has reminded New York poultry farmers to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
 
Two cases of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza have been reported in Tennessee and several cases of a less serious strain have been reported in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Wisconsin. No cases have been reported in New York.
 
The avian influenza strains detected in other states are not considered to be threats to public health, but can be deadly to birds.
 
To prevent avian influenza from infecting poultry flocks in New York State, the Department is encouraging poultry producers and visitors to farms to follow best practices, which include:
 
** Discourage unnecessary visitors and use biosecurity signs to warn people not to enter buildings without permission
** Ask all visitors if they have had any contact with any birds in the past five days
** Forbid entry to employees and visitors who own any kind of fowl
** Require all visitors to cover and disinfect all footwear
** Lock all entrances to chicken houses after hours
** Avoid non-essential vehicular traffic on-farm
** After hauling birds to processors, clean and disinfect poultry transport coops and vehicles before they return to the farm
 
Report anything unusual, especially sick or dead birds, to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Schumer Wants Crop Insurance for Malt Barley

By DEBRA J. GROOM
dgroom@wdt.net
 

Sen. Charles Schumer holds a glass of malt barley used to make beer

New York state could be on the verge of becoming the craft brewing capital of the United States.

But to do that, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said more farmers have to grow malting barley, which is one of the primary ingredients in beer.
 
“Farmers are eager to grow it if they can get insurance,” Schumer said April 10 during a news conference in the 1886 Malt House in Volney, just outside Fulton in Oswego County. Without insurance, farmers would lose too much money if a freak act of nature ruined their barley crop.
 
Schumer said he will ask incoming Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to insure malt barley crops throughout New York state. 

Right now, malt barley is insured only in Genesee, Ontario, Otsego and Cortland counties.
 
No legislature is needed for this to happen, Schumer said. All Perdue has to do is sign an order.
 
“We have to get this done,” Schumer said.
 
The federal government insures many crops that farmers produce. 

“If an act of God takes away you product, then the federal government will pay you for your loss,” Schumer said.
 
Crop insurance doesn’t exist in many counties in New York for malting barley because it is a fairly new crop. Other crops protected by insurance in New York include corn, soybeans, apples, onions, potatoes, green beans, cabbage, grapes, oats, wheat, nursery and greenhouse products, hay, forage, dairy and beef.
 

Some of the malt barley machines at the 1886 Malt House in Volney, Oswego County

Crop insurance protected $541 million of liability on growing crops in New York in 2015. There were more than 1 million acres insured and more than $42 million was paid to farmers in indemnities for production and/or revenue losses, according to crop insurance statistics.
 
There are about a dozen malt houses in New York state ready to accept more malting barley from farmers. Malt houses, like the one in Volney at the Sunoco ethanol plant, take the malting barley and expose it to moisture so the seed germinates. Then it produces an enzyme that converts the starches to sugars.
 
Schumer said it is important for more farmers to grow malting barley because of the 2012 passage of the state’s Farm Brewing Law, which mandates craft brewers to use New York-grown ingredients in their beer.
 
Right now, brewers must use 20 percent New York hops and 20 percent other New York ingredients in their beers. By 2019, that percentage jumps to 60 percent. And by 2024, no less than 90 percent of all craft beer ingredients must be grown in New York state.
 
That has led to a large increase in the number of hops acreage grown in the state, and Schumer said the same has to happen with malting barley. But the problem with malting barley is it is difficult to grow in New York.
 
Malting barley likes dry, cooler weather and the wetness and humidity in New York could cause malting barley planted here to be more susceptible to diseases, especially fusarium blight.
 
This is why the crop insurance is so important.
 
“Right now, we are one of the top five craft brewing states in the country,” Schumer said. And he believes with the crop insurance, New York could be heading to number one.

BOX:
1886 Malt House
Volney, Oswego County
Has contracts with malt barley farmers in Franklin, Genesee, Orleans, Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Erie, Niagara, Cayuga and Otsego counties
Has 500 acres of malt barley under contract for 2017 and 700 acres under contract for 2017
Will supply more than 2,000 tons of malt barley each year

 

Spring Dairy Carousel Underway at State Fairgrounds

From the New York State Fair:

New York Spring Dairy Carousel is being held April 7-10 at the New York State Fairgrounds.

The Spring Dairy Carousel is recognized as the most prestigious and largest spring dairy event in North America. All seven major dairy breeds are represented in eight shows, five sales and several junior activities. 

In 2016, well over 1,000 animals from 20 states and Canada came for the event. Several thousand people attended throughout the four-day event. 

The public is welcome, admission and parking are free, and food will be available. Exhibitors and staff are happy to answer questions about cattle and the dairy industry. 

A complete schedule of events can be found at this link www.nyholsteins.com

Venue: Toyota Coliseum and the Tractor Supply Company Exhibit Center

Show Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Admission: Free admission
Event Website: www.nyholsteins.com
Contact phone number : (607) 273-7591 or (607) 316-0867