Thursday, June 29, 2017
ABC News Settles 'Pink Slime' Lawsuit
Go to http://www.businessinsider.com/pink-slime-case-settlement-2017-6?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=referral to see the story.
Friday, June 23, 2017
2 Charged with Trying to Steal Cockfighting Birds
From the NY Attorney General's office:
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said two people have been arrested for allegedly breaking into and attempting to steal about 50 chickens from a barn in Poland, Herkimer County.
The chickens had previously been rescued as part of the Attorney General’s “Operation Bloodsport” -- a five-month investigation into an alleged network of cockfighting in the Mohawk Valley that resulted in 41 arrests, and the seizure of gamecocks, heroin, guns and cash.
“It’s cruel, dangerous, and unlawful to torture animals for entertainment – and even more egregious to break in and try to steal those animals after their rescue,” said Schneiderman. “Poultry pilferers who try to fly the coop with our evidence will be brought to justice.”
Juan Jose Lucca Vega, 41, and Wanda Santos, 42, both of Utica, were arrested Tuesday evening and charged with a felony county of burglary and a count of training an animal for animal fighting for amusement.
Vega and Santos are alleged to have broken into a Herkimer barn Tuesday night, where the Attorney General’s Office and the Herkimer County Humane Society had moved the chickens following their rescue last weekend.
Prosecutors allege Vega and Santos broke padlocks authorities had installed on the barn doors and attempted to remove about 50 chickens, which were being treated for injuries sustained during cockfighting and are considered evidence in the case.
Vega and Santos were each arraigned in theNewport Town Court and sent to the Herkimer County Jail.
Their relationship to the other 41 individuals arrested as part of Operation Bloodsport is under investigation.
As announced earlier this week, in "Operation Bloodsport" state and local law enforcement agents – led by the New York State Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York State Police – concluded a five-month investigation into a cockfighting network that was operating prohibited cockfights at a landscaping business in Herkimer County.
The operation drew participants from numerous New York counties including Bronx, Erie, Herkimer, Monroe, New York, Oneida, Onondaga and Queens.
The investigation resulted in the arrests of 41 individuals on June 17th for allegedly operating an illegal cockfighting operation in the town of Frankfort. Police seized nearly 200 gamecocks that were turned over to the Herkimer County Humane Society.
A subsequent search of an adjacent barn resulted in the discovery of a game bird breeding and training facility. Police also seized bird-fighting paraphernalia, such as spurs or razors, which are attached to a bird’s talons to increase the carnage of the fight.
In addition, heroin, several handguns, and over $68,000 in cash were seized. This investigation is part of Schneiderman's ongoing efforts to combat animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting across New York state through his Animal Protection Initiative.
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said two people have been arrested for allegedly breaking into and attempting to steal about 50 chickens from a barn in Poland, Herkimer County.
The chickens had previously been rescued as part of the Attorney General’s “Operation Bloodsport” -- a five-month investigation into an alleged network of cockfighting in the Mohawk Valley that resulted in 41 arrests, and the seizure of gamecocks, heroin, guns and cash.
“It’s cruel, dangerous, and unlawful to torture animals for entertainment – and even more egregious to break in and try to steal those animals after their rescue,” said Schneiderman. “Poultry pilferers who try to fly the coop with our evidence will be brought to justice.”
Juan Jose Lucca Vega, 41, and Wanda Santos, 42, both of Utica, were arrested Tuesday evening and charged with a felony county of burglary and a count of training an animal for animal fighting for amusement.
Vega and Santos are alleged to have broken into a Herkimer barn Tuesday night, where the Attorney General’s Office and the Herkimer County Humane Society had moved the chickens following their rescue last weekend.
Prosecutors allege Vega and Santos broke padlocks authorities had installed on the barn doors and attempted to remove about 50 chickens, which were being treated for injuries sustained during cockfighting and are considered evidence in the case.
Vega and Santos were each arraigned in theNewport Town Court and sent to the Herkimer County Jail.
Their relationship to the other 41 individuals arrested as part of Operation Bloodsport is under investigation.
As announced earlier this week, in "Operation Bloodsport" state and local law enforcement agents – led by the New York State Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York State Police – concluded a five-month investigation into a cockfighting network that was operating prohibited cockfights at a landscaping business in Herkimer County.
The operation drew participants from numerous New York counties including Bronx, Erie, Herkimer, Monroe, New York, Oneida, Onondaga and Queens.
The investigation resulted in the arrests of 41 individuals on June 17th for allegedly operating an illegal cockfighting operation in the town of Frankfort. Police seized nearly 200 gamecocks that were turned over to the Herkimer County Humane Society.
A subsequent search of an adjacent barn resulted in the discovery of a game bird breeding and training facility. Police also seized bird-fighting paraphernalia, such as spurs or razors, which are attached to a bird’s talons to increase the carnage of the fight.
In addition, heroin, several handguns, and over $68,000 in cash were seized. This investigation is part of Schneiderman's ongoing efforts to combat animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting across New York state through his Animal Protection Initiative.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
More Than $1M Awarded to New Farmers
From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:
More than $1 million has been awarded to 27 new and early-stage farms through the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said since its launch in 2014, the program has provided nearly $2.5 million to 66 farms across the state to expand operations and improve profitability.
"Agriculture remains a major New York industry, and with support from the New Farmers Grant Fund, we will be making investments that will pay dividends for future generations of farmers," said Cuomo.
"The fund continues to provide access to capital to help new and early farms grow, while supporting the expansion of businesses statewide, and with this latest round of awards, New York will help increase production and support this critically important part of our economy for years to come," Cuomo said.
The New Farmers Grant Fund award recipients by region are:
Capital Region
Finger Lakes
Long Island
Mid-Hudson Valley
Mohawk Valley
North Country
Southern Tier
Western New York
The New Farmers Grant Fund is administered by Empire State Development, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Nearly 60 applications were submitted for program funding this round, with applicants scored based on specific criteria, including demonstrating how the project expands or diversifies agricultural production.
Grant funds will be used for project costs associated with the construction of farm buildings, and the purchase of equipment and supplies.
The fund provides grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with the remaining 50 percent being matched by the recipient.
All eligible farm owners must be within the first ten years of ownership and the farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or raised on the farm. This year, the program eliminated the 150 acres or less requirement and accepted farm applicants of all sizes.
More than $1 million has been awarded to 27 new and early-stage farms through the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said since its launch in 2014, the program has provided nearly $2.5 million to 66 farms across the state to expand operations and improve profitability.
"Agriculture remains a major New York industry, and with support from the New Farmers Grant Fund, we will be making investments that will pay dividends for future generations of farmers," said Cuomo.
"The fund continues to provide access to capital to help new and early farms grow, while supporting the expansion of businesses statewide, and with this latest round of awards, New York will help increase production and support this critically important part of our economy for years to come," Cuomo said.
The New Farmers Grant Fund award recipients by region are:
Capital Region
- Blue Star Farm NY, LLC, Columbia County – $50,000
- Letterbox Farm, LLC, Columbia County – $31,000
- MX Morningstar Farm, Columbia County – $30,436
Finger Lakes
- Buttonwood Grove Winery, Seneca County – $50,000
- Camman Acres, LLC, Monroe County – $18,021
- First Light Farm & Creamery, Genesee County – $50,000
- Hartway Brothers, Orleans County – $42,500
- Lyman and Chelsey Rudgers, Wyoming County – $50,000
Long Island
- Sannino's Bella Vita Vineyard, Suffolk County – $19,154
Mid-Hudson Valley
- Long Season Farm, Ulster County – $32,119
- Westwind Orchard, LLC, Ulster County – $48,619
Mohawk Valley
- Autumn Valley Farm, Otsego County – $39,900
- Collins Farm, LLC, Oneida County – $50,000
- Dygert Farms Creamery, Montgomery County – $37,500
- Michael B’s Honey Co., Oneida County – $30,770
North Country
- Black Rooster Maple, Essex County – $50,000
- Echo Farm, Essex County – $23,401
- Reber Rock Farm, Essex County – $35,065
Southern Tier
- Bensvue Farms, LLC, Tompkins County – $46,118
- Hemlock Ridge Farm, Steuben County – $50,000
- Nanticoke Gardens, Broome County – $49,510
- Shannon Brook Farm, Schuyler County – $44,000
- Homestead Hog Farm, Steuben County – $38,741
Western New York
- Black Bird Cider Works, Niagara County – $46,245
- Bliss Dairy Company, Inc., Cattaraugus County – $50,000
- Nathan & Sarah Nickerson, Chautauqua County – $16,660
- Niefergold Dairy, LLC, Erie County – $50,000
The New Farmers Grant Fund is administered by Empire State Development, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Nearly 60 applications were submitted for program funding this round, with applicants scored based on specific criteria, including demonstrating how the project expands or diversifies agricultural production.
Grant funds will be used for project costs associated with the construction of farm buildings, and the purchase of equipment and supplies.
The fund provides grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with the remaining 50 percent being matched by the recipient.
All eligible farm owners must be within the first ten years of ownership and the farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or raised on the farm. This year, the program eliminated the 150 acres or less requirement and accepted farm applicants of all sizes.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
State Fair to Host Craft Beer Competition
From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:
The Great New York State Fair will host a professionally judged craft beer competition to further promote New York's growing craft beverage industry.
The New York State Craft Beer Competition will award medals to the best beers in 20 categories, and the highest scoring beer in all categories will be awarded the Governor's Excelsior Cup.
Sponsored by the New York State Brewers Association, top professional and amateur judges from around the state will sample submitted beers in an official, private judging session on July 29, 2017.
"After cutting red tape and removing barriers to growth, New York's craft beverage industry is thriving in every corner of this state," Cuomo said. "Building on the success of the Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge, this competition taps professionally trained judges, opens the playing field to New York brewers, and will further promote the world class beverages made right here in the Empire State."
The New York State Craft Beer Competition is open to any craft brewer located in New York state. As many as three gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each of the 20 categories, which include major styles of beer, such as IPAs and Lagers, as well as niche or emerging styles, such as sour beers or fruit and spice beers.
Brewers may enter more than one variety of beer and each entry is $45. A complete list of rules, categories and entry instructions can be found at www.nyscraftbeer.com
The Great New York State Fair will host a professionally judged craft beer competition to further promote New York's growing craft beverage industry.
The New York State Craft Beer Competition will award medals to the best beers in 20 categories, and the highest scoring beer in all categories will be awarded the Governor's Excelsior Cup.
Sponsored by the New York State Brewers Association, top professional and amateur judges from around the state will sample submitted beers in an official, private judging session on July 29, 2017.
"After cutting red tape and removing barriers to growth, New York's craft beverage industry is thriving in every corner of this state," Cuomo said. "Building on the success of the Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge, this competition taps professionally trained judges, opens the playing field to New York brewers, and will further promote the world class beverages made right here in the Empire State."
The New York State Craft Beer Competition is open to any craft brewer located in New York state. As many as three gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each of the 20 categories, which include major styles of beer, such as IPAs and Lagers, as well as niche or emerging styles, such as sour beers or fruit and spice beers.
Brewers may enter more than one variety of beer and each entry is $45. A complete list of rules, categories and entry instructions can be found at www.nyscraftbeer.com
Bill To Ensure Farm Property Tax Relief Eligibility Passes State Legislature
From Assemblyman Bill Magee's office:
Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, announced that legislation he sponsored to ensure more farms are eligible for critical property tax relief has passed both the Assembly and the Senate.
The legislation allows family members who operate farms held in trust to qualify for the Farmers’ School Tax Credit – a refundable credit for farming businesses that have paid school district property taxes (A.4650).
“It’s important that we help farms transition from one generation to the next,” Magee said. “Those who have been farming for decades have knowledge that has been handed down and is almost impossible to replace. We can help new farmers take the helm and continue their family’s legacy by cutting red tape to ensure they get the tax relief they need and deserve.”
As chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Magee is a strong advocate for farmers, and fights to ensure that family farms can continue to thrive. He recognizes that trusts have become more common over the past several years as more families use them to transfer their farms to the next generation.
Currently, there are more than 400 farms in New York State classified as “cooperative, estate or trust, institutional” and a significant number of those are trusts.
However, a technicality in current law allows family members who intend to purchase the land to be eligible for the Farmers’ School Tax Credit, while those who will inherit through a trust are not. Magee’s legislation corrects that oversight and allows new farmers to claim the credit.
The legislation has passed both houses and awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, announced that legislation he sponsored to ensure more farms are eligible for critical property tax relief has passed both the Assembly and the Senate.
The legislation allows family members who operate farms held in trust to qualify for the Farmers’ School Tax Credit – a refundable credit for farming businesses that have paid school district property taxes (A.4650).
“It’s important that we help farms transition from one generation to the next,” Magee said. “Those who have been farming for decades have knowledge that has been handed down and is almost impossible to replace. We can help new farmers take the helm and continue their family’s legacy by cutting red tape to ensure they get the tax relief they need and deserve.”
As chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Magee is a strong advocate for farmers, and fights to ensure that family farms can continue to thrive. He recognizes that trusts have become more common over the past several years as more families use them to transfer their farms to the next generation.
Currently, there are more than 400 farms in New York State classified as “cooperative, estate or trust, institutional” and a significant number of those are trusts.
However, a technicality in current law allows family members who intend to purchase the land to be eligible for the Farmers’ School Tax Credit, while those who will inherit through a trust are not. Magee’s legislation corrects that oversight and allows new farmers to claim the credit.
The legislation has passed both houses and awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
European Union Bans Word 'Milk' for Plant-Based Products
An interesting read.
Will the U.S. follow suit?
Go to https://www.fginsight.com/news/word-milk-banned-for-use-in-branding-of-plant-based-products-22024 to see the story.
Will the U.S. follow suit?
Go to https://www.fginsight.com/news/word-milk-banned-for-use-in-branding-of-plant-based-products-22024 to see the story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)