agriculture

Bigness is killing New York dairy farmers.

Big and ever-growing milk processors and retail chains are controlling the market and driving down the prices paid to farmers, but not passing on the cost savings to consumers.

That was the message of a meeting yesterday at GCC of dairy farmers and the Assistant U.S. Attorney General Christine A. Varney, who is in charge of the Antitrust Division.

From the Buffalo News:

"Our farmers are getting paid less and consumers are paying more," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who invited Varney to the meeting. "Someone's walking away with all the money."

Schumer said processors are making record profits at a time when farmers are on the brink of losing their family businesses. He wants the Justice Department to investigate anti-competitive practices in the dairy industry.

Consolidation among milk processors is one of the chief reasons prices paid to farmers has gone down, Varney was told. There are simply fewer outlets for farmers to sell their product to, meaning less competition, and without the competition it's easier for the buyer to set ever lower prices.

In some states, Dean Foods controls as much as 90 percent of the market, and about 70 percent in New York.

From the D&C: 

Bill Cook, who milks 1,800 cows near Aurora, Cayuga County, said he used to deal with five different milk buyers who were willing to pay a premium for the high-quality milk his cows produced. Premiums can mean the difference between just paying the bills and actually making a profit.

Meanwhile, Cook said none of those buyers is still operating because they went out of business or were consolidated into larger operations, such as Dean Foods, a giant among dairy processors. Cook had to borrow $500,000 to cover his losses last year.

The Buffalo News quoted a sixth-generation Wyoming County Farmer who used USDA figures to point out that the dairy farm share of retail dollars have dropped from 37 percent to 25 percent in the past three years.

Bigger and bigger retail chains were also blamed for downward prices on milk products.  Walmart's outsized pressure for lower and lower prices isn't helping farmers.

"Walmart's 'everyday low prices' applies constant downward pressure on all commodities, squeezing the supply chain while demanding more," said Ed Schoen of Shoe-Acres farm in Phelps, Ontario County. Pricing at Wegmans, on the other hand, is sensitive to the prices farmers are getting, he said.

Barbara Brown, a county legislator in Oswego County, said her district once had 26 dairy farms. Now it has three. She recently sold off her cows and closed her farm.

Varney offered the farmers hope.

"We will not let you down," she said, according to the Buffalo News. "We know the problem you're facing."

Sen. Schumer has called on the federal government to take several steps to help dairy farmers:

• Deal with the consolidation of milk processors and the lack of competition.
• A program called MILC provides aid to farmers when milk prices fall to a certain level. That target price needs to be raised.
• Raise MILC reimbursement from 45 percent of the price difference.
• Reform the milk marketing order system, which helps set commodity prices, used by the USDA. The current system doesn't adequately measure the cost of milk production in the Northeast.
• Return to a dairy compact system that helps New York farmers set prices.
• Pass a Milk Import Tariff act to ensure that milk producers and processors in other countries are playing by the same rules as the United States.

Are New York's dairy farmers being harmed by possible monopolies in the milk-processing industry?

That's one of the questions the nation's top anti-trust cop will try to answer when she meets with a group of dairy owners at Genesee Community College at 11 a.m., March 27.

The meeting isn't a hearing, but Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney will be on hand to hear directly from farmers what complaints they might have regarding alleged price fixing.

New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton said the farm bureau has been working on getting farmers to the meeting, but he doesn't have a position on whether there are monopoly practices in the industry.

"I can't say yes or no to that question," Norton said. "There are some people who believe there are monopolies in the industry, but I don't know if there is any hard evidence to prove it. That's one thing I guess Varney wants to find out."

Sen. Charles Schumer helped arrange the meeting after learning that Varney has been working on anti-trust issues in other parts of the agriculture industry.

(via Watershed Post)

Tom Rivers is a reporter of boundless energy. He's run in marathons and worked day-long shifts in local farm fields.

Now he's published a book.

The Batavia Daily News staff writer wrote an award-winning series 2008 about his laborious research into just want it takes to work at local farms in Western New York. Those articles are the basis of Farm Hands: Hard work and hard lessons from Western New York fields.

"Books have a little more permanence," Rivers said. "You can read about the titans of industry, such as Dean Richmond, in books, but there aren't a lot of books about the people doing the work. I just think the farmworkers make a great contribution to our community. They deserve the recognition (of being in a book)."

The stories of Tom's days and nights in the fields of Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties picking apples and chopping and throwing cabbage give the reader a great sense of just how hard farm work is.

Although he knew it would be challenging, Rivers said he was surprised by how taxing it really is. And it takes training, experience and dedication to ensure that the produce isn't damaged before it's delivered to market.

"There's this feeling that we can just throw anybody into farm work, but not just anybody can do this," Rivers said. "Buyers could reject 40 tons of cabbage if it's not just perfect, if the heads are bruised. There's more pressure on the workers than there is in my job or in most people's jobs. They have to aim for perfection."

The book contains additional material not included in the original newspaper series, Rivers said.

Rivers self-published the book and had it printed at Hodgkins Printing in the Harvester Center.

The full-color book came out looking great, Rivers said. Daily News Publisher Tom Turnbull didn't hesitate to give Rivers permission, without fee, to reprint his own articles as well as the color photos that ran with the series.

"I like that it says, 'Printed in Batavia,' but I don't feel like I was working with a second-rate company," Rivers said. "They were great over there."

The book is for sale locally at the Holland Land Office Museum and Present Tense Books on Washington Avenue.

That big blue and white object in the background isn't some jet engine I PhotoShoped into a farm picture -- it's a wind turbine, called the WindTamer.

Owner Garry Wilson said the turbine will be fully operational this week and will provide more power than he needs for his farm.

Wilson's farm is on Route 19 in Le Roy, right next door to the suspected meth lab police found this morning.

While Wilson said he's never heard a blade-type wind turbine, this one doesn't make much noise at all.

"We had quite a bit of wind a few nights back and it was no louder than a truck idling," Wilson said.

The turbines are advertised as more efficient, producing more power, than conventional turbines.

Wilson said he believes he has the first WindTamer in Genesee County, and the first turbine of any kind in Le Roy.

I got a chance to talk with Garry because while I was waiting for something interesting to happen at the suspected meth lab house (more on that later), I stood along the edge of the road and started trying to take some pictures of his horses, which is when I spotted one laying on the ground with its hoof apparently caught on a fence railing.

I spotted Garry's number and gave him a call. He came out immediately to help the horse get uncaught and get back up. He said it happens once in a while when the horse lays down too close to the fence and then rolls over, getting its hoof caught.

Pictures below of the horse rescue as well as one of Garry throwing some hay to his horses and of his cattle.

The horse seemed perfectly fine after it got up, even coming over to the railing where I was hoping I might be a person with a treat. Sorry, horse, no treats.

A welcome sight on a long stretch of Route 5, at 857 Main Road in Corfu, is Kutter's Cheese Factory Store. Epicures, bus loads of tourists, wine lovers, cheese tasters and other customers make regular stops at the retail shop because they like what it offers.

The variety is impressive. Blocks of Swiss cheese, wheels of jack cheese, spreads, curds, cheesecakes, specialty cheeses like Stilton with lemon or double-cream Spanish cheddar, crackers, cranberry horseradish sauce, New York maple syrup, eggs, fresh local apples, hot mustard, bologna and more.

The success of Kutter's Cheese Factory Store and its positive impact on local agriculture are why it is being honored Saturday by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce as Agricultural Business of the Year for 2009.

It is also a "satellite winery" of Hunt Country Wines and carries its New York wines exclusively. Wine sales at stores offering local farm and dairy products are allowed under New York Department of Agriculture and Markets law. In fact, at one time, dairymen grew grapes for vintners to augment their income.

Even so, the retail pairing isn't commonplace, according to 77-year-old Tony Kutter, son of the late founder, Leo.

"I've always been adament about promoting wine and cheese," Kutter said. "We also supply a lot of wineries with cheese for wine tasting."

In fact, the business ships worldwide, from California to Taiwan.

The small Corfu store property is leased from the adjacent Yancey's Fancy cheese producers as well as the equipment to make its own cheese. Kutter's produces fine cheddars and other cheese varieties, plus it sells products made by others, including some imports, like Port Salut from France.

Kutter lives just two houses away from the store, but is retired from the business. So is his 80-year-old brother, Richard, who lives in the area but spends winters in Florida.

Yet Tony remains active in the industry. He's on the board of directors of the New York State Cheesemaker Association and usually attends the Cheesemakers Convention. He's proud to note that the association pays half the salary of a professor at Cornell University to fund ag research.

Kutter says he's happy to work with the chamber of commerce to promote agritourism and he's honored to receive the chamber award. It recognizes a business that is now 63 years old.

In a way, it started in Bavaria, before the Great War. Leo (1893-1962) was born there and as a young man, his chosen vocation was cheese making. He was especially good at crafting the pungent Limburger variety.

Then World War I came and he served Germany. Two days prior to his being discharged, he was captured by the French and became a prisoner of war. But once the "War to End All Wars" was over, he returned to his roots. As the German economy faltered, inflation ran amouk and panic began setting in. He left for Buffalo, USA, thanks to the sponsorship of his sister. That was 1923-24.

Buffalo before the Great Depression was a boomtown, boasting large steel plants, flour mills and plenty of railroads lines to further commerce. He went to Wyoming County to find work in the dairy industry. Although the Great Depression created a shortage of milk, according to Tony, WWII created a shortage of sons to milk the cows.

Some historians claim there were more than 20 cheese factories in Western New York at the time. Leo told dairymen to bring him their milk, or let him milk their cows and otherwise make himself useful. What he really wanted, was to start his own cheese-making business.

He did so in Cowlesville in 1947, purposely on a main route with great access and visability. Tony and Richard learned young how to scrub vats and clean up equipment and the grounds after school.

After Leo's death, then-29-year-old Tony, a Korean War veteran, and his brother took over the business. It was hard, familiar work.

Early last year, they approached Brian Bailey and his wife, Heather, about buying the retail store. Brian had been a business partner of the Kutter brothers since 1995.

In November, they sealed the deal and along with Christine Adamczak, formed BHC Cheese, Inc. The trio constitutes the board of directors, with Heather as president, Brian as vice president of operations, and Adamczak as vice president of sales and marketing.

"It's an honor to be recognized, to be part of a business that is being carried on successfully after 63 years," Heather Bailey said.

Tony Kutter takes pride in creating a mighty "stinky" Limburger, the first cheese he learned to make, and claims more and more people are rediscovering it. Now with Kutter's Cheese Factory Store in award-winning hands, he's probably planning his 32nd trip to Russia.

There's a strong possiblity he'll be tempted to promote Limburger and vodka. The bold pairing does seems fitting. "Na zda-ro-vye!"

The following article was submitted by Beverly Mancuso, executive director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County, and Brad Rogers, chairman, Genesee County Soil and Water.

This is Food Check Out Week, a nationwide effort begun by Farm Bureau to raise awareness that we have a safe and affordable food supply readily available in the United States. Thank you to our farmers!

The focus is “Stretching Your Food Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food." Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County can work with everyone to help achieve this goal. Just give us a call at 343-3040.

Feb. 21-27 is the week when the average American earns enough disposable income to pay for his or her family’s food supply for an entire year. Thanks to the hard work of farmers, U.S. consumers spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food. Compare this to the fact that most Americans work into April to pay their taxes.

More and more people are realizing how important food is to our quality of life, in fact, to our daily survival. This is great news!  Several local people were recently recognized for their efforts in this arena by the New York State Ag Society at its 178th Annual Meeting & Agricultural Forum held in Syracuse Jan. 7.

Batavia Daily News journalists Tom Rivers and Sharon Larsen were awarded the “Cap” Creal Journalism Award for telling the story of New York Agriculture. Tom also won last year with his farm labor story. This year, he won for the story “Raising Pigs.” Sharon Larsen was recognized for her editorial "Farm ‘omnibust’ bill."

CY Farms, Batavia Turf, CY Heifer Farms received the Business of the Year Award, an award developed to promote the state’s food system and recognize the quality, leadership and innovation demonstrated by New York agribusinesses. Carl and Craig Yunker were present to receive this award.

Many organizations in Genesee County support and promote agriculture in our area. This is important to each of us because we all depend on agriculture for food, fuel, clothing and shelter. Agriculture is the number one economic driver in our community. Genesee County Farm Bureau, the Ag Committee of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Ag Farmland Protection, Genesee County Soil and Water and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County are just some of the many groups that continually reach out to our Community. The Genesee County Legislature is also very supportive of agriculture, and for that, we are all very appreciative.

Frankly, it’s easy to take agriculture for granted. Our food is readily accessible and safe. For this, we’re unbelievably fortunate. Before you know it, Farmer’s Market will be operating, and this represents just one opportunity to buy local. Visit this website for more information:
http://geneseebuylocal.shutterfly.com/agritourism

The Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act, also known in these parts as the "farm death bill," will be the subject of a public hearing March 1 by the State Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sen. Darrel Aubertine (D-48) chairs the ag committee and requested the hearing after the bill, S-2247-B, passed the Senate's labor committee.

Aubertine told the Syracuse Post-Standard:

“This hearing will enable us for the first time as a committee to listen to the concerns of both the advocates for this bill and the farmers who will bear the responsibility of adhering to its new regulations,” said committee Chair Sen. Darrel Aubertine.

“We need to better assess the impact of this bill and be sure that we have the facts regarding how this bill will affect our economy, our farm workers and our family farms. We’ve lost more than a farm a day in New York State over the past 30 years and there’s no question that we cannot afford to lose another industry, especially agriculture, which is a cornerstone of our economy,” he said.

Opponents of the bill say it will devastate New York's 35,000 family farms, driving up costs and causing many farm workers to earn less.

The bill could also increase the costs of farm goods for consumers.

In an e-mail, Aubertine invited interested parties to submit testimony on the bill, which he said subjects farmers to new, complex mandates presenting a yet-undetermined impact on New York's food supply.

About the hearing, Aubertine wrote:

The Agriculture Committee will be hearing testimony on the proposed Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act on March 1st in Hearing Room A of the Legislative Office Building. While there is limited availability to provide oral testimony, I encourage you to share written testimony with the committee. If you would like to provide testimony on this topic, please contact Sarah Blood, Senate Agriculture Committee Director, at 518-455-2761 or blood@senate.ny.us by February 26. Please also provide a copy of your testimony to the committee no later than February 26. The Hearing will be streamed live via the the Senate Website starting at 9:00 AM.   

According to Wikipedia, Aubertine is a dairy farmer. He represents a primarily Republican, agriculture district. He is the only working farmer currently in the Senate.

No one spoke in favor of proposed zoning changes, intended to protect agricultural land, at tonight's public hearing in the Batavia Town Hall. Not the county, nor farmers, nor just plain property owners.

The draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan aims to preserve tracts of land big enough to farm by limiting the creation of non-farm lots as well as the subdivision of farm parcels. It's a long-term strategy to deal with growth and yet maintain a highly important resource -- local agriculture.

Two more public hearings will be held before it's considered. Nothing is settled, everything is negotiable.

About a dozen people were at the Town Board meeting and they got an overview of the plan before getting a chance to speak.

First to the podium was Penfield resident Jeffrey Peters who owns property in the town as does his sister.

Among Peters' complaints was the possible rezoning of 120 acres he owns, which could be changed from residential to agricultural. What he could build 100 houses on now would be rezoned to allow only about 5.

"This impedes our ability to market properties," Peters said, adding that the economic loss would be tremendous.

He figures at least 180 current landowners will be affected by the proposals.

"I'll guarantee they won't like the numbers," Peters said.

Furthermore, there is no compelling reason to make the changes, Peters went on, because residential encroachment on ag land here amounts to less than 1 percent, hardly justification for taking away his property rights under the Constitution.

His attorney, Edward Pucino, echoed his client's concerns.

The draft plan places severe limitations on the exercise of property rights. It's too restrictive, Pucino said. He recommended the town negotiate conservation easements and other incentives with property owners to preserve land.

Putting highly restrictive zoning in place would result in multiple variance requests and, possibly, lawsuits.

"Twenty-five acres per residential lot constitutes a 'taking' of property -- that's unconstitutional," Pucino said.

Joe Jaszko questioned the whole enterprise. He said nothing needed to be changed and that it all just amounts to more government in people's lives, and for no good reason.

Town Supervisor Greg Post said he understood Jaszko's concerns about more government and agreed with him. But Post said the town has a responsibility to be good stewards of the land for future generations, and it's better to work out the plan at the most local level than have some other government entity do so.

"There may be a debate about how it's being done, but I'm glad it's being done and you're not ignoring it," said Jim Duval, planning director for Genesee County.

Duval asked that the draft be revised to reflect that the area north of town, some 1,500 acres, be declared the wet and unproductive land that it is, rather than designating it as protected agriculture property.

Gary Diegelman, in a similar vein, suggested that land that has not been tilled, say, within the last 10 years, not fall under ag protection.

"If wetlands and woodlands and all were lumped in that protected designation, it would be a burden to the property owner and they would need to seek variances to make changes," Diegelman said.

After the hour-long hearing, Roger Saile walked into the hallway and just shook his head. He was not pleased with the draft plan in the least.

"We've been here 100 years and we've protected our land just fine," Saile said. "And now someone from out of town comes here and tells us how to protect it.

"It's too much government. I need protection -- from them!" Saile said, pointing toward the well-intended people in the other room.

Stuart Brown Associates in Fairport prepared the bulk of the plan in conjunction with a 10-person steering committee from the town. The work was funded with a $25,000 state grant. Copies are available from the town clerk's office.

The distinction of Conservation Farm of the Year 2009 has been awarded to John and Shelley Reynolds of Reyncrest Farms.

The Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors made the selection and will present the award at the "Celebrate Agriculture" dinner on March 13 at the Alexander Fire Hall.

Reyncrest Farms is located on 9666 Alleghany Road in Corfu. It grows feed crops on 1,500 acres and has more than 600 dairy cows.

The longtime family business was chosen because of its environmentally friendly ways, including crop rotation, growing grass buffers along streams and ditches and installing an extensive and sophisticated drainage system.

The Reynolds family also tries to be a good neighbor when it comes to spreading manure -- they limit it to dry days and will postpone the chore if a neighbor has a party.

It's not the first time Reyncrest has received the Conservation Farm of the Year award. It also won it in 1982 when the farm was operated by John's father, the late Ed Reynolds.

Reyncrest Farms built a new barn in 2008 and a new milking structure in 1997. The big, old red barn -- plainly visible on Alleghany Road -- was spruced up last year thanks to about $5,000 from the Campbell's Soup Co. The barn was one of only five chosen nationwide for refurbishment as part of Campbell's "Help Grow Your Soup" campaign.

A so-called compromise bill on changes to farm labor laws would cost New York farmers more than $200 million in added expense, according to New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton.

In a press release from the bureau, Norton says the proposed changes to labor laws are more onerous than any other state, except California, which has an agriculture industry three times larger than New York's.

Ironically, Norton noted, that primary backers of the bill -- legislative staff and nonprofits -- are exempt from the same kind of labor laws they now advocate for family farms.

"Food is a basic human need, and this legislation seeks to ensure that local farms won't be around to produce local food for local people. This bill would force us to turn our farms into factories, to meet these onerous labor mandates that virtually no other state in the union has. It's yet another example of Albany seeking to drive businesses -- and farmers -- out of New York," Norton said. 

The bill, S.2247b, was introduced by Sen. Pedro Espada Thursday night and it opens the door to collective bargaining on family farms and forces small, seasonal operations to pay unemployment benefits for temporary workers.

"This proposal forces mandates on our family farms that will put New York at an extreme competitive disadvantage," Norton said. "Sen. Espada and the legislature need to consider the long-term viability of the Upstate and Long Island economy before passing legislation that wrecks it."

The American Farm Bureau is putting PETA and other animal rights groups on notice -- they're not going to let these groups define their industry and spread misinformation about their farms any longer.

That was the message from Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman at the group's annual convention last week.

Batavian Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau, was there and he said he agrees with Stallman's message.

At a time when New York farmers are facing dire economic consequences from lower commodity prices, high production costs, climate change legislation and proposed migrant worker reforms, the animal rights activists and others who would spread misinformation about farmers are going to face a more energized opposition, Norton said.

"In the current political environment, rallies and campaigns get more attention than just sitting down in a room and discussing issues," Norton said. "That's why we're going to get out and rally and campaign, so we can get our message out."

About 99 percent of America's farms are family owned, Norton said, so the idea that there are these large corporate farms engaged in factory farm is really a myth.

"Sure there are bad apples," Norton said. "There are bad apples in every bunch, but people never look at the good stuff. They only look at the bad stuff. Only the bad stuff makes the news."

Norton said he is particularly concerned about climate change treaties known as "cap and trade."

Cap and trade, Norton said, will drive up costs for American farmers by $5 billion, cost to consumers by $7 billion and reduce agriculture profits by $2 billion, based on a study commissioned by the American Farm Bureau.

"American farmers have fed and clothed American families for more than 200 years and we're the leaders in the world in providing food and fiber," Norton said. "We're not going to let people not part of our industry tell us how to raise our animals healthy. We're already doing that."

Photo: File photo of Dean Norton

New York's struggling dairy farmers are going to receive a good chunk of federal aid, the D&C reports this morning.

The USDA announced a nationwide distribution plan that favors smaller dairy farmers for a $290-million aid package. Some $40 million of the funds are slated for New York's farmers.

Checks will be mailed this week and there is no application process.

“Dairy farmers are the backbone of New York’s agricultural economy, and they are in the middle of the worst crisis in recent memory,” Sen. Charles Schumer said. “This congressional aid could not come a moment too soon.”

The average dairy farmer, with 116 cows, according to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office will receive about $7,400.

Read More.

Genesee County will soon be home to the first shovel-ready agri-business industrial park in New York, according to Chad Zambito, spokesman for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

GCEDC breaks ground on the project Tuesday and expects the first tenant to start building a $15 million food-processing facility in the spring.

"These are expensive ventures and private developers aren't willing to do it because of the cost that’s needed up front and the long-term return, so it’s something we have to do and we need everybody’s participation to make it happen," Zambito told WBTA.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Kennedy Building of the Genesee County Fair Grounds.

The 200-acre park is located between state routes 5 and 63 in Batavia and sits in close proximity to O-AT-KA Milk Products. 

At full build-out, the park is expected to provide 1,200 jobs in Genesee County and generate $2 billion in revenue over 25 years.

The first tenant, a Canadian-based food processor, will hire 100 people to work at its facility.

When the infrastructure installation is complete, the site will contain nearly 200 acres  serviced by industrial-class electric, gas and rail. The park is dedicated to agri-business applications including food and bio-fuels processing and is owned by a unique public/private partnership.

It also has access to 6 million gallons of aquifer water daily, ideal for food production applications, and sits in an Empire Zone.
 
The GCEDC, along with its real estate affiliate the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation and an affiliate of Farm Credit of WNY share ownership of the park.

It was largely made possible by a state grant recently approved by Empire State Development and a matching grant from Genesee County. The GCEDC, Town of Batavia, National Grid and National Fuel are also providing funding. 

Phase 1 construction, being completed by Zoladz Construction Company Inc. of Alden, NY, will include water, sewer and roadway base installation. 

Food safety has been in the news recently, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, has a plan to improve food inspections, recall response and public education.

Gillibrand said she is calling for:

• Improving testing of ground beef
• Improving regulation of all other food, with a focus on prevention, more oversight and higher quality lab testing
• Increasing FDA resources
• Improving the safety of imported food
• Making recalls of contaminated food mandatory
• Improving public education

“In America, in 2009, it is unconscionable that food is still going straight to our kitchens, school cafeterias and restaurants without being properly tested to ensure its safety,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “It’s spreading too many diseases and costing too many lives. We need to do a better job of catching contaminated food before it ever comes close to a kitchen table. My plan addresses the gaps in the inspection process and improves recalls and public education, so parents have access to the information to keep their families safe.”

The New York Times recently ran an interesting investigative piece about ongoing issues with E. coli in ground beef.

Full press release after the jump:

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the first New York senator to sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, today announced a comprehensive plan to overhaul the nation’s food safety laws by improving inspection, recall response, and public education.  A cornerstone of Senator Gillibrand’s plan is new legislation to mandate E. coli inspections of ground beef.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year an estimated 87 million Americans are sickened by contaminated food, 371,000 are hospitalized with food-borne illness, and 5,700 die from food-related disease.  While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made some progress improving food safety regulations, the nation’s food safety laws have not been significantly overhauled in more than a century, according to the Congressional Research Service.

“In America, in 2009, it is unconscionable that food is still going straight to our kitchens, school cafeterias and restaurants without being properly tested to ensure its safety,” Senator Gillibrand said. “It’s spreading too many diseases and costing too many lives. We need to do a better job of catching contaminated food before it ever comes close to a kitchen table. My plan addresses the gaps in the inspection process and improves recalls and public education, so parents have access to the information to keep their families safe.”


Across New York State, approximately 5 million people are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year.
·        In New York City, an estimate of nearly 2.1 million are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In Western New York, an estimate of nearly 360,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, an estimate of over 310,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In Central New York, an estimate of over 250,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In the Southern Tier, an estimate of nearly 170,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In the Capital Region, an estimate of over 280,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In the North Country, an estimate of nearly 125,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        In the Hudson Valley, an estimate of an estimate of over 570,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year;
·        On Long Island, an estimate of over 715,000 are afflicted with a food-borne illness each year.
Salmonella is the most common food-borne illness – causing over 1 million illnesses each year in the U.S., according to the CDC. Another 70,000 in America fall victim to E. coli each year. From meat and poultry to peanut butter, fruits and vegetables, almost every type of food we eat each day has the potential for contamination because of outdated, insufficient safeguards and testing processes.


Responsibility for enforcing America’s food safety measures is shared by 15 federal agencies – with the FDA and USDA responsible for the bulk of the oversight.  However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is often limited to reactive regulations once outbreaks have already begun instead of preventing contaminations from spreading, and risking the safety of our food and the health of millions.

Senator Gillibrand’s plan to improve food safety will streamline and strengthen regulations at the USDA and FDA.  Senator Gillibrand’s efforts will also alter the fundamental approach to food safety by focusing on prevention to catch food-borne illnesses, and more quickly preventing further illness when an outbreak is detected.


 
STRENGTHEN INSPECTION AND SURVEILLANCE

Improve Testing of Ground Beef
During a 2008 industry-wide sampling of all ground beef produced, the CDC found that nearly 1 in every 200 samples of ground beef was contaminated with E. coli.  Ground beef is especially vulnerable to E. coli because its source material is not from a single cut of meat, rather, from a compilation of trimmings from many parts, including fat that lies near the surface of possibly contaminated hide. While some grinders that process ground beef voluntarily test the meat before and after grinding, there is currently no federal requirement for grinders to test their ingredients for E. coli. 

To reduce the risk of E. coli ending up in the hamburgers and other food we eat, Senator Gillibrand is authoring the E. Coli Eradication Act – new legislation that would require all plants that process ground beef to test their products regularly before it is ground and again before it is combined with other beef or ingredients, such as spices, and packaged. If ground beef is found to be contaminated, the bill requires the company to properly dispose of the contaminated batch, or cook the meat to a temperature that destroys the E. coli. Senator Gillibrand’s legislation will include appropriate penalties for companies that fail to implement testing mechanisms at their facilities. 

Improve Regulation of All Other Food
Ground beef isn’t the only food infecting people with E. coli and salmonella. Fruits and vegetables can also be contaminated. Senator Gillibrand is co-sponsoring the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act – legislation authored by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) that would make comprehensive improvements to the safety of fruits and vegetables, and help prevent outbreaks before they start.
 
·        Focus on Prevention, requiring all facilities to establish preventive plans to address hazards upfront, prevent adulteration, and give the FDA access to all of these plans and procedures.


·        Expand Access to Records, giving the FDA access to the records of all food processing facilities.


·        Establish Oversight of High Quality Testing Laboratories, by granting the FDA authority to check the credibility of the laboratories testing the safety of food, requiring the labs to report all of their findings to the FDA, and certify that foreign food facilities comply with U.S. food safety standards.


·        Improve Detection, by increasing inspections at all food facilities, including annual inspections of high-risk facilities, and inspections of all facilities once every four years; enhancing food-borne illness surveillance systems to improve the collection, analysis, reporting, and usefulness of data on food-borne illnesses; and creating a pilot project to test and evaluate new methods to quickly and accurately track and trace fruits and vegetables in the event of a food-borne illness outbreak.
 
·        Enhance U.S. Food Defense Capabilities by helping food companies protect their products from intentional contamination, and commence a national strategy to protect our food supply from terrorist threats, and rapidly respond to food emergencies.


·        Increase FDA Resources, increasing federal investments to give the FDA all the resources it needs to implement comprehensive food safety improvements.

Improve Safety of Imported Food
15 percent of America’s overall food supply is imported from overseas, including 60 percent of fruits and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.


America imports $5.2 billion worth of food from China alone – including 10 percent of our shrimp. In 2007, the FDA issued important alerts for five kinds of farm-raised fish and shrimp from China due to unsafe additives, inadequate labeling and poor manufacturer registrations, as well as potentially harmful veterinary drug residues in farm-raised fish and shrimp.

To ensure the safety of food we import matches the standards of food grown and processed in America, Senator Gillibrand is calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize the hiring of inspectors to protect consumers from contaminated imported food. 
 
In 2003, when the DHS took over the inspection of agricultural products on the border, the position of “agriculture specialists” was created.  While the number of people in this position has been slowly increasing, we are still one-third short of the number of specialists needed to test the ever increasing array of agricultural products coming into the country. 
 
The overall agricultural inspection rate for cargo has declined from nearly 70 percent in 2001 to about 40 percent in 2008 and down to 13 percent for passenger inspections.  Better inspections will not only protect humans from pathogens, but will protect American farms from agricultural pests and disease.

Additionally, Senator Gillibrand will work to require importers to verify the safety of foreign suppliers and imported food by allowing the FDA to require certification for high-risk foods, and deny entry to a food that lacks certification, or that is from a foreign facility that has refused U.S. inspections.
 
 
IMPROVE RECALL RESPONSE

Recall Contaminated Food in School Lunches
Last month, in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report <http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09649.pdf>  that revealed federal agencies are not adequately alerting schools about recalls, Senator Gillibrand introduced the Safe Food for Schools Act – legislation that would protect the 31 million schoolchildren who participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs by requiring federal agencies to issue proper alerts to schools.


Make Recalls of Contaminated Food Mandatory
For additional improvements to our food recall processes, Senator Gillibrand will work with her colleagues to give the FDA the authority to order a mandatory recall of a food product when a company fails to voluntarily recall the produce upon FDA’s request.  Right now, recalls are only voluntary. 
 
 
IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION

To make sure information about food-borne illnesses and recalls is distributed accurately and efficiently, Senator Gillibrand is authoring the Consumer Recall Notification Act ­– legislation that would direct the Secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA, as well as the Commissioner of the FDA to improve communication among states, state and local health departments, food distributors and vendors to provide consumers with faster and more complete information. 


Specifically, the legislation would:
·        Provide information to health professionals to improve diagnosis and treatment of food-related illness;
·        Develop a procedure to distribute regional and national advisories concerning food safety;
·        Allow the FDA to share trade secrets, and commercial or financial information, and its list of registered facilities with other federal, state, local and foreign agencies – provided those agencies can assure confidentially of the information;
·        Allow the FDA to share confidential information with the public when necessary to protect public health;
·        Develop standardized formats for written and broadcast advisories;
·        Mandate on-site notification of a recalled product by posting notification in the freezer case or shelving unit where the product is, or has been sold.

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is celebrating fall on October 9 with a visit from the Volunteers for Animals adoption van and Upstate Niagara Milk. Visitors to the market can stop by the VFA booth from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for information about adopting a pet.

Applications will be available for pet adoptions. If anyone is interested in adopting a pet, “they can complete the application and then follow up at the shelter,” according to Volunteers for Animals’ Wendy Castleman.

Weather will be a deciding factor in what type of animals will be at the market. “If the weather is bad or too cold, cats will not be crazy about an outdoor event,” Castleman said.

Since the number of pets changes daily, Castleman hopes to bring several kittens and a few dogs. Photos of all shelter animals will be posted so visitors can see every pet that is available for adoption. Additionally, raffle tickets to the Volunteers for Animals annual Fur Ball will be for sale as well as VFA t-shirts.  

The Upstate Farms events truck will be handing out free samples of their newest flavor,  Buffalo Bills Birthday Cake, in celebration of the Bills' 50th Season. Dubbed “cake in a bottle”, there is a limited supply of this specialty milk.

Other samples that will be available at the market include their popular line of “Intense” milks in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. The Intense chocolate variety is made with imported cocoas, real sugar, and fresh milk. Vanilla and Strawberry use “the finest vanilla and strawberry flavors to provide a delicious and nutritious beverage with an intense taste,” according to Upstate Farms representatives. Samples will be available from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

As always, visitors to the market can stop by the Niagara Wine Trail for free samples of local wine. MarJim Manor and Niagara Landing Winery will have offer taste-tests of their popular labels.

According to farmer’s market manager, Patty Hawley, “Now is the perfect time to stock up for holiday celebrations or gift-giving by picking up a few bottles of local wine.” Other vendors at the market include Christ Farms (produce), Renko Meats (handmade sausage/jerky), Flower Fields (fresh & dried flowers), Perl’s Maple Farms (Maple Syrup products), Schwab’s Bakery (baked goods), S & T Christ Farms, (produce), Fenton Farms (produce), Schwab Farms (produce), Librock Meats (all-natural beef), Partyka Farms (produce), Sanger Farms (produce), Genesee Valley Coffee (specialty coffe & tea), and Halat Farms (produce).

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays until October 30. For more information contact Paul Fenton at 585.356.2358 or Patty Hawley at 585.343.3329.

Continuing a tradition started by Hillary Clinton, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is hosting New York Farm Day in Washington, D.C. today.

Dairy and produce from throughout the state will be available to more than the 1,000 people expected to attend.

“I’m proud to continue the Farm Day tradition in Washington, DC, where we will highlight the fantastic produce and foods from across New York State,” said Sen. Gillibrand in a press release. “New York’s farmers are a critical part of our economy and we must ensure their success. Strengthening our agricultural sector and promoting good nutrition for New Yorkers are essential to our long-term health and economic growth.”

Unfortunately, Western New York is rather under represented in the event, but if you read the press release below, there is an impressive amount of agriculture in New York (and this is just the part represented).  I'm sure most people in the country don't think of New York as an agriculture state. 

Full press release after the jump:

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that she will host the eighth annual “New York Farm Day” on Wednesday, October 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Senate Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Building in Washington D.C. Senator Gillibrand has invited producers of New York’s award-winning wines, farm-fresh products and fresh seafood, as well as leading restaurateurs to travel to Washington to showcase the quality and diversity of New York’s agriculture, and its importance to the state’s economy. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted New York Farm Day during her time as New York’s junior senator, and Senator Gillibrand is continuing the tradition.
 
“I’m proud to continue the Farm Day tradition in Washington, DC, where we will highlight the fantastic produce and foods from across New York State,” Senator Gillibrand said. “As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am focused on improving the health and well-being of our families. From rising childhood obesity and outdated nutritional standards to the crisis facing our dairy farmers and the opportunities with specialty crops, agriculture issues in Washington affect families in every corner of New York. New York’s farmers are a critical part of our economy and we must ensure their success. Strengthening our agricultural sector and promoting good nutrition for New Yorkers are essential to our long-term health and economic growth.”
 
Over the years, New York Farm Day has become one of the most popular events at our nation’s Capitol.  Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend.  With approximately one-quarter of New York made up of farmland and an agriculture sector contributing nearly $4 billion to the state’s economy each year, Farm Day offers an ideal opportunity to showcase the importance and quality of New York’s agricultural industry.
 
Farm Day is organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation in conjunction with numerous other organizations and individuals who have contributed their time, products and services for the good of New York, including: CoBank, Constellation Brands, Farm Credit of Western New York, First Pioneer Farm Credit, MasterCraft Glassware, New York Farm Bureau, the New York State Restaurant Association, the New York State Maple Producers Association, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, Pride of New York (New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets), and Yankee Farm Credit.
 
A complete list of all the participants in this year’s Farm Day can be found at the bottom of the release.
 
Senator Gillibrand is the first New York Senator in nearly 40 years to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant & Animal Health, Senator Gillibrand plans to hold hearings on food safety modernization, marketing healthy food to children and dairy pricing.
 
DAIRY:
Senator Gillibrand is working to support New York’s dairy farmers during these difficult economic times. In June, Senator Gillibrand introduced legislation that would double the amount of money farmers get from the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program retroactive to the low point of the crisis in March. She also introduced legislation that would index the MILC rate of $16.94 to inflation. The MILC program payments were originally designed to help dairy farmers in their time of need, but have remained stagnant. The price floor of $16.94 per hundredweight has not changed since the 1990’s, yet the cost of production has increased exponentially.
 
In July, after meeting with Senator Gillibrand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced immediate action to support struggling dairy farmers by increasing the amount paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Support Program (DPPSP). The increase went into effect in August and will continue through the end of October.  The increase is expected to generate an additional $243 million in revenue for dairy farmers.


In August, Senator Gillibrand held a field hearing in Batavia, New York that focused on identifying major problems with the current dairy pricing system and determining effective solutions moving forward. This was the first of a series of hearings she plans to hold both in Washington, D.C. and New York State that will focus on needed reforms for the daily pricing system. Senator Gillibrand is working with stakeholders and economists to develop a proposal before the next Farm Bill is written in 2012. 
 
Just last week, Senator Gillibrand announced $350 million for the USDA to help New York farmers struggling during the dairy crisis in the final Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The agreement includes $60 million in cheese and dairy product purchases for food banks and other nutrition and feeding programs, and $290 million in direct support to dairy farmers using guidelines to be determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Senator Gillibrand said the direct payments will be important to help keep dairy farmers solvent during this current crisis. 
 
SPECIALTY CROPS:
In July, Senator Gillibrand introduced legislation that would allow New York fruit growers to take full advantage of federal recovery tax breaks. As a way of encouraging businesses to make more capital investments in the short term, the Recovery Act allowed companies to depreciate capital investment property “placed in service” in 2009 at a faster rate.  However, under current law, fruit and nut trees are not considered “placed in service” until the taxable year in which they actually produce fruit that can be sold, which often takes years. Senator Gillibrand’s legislation would change – only for the purpose of bonus depreciation – the “placed in service” date for permanent crops to the date on which the crop is planted, putting fruit growers on par with other farmers eligible for bonus depreciation for capital expenditures made this year.

 

Senator Gillibrand has been a strong advocate for programs that develop fresh, local food for New York’s families and supports programs providing technical assistance, training, and equipment for the procurement of local foods in our schools. This summer, Senator Gillibrand secured a commitment from the USDA to create a task force to promote and develop sustainable local and regional food systems.

 

And just last month, after leading the fight on behalf of New York farmers, Senator Gillibrand secured a commitment from the USDA to allow New York farmers to process fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for children to snack on in New York schools.  In February, Senator Gillibrand sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that he change an administrative rule barring local farmers from delivering pre-cut and packaged fruit and vegetables to schoolchildren.

 
SAVING FARMS FROM FORECLOSURE:
New York has been hit hard by the economic crisis, and Senator Gillibrand is working to help families keep their farms. In a March letter, Senator Gillibrand and 17 of her Senate colleagues called on the USDA and Treasury Department to consider a foreclosure mitigation program that includes loan restructuring for farmers, as they have already done for home loans.  In response to Senator Gillibrand’s efforts, a report by the Congressional Oversight Panel (COP) for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) was released outlining different methods that could be used to help farmers and ranchers restructure their loans as an alternative to foreclosure either through a mandatory program or a voluntary program that could be opened up to more than just TARP recipients.
 
AGRICULTURE DISASTERS:
From the devastating freeze in Northern New York early this spring to the excessive rainfall and flooding this summer, Senator Gillibrand has pushed the USDA for prompt responses to the natural disasters faced by New York’s farmers. A disaster declaration clears the way for affected farmers to apply for emergency loans, which can often mean the difference between staying in business and closing the farm.
 
With much of federal agricultural aid going to farmers outside of New York, Senator Gillibrand is committed to ensuring that New York’s farmers receive the federal help they deserve. She will continue to fight to ensure that farmers in need receive the disaster aid they deserve.
 
The USDA has issued disaster declarations for 16 New York Counties: Albany, Broome, Chautauqua, Columbia, Clinton, Dutchess, Erie, Greene, Oneida, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan and Ulster.
 
COMBATING CHILD OBESITY, PROMOTING CHILD NUTRITION:
In her time in the Senate, Senator Gillibrand has established herself as a leader in efforts to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy nutrition for children and families.  She has launched a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of school lunches, eliminate junk food from our schools, and provide more physical exercise opportunities.
 
The current federal reimbursement rate for school lunches has not kept pace with inflation or the increased costs of providing quality meals. Senator Gillibrand proposes increasing the current reimbursement rate by 70 cents in the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill – from $2.57 per meal to $3.27 per meal. In today’s typical school lunch, a child may have chicken nuggets, chips, canned peas and canned fruit cocktail. Under this new plan, a student could have grilled chicken breast on a seven-grain roll, steamed broccoli and a fresh fruit cup.
 
Senator Gillibrand is also working to provide targeted relief to high cost areas like New York City and other communities around the state, including Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess Counties.  Her legislation entitled the LUNCHES Act would provide targeted relief to high cost areas.
 
Senator Gillibrand also authored legislation that would ban trans-fats in public schools. Any school that receives federal reimbursements would be required to remove food containing trans fat from the school.  Schools would have a five year window to implement the policy.
 
Senator Gillibrand is working on legislation that would expand USDA authority to regulate all food served in schools, including vending machines. This would force all food served on school grounds during school hours to meet federal nutritional standards. This legislation will enable the USDA to eliminate sugary sodas and candy from school during school hours, so that children are more likely to eat the fruits, vegetables and other nutritious food served in cafeterias.
 
Senator Gillibrand is also pushing the Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act, which would provide $2 million in competitive grants to schools with creative breakfast programming including serving breakfast during the school day, incorporating local foods into breakfasts and providing nutritional education to students.
 
 
FARM DAY PARTICIPANTS
              
LONG ISLAND:
 
Cool Fish Restaurant— Cool Fish Restaurant of Long Island will be serving roasted Satur Farms Butternut Squash Salad with Smoked Jurgielewicz Farms Duck Breast, apple, Catapano Farm Feta and Arugula, finished with a Cider-Honey Vinaigrette and Pumpkin Shooters.
 
Long Island Farm Bureau— The Long Island Farm Bureau will be providing Schmitt’s fresh Mixed Greens and Catapano Goat Cheese topped with a Vinaigrette Dressing, North Fork Potato Chips, Fresh Oysters and Hard Clams farmed by F.M. Flower & Son and Noank Aquaculture Cooperative, and smoked duck from Crescent Duck Farm.
 
Long Island Wines – For over a quarter century, the Long Island wine industry has grown from one small vineyard to over 3,000 acres of vines and over thirty wineries producing world-class wines. These quality wines, including Bedell Cellars, Martha Clara Vineyards, and Wölffer Estate, will be on full display at Farm Day.
 
HUDSON VALLEY:
 
Culinary Institute of America – The world’s premier culinary college, the Culinary Institute has a campus in Hyde Park, New York that operates five award-winning, student-staffed public restaurants.  They will be providing hand-made candies, Quigley Farm Raspberry Jelly, Glorie Farm Peach Jelly, and Russel Farm Maple Fudge at Farm Day.
 
Hudson Valley Wines – One of America’s oldest wine making and grape-growing regions, the Hudson Valley has more than 20 operating wineries producing premier wine products. Wines on hand this year will be from Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery, Benmarl Winery, Clinton Vineyards, and Millbrook Vineyards & Winery.
 
Tuthilltown Spirits – New York’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition, distilling some of America’s most prized spirits in the Hudson Valley. Their handmade spirits, which start at farm distilleries as raw grain and fruit, are genuine Hudson brand whiskeys that include Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey, Hudson Single Malt Whiskey, Hudson Baby Bourbon, Hudson Four Grain Bourbon, Hudson New York Corn Whiskey, Heart of the Hudson Vodka, and Spirit of the Hudson Vodka, all of which will available at this year’s event.
 
CENTRAL NEW YORK:
 
New York Farm Viability Institute - Located in Syracuse, New York, the New York Farm Viability Institute is a farmer-led nonprofit group that works with farms to foster a vibrant agriculture business sector in New York State. They will be on hand with information on how they can support applied research, outreach education, information transfer, adoption of technology, business planning and market analysis, all of which can help our farmers expand their businesses.
 
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - Dr. Thomas Buchholz from the SUNY College of Environmental Science in Syracuse, New York will be distributing shrub willow cuttings with directions for planting as well as additional information highlighting willow as an alternative agricultural crop that is a financially rewarding source of bioenergy and bioproducts. 
 
ROCHESTER/FINGER LAKES:
 
Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences— As one of New York’s premier schools of agriculture, Cornell will be presenting three unique flavors of ice cream, including Slammin’ Yam, Beehive Crunch, and Sticky Buns.
 
Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty – The Culinary Bounty links the farms and wineries of the Finger Lakes region to small-scale food processors to provide area residents and tourists with fresh, locally produced creative cuisine.  This year, they will be featuring Knapp Farms Jam, Finger Lakes Farmstead Cheese, Crackerman of Etna Crackers, Golden Oaks Foods Nunda Mustard, Hill ‘n Hollow Fruit Chutney, Finger Lakes Honey, Geneva Crabapple Sauce, Chef Lerman BBQ sauce and salad dressings, Java Gourmet Chocolate Bark, Allens Hill Farm Apple Cider Molasses cookies, Hill’n Holloe & Cherry Knoll Vinegars.
 
Finger Lakes Wines – Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York now boasts over 80 wineries, making it the largest wine producing region east of California. Wines available at Farm Day will come from Anthony Road Wine Company, Arbor Hill Grapery, Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars, McGregor Vineyard Winery, Ravines Wine Cellars, Hosmer Winery, King Ferry Winery (Treleaven), Red Newt Cellars, Sheldrake Point, Casa Larga Vineyards, Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Imagine Moore Winery, Lakewood Vineyards and Wagner Vineyards.
 
Finger Lakes Wine Alliance with Food by Simply Red Bistro – The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, an organization with the mission to increase the visibility and reputation of the wineries of the Finger Lakes Region, will be displaying a flavorful combination of food from Simply Red Bistro of Sheldrake Point, New York, including flatbread made from fingerling potatoes, shitake mushrooms and truffle oil.
 
Fox Run Vineyards & Café— Situated on Torrey Ridge overlooking Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes Region, Fox Run will be presenting Lively Run Goat Farms Goat Cheese and Sage Scones with Fox Run Vineyards Blackberry Port Jam.
 
Freshwise Farms – A hydroponic greenhouse, Freshwise Farms provides the highest quality, pesticide-free greens year-round, fighting hunger as a social enterprise through its affiliation with the Foodlink Foundation.  They will be displaying Spring Roll stuffed with Freshwise Farm’s own fresh Wasabi Greens, Peppers, Leeks and Carrots, Sautéed in Sesame Oil.
 
New York Wine & Culinary Center – The Wine & Culinary Center is designed to engage, excite and inspire the people of New York State and the world in a celebration of New York wine and food. The Center is an educational and experiential gateway to New York State’s incredible wine, food and culinary industries. They will be handing out tasty truffles at Farm Day.
 
Red Newt Cellars & Bistro – The Red Newt Bistro represents the finest in fresh regional cuisine of the Finger Lakes, with every menu built with the diner and the farmer in mind.  They will be displaying Apple Black Bean Salsa, featuring Honey Crisp apples from Thyme Stands Still Produce, black beans from Cayuga Pure Organics, Remembrance Farms Onions, Finger Lakes Food Company verjuice, and Red Newt’s own herbs.
 
The Source – The Source is a premier dining restaurant in the nation’s capital headlined by Exective Chef, Scott Drewno, who is a native of the Finger Lakes Region, and will be providing Organic Chicken with Buckwheat Dumplings.
 
 
 
WESTERN NEW YORK:
 
Alfred State College – As one of SUNY’s premier colleges of technology, Alfred State will be presenting Aioli, featuring Pioneer Farm garlic.
 
Lake Erie, Chautauqua & Niagara Wines – In addition to French-American and European winegrape varieties, Western New York is home to a large bounty of Concord grapes used for grape juice, making New York the largest grape juice producing state in the country. Wines on hand come from Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Merritt Estate Winery, Niagara Landing Wine Cellars, The Winery at Marjim Manor.
 
National Grape Cooperative/Welch’s— For well over a century, the National Grape Cooperative based in Westfield, which owns Welch’s, has been a leading supplier of Concord grape juice, and will be displaying Sparkling Red & White Grape Juice and 100% Black Cherry Concord Grape Juice.
 
CAPITAL REGION:
 
State University of New York (SUNY) Cobleskill – The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill will be featuring Maple Iced Oatmeal Applesauce Cookie featuring Sharon Orchards apples, Singer Farms dried cherries, Cayuga Pure Organics flour, Maple Hill maple syrup, and Cooper’s Ark Farm eggs.
 
NORTH COUNTRY:
 
Ice Wines of New York—Ice wines are a highly specialized dessert wine made from grapes that are left hanging on the vine, becoming very sweet, until they are actually frozen and then harvested. The luscious ice wines at Farm Day will be from Hunt Country Vineyards and Sheldrake Point Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region, and Johnson Estate Winery in the Lake Erie region.
 
McCadam Cheese— Established in Heuvelton, New York in 1876, McCadam Cheese produces up to 20 different cheeses and will be displaying McCadam Extra Sharp Cheddar (2007 New York State Fair Grand Champion & 2007 U.S. Cheese Competition best in the U.S.), McCadam Pepper Jack (2006 2nd Place Scovie Awards Winner), McCadam Muenster, and McCadam Horseradish Cheddar.
 
Mercer’s Ice Cream— Mercer’s Ice Cream of New York’s North Country will have on hand its famous wine ice cream, featuring A La Port, Royal White Riesling, Cherry Merlot, Red Raspberry Chardonnay, and Chocolate Cabernet Wine Ice Cream, and Organic Vanilla Ice Cream.
 
New York Maple Producers Association— The New York State Maple Producers Association supports the maple products industry in New York State, with over 500 maple producers as members. They will be providing maple mustard, maple coated cashews, and maple cream on wheat crackers
 
North Country Specialties—North Country Specialties will be providing Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spinach & Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato and Basil on crackers, Adirondack Beef Company All Natural Beef Jerky, Well Dressed Food Adirondack Crunchy Maple-Walnut and Apple-Crumble Granola, Gunnison Orchard’s Honey Crisp Apples, Whitestone Farm North Country Lamb Sticks, Dogwood Bread Company French Baguette, Asgaard Farm & Dairy Barkeater Buche Goat Cheese.
 
NEW YORK CITY:
 
East New York Farms!/United Community Centers – As a collaborative effort to organize youth and adult residents to address food issues in New York City, East New York Farms!/United Community Centers will be providing fresh fruits and vegetables grown right in the heart of New York City using innovative urban gardening techniques.  At this year’s Farm Day, they will have New Visions Garden Bittermelon, long beans and peppers from UCC Youth Farm, Hands and Heart Farms collard greens, and honey and herbs from East New York’s own gardens.
 
Rosa Mexicano – A popular Manhattan restaurant that has a Washington presence and features traditional Mexican cuisine, Rosa Mexicano will be displaying Guacamole en Molcajete featuring New York Onions, Tomatoes, and Cilantro.
 
Also featured as exhibitors at this year’s Farm Day will be the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and Pride of New York (New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets).