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agriculture

Fresh Market Produce Winter Educational Meeting

By Jan Beglinger

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Vegetable Program will present the 2009 Annual Fresh Market Produce Winter Educational Meeting.  The meeting will be held at the Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension Center in Lockport (4487 Lake Ave. Lockport, NY 14094) on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The program runs from 9am - 3pm with walk-in registration starting at 8:30am.  DEC credits will be available.  The cost is $25 for CCE enrollees and $35 for non-enrollees if you pre-register by 1/12/09.  At the door registration is $30 for enrollees and $40 for non-enrollees.  To register call 716-433-8839 ext. 221.  For more information call Robert Hadad 585-739-4065.

Tractor and farm machinery saefty course

By Philip Anselmo

Fromthe Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Course instruction and intensive training in tractor and farm machinery safety, leading to certification, is being planned for Saturday mornings in Genesee County beginning on February 14th, 2009.  Classes include general tractor maintenance, safe farm equipment operation and safety issues in general. This training is offered only once a year and is for youth ages, 14-15.  Please call Amy Berry at 343-3040, ext. 106 to register to receive further information about this class when it becomes available.

No confinement law passes for California farms: Area farmers need to be "vigilant"

By Philip Anselmo

Last month, voters in California passed a referendum that would effectively ban the use of sow stalls and hen cages on all farms in the state. Not long after the success of the measure in that state, its supporters were already vowing to roll it out nationwide.

From the Rural Blog:

The passing of Proposition 2 in California, which creates new livestock-welfare guidelines, has farmers in other states worried that their states will soon be targeted for similar measures. Livestock industry groups nationwide contributed millions of dollars in an unsuccessful bid to defeat the measure, which bans the use of sow stalls and hen cages now in general use.

Opponents say the measure appeals to voters' sympathy, but doesn't reflect the realities of farm life. Exprts say "confining pregnant sows in stalls prevents fighting, ensures the hogs get adequate feed and saves labor," writes Philip Brasher for the Des Moines Register. "Similarly, caging hens is said to protect birds from each other while also protecting eggs from contamination." Also, caging results in higher egg production, because fewer eggs are broken, resulting in lower prices.

We talked with some local folks in the ag industry to get their take on the measure. Dale Stein is a dairy farmer from Le Roy and former president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau. Farmers in California may have until 2015 to adapt to the requirements, he said, but they will have a hard time keeping costs down without being allowed to cage their egg-laying hens.

"How can you do it and make a living at it," he said. "You need to turn a profit. If people want quality at a low price, you have to do it with volume... in order to keep the price cheap for the consumer."

That spells doom for the California chicken farms.

"From my understanding, most of the chicken business in California will be out of business in the end," he added. "The swine industry may be able to adapt, but chickens won't be raised in California on any scale. All their eggs and poultry products will be imported from other states and countries."

Stein was not overly worried about any effect on the dairy industry, there or elsewhere, and he doesn't believe that prices and supply in New York will be thrown out of whack because of what's going on in California. He is more concerned with the repercussions of the approval.

"Our whole concern on the referendum in California is that it was step one, and that's what the animal rights groups have said," he said. "This is the first step. The other concern is that sound science does not win out in a debate like this."

We also spoke with Mitch Head, a spokesman for United Egg Producers, a national farmers cooperative. United fielded the call on behalf of Krehr's Farm Fresh Eggs, which is based out of Clarence. Krehr's is one of the largest egg producers in the state.

Head is not too worried about the referendum gaining ground here in New York.

"First of all, New York does not have the initiative process that California has," he said. "Plus, you've got six years before it even takes effect in California. Regulations need to be written before we even know what will be implemented in California. Both proponents and opponents couldn't even agree on what it would require producers to do. Some believe it means it would ban cages. Some also believe it bans cage free and only allows free range. No one knows. It will take years to work out. In the meantime, no other state will move forward to adopt it until that gets worked out."

For now, that's about as far as the conversation will go for New Yorkers. Nevertheless, this is something farmers especially need to be thinking about.

"It's certainly something agriculture should be aware of," said Head. "The Humane Society has been successfully adopting state legislation dealing with pigs and veal calves, and now egg-laying hens. They're flexing their political muscle. Agriculture needs to be vigilant on these issues, to make sure that modern science-based ag systems like cages for egg-laying hens continue to be a viable option for producing healthy and safe food for Americans."

Buy a Local Christmas Tree

By Jan Beglinger

Christmas is only 8 days away! Have you gotten your Christmas tree yet? If not, consider going local this year. There are Christmas tree growers in our area that sell trees direct or you can pick and cut your own tree. Not sure if that perfect tree you are looking at was grown in NY? Then ask the seller. New York has more than 1,000 Christmas tree farms so it should be easy to find a tree that was grown in New York.

New York Christmas tree farms offer a wide variety of Christmas trees.  Fraser Firs and Balsam Firs are the most popular varieties in New York State, while White and Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, and other firs, such as Douglas and Concolour are also available.  Many local Christmas tree farms offer other holiday items such as wreaths, swags and fresh roping, along with wonderful handmade crafts. I found some great wooden ornaments and other decorations at the Christmas tree farm I visited. All were locally crafted.

Are you going green? Christmas trees are a renewable resource. For every Christmas tree harvested, up to 3 seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.  When you are done with your tree, recycle it. It can be chipped and used as mulch or put it outside and decorate it for the birds with edible treats.  It can also be put near your birdfeeder for additional shelter.
 
Christmas trees are grown on land that may not be suited for traditional agricultural crops.  They help stabilize soil and protect local water supplies.  Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases.  Did you know that one acre of Christmas trees emits enough oxygen for 18 people?  Christmas tree farms also provide year round habitat for birds and other animals. 32,600 acres of Christmas trees are grown across New York.
 
Support your local economy. Christmas trees provide additional income for farmers and rural landowners.  They also create seasonal jobs and serve as an economic stimulus for local communities, offering not only trees, but tourism opportunities.
 
What should you do with your tree when you get it home? Follow these guidelines to keep your real Christmas tree fresh throughout the holiday season:
 
1. Cut one-quarter inch off the base of the trunk.  Keep the tree outdoors or in an unheated garage in a container of water and protect it from the wind and sun until you’re ready to decorate.  This helps the tree retain moisture.
 
2. Before you bring the tree into your home, make another fresh cut a minimum of one-quarter inch off the base of the trunk.  This reopens the tree stem so it can take up water immediately.  Place it in a stand with fresh water.  Do not allow the water level to drop below the fresh cut or the stem will reseal.
 
3. Trees may drink from 2 pints to 1 gallon of water a day.  Use a stand with 1-gallon capacity or more.  Keep your tree away from drying heat sources such as sunny windows, hot air ducts and fireplaces.  Check the water level daily and supply fresh water as needed.
 
There is nothing like the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree. This year take the family out and enjoy the adventure of finding that perfect tree.
 
Sources: NY Dept of Ag & Markets
Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York
National Christmas Tree Association

Extension Winter Events!

By Philip Anselmo

From the Cornell Cooperative Extension:
 
January 5 to 8, 2009 - Kiln Drying Workshop: Drying Quality Lumber for Profit. Held at State University of New York - College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse This course will provide practical knowledge about how wood is effectively kiln dried, and scientific background on related wood properties and drying processes. It will have value for novice as well as experienced kiln operators, and sales, purchasing, marketing and manufacturing managers. Instruction will be in the classroom and through hands-on lab exercises using a modern kiln. Fees: received by December 17: $445 OR received after December 17: $495. For more information or go to http://www.esf.edu/outreach/kiln/default.htm
 
Tuesdays, January 6th through February 10th - Positive Parenting Series – 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.  Nutrition and Parenting Educator Mariellen Woodward-DeFelice will teach the following classes: Anger in the Family, Responsibility and Your Children, Disciplining Your Children, Setting Limits and Expectations, Winning Ways to Talk with Kids, and Family Enrichment. The series is offered at no cost to Genesee county residents and at a nominal fee for residents of surrounding counties. The next series will begin February 24th. For more information or to register contact Mariellen by phone at 343-3040, ext. 105, e-mail mew33@cornell.edu, or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
 
January 9 & 10, 2009 - New York State Maple Producers Winter Conference. Held at Verona-Sherrill High School in Verona, NY. The V.V.S. High School is located between Utica and Syracuse, on State Rte 31 two minutes from NYS Thruway Exit 33.
 
The conference starts Friday evening with a featured speaker at 7:00 PM and industry trade show highlighting maple equipment, manufacturers, and vendors scheduled from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Saturday’s trade show opens at 8:00 AM with workshops starting at 9:00AM. Saturday’s program features 30 of the industry’s leading maple experts from throughout North America and Canada presenting in a variety of concurrent workshops. The conference is open to the general public, as well as maple producers, and is geared to all levels of sugar makers.
 
For additional information contact V.V.S. FFA advisor Keith Schiebel at kschiebel@vvsschools.org. Registration forms will also be available at the New York State Maple Producers Website: www.nysmaple.com or the Cornell Maple Program Website http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/ .
 
January 12th at 5:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 East Main St. in Batavia.  For more information call 343-3040, ext. 112.
 
January 14th - WNY Corn Congress. Held at the Holiday Inn, Batavia. Contact Cathy Wallace at (585) 343-3040 x138 for more information.
 
January 17th - Western NY Maple School. For more information contact Lutie Batt, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County, 401 North Main Street, Warsaw NY 14569, Phone: 585-786-2251.
 
January 17 and 31, 2009 from 9 am to 3 pm - Beginning a Successful Small Farm Operation. Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport, NY. Pre-registration is required by January 9th. Cost $100.00 per family/farm enterprise. If you would like to learn more about the opportunities for small scale farming, please join us at the next workshop series. This introductory course is designed for small, part-time or perspective farmers with little to no previous agriculture experience. Contact Paul Lehman at 716-433-8839 x241 (E-mail: pel5@cornell.edu) for more information.
 
January 20 - 21 - Best Management Practices for Potato Production. Held at the Holiday Inn, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool NY. This annual "Potato Short Course" is intended to provide more in depth education for potato growers and associated industry personnel in selected topics of major importance to potato production and utilization. This January we will provide extensive information on how to best use production inputs, reduce crop risk and produce a quality crop. Biology and physiology of the potato plant and disease/pest organisms will be discussed to help growers understand what conditions are most favorable for good crop production or are more favorable for disease or pest development and potential for spread. Management strategies will be illustrated which incorporate aspects of the pest’s biology, grower cropping history and control options. Potato varieties will be discussed which have multiple attributes such as various levels of disease or insect resistance, offer excellent competition to weeds and are well adapted to NYS growing conditions and hence require fewer chemical inputs. DEC Pesticide Recertification Credits have been requested.  There is no fee to attend. Sponsored by the Empire State Growers, Inc. Contact Don Halseth, Cornell University, if you plan to attend at 607-255-5460 or deh3@cornell.edu.
 
January 28th - Ontario County Maple Beginners Workshop. For more information contact Russell Welser, Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585.394.3977
 
January 29th from 7 to 9pm - Farmland Protection and Purchase of Development Rights. Held at Genesee County Building II, 3837 West Main Street Rd. in Batavia. Designed for community leaders, farmers, grant writers, town planners, town attorneys, appraisers and anyone with an interest in farmland protection in our region. The workshop provides a comprehensive review of the process for creating successful Purchase of Development Rights projects and programs in your communities including a review of grant applications and case scenarios. Please RSVP to Holly McAllister, Genesee County Planning Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5467 or hmcallister@co.genesee.ny.us.
 
February 4th - WNY Soybean/Small Grains Congress. Held at the Batavia Party House in Stafford. Contact Cathy Wallace at (585) 343-3040 x138 for more information.
 
February 9th at 5:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 East Main St. in Batavia.  For more information call 343-3040, ext. 112.
 
February 10th - Becker Forum on Ag Labor. To be held at the Holiday Inn Liverpool, Syracuse, NY. Contact NYSVGA@twcny.rr.com for more information.
 
February 11th and 12th - Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo. Held at the Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse, NY. Contact NYSVGA@twcny.rr.com for more information.
 
Saturdays beginning February 14th - NYS Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course - Course instruction and intensive training in tractor and farm  machinery safety, leading to  certification is being planned for Saturday mornings at various dealerships in Genesee County  beginning on February 14, 2009.  Classes include general tractor maintenance, safe farm equipment operation and safety issues in general.  This training is offered only once a year and is for youth ages 14-16.  Please take a look at the flyer on our website for more details (http//genesee.cce.cornell.edu). Please call Amy Berry at 343-3040, ext. 106 to register to receive further information about the class when it becomes available.
 
February 21st from 9 am to NOON - 4-H Public Presentations. Genesee County 4-H members will have an opportunity to make 15-minute presentations on a topic of their choice.  Held at Byron-Bergen Central High School. Free and open to the public.  For more information call Barb Sturm at 343-3040, ext. 122 or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
March 16th to 20th - Ag Literacy Week. Ag Literacy Week unites communities and schools.  Volunteers bring New York agriculture into local schools by sharing a special story and leading educational activities.  Volunteer in your community and get this year's book donated to your school of library.  For more information on volunteer for Ag Literacy Day, please contact Barb Sturm at (585) 343-3040, ext. 122 or via e-mail at bbs28@cornell.edu.
 
March 21st - 7th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner – Held at the Alexander Fire Hall, Route 98 in Alexander, NY. Sponsors of the event include Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Farm Bureau and Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District. This extremely popular community tradition has become firmly established as a festive, fun filled get-together, and an opportunity to come together and socialize before the beginning of another growing season. Open to the general public. Tickets are $25 per person or $230 for a table of 10.  Only 400 tickets will be sold and no tickets will be sold at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets call Michelle at 343-3040, ext. 107.
 
2009 Agriculture Enrollment - This service provides subscribers with up-to-date information on trends in the agricultural sector by utilizing research-based knowledge from Cornell University. Included in this service, at no charge, are direct mailings of "emergency information" for commodities of interest to you and voting privileges at the Extension Association's annual meeting to determine organization leadership. The deadline for enrollment in the 2009 agriculture information service is February 1, 2009. Call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at (585) 343-3040 ext. 126 or visit the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia for more information and enrollment packets.
 
4-H Participants - Please check the Extension website and refer to the monthly calendar for new and on-going events and deadlines. If you are interested in joining the 4-H program contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
4-H Local Government Intern Program - Designed for high school Juniors & Seniors. Orientation meeting 7 pm on February 2nd at the Old County Courthouse in Batavia.
For more information on this program contact Chip Malone at (585) 343-3040, ext. 130.
 
Coffee and Dessert Series - If you want to socialize and learn about gardening, why not consider participating in the Coffee and Dessert Programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.  This is the fourth year of this popular program of classes presented by Community Educator Gail Culver and Genesee County Master Gardeners.  During the program participants will enjoy a cup of coffee or tea along with desserts homemade by the Master Gardeners. For more information and to register call Amy at 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
Eat SMART New York - This free, confidential program for food stamp participants and limited income individuals and families explores parenting strategies, healthy meal options, and ways to stretch food dollars. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call the nutrition and parenting education program at 343-3040, ext. 134 or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
Master Gardeners - Get answers on everything from landscaping to pest management. Free service. Call 343-3040, ext. 127, 10 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday or e-mail geneseemg@cornell.edu, or visit the Master Gardener Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
 
Master Gardener Home Diagnostic Service - Genesee County Master Gardeners conduct on-site visits to diagnose plant and pest problems, test soil pH, advise homeowners on gardening practices and more. Cost is $25 for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour. Fee includes informational packets, soil testing and diagnostic results. To schedule an appointment, contact Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, at 343-3040, ext. 132, e-mail gac11@cornell.edu, or visit the Master Gardener Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
 
Master Gardener Speakers' Bureau - Providing talks on a variety of topics, such as wildlife, local bird life, organic gardening, landscaping and more. Programs can be tailored to meet audience needs. Fee is $50, or $25 for non-profits in Genesee and surrounding counties. For more information call Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator, at 343-3040, ext. 132, e-mail gac11@cornell.edu or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.

Immigrant labor reform is a high priority for incoming Farm Bureau president

By Philip Anselmo

New York's new Farm Bureau President, Dean Norton, of Batavia, will be heading to San Antonio next month for the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation, according to the Daily News. Once there, Norton, along with some 5,000 other farm bureau members from across the nation, will attend more than a dozen conferences on issues related to the industry, including

sessions on the turbulent global economy and how it relates to U.S. agriculture, the urgent need for livestock producers to become activists, the continuing debate over biofuels, crop and livestock outlooks for 2009, and much more.

(This information was available in a news release issued by the AFB that can be accessed via the group's Web site.)

Immigration reform will likely take top priority for Norton as he settles in. Tom Rivers writes:

Norton expects immigration reform -- setting a policy that would significantly boost legal farmworkers in agriculture -- to be at the top of the Farm Bureau priority list at the state and national levels.

"It's a safe bet to say that immigration will be a big one (on the agendas)," Norton said by phone Sunday from Washington.

Rivers also cites a survey put together by a pair of Cornell University researchers, in which some 1,200 state farms were questioned on the importance of immigration reform.

From that survey:

Many farm managers are concerned about labor supply. They feel that immigration reform is an urgent public issue and very important to their business. While the survey did not inquire about managers’ responses to the current immigration environment, ongoing informal feedback from farm managers and the organizations that represent them reveal a number of emerging trends and responses. As a result of increasing controversy over immigration reform as well as increased immigration enforcement activities, farm managers are beginning to make decisions they would not have made several years ago.

Farm managers told the researchers that they want to be more involved in the policy making process. "Agricultural employers are aware that their voice is often overshadowed by the large number of non-farm voters concerned about immigration reform," said researchers.

Some are concerned that many farms are "holding off expansion plans until they are more certain that they can acquire the workforce necessary for larger agricultural operations." In other words, uncertainty regarding the stability and constancy of the labor pool is causing farms to stunt their own growth. Farms are also doing all they can to reduce the visibility of immigrant laborers in the community in an attempt to avoid detention and deportation.

One potential solution offered by those surveyed involves searching for alternative labor pools. Some farm managers are even "reluctantly considering recruiting local workers, but they expect that the work ethic and work performance will be below that of the current Hispanic workers."

You can download the complete survey here. Also, be sure to check out the piece in today's Daily News by Tom Rivers.

Batavia Dairy Farmer elected new President of the NY Farm Bureau

By Philip Anselmo

From the New York Farm Bureau:

New York Farm Bureau members today elected Dean Norton, a dairy farmer and agricultural consultant from Batavia, N.Y. as the organization's new president.  Eric Ooms, a dairy farmer from Kinderhook, N.Y. was elected as vice president.

The election was held at Farm Bureau's State Annual Meeting in Albany.  Membership delegates representing farmers from around the state cast ballots. New York Farm Bureau is the statewide lobbying/trade organization that represents approximately 30,000 farm families.

Norton takes over for John Lincoln who retired today after 14 years as president and 29 years in various leadership positions in Farm Bureau.

Norton is a Senior Agriculture Consultant with Freed Maxick & Battaglia CPA's.  His family owns a dairy farm in Elba, N.Y. and runs a custom trucking operation for forage and commodity harvesting.  Norton has served on Farm Bureau's state board of directors since 2004 and was the Genesee County Farm Bureau president from 2000-2004.

"I am proud to have the opportunity to represent this organization during such a critical time for the farm families of New York," Norton said.

Ooms owns and operates a 425-cow dairy farm with his father and brothers in Kinderhook in Columbia County. 

He has served New York Farm Bureau for 10 years as Columbia County Farm Bureau President, and six years on the State Board as Young Farmer and Rancher Chair and District 10 Director.

"It truly is an honor to be selected by the membership to help lead this great organization," said Ooms.

Photo courtesy of the Farm Bureau. Pictured: Outgoing President John Lincoln (left) congratulates newly elected President Dean Norton.

Powering your home with wind energy

By Philip Anselmo

Pavilion's Steve Rigoni is the subject of an article in today's Buffalo News. Rigoni is a cash crop farmer, descendent of three generations of upstate dairy farmers, who has been featured in a pair of videos on The Batavian for his construction of a corn dryer that is fueled by switchgrass rather than propane. (If you haven't seen either of those videos yet, please check them out. It's pretty remarkable what Rigoni put together... from scratch.)

In the Buffalo News piece, Rigoni is in the spotlight again for his allegiance to alternative energies—this time, for mounting a windmill outside his home. From that article:

It’s easy to spot Steve Rigoni’s place in Pavilion — just look for the wind turbine spinning high above his house.

“I look at it as my midlife thing,” Rigoni said. “Some people get a Corvette, or a new woman — I got a windmill.”

His 10-kilowatt Bergey Windpower rig is hardly a wanton spree, however. While it cost him $25,000, after state incentives, it has nearly wiped out electric bills that used to average $120 to $140 a month.

Reporter Fred O. Williams calls it "wind power to the people."

For Rigoni, converting to wind power was as much a labor of love, he said, as it was about economics. A proponent of alternative energy, he also heats his home partly with wood, and burns switchgrass instead of propane to dry corn for his farming operation.

But the wind turbine pays its way. For the last two years, it has pumped out about 800 kilowatt-hours a month, powering Rigoni’s washer, dryer, water heater, fridge and lights.

When the wind is blowing but the appliances aren’t on, the turbine spins his electric meter backward, generating a small credit toward future energy use.

“We don’t ever make much money on it,” he said.

It turns out that the Great Lakes region is "a prime wind-resource area," especially in the colder months, which would be good news for folks like us who max out our energy bills come January and February. But is it really worth it?

Does small wind save money? The rule of thumb is that a well-located turbine with an average wind speed of 12 mph and with 10-kilowatt capacity can generate about 1,000 kilowatt- hours a month, or enough to power a typical home — not counting heating or air-conditioning. Whether that will break even over the 20-year life of a turbine depends on current and future electricity rates. Utility rates of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour begin to make the cost of wind attractive.

Wind power economics just got a push from Congress. The financial bailout package enacted in October included a tax credit of up to $4,000 for small wind systems.

So, would you do it?

Farmer's Share

By Jan Beglinger

 Thanksgiving is this Thursday and Americans will come together to give thanks and enjoy a safe and affordable meal with their families.  It's important to remember where our food comes from and the family farmers and ranchers who provide America with such a bountiful harvest.

Did you know that farmers and ranchers receive only 20 cents of every food dollar that consumers spend on food at home and away from home? According to the USDA, off farm costs including marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing account for 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States.
 
Here's a look at the farmer's share for a traditional Thanksgiving meal: 

Food
Retail Price $
Farmer’s Share $
10 lb. Turkey
11.90
6.46
Boneless Ham
 4.29
0.51
Sweet Potatoes
 2.98
0.41
Mashed Potatoes
 2.64
0.40
Stuffing
 4.77
0.73
Bread
 2.99
0.12
Broccoli
 4.19
1.21
Carrots
 2.99
0.71
Apple Pie
 6.29
2.25
Milk
 3.75
1.77
 Source: http://nfu.org/
 
If you are interested in where you can find some locally grown products, Cornell Cooperative Extension has put together an Agri-Tourism Guide. The brochure was made possible with grant funding from the NYS Department of Ag & Markets. You can call the office at 585-343-3040 for one or check out our website http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/home for the most up to date version.  Look under Agri-tourism Guide - Listings.

Video: 4-H Produced in New York

By Philip Anselmo

Earlier this month, eleven 4-Hers from around the county showed off their nutritional and culinary know-how at the Produced in New York State Food Contest that was held at Martin's Super Food Store in Batavia. In front of a panel of judges, each participant prepared a recipe using at least one cup of fruits, vegetables or meat that had been produced here in the Empire State.

Jennifer Lichtenthal showed us how to make her cabbage casserole, a recipe passed down from her grandmother. She also informed us that New York, if you can believe it, is the number one cabbage growing state in the country. Enjoy! 

For the complete recipe, or for any of the other ten recipes featured at the Produced in New York State Food Contest, please contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension at (585) 343-3040.

Batavia Daily News for Tuesday: Farm injuries among migrant workers

By Philip Anselmo

A front-page story by Tom Rivers in today's Daily News examines the toll taken on the health of migrant workers by "grueling farm work." We wouldn't do the article much of a service by trying to sum it up here. It's lengthy and detailed. So if you're interested in the topic, you may want to pick up a paper today.

Several articles are featured on the front page and elsewhere in today's paper on the proposed state budget cuts. They tackle, in particular, the issue of cuts to school aid and agriculture. A chart on page five lists the school districts in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and the amount of proposed cuts along with percentages. In what looks to be a wire story on the back page, the state Farm Bureau criticizes Gov. David Paterson for his proposed cuts, which "disproportionately" target agricultural programs. The article is informative, but it's hard not to wonder that every member of every group that may see their programs cut in the state budget wouldn't make the same claims of a governor who is being unfair and "disporportionately" targeting them. As we mentioned in a post earlier today, the Albany Times Union noted that busloads of protestors—at least 1,000 of them today—have been disembarking at the capitol to make noise about "unfair" cuts.

Main Street Coffee owner, Rob Credi, plans to close up shop likely by the end of the year and sell the business to property owner Ken Mistler. Credi will then manage the Daily Grind, the coffee shop and juice bar that Mistler will be opening inside a health club going up at the corner of Main and Jackson streets. Credi hopes the place will be open by the end of January.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Batavia Daily News for Friday: Protecting farmland in the town of Batavia

By Philip Anselmo

About 16 people gathered in the town of Batavia last night for a meeting to discuss possibly formulating a farmland protection plan for the town, according to the Daily News.

The town has about 19,000 acres of agricultural land, which accounts for roughly 60 percent of total land in the town.

Roger Muehlig writes:

The goal is to create a land use policy on how to keep agricultural land in production and protect it from commercial and residential development.

In other news, the city of Batavia has hired a new code enforcement officer. Apparently, Ronald Panek has been working since last week. Panek, 41, is from Wyoming.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Video: Alternative Energy on the Farm - II

By Philip Anselmo

This past July, we paid a visit to Rigoni Farms in Pavilion. Steve Rigoni was a dairy farmer his whole life, and his father and his father's father before him. Not long ago, however, Steve made the switch to cash crops and began experimenting with alternative sources of energy. When we visited him in July, Steve showed us the tank in which he planned to burn switchgrass to heat the air to dry his corn crop—bushels of dried switchgrass would replace propane as the fuel source. He told us about how he manufactured the device and a little about his reasons. Please, be sure to go back and watch that video.

Well, we got a message from Steve last week asking us to come back out and see his invention in action. Long story short: it's a success. There are some things that need to be tweaked, as there are always things that need tweaking. But all in all, it works great. We put together another video to show you the burner and hear a little bit more from Steve about how it works. You can check that out below.

Before you watch it, however, let me say one thing. This video does not quite capture the marvel that I felt—and that I would hope some of you would feel—when I saw up close what Steve had built. This burner was made by hand, by Steve from whatever he could find to piece it together. He welded, he fanagled, he improvised. He manufactured a heat exchanger out of metal sheets and pipes. It's a thing of beauty, really. And that's before you consider that he now grows his own fuel and saves some 1,000 gallons of propane per day, every time he uses the dryer.

Is a new age dawning for agricutlure?

By Howard B. Owens

Mark T. Mitchell, writing for First Principles Journal, discusses sustainable farming in an article "The Rediscovery of Agriculture?"

Is there any farm in Genesee County like Polyface Farms in Staunton, Virginia?

Although he sells beef, chickens, eggs, turkeys, pork, and rabbits, Salatin calls himself a grass farmer. That is, he is in the business of raising meat and eggs for sale, but he realizes that the quality of his products, and ultimately the success of his farm, depends on the quality of the grass in his pastures. Unlike the vast majority of meat products in the U.S. today, Salatin’s cows are raised and finished on grass; his chickens are pastured; his hogs are happy, and his turkeys, well, they seem friendly. The Polyface website affirms their belief that the natural world is the model they seek to emulate: “Believing that the Creator’s design is still the best pattern for the biological world, the Salatin family invites like-minded folks to join in the farm’s mission.”

Salatin has developed innovated methods of enhancing his grass farm and thereby providing a good place for his animals. For example, his cows are moved to new pasture almost daily, and these docile beasts are anxious to move, for each fresh pasture represents, in the cow’s mind, what Salatin calls “cow ice-cream.” As in nature, once the herbivores (in this instance, cows) have moved to another field, the birds (in this case, chickens) come next. Portable chicken coops make it possible to move the chickens through a recently grazed pasture. The chickens flourish on the cropped grass, and they pick through the cow dung, eating bugs and parasites, and in the process spread the manure over the field, while depositing plenty of their own. The symbiosis of this relationship between cows and chickens replenishes the pastures even as it sustains the animals living there. This is just one example of how the people at Polyface seek to work with the natural world to raise healthy animals while simultaneously sustaining and even improving the land on which they farm.

Mitchell then goes on to talk about the work of economist John E. Ikerd, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri.

Ikerd admits that his views are not typical of economists, but

[B]eing an economist is no excuse for ignoring ecological and social reality. How can agriculture meet the food and fiber needs of a growing world population if we destroy the natural productivity and regenerative capacity of the land? Economists generally assume that we will find substitutes for anything we use up and will fix any ecological or social problems we create, but these are simply beliefs with no logical, scientific support in fact.

Furthermore, although it is true that, at least in the short term, industrial agriculture can produce an incredible amount of food, there are trade-offs, and we are remiss to ignore what is inevitably sacrificed.

What is the net benefit of an agriculture that meets the physical needs of people but separates families, destroys communities, and diminishes the overall quality of life within society? How can it possibly be good to defile the earth, even if it is profitable to do so? Economists simply don’t consider the social, psychological, or ethical consequences of the things people do to make money. Economics treats such things as social or ecological externalities, which may impose irrational limits or constraints on the legitimate pursuit of wealth.

Mitchell then lists three reasons why centralized farming is bad for the nation.

  • Industrialized food doesn't taste as good and isn't as healthy;
  • Centralized agriculture is less secure against terrorist attacks;
  • Industrial farming is not sustainable.

This is an agricultural community.  I would be interested in two reactions to Mitchell's piece -- is it realistic based on what you know about local farming, and are there any farms in Genesee County implementing sustainable agricultural tactics?

Obama's Plan for Rural America, and our food supply

By Howard B. Owens

The blog Ethicurean, a site dedicated to healthy, locally produced food, put together a post about President-Elect Barack Obama's farm and food policies as detailed during his campaign.

Since Genesee County is a rural farming community, it is probably useful to look at some of the key issues raised by Obama in his speeches and policy statements.

Here's the key point of the post:

So what might we expect from an Obama administration when it comes to food policy? Maybe quite a bit. In his plan for rural America, he lays out a number of policy positions that are a departure from the status quo. Obama:

  • Supports subsidies as a safety net, but calls for a $250,000 payment limitation and closing of loopholes, so that the program supports family farmers, not corporate agribusiness.
  • Supports regulation of CAFOs (factory livestock operations).
  • Wants to enforce anti-trust laws that so that smaller farmers can compete against large-scale meatpackers.
  • Wants to cap the size of agricultural businesses that can receive government funds for environmental cleanup so that taxpayers don’t subsidize cleanup for large, polluting corporations.
  • Supports Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for meat, a critical issue as we learn how widespread melamine contamination of animal feed is in countries like China.
  • Wants to increase support for organic agriculture and local food systems by helping farmers with organic certification/compliance costs.
  • Wants to provide incentives to encourage and support new farmers, land conservation, renewable energy on the farm, and microenterprise for farmers and other rural Americans.
  • Calls for greater food safety surveillance and communications.
  • Plans to encourage local foods in schools.
  • Supports providing farmers with incentives that will prevent agricultural runoff.

From his campaign web site, here is Obama's Plan for Rural America.

Video: Cooking with the Dairy Princess: Halloween Special (Jell-O Eyeballs)

By Philip Anselmo

We begin our countdown to Halloween tonight with the first of five videos devoted to the celebration of the spooky. Our good friend Anika Zuber, the Genesee County Dairy Princess, will show us how to make Jell-O eyeballs, a perfect treat for the ghoul and goblin in your life. So, without further ado...

Funding Available for Farm Projects

By Jan Beglinger

Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is accepting proposals from local farmers for cost-sharing projects for funding under Round 15 of the Agricultural Non-point Source Abatement and Control Program (Ag NPSACP).  $13 million in program funds is available statewide for non-point source abatement and control projects that plan or implement agricultural Best Management Practices on New York State farms.  The cost-sharing program is designed to help farmers address and prevent water pollution from agricultural activities by providing financial and technical assistance.  All projects must consist of activities that will reduce, abate, control or prevent non-point source pollution originating from agricultural sources.

Enrollment of the farm in the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program is required.  The AEM program provides a cost free, confidential environmental risk assessment of the farm (Tier II).  After the farm assessment, the planning phase (Tier III) follows, this can include such projects as barnyard improvements, rotational grazing plans, livestock fencing, watering facilities, manure management and agrichemical mixing facilities.  Cost-sharing of up to 75% of the cost of implementation of the project (Tier IV) is available through this grant.
 
Genesee County SWCD will apply for the competitive grant on behalf of farmers and coordinate funded projects.  Farmers are invited to submit proposals for farm projects to be included in this grant application by December 5, 2008.  For more information or to schedule an AEM farm assessment, contact Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District at (585) 343-2362.

Great time to buy local produce

By Jan Beglinger

 

Great time to buy local produce
 
It’s still a great time to go out and buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. When it’s fall everyone thinks apples and apple cider. Despite the hail this summer, you can still find plenty of apples. Some of the varieties out now include: Jonagold, Yellow Delicious, Macoun, Empire, Crispin, 20 ounce, Cortland, Empire and Honey Crisp. Pears and plums are also available.
 
October may not be the month you think of for fresh produce, but it’s out there. At the Farmers Market on Friday there was a wide array of vegetables: peppers in a rainbow of colors, cucumbers, green beans, spinach, broccoli, beets, carrots, cabbage, and cauliflower (white, orange or purple).
 
Now is a great time to stock up on onions, potatoes, and winter squash. And don’t forget the pumpkins. Whether you are making pies or carving a Jack O’Lantern, pumpkins come in any size you want – from minis to giants.
 
So while you are out enjoying the changing leaves stop at your local farm stand. There is still time to visit the Genesee Country Farmers’ Market. They will be at the Batavia Downs parking lot Tuesday’s and Friday’s until Halloween. Need other ideas? Visit the Cornell Cooperative web site and look under the Agri-tourism guide. Check Listings for an up to date list. http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/content/view/197

Upcoming events at the Extension

By Philip Anselmo

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County has announced events through the end of the year. Check the Extension website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu for more details about these and other programs.
 
Tuesdays, November 4 through December 16- Positive Parenting Series – 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.  Nutrition and Parenting Educator Mariellen Woodward-DeFelice will teach the following classes: Anger in the Family, Responsibility and Your Children, Disciplining Your Children, Setting Limits and Expectations, Winning Ways to Talk with Kids, and Family Enrichment. The series is offered at no cost to Genesee county residents and at a nominal fee for residents of surrounding counties. The next series will begin in 2009. For more information or to register contact Mariellen by phone at 343-3040, ext. 105, e-mail mew33@cornell.edu, or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
 
Thursdays, October 2 through November 13 - Positive Parenting Series – times vary. Held at the First Baptist Church - 5 East Main St. in LeRoy .  Nutrition and Parenting Educator Mariellen Woodward-DeFelice will teach the following classes: Anger in the Family, Responsibility and Your Children, Disciplining Your Children, Setting Limits and Expectations, Winning Ways to Talk with Kids, and Family Enrichment. The series is offered at no cost to Genesee county residents and at a nominal fee for residents of surrounding counties. For more information or to register contact Mariellen by phone at 343-3040, ext. 105, e-mail mew33@cornell.edu, or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
 
November 1st from 9 am to 2pm - New York Agriculture In The Classroom “Food, Land, And People Educator Training”. Held at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue in Buffalo, NY. Food, Land & People (FLP) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping people of all ages better understand the interrelationships among agriculture, the environment, and people of the world. Food, Land & People’s science-and social-science-based curriculum, “Resources for Learning”, currently serves Pre-K to 12th grade students with 55 hands-on lessons, developed and tested be more than a thousand educators. Attendees will  receive Food, Land and Peoples Resources for Learning CD-Rom (includes 55 lessons), Various NY Ag in the Classroom Materials including lessons plans, book lists, brochures, and more. Four hours of professional development credits and a participation certificate are included in a fun-filled day at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens (including lunch and tour of the gardens). If you are interested in attending or would like to learn more about the program contact Barb at 343-3040 ext. 122, visit the Cooperative Extension website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu or stop by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
 
November 6 at 6 p.m. - Coffee and Dessert Series: “Winter Birds”.  Held at the Extension Building. This presentation is back by popular demand. Did you know that there will be different birds at your feeders during the winter months?  Do you know that to feed them or how to identify them?  Let our “birding” expert, Jan Beglinger give you in-depth information on this subject, while you enjoy coffee and dessert. Cost is $10 per class and limited to fifteen participants per class. Pre-register at the Extension Center, 420 East Main Street in Batavia, visit our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu, or contact Gail Culver at 343-3040, ext. 132 for more information.
 
November 10 at 5:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 East Main St., Batavia.  For more information call 343-3040, ext. 112.
 
November 10th, November 12th, November 17th, November 19th, November 24th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Spanish For (Ag) Working People. Instructed by Camy Sorbello. Learn enough Spanish in ten hours to improve communication with your Spanish-speaking agricultural employees. English-speaking managers & co-workers learn enough job-oriented basic Spanish that allows them to greatly improve job performance, workplace quality & business functioning. Camy's teaching method is suited to people who have little time to learn Spanish, as she uses simple phrases & a non-grammatical approach, with an emphasis on the words & language customarily used in each specific business or job function. Camy is a professional Spanish translator. To ensure the best learning experience, we will have a maximum of 20 participants. Cost is $125 per person (includes handouts). Register by November 3rd by calling 585-343-3040 ext 126 or stopping by the Extension office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
 
November 20 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Feed Dealer's Meeting. Byrncliff Resort & Conference Center, Varysburg, NY. For more information contact Cathy Wallace at 585-343-3040 x 138 or by email at cfw6@cornell.edu.

December 4 at 6 p.m. Holiday Greens Workshop.  Join Consumer Horticulture Educator Gail Culver and the Master Gardeners for a fun-filled hands-on holiday greens workshop. Participants will  be able to make a Holiday Wreath or Holiday Centerpiece. This workshop will be held at the Kennedy Building on the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Route 5 in  Batavia. Cost is $20 per person and pre-registration is required. Contact Consumer Horticulture Educator Gail Culver at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132, stop by the Extension office located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia or log on to http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/.
 
December 8 at 5:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 East Main St., Batavia.  For more information call 343-3040, ext. 112.
 
December 9 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference. Held at Cornell University, Kennedy Hall - David L. Call Alumni Auditorium. This year's conference will explore the theme of improved market access for New York farmers. The opening session, which will begin at 10 am, will examine emerging trends toward demand for local and regional food systems and emerging marketing and business opportunities in more distant markets. The theme of this portion of the program is Market Access for NYS Producers: Local and Long Distance Dimensions. For more information contact Jan Beglinger at 585-343-3040 ext. 126 or stop by the Extension office located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
December 9 - 11 Northeast Region Certified Crop Advisor Training. Holiday Inn, Waterloo, NY (Just off I-90 exit 41, south on Rt. 414) New Crop Advisers: Individuals seeking certification should attend CCA Basic Training to prepare for the regional and international certification exams. Basic Training does not include exam registration. Basic Training registration is for all three days.  The 3-day training event costs $225, and includes all coffee breaks, 3 lunches and one dinner. Register before November 8 for early discount! Next CCA Exam Date: February 6, 2009. Registration Period: October 1 - December 12. For registration materials, visit https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/become-certified/exams/registration/ . Contact: Jeanette Marvin at 315-986-9320, jmarvin@rochester.rr.com
 
2009 Agriculture Enrollment - This service provides subscribers with up-to-date information on trends in the agricultural sector by utilizing research-based knowledge from Cornell University. Included in this service, at no charge, are direct mailings of “emergency information” for commodities of interest to you and voting privileges at the Extension Association’s annual meeting to determine organization leadership. The deadline for enrollment in the 2009 agriculture information service is February 1, 2009.  Call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at (585) 343-3040 ext. 126 or visit the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia for more information and enrollment packets.
 
4-H Participants - Please check the Extension website and refer to the monthly calendar for new and on-going events and deadlines. If you are interested in joining the 4-H program contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
Eat SMART New York – This free, confidential program for food stamp participants and limited income individuals and families explores parenting strategies, healthy meal options, and ways to stretch food dollars.  For more information and to schedule an appointment, call the nutrition and parenting education program at 343-3040, ext. 134 or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
Master Gardeners – Get answers on everything from landscaping to pest management.  Free service. Call 343-3040, ext. 127, 10 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday or e-mail geneseemg@cornell.edu, or visit the Master Gardener Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
 
Master Gardener Home Diagnostic Service – Genesee County Master Gardeners conduct on-site visits to diagnose plant and pest problems, test soil pH, advise homeowners on gardening practices and more.  Cost is $25 for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour.  Fee includes informational packets, soil testing and diagnostic results. To schedule an appointment, contact Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, at 343-3040, ext. 132, e-mail gac11@cornell.edu, or visit the Master Gardener Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
 
Master Gardener Speakers’ Bureau – Providing talks on a variety of topics, such as wildlife, local bird life, organic gardening, landscaping and more.  Programs can be tailored to meet audience needs.  Fee is $50, or $25 for non-profits in Genesee and surrounding counties.  For more information call Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator, at 343-3040, ext. 132, e-mail gac11@cornell.edu or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.

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