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CAFO
changes
weighed.
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Victory for
agriculture in
dispute with APA.
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Foundation
recognizes
contributors.
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Grassroots
WWW.NYFB.ORG THE VOICE OF NEW YORK AGRICULTURE ® January 2009
STATE ANNUAL MEETING 2008
THIS MONTH’S TOP STORY
Paterson
unveils
budget
proposal
By JULIE SUAREZ
jsuarez@nyfb.org
NEWLY-ELECTED New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton, seated in the center, is seen with the NYFB Board of Directors
last month in Albany.
Norton elected president
ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau
delegates last month elected Dean Norton,
a dairy farmer and agricultural consultant
from Batavia, as its president. Eric Ooms,
a dairy farmer from
Kinderhook, N.Y.
was elected as vice
president.
Membership delegates
representing
farmers from
around the state
cast ballots at the
NORTON
INSIDE:
More scenes
from the SAM.
Pages 12-13
State Annual
Meeting, held at
the Marriott Hotel
in Albany.
Norton, who is
elected for a two
year term, takes
over for John
Lincoln, retiring
after 14 years as president
“I am proud to have the opportunity to
represent this organization during such a
critical time for the farm families of New
Please see PRESIDENT PG. 22 ➤
L.J. D’ARRIGO of Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna talks with Oneida County Farm
Bureau President Ben Simons.
Meeting attracts thoughtful vendors
ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau
members were not the only ones to attend
last month’s State Annual Meeting.
A number of service providers also were
on hand to meet with members. A few took
time to share their thoughts on farming,
farmers and how their businesses can help.
Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna
L.J. D’Arrigo talked to farmers about the
agricultural services offered by his law
firm, including help with H2A visa applications
and compliance.
“The agricultural law, when it comes to
visas, is so complicated and the forms are
so complex that our job is to help the
farmers complete these forms, deal with
Please see VENDORS PG. 23 ➤
ALBANY — In what has been dubbed
the “no fat, no fun” budget, Gov. David
Paterson presented his Executive Budget
proposal to the Legislature and the public
on Dec. 16.
Recognizing the tremendous fiscal crisis
being faced by the
state of New York,
along with the projected
$1.5 billion
deficit in the current
fiscal year, the governor
proposed a
budget that contains
strong cost cutting
measures, increases
in fees, and a mixture
PATERSON
of some limited mandate
relief proposals
to help relieve the burden on local governments
and schools from budget cutting.
Paterson’s announcement came a full
month earlier than normal, and should be
welcomed and acknowledged as a courageous
step forward in New York’s often controversial
budget process. The governor has
actually taken the unusual step of presenting
two separate budget documents for the
legislature and public’s review at the same
time — the 2009-10 fiscal year Executive
Budget and a separate document which is
largely similar to the cuts he proposed but
which were not adopted in a Nov. 18 special
session to eliminate the deficit in the current
2008-09 fiscal year.
Before all of the criticism — both just and
unjust — starts flying, it’s important to
understand that we are in an unprecedented
fiscal situation. New York has long had a
Please see BUDGET PG. 22 ➤
Farmers protest EPA’s methane tax plan
Farmers across New York have spoken out in large
numbers against an Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) proposal that could cost dairy and livestock producers
more than $110 million per year.
“It’s just staggering to think of the implications of this
if it goes through,” said Julie Suarez, director of public
policy for New York Farm Bureau.
As part of a new authority to regulate greenhouse
gasses, the EPA is developing regulations that would
lump farms as small as 25 cows into the same category of
regulation as an oil refinery or a coal plant.
Got cows? A dairy farmer would be required to pay
$175 per dairy cow and slightly less for beef cattle,
according to analysis by the American Farm Bureau
Please see EPA PG. 22 ➤
Grassroots
New York Farm Bureau
P.O. Box 5330
Albany, NY 12205-0330
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Page 2 Grassroots January 2009
AT AGLANCE
ROBERT HOKANSON receives a plaque of recognition for his years of dedicated service
to NYFB from Julie Suarez, Director of Public Policy.
Hokanson to retire, Mural
hired for National Affairs
Robert Hokanson, better known in Farm
Bureau circles as “Beltway Bob,” has retired
from NYFB and will be moving with his
wife, Suzy, to Savannah, Ga.
Hokanson spent more than six years with
NYFB, and both staff and membership will
miss him dearly. A former dairy farmer,
Hokanson also worked for Cooperative
Extension in the North Country, and the
State Senate Democratic conference as an
agriculture and local governments program
associate prior to joining NYFB. He and his
wife plan on spending summers in the
North Country, enjoying their newly purchased
summer sail boat home.
“Bob has been an enthusiastic and tireless
advocate for the agricultural industry and
for NYFB in Washington D.C.,” said Julie
Suarez, NYFB director of public policy. “He
is well known for his passion and commitment,
and while he certainly deserves an
excellent retirement and we are all happy for
him, we will also miss
him a great deal.”
In the meantime,
NYFB is also pleased
to announce the
recent hire of
Catherine Calvados
Mural. Mural, a biology
graduate from
the State University
of New York at
MURAL Binghamton, has
already begun working for NYFB as the new
Associate Director of National Affairs.
“Many of our members, especially those
who regularly participate in state lobby days,
know Cathy already from her work as
Director of the Senate Agriculture
Committee under Senator Young’s leadership,”
said Suarez. “Cathy has worked in
agricultural and rural policy for the past
eight years, and also worked for former
Senator Patricia McGee.
“She is well known as an enthusiastic and
hard worker, and is looking forward to
working with the agricultural community
on a more in-depth basis. She’s also looking
forward to getting to know the newly elected
Congressional representatives in
Washington, D.C., and playing an active
role in working to represent the interests of
our farm family members in national agricultural
policy.”
Remember equipment
depreciation tax credit
Before filing your taxes this year, farmers
are reminded that the Economic Stimulus
Tax Act of 2008, passed by Congress last
February, provides a 50 percent special
depreciation allowance, as well as an increase
in the allowance for new equipment deductions
for small businesses, including farms.
Depreciation is an annual allowance for the
wear and tear, deterioration or aging of property.
It comes in the form of an income tax
deduction that allows a taxpayer to recover the
cost or other basis of certain property over several
years. Typically, the depreciation reduction
is spread across the equipment’s life.
Under the law passed last year, taxpayers
are allowed to depreciate 50 percent of the
cost of property put into service between
Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008. The law covers all
types of equipment farmers use, including
computers and other office supplies, trucks,
tractors, trailers and milking machines.
For example, a grower who bought a combine
in 2008 can expense half of the entire
purchase price in 2008 instead of having to
take the expense in smaller chunks over time.
The new expensing rules, known as
Section 179 for the section of the Internal
Revenue Code they fall under, allow business
owners to almost double the amount of
equipment purchases that can be expensed
in 2008. Farmers can expense up to
$250,000 of Section 179 property purchased
this year. Without the stimulus law,
the expensing limit would have been
$128,000.
In some cases, businesses will be able to
take advantage of both of these benefits. For
example, if a producer makes a $500,000
equipment purchase, he can deduct
$250,000 for that piece of equipment and
depreciate the remaining $250,000 under
the 50 percent depreciation allowance.
USDA to conduct
unwanted horse study
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to
a request from AFBF, the United States
Department of Agriculture is leading a study
to quantify impacts of unwanted and abandoned
horses.
The study will be conducted by the
Animal Care division of the Animal & Plant
Health Inspection Service. It will characterize
the type, history, ownership, and health
status of unwanted horses entering animal
control facilities, rescue and retirement facilities,
and auction markets.

January 2009 Grassroots Page 3
Big goals, big challenges
Grassroots
January 2009
It has been a true honor to be selected as
your leader as we move into a new year and
a new era in our state and national capitals.
I have ambitious goals for this organization
that I hope will make us stronger and
even more influential in Albany and
Washington, as we continue advocating for
the farm families of New York and providing
the absolute best in member services.
Within 10 years, I hope to have membership
levels of 50,000. We are currently at
30,000 members. It will take a major effort
to get our numbers that high, but I am confident
that it can be done. I also want to
increase the level of service to the membership,
improving on what is already an
incredibly valuable program.
We are the undisputed “Voice of
Agriculture,” but with more numbers comes
more strength, and that is what we need
right now—strength.
Consider some of the issues that have
come up in just the past few months:
◆ The EPA proposed taxing cows to the
tune of $110 million per year, upwards of
$175 per cow. Can your farm afford that?
◆ The fiscal crisis has brought proposals
DEAN NORTON
NYFB PRESIDENT
NORTON’S
ADDRESS
to slash funding for
agricultural programs,
as well as
impose numerous
fees on farmers and
other businesses.
Farmers have to be
represented.
◆ State agencies
have proposed
restricting usage of
outdoor wood boilers,
and restricting
trucks from using
rural public highways
— clearly a
problem when we
need to deliver food
to consumers. We must continually monitor
and explain the impact of regulatory actions
on the farm and rural community.
We are in very serious times right now,
and if we don’t defend ourselves from these
measures that could hinder our livelihoods,
no one else will.
That is why I am so adamant about
increasing our strength. We need it. Now
more than ever.
I look forward to communicating and
working with you on these and many more
issues, and hearing your concerns.
Meanwhile, I want to thank John Lincoln
for his gracious leadership over the past 14
years. He has accomplished so much, and set
extremely high standards. I will do my best
to lead as he did so effectively over the past
decade and a half.
I also want to congratulate Paul Zittel,
who gave so much time and effort in being
our vice president and sharing his ideas and
passion for agriculture.
As you read this, we will be in the midst of
near total changeover in leadership in
Albany and the nation. Change is in the air,
but unless we are strong and resolute, that
change could hurt our industry instead of
help it.
Have a wonderful and prosperous New
Year and thank you again for your
confidence and
support.
Dean
Grassroots is published monthly by
New York Farm Bureau as a member
service. Production services by
Atticus Communications, Inc.
Subscriptions are available through
New York Farm Bureau membership.
Non-member subscription rate is $12.
MAILING ADDRESS
106 Main Street
Greenwich, NY 12834
EDITOR
Peter Gregg
pgregg@nyfb.org
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Scott Keyes
skeyes@atticusinc.com
READER SERVICES
Leah Carroll
lcarroll@atticusinc.com
PHONE/FAX
Phone: (518) 692-2204
Fax: (518) 692-2205
∆Ringing in 2009 with optimism
It is time again to ring in a New Year and
shake out the old. With the start of 2009
comes a new administration and Congress,
providing farmers and ranchers with real
opportunities to advance agricultural issues.
But with opportunities always come challenges,
and the road ahead won’t be without
them. It never is.
Agriculture saw its fair share of ups and
downs in 2008 — all the more reason to
take last year’s lemons and use them to ring
in the New Year with a nice tall glass of
lemonade.
Meeting our challenges
There are many opportunities awaiting
farmers in 2009, but first we must overcome
some of the hurdles still impacting farmers
and ranchers. First and foremost, the collapse
of our nation’s economy and its impact
on the agriculture sector will have a lingering
effect on producers. Getting back on
track won’t be easy, but rest assured you have
a strong voice at Farm Bureau advocating
economic policies to help get our nation
back on the right financial path.
Animal right activists will become even
bolder in 2009, on the heels of their win in
California on Proposition 2 this past
November. Without a doubt, the animal
rights activists have no plans of letting up. It
is anticipated they will push forward with
more statewide ballot initiatives and legislation.
It is up to us as farmers and ranchers to
become activists in our own right by engaging
with consumers about modern agricultural
production. We take great care of our
farm animals. We need to have that conver-
Grassroots is
online at
www.nyfb.org
BOB STALLMAN
AFBF PRESIDENT
VIEW
FROM D.C.
sation with consumers.
Climate change
will be another challenge
for the agriculture
industry. We
can expect increased
legislation in
Congress and more
attempts at regulation
from within
the administration.
Farm Bureau will
use this year to look
for opportunities to
do our share to protect
the environment
while mitigating negative impacts on
farmers from burdensome regulations.
When opportunity knocks
Each of these challenges leaves room for
opportunities. There are many other issues
important to farmers and ranchers in which
we should take the bull by the horns. For
example, we have a new president that is
very supportive of renewable fuels. There’s
A monthly reminder of deadlines and details
To Do List
never been a better time to advocate homegrown
fuels that create green jobs and bolster
rural America.
On the trade front, we are at an impasse in
world trade negotiations. Farm Bureau is
optimistic that with a new administration
will come an opportunity to change the way
we negotiate with world trading partners.
We also have a real chance to further our
efforts with agriculture labor, transportation
and rural development issues.
These are the “known” challenges and
opportunities that await farmers and ranchers.
As your agriculture organization, Farm
Bureau will be ready to meet these as well as
the many “unknown” issues that arise in
2009.
As T.S. Elliot once wrote, “For last year’s
words belong to last year’s language and next
year’s words await another voice. And to
make an end is to make a beginning.” In
other words, it’s time for the Voice of
Agriculture to start making lemonade.
I wish you all a happy and healthy 2009.
Bob
Action More Info Deadline
❏ AFBF 90th Convention & Annual www.fb.org Jan. 11-14
Meeting, San Antonio, TX
❏ Apply for Empire State www.nypotatoes.org Jan. 15
potato growers scholarship
❏ Cost-sharing advertising 1-800-342-4143 Jan. 15
for membership campaign
❏ County membership teams 1-800-342-4143 Jan. 24
appointed and reported
❏ Plan to attend Lobby Days 1-800-342-4143 March 2-3
❏ Register for NYFB Spring 1-800-342-4143 March 12
Pro-Ed and YF&R Conf., Auburn, NY
NEW YORK FARM BUREAU
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 5330
Albany, NY 12205
PHONE/WEB SITE
Phone: 1-800-342-4143
Web site: www.nyfb.org
MANAGEMENT
Jeffery Kirby ........Executive Director
Julie Suarez ..................Public Policy
Elizabeth Dribusch ........Legal Affairs
Kevin Cook............Member Services
Fred Perrin ..........Member Relations
Paul McDowell ..Fin & Info Systems
Sandra Prokop ....NYFB Foundation
NYFB BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Dean Norton ....................President
....................Batavia, (585) 343-3114
Eric Ooms ................Vice President
..........Old Chatham, (518) 392-9594
Phyllis Couture ..................District 1
............West Valley, (716) 942-3710
Paul Bencal........................District 2
............Ransomville, (716) 216-4039
Jonathan Taylor..................District 3
..................Newark, (315) 331-0760
Carl Brink ..........................District 4
........Newark Valley, (607) 642-3664
Gordon Spreutels ..............District 5
..............Bainbridge, (607) 563-1420
Eric Behling ......................District 6
....................Mexico, (315) 963-8160
Robert Gleason ................District 7
....................Malone, (518) 483-1308
Jay Skellie..........................District 8
....................Salem, (518) 854-7883
John Radliff........................District 9
................Cobleskill, (518) 234-2820
Charles Larsen ................District 10
..........Germantown, (518) 537-6586
Kenneth Schmitt ..............District 11
....................Melville, (631) 249-2616
Ann Peck ..........Chair of Promotion
..............and Education Committee
..................Newark, (315) 331-7791
Brian Ziehm Chair of Young Farmer
................and Rancher Committee
....................Easton, (518) 692-8684
REGIONAL OFFICES
Western NY Resource Center
877-383-7663 or 585-343-3489
Long Island Office
631-727-3777
Finger Lakes Office
888-712-2441 or 315-568-2658
Eastern NY Office
866-995-7300 or 518-854-7368

Page 4 Grassroots January 2009
NYFB Board sets priorities for ’09
By JEFF WILLIAMS
jwilliams@nyfb.org
New York Farm Bureau’s Board of
Directors met in December, following the
successful 2008 State Annual Meeting, to
establish the organization’s public policy
goals for 2009 at the state and national levels.
NYFB President Dean Norton said, “This
meeting is one of the most critical Board
meetings of the year. The State Board really
takes the time to identify, analyze and discuss
issues that are vital to agricultural economy
in New York State.”
This year the Board prioritized improving
the state’s business environment for agriculture
as one of the NYFB’s top goals for the
coming year.
Farm environmental stewardship, expanding
markets, national Farm Bill implementation,
immigration reform and profitability
are also included among the Farm Bureau’s
priorities for the coming year.
“These priority issues are significant to our
agricultural industry statewide and would
have a positive impact on the farm economy
or improve the quality of rural life — two
major requirements for Farm Bureau’s priority
issues,” Norton said.
Priorities at the state and national levels
are separated into differing issue categories.
At the state level, priorities are Healthy
Farms, Healthy Economy; Healthy Farms,
Healthy Environment; and Healthy Farms,
Healthy Markets. National priorities are
Agricultural Economic Development and
Profitability, Agricultural Labor Reform and
Energy and the Environment.
State priority issues
Healthy Farms, Healthy Economy
Goal: To ensure that New York does not
adopt restrictive policies or mandates that
increase the cost of doing business in New
York. Instead, New York state should adopt
reforms needed to help grow the state’s agricultural
and small business sector.
• Ensure DEC’s new water quality regulations
do not overly burden livestock producers.
• Support continued access to critical farm
labor resources.
• Oppose unworkable restrictions on the
use of outdoor wood boilers.
• Oppose onerous trucking restrictions on
roads in the Finger Lakes Region.
• Support continued access to needed farm
pesticide products.
• Support continued state funding of critical
farm budgetary programs.
• Support tort reform measures.
• Support measures that provide relief
from burdensome property taxes and
unfunded state mandates.
Healthy Farms, Healthy Environment
Goal: New York communities receive
environmental, social and economic benefits
from the working landscapes created by agriculture.
These benefits can only be sustained
by creating public policy supporting
farm businesses and their financial stability.
This includes recognition of the importance
that land resources play in an agricultural
operation.
• Ensure that necessary funding, as set in
statute, is provided for the Environmental
Protection Fund, especially for lines that
fund farmland protection, agricultural nonpoint
source pollution control, agricultural
plastic collection and soil and water conservation
districts programs.
• Support initiatives to increase farmbased
renewable energy resources, such as
ethanol, wind power and anaerobic
digesters.
• Work to provide enhanced environmental
protections for landowners, along with
an equitable royalty structure on private and
public lands, with regard to gas, oil, and
wind leasing.
• Ensure continued funding for the E-
FARM Program.
• Support the Bigger, Better, Bottle Bill.
• Oppose overly restrictive regulations
governing open burning on farms.
Healthy Farms, Healthy Markets
Goal: Farm access to one of the largest
markets in the world is of critical importance
in today’s global economy. Efforts
must be made to bolster farm viability by
Paterson signs Indian
cigarette excise tax bill
The Associated Press
UTICA — A bill intended to enforce collection
of excise taxes on cigarettes sold at
Indian-owned stores was signed into law in
December by Gov. David Paterson.
The new law will prohibit manufacturers
from selling tobacco products without a
state tax stamp to any wholesaler that doesn’t
certify the cigarettes won’t be resold taxfree
by New York tribes, a practice that has
caused conflict between Indians and the
state for years.
“This is a new approach, and we hope it
will be the effective approach in terms of
fighting this problem,” Paterson said before
signing the bill during a stop in Utica.
The tax collection plan is part of
Paterson’s 2009-10 budget proposal that was
presented last month to the Legislature.
Another business element of that budget
would crack down on abuses of the state’s
Empire Zone program, which provides tax
breaks to companies in exchange for creating
or retaining jobs.
The Buffalo News reported that Paterson
will propose to cut the program in half by
requiring companies already getting big,
multiyear tax breaks to prove they have created
jobs they promised. That could end the
tax breaks for 2,100 companies and bring
$270 million in tax revenue back to the
state. It would be part of $9 billion in cuts
Paterson reportedly will propose.
The next step in trying to collect taxes on
cigarettes sold by tribes will be for the state
Tax Department to establish a certification
process for wholesalers within 60 days, the
governor said.
“We are trying to alleviate an issue that
has existed for a very long time, but we
won’t be able to alleviate it just today,”
Paterson said. “This establishes right in the
beginning of the process that New York
state intends to collect taxes from its citizens
who buy cigarettes.”
Violators could have their licenses revoked
and could be prosecuted criminally for perjury
or filing a false instrument, the governor
said.
The new law does not address collection
of sales taxes or gasoline taxes, said
Assemblyman William Magee, a central
New York Democrat who co-sponsored the
legislation.
The law shifts the collection from reservations
to the manufacturing and wholesale
level, a tactic that has worked to varying
degrees in other states.
expanding sales to these markets, which also
reduces the environmental impact of transporting
food from far flung regions of the
world and provides substantial health benefits
to those that purchase and consume our
products.
• Increasing buyer access in New York
City and other urban markets for both commercial
and green markets.
• Support “buy local” initiatives that
reduce food miles and support New York
State farms.
• Expand efforts to promote the sale of
healthy, locally produced foods to school
district food service programs.
• Support the sale of wine in grocery
stores to increase state revenue and benefit
our wineries.
• Support continued funding of critical
farm budgetary programs and oppose fee
increases that suppress farm economic development.
• Increase rural area access to broadband,
while improving the state’s business and
road infrastructure to enhance market
opportunities.
• Improve business environment and regulatory
structure for New York’s growing
aquaculture industry.
National priority issues
Agricultural Economic Development
and Profitability
To address farm profitability issues and
further enhance agriculture as an economic
development engine for Upstate New York
and Long Island. The following programs
should be fully addressed and funded by the
federal government.
• Monitor implementation of the 2008
Farm Bill to ensure programs beneficial to
New York agriculture, including dairy and
specialty crops, are put into effect in a timely
and efficient manner.
• Support enhanced efforts by the USDA
and FDA to assure food safety and to promote
consumer confidence in the food supply
through science based research and the
use of modern technology.
• Support legislation and regulations
ensuring that agricultural imports are subject
to equivalent inspection, sanitary
requirements, pesticide use restrictions, and
quality standards as domestic produce.
• Support funding for producer driven
applied agriculture research and development
programs, as well as critical investment
in research at the Cornell University land
grant colleges and experiment stations.
• Provide a state estate tax payment deferral
for landowners that inherit farmland and
keep the land in agricultural production.
• Work for timely distribution and receipt
of disaster assistance and implementation of
permanent disaster assistance.
• Oppose animal welfare standards outside
of sound veterinary science and best management
practices.
• Continue to work for more equitable,
size-neutral dairy programs including MILC.
• Actively monitor the EPA’s Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operations and emerging air
AG TRIVIA
emissions regulations to ensure that any
developed regulations by the EPA do not negatively
impact New York farms.
• Support the concepts of a pricing system
that takes into account regional differences
in milk pricing in an effort to secure more
equitable Class I pricing for dairy farm families
in New York.
• Support federal agricultural economic
development initiatives on a regional level.
Agricultural Labor Reform
The majority of New York’s fruit and vegetable
farms, and increasingly dairy farms,
depend on immigrant seasonal and yearly
labor. Studies have shown that a large proportion
of the agricultural workforce is
working with questionable documentation.
These employees are critical to the success of
family farms in New York State. In order to
ease the labor situation, the following steps
must be taken:
• Immediate passage of federal legislation
and/or regulatory changes to reform the
H2A program to make the program an effective,
efficient, and cost effective means of
securing seasonal and year-round workers.
• Permit undocumented workers to apply
for immediate H2A status.
• End abusive practices by the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Agency and U.S. Border Patrol agents
towards farm employees by a prohibition on
the use of racial profiling.
• Prohibit DHS or INS from removing
workers with questionable documentation
from farms if such removal would produce
immediate crop loss or prevent harvesting,
or in the case of dairy farms, jeopardize the
health of dairy animals.
• Work to improve the guidance by DHS
regarding producer and worker responsibilities
following receipt of Social Security mismatch
notification.
• Continued federal support of Migrant
Health Care clinics, voucher programs, and
the Community Care network.
• Permit farmworkers currently working
on farms with questionable documentation
to immediately transition to H2A or other
guestworker status.
Energy and Environment
With today’s political discussions focused
on renewable energy and climate change,
New York agriculture must position itself for
new economic opportunities and be vigilant
in protecting production practices from
undue regulation.
• Ensure any air quality and/or climate
change legislation holds agriculture production
practices harmless.
• Oppose regulation that categorizes livestock
as greenhouse gas emitters (i.e. cow tax).
• Oppose efforts to broaden the definition
of navigable waters.
• Support legislation and/or regulations
that include manure management as a carbon
reduction and sequestration
strategy/practice.
• Secure additional funding for New York’s
well-established Farmland Protection
Program and the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program.
Which type of meat is No. 1 for consumption?
1. Chicken; 2. Beef; 3. Pork; 4. Turkey; 5. Lamb and mutton.
Answer: Page 6
Free Classifieds for members!
See Page 20 for details.

January 2009 Grassroots Page 5
JUDI WHITTAKER, CHAIRWOMAN of New York Farm Bureau Foundation, presents the
National Farm-City Award to Karen Dewey, Chautuaqua County ProEd Chairwoman,
above, and to Bill Eick, Orleans County Farm Bureau President, below.
Chautauqua, Orleans
County FBs recognized
for education efforts
ALBANY — The Chautauqua and
Orleans County Farm Bureaus were both
recognized as recipients of the American
Farm Bureau Federation’s National Farm-
City Award for their efforts in developing
programs for agricultural education.
Both awards were announced during
National Farm-City Week in November and
the groups were formally recognized at the
New York Farm Bureau State Annual
Meeting in Albany on Dec. 11.
“Our Farm-City Council partners at the
state level play a critical role in helping nonfarming
consumers understand the vital
importance of U.S. agriculture to our economy,”
said National Farm-City Council
Chairman Al Pell. “We’re pleased to honor
several state organizations for their outstanding
work in accomplishing the Farm-
City mission.”
Farm-City programs successfully educate
on the interdependence among agriculture
— the people who grow the food and the
people who eat it.
Chautauqua County Farm
Bureau coordinated a “Pride of
Chautauqua” day as their submission
for the National Farm-City
award. The goal of the program
was to create agricultural awareness
and promote local agriculture to
the general public.
Coordinating with Cornell
Cooperative Extension and
Chautauqua Suites Conference
Center, this event brought local
producers to one spot to promote
their products and provide information
in an easy and efficient
manner.
The day generated TV and radio
coverage which helped to extend
the event’s reach and brought in
many more attendees.
Orleans County Farm Bureau
coordinated “A Taste of Orleans”
event at the Orleans County Junior
Fair.
The event was held on Children’s
Day with as many as 25,000 families
attending.
The goal of the program was to
educate the youth of the county
who are removed from agriculture.
The program used four specific
activities to educate the children about
the healthy nutrition of locally grown produce.
The four activities included: apple stamping
and apple slices for taste; butter making
and tasting by dipping pretzels; making
yogurt parfaits and comparing nutritional
value of yogurt to that of pizza; and tasting
of whole milk versus 1 percent milk.
PROPERTY TAX SERIES: PART ONE OF FOUR
Property tax exemption
applications due soon
By JOHN TAUZEL
jtauzel@nyfb.org
The state has created a number of exemption
programs that recognize the unique
nature of farm buildings when calculating
property taxes. New
York Farm Bureau has
been a strong advocate
for these programs and
with property taxes
increasing at a dramatic
rate, they are tools that
farm businesses can use
to reduce costs.
TAUZEL
Generally, property tax assessments for the
year are based on a “snapshot” of the farm
taken on the taxable status date. This is the
date when all applications for property tax
exemptions need to be filed. In most New
York communities, the taxable status date is
March 1 of every year. With that in mind,
now is the time to make sure that a farm has
applied for these important programs.
Last year, NYFB was successful in getting the
longstanding 10-year real property tax assessment
for new farm buildings extended again
for another ten years. Originally set to expire in
January 2009, the program has now been
extended to 2019. Under this program the
value of new farm buildings or the added value
of substantially reconstructed farm buildings is
not taxable for the first 10 years of the building’s
use. This important program encourages
new investment in farm businesses.
Buildings need to support at least five
acres of farmland and an application only
needs to be filed with the assessor one time.
An application must be submitted within
one year of completion of the building
(completion is defined as when the building
is used for its intended purpose).
While the new building exemption covers
most on-farm expansion, several structures
and practices have special exemptions for
which applications are also due on the taxable
status date. Certain “limited use” agricultural
structures including silos, commodity sheds,
milk tanks, manure handling facilities and
temporary greenhouses (including coverall
barns) are considered, similar to a tractor, as
agricultural equipment. They therefore can
receive a permanent exemption from real
property taxes. The applications for these
School property
tax refunds
New York State has recognized the need
to more equitably fund local education by
creating the Farmer’s School Property Tax
Credit.
This program provides a shift away from
farmland in determining school taxes.
Under this program qualified farmers can
receive a refund on paid school taxes as
part of their New York income tax.
To qualify for this program, farmers
must make at least 2/3 of their excess federal
gross income (federal gross income
minus $30,000) from farming. If eligible,
farms can receive a refund on the full
school taxes paid on the first 350 acres of
farmland and 50 percent of taxes on any
additional land.
Over the past few years, NYFB has
worked to expand this program to include
commercial horse boarding operations
and farms organized as C-corporations, as
well as the amount of acreage eligible. For
more information visit the NYFB Web
site www.nyfb.og.
Farms should specifically ask tax preparers
to determine if they are eligible for this
program.
Farms can request refunds for up to
three years after taxes have been paid.
structures only need to be filed one time with
the assessor for the life of the structure.
Another building exemption addresses
farm worker housing camps. Under New
York law, farm worker housing camps are
specifically exempt from all real property
taxes. This program only requires a onetime
application but the facility must be
maintained in accordance with the state sanitary
code, labor regulations and building
code to remain eligible.
These programs all address real property
taxes on buildings. Tune in next month for
more on the agricultural assessment program
for farmland.
For links to application forms, instructions
and additional information on these
various exemptions, visit the NYFB Web
page: www.nyfb.org.

Page 6 Grassroots January 2009
FB EDUCATION NEWS
Foundation live auction a success
By SANDRA PROKOP
sprokop@nyfb.org
The New York Farm Bureau Foundation
for Agricultural Education held a live auction
in conjunction
with the NYFB State
Annual Meeting in
December in Albany.
The 2008 live auction
items included a
signed and framed
Phil Rizzuto Baseball
Hall of Fame induction
poster, which
was signed by
PROKOP
Rizzuto and the caricature
artist, Bill
Gallo, and dated July
31, 1994, at the National Baseball Hall of
Fame, Cooperstown, N.Y. This item was
donated by Joe Gergela, Executive Director
of Long Island Farm Bureau. It brought a
$650 winning bid from Bob Gray as
Assemblyman and auctioneer Bill Magee’s
voice rose in a song of rising bids.
Another live auction item was a handmade
lap quilt, machine pieced and hand quilted
measuring 5-by-5 which was made in 2008
by Karen Della Rocco of Rensselaer County.
A very generous supporter, Mike Athanas,
purchased this item for $200 as a gift for
retiring Promotion and Education
Committee Chair Nancy Weber.
A very special Jeff Gordon DuPont jacket,
which will be personally autographed, was
donated by Jeff Gordon of NASCAR fame.
The bidding was fast paced, but Frank
Beyroudt was the highest bidder at $425
and is now the owner of a very special jacket.
Last but not least, an “All Star Race
Weekend Package” at Lowe’s Motor
Speedway was donated by Danielle Randall-
Bauer, Crew Chief Club, Everest Marketing
Group. This very special trip in May of
2009 included a two-night stay at the
Embassy Suites Hotel, Cold, Pit and Garage
Passes, Tickets to the All Star Race on
Saturday night and a meet and greet with
some of NASCAR’s top crew chiefs. Hank
Ferris was the high bidder at $1,700 and will
be enjoying this fabulous NASCAR experience.
The Foundation’s very special auctioneer,
Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson,
always comes prepared to make a bit more
to support our programs. Four agricultural
themed ties were auctioned for a total of
$640 to some very strong supporters who
wear their ag devotion vividly for one and all
to see.
Thank you to Assemblyman Magee and
all the bidders who helped to make this auction
a great success for the Foundation and
its programs.
AG TRIVIA ANSWER
Data shows that chicken is in
the lead, once again, for
average 2007 consumption
in the U.S. The average
American consumed, by
type, in 2007: Chicken: 84.9
pounds; Beef: 63.5 pounds;
Pork: 48.2 pounds; Turkey:
17.5 pounds; Lamb and
Mutton: 1 pound.
Source: Associated Press
FOUNDATION CHAIRWOMAN Judi Whittaker and Managing Director Sandra Prokop flank retiring NYFB Foundation board members
Nancy Weber, John Lincoln and John Radliff.
FOUNDATION CHAIRWOMAN Judi Whittaker shows off a
signed Phil Rizzuto Hall of Fame induction poster to Agriculture
Commissioner Pat Hooker during the live auction at the State
Annual Meeting.
Lincoln, Weber, Radliff
retire from board
Retiring Foundation board members John
Lincoln, Nancy Weber and John Radliff
were recognized for their service to the
NYFB Foundation during the Foundation’s
special Recognition Breakfast held during
the NYFB State Annual Meeting. This
breakfast was generously sponsored by Key
Bank.
Having served as the NYFB representatives
on the Foundation board, their presence
and participation were a tremendous
help. The Foundation is its own entity, separate
from NYFB and the retiring members
served as an important link between NYFB
and the Foundation.
Lincoln was instrumental in the creation
of the Foundation in July of 1997. His
input over the years has guided and influenced
the programs and projects in many
ways. Weber was appointed to the
Foundation board in December of 2004 and
brought with her the tremendous promotion
and education network from her NYFB
Pro-Ed committee chairmanship. Radliff’s
appointment began in December of 2006
and he brought new vision and insight to
many programs.
Foundation Chairwoman Judi Whittaker
noted the many contributions of the three
retiring board members as she recognized the
difference that their participation has made.
They will all be missed, but not forgotten, as
Whittaker plans to call upon their skills for
several programs in the coming year.
Continuing board members include Chair
Whittaker from Broome County, Norbert
Amberg from Ontario County, Peter
TenEyck from Albany County and Terry
Hughes from Schoharie County/SUNY
Cobleskill, who represents direct educational
involvement.
Peck elected new Promotion
and Education chairwoman
Ann Peck from Ontario County was elected
chairwoman of the State Promotion and
Education Committee during the NYFB
State Annual Meeting in December. She will
replace retiring chairwoman Nancy Weber.
Weber, along with Frank Brodie, both
retired from the NYFB State Promotion and
Education Committee and were recognized
for their dedicated service to agriculture.
Weber, from Oswego County, was elected
District 6 Promotion and Education representative
in December 2001 and then as
chairwoman of the State Promotion and
Education Committee in December of
2003. She decided to retire from this position
at the end of her term in 2008 in order
to have more time to devote to their family
farming operation.
Brodie, from Otsego County, joined as the
District 9 representative in December 2002
and has served his maximum term on the
committee. The entire Promotion and
FRANK BRODIE and Nancy Weber are honored for their service
to the State Promotion and Education Committee.
Education delegate body acknowledged his
tremendous participation in events, programs
and projects which have served the
industry and are an integral part of what
agriculture must do in order to be a positive
force within New York state.
District election results included: District
1, Karen Dewey; District 3, Eileen Taylor;
District 5, Susan Reed; District 7, Rita
Fefee; District 9, Winnie Nelson; District
11, Debbie Schmitt; and At-Large, Dave
Tetor. Continuing their terms are: District
2, Pat LaPoint; District 4, Pam Moore; and
District 10, Mary Stephens.
We will be featuring introductions to the
State Promotion and Education Committee
in this column in the months to come, so
stay tuned!
Food Check-Out Week
approaching
NYFB will celebrate Food Check-Out
Week next month, Feb. 15-21, and many
counties already have plans under way.
There are a lot of materials available to
counties planning special events and they
should call the NYFB office at 1-800-342-
4143 for more information.
Food Check-Out Week marks the date
when most Americans will have earned
enough disposable income to pay for their
food for the entire year. The new theme for
the week is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar
With Healthy, Nutritious Food.”

January 2009 Grassroots Page 7
FROM THE FIELD
No cooling down
Farm Bureau activities
By SKIP JENSEN
sjensen@nyfb.org
By now winter has set in and everyone is
busy with winter activities. It seems like
things never slow
down for New York
Farm Bureau. There
is always a lot going
on. Soon it will be
Lobby Day and we
look forward to that
and all the other
NYFB activities.
Membership work is
JENSEN
REGION 4
always ongoing.
County membership
committees are very
active in all the
counties in Region 4.
Cayuga
Chuck Kyle was elected as the new county
president in Cayuga County. Chuck and
his family own and operate a grain and hay
farm in Cato in Northern Cayuga County.
We thank Jon Gilbert, past president for his
leadership during his years as County
President. Gilbert will remain on the board
and we look forward to his helping with all the
Farm Bureau activities. The board has been
working all fall to get their billboard wagon
done so they can showcase it at a roadside near
you. Look for it sometime this spring.
Cortland
Doug Staley was elected as the new president
in Cortland County. He replaces
Carlton Dawson, who will remain on the
board as vice president. Staley owns a horse
operation with boarding facilities. He is also
on the State Farm Bureau Equine
Committee. We thank Dawson for his dedicated
service and look forward to working
with Staley.
Onondaga
Onondaga was awarded several Silver Key
awards at the State Annual Meeting. They
have a very active Board and are busy planning
activities for the next year. They plan to
work at promoting local agriculture and the
importance of keeping farms in business for
open space and good economic development.
One of the highlights of the year is participation
at the Lafayette Apple Festival. This
year the county Farm Bureau had a bigger
display and offered horse drawn wagon
rides. About 50,000 people attend the twoday
event. It is a great way to showcase local
agriculture.
Schuyler
Schuyler County is close enough to the
Southern Tier to be in on and effected by
the big surge in natural gas leasing. We have
had a couple of public informational meetings
that have been well attended. The
county Farm Bureau and Cornell
Cooperative Extension have been working
together to get landowners to participate in
a coalition to work together when negotiating
with the gas companies. That has been
very successful in several other counties. If
you want more information contact Dave
Stamp, County President.
Tompkins
Plans are starting to take shape for
Tompkins County’s annual Ag Extravanza at
Pyramid Mall this spring. The county Farm
Bureau works with Cooperative Extension
and the local FFA to bring this event to the
public. Each year it has gotten bigger and
better and we expect a great event this spring.
Volunteers are working hard on membership
in Tompkins, too. Mary Gloster continues
as membership chair this year and
membership activities are planned for after
the first of the year in January.
Region 6 Annual
Meeting round-up
By JOHN WAGNER
jwagner@nyfb.org
With another successful year of county
annual meetings behind us and with a new
year upon us, I would like to take just a few
minutes to give thanks to two retiring county
Farm Bureau presidents who I have had
the pleasure of working with over the past
several years. Retiring as county Farm
Bureau presidents at this year’s county annual
meetings were Steve Watson from
Jefferson County and Dave Schieferstine
from Oneida County.
It was a great pleasure to work with these
individuals and I hope to continue to work
with them in other capacities at the local
county Farm Bureau level.
Filling the void left by these two individuals
are two new leaders, Benjamin Simons in
Oneida County and Charles Eastman in
Jefferson County. I look forwarding to
working with them as we continue to
strengthen New York agriculture.
This year’s annual meetings at the county
level brought out a dynamic group of guest
speakers, from New York Agriculture
Commissioner Patrick Hooker in both
Madison and Oneida Counties, to
Agricultural Advocate Chris Fesko in
Herkimer County. As it appeared in an earlier
edition of Grassroots, John Lincoln was
the featured keynote speaker at the Jefferson
County Annual Meeting. Each speaker, in
their own way, encouraged members to stay
vigilant and to stay involved in helping to
craft the message of agriculture to our legislative
leaders and to the general public.
Another highlight of this year’s county
annual meetings was the recognition of
membership workers who helped Farm
Bureau with membership. In each county,
volunteer leaders and Farm Family Insurance
Agents who signed up at least one new member
during the March is Membership Month
Campaign was recognized with a gift of
appreciation from NYFB. NYFB District
Director Eric Behling and I presented these
awards at each county annual meeting.
Holiday spirit
The annual Christmas party for Oneida
County Farm Bureau was once again a huge
success. This year about 45 individuals
attended the event that is coordinated annually
by Linda Collins and the other members
of the counties’ Verona Kitchen
Konference group. The members feasted on
a wonderful buffet dinner courtesy of the
Apple Betty Restaurant. Members also
enjoyed an evening of good fellowship and
engaged in a gift exchange. Once again, on
behalf of all the members of the Oneida
County Farm Bureau, I would like to extend
a hearty thank you to the members of the
Verona Kitchen Konference for coordinating
this wonderful annual celebration.
September Ag Extravaganza
On Sept. 23 and 24, more than 1,200
Jefferson County elementary students
attended the annual Jefferson County Ag
Extravaganza held at the Thompson Park
Zoo Pavilion. The annual event run by
RETIRING LEGISLATOR RECOGNIZED
ON DEC. 18, as part of the Oneida County Agricultural Economic Development
Agency’s monthly meeting the Oneida County Farm Bureau took a moment to show
its appreciation to a retiring Oneida County Legislator. Pamela Mandryk was recognized
for her many years of service and dedication not only to the people of Oneida
County, but most notably for her service and undying desire to see that Oneida
County agriculture prospers. For a number of years Mandryk has served as the
Chairperson of the Oneida County Farmland Protection Board and also served as a
legislative member to the Oneida County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Mandryk is seen here with Region 6 Field Advisor John Wagner, left, and Oneida
County Farm Bureau President Ben Simons.
SEN. DARREL AUBERTINE, D-Cape Vincent, sits down to discuss the Department of
Environmental Conservation’s CAFO Permit Program with area farmers at Porterdale
Farms in Jefferson County in December
Cornell Cooperative Extension staff and
supported by volunteers from the Jefferson
County Farm Bureau and other local organizations
is an opportunity for the youth of
Jefferson County to learn about the county
and state’s largest industry. The children
from 15 different schools within the county
traversed through 12 different learning stations
during their time at the Extravaganza.
Various learning stations included a stop
at the cider press where children learned
about apple production in New York State.
Kids were also brought through different
animal stations where they learned about
horses, cows, chickens and sheep. In addition
to learning about crop production and
animal care the students were given safety
lessons concerning tractors and equipment.
The students left with a day’s knowledge
that will last a lifetime.
The teachers didn’t leave empty handed
either. Each teacher left with an educational
packet provided by the county Farm Bureau
that included an American Farm Bureau Farm
Facts book, along with a New York Farm Facts
Insert. Teachers also received the 2008-09 edition
of the NYFB Foundation Calendar — a
great resource for each day of the school year.
Congratulations to Matt Greene and the
other members of the Cooperative Extension
staff for another great year of the Ag
Extravaganza event.
County FBs welcome
new board members
By KIRBY SELKIRK
kselkirk@nyfb.org
The North Country welcomes several new
county board members this year.
Taren Beller and Augustus Tabolt join the
Lewis County Board of Directors and will
add their youthful energy and ideas to the
already vibrant group. Christopher Nortz
will move to the office of vice president.
Lewis County FB has begun planning
Please see FIELD PG. 22 ➤

Page 8 Grassroots January 2009
DEC takes comments on CAFO proposal
By JOHN TAUZEL
jtauzel@nyfb.org
The New York Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently
issued draft permits that serve as the foundation
for the state’s Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operation regulatory program.
Once finalized, these permits will establish the
general direction of the program for the next
five years. The CAFO program dictates how
certain family farms raising livestock and dairy
cattle need to handle and spread manure and
require implementation of on-farm environmental
best management practices (BMPs). All
dairy farms with more than 200 milking cows
need to follow the regulations. While NYFB has
been actively engaged with DEC over the past
few months providing input for the draft, now
is the time for farmers to make their voice heard.
The largest change DEC is proposing
from the existing program is to move many
farms into a permit program based on state
regulations. The existing CAFO permit is
based on federal Clean Water Act regulations
which are not well suited for regulating
agriculture. This fact was again demonstrated
by new regulations issued in October by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), which, if broadly implemented,
would essentially bring permitted New York
farms to a standstill. Under the new EPA
regulations (which a Clean Water Act based
permit needs to follow) permitted farms
would need to provide public notice every
time they made unplanned management
changes. This includes adding any field not
already considered in the farm’s nutrient
management plan. Due to the public notice
requirement, these changes would, at the
very least, be delayed by one month while
awaiting DEC approval (DEC oversees the
permits in New York for EPA). In many
cases, these regulations would actually prevent
positive environmental improvement.
The proposed state permit would maintain
the existing certified planner process.
Under this strong system, trained crop advisor
professionals use scientific standards and
tools to make sure that farms are spreading
manure in the most agronomical manner.
FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK Executive Director John Evers, right, recognizes
the efforts of New York Farm Bureau members by presenting a plaque to retiring
NYFB Pesident John Lincoln.
NEW YORK FARM BUREAU members meet with New York Department of Environmental
Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis, center, to discuss Farm Bureau’s concerns
about DEC’s CAFO permitting program. Dairy farmers, from left, Eric Ooms, George
Allen, John Lincoln, and Bill Cook each spoke with Grannis during a Dec. 1 meeting in
advance of the release of the final regulation in mid December.
This process is recognized nationwide as a
leader in protecting water quality.
The state has proposed both a state-based
permit and a Clean Water Act-based permit
and many farms over the listed thresholds
will be given the option of applying for
either permit. Some farms (those large operations
that have not completed all BMPs)
will need to apply for the Clean Water Act
permit. While DEC has provided some consideration
of New York Farm Bureau’s comments
regarding time for BMP completion
ALBANY — When New York Farm Bureau
members traveled to Albany on Dec. 9 for the
State Annual Meeting they didn’t come
empty-handed. Members and supporting
food companies kicked off the State Annual
Meeting with food donations to the Regional
Food Bank of Northeastern New York.
The donations made on Tuesday brought
the year-long total of food donated by farmers
across the state to more than 3.5 million
pounds. With a few weeks left in the year, it
is expected that farmer donations will exceed
last year’s record of 3.7 million pounds.
Food is collected through the “Harvest For
All” donation program. “Harvest For All” is
a nationwide annual farm donation partnership
linking the Farm Bureau and Feeding
America (formerly America’s Second
Harvest) in each state.
In New York, the NYFB’s Young Farmers
& Ranchers and the Food Bank Association
of New York State administered the statewide
donation partnership. Under the project,
NYFB members donated excess farm products
to the 10 New York State Feeding
America food banks located across the state.
John Evers, the executive director of the
Food Bank Association of New York said,
“With the amount of food donations dwindling,
a national economic downturn, and
food inflation hitting record highs, the generosity
of New York’s farmers and the Farm
Bureau couldn’t come at a better time. The
incredible amount of produce and farm
products donated by local farms provided
millions of wholesome, nutritious meals to
hungry New York state residents.”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner
Patrick Hooker said, “Now more than ever,
food pantries and soup kitchens are being
called on by families seeking assistance, some
for the first time. During this season of giving,
I am extremely pleased, once again, by
Learn more
about proposal
DEC will be holding a series of public
information sessions to help producers and
the public better understand the proposed
draft permits. Meetings will be held at
these locations and times:
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.
NYS DEC Offices, Meeting Room 129
A& B, 625 Broadway, Albany, 12233.
Thursday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m.
NYS DEC Region 8 Offices, 6274 East
Avon Lima Road, Avon, 14414.
Monday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m.
Town of Clay Offices, 4401 State Route
31, Clay, 13041. Please park in the large
parking lot behind the Town of Clay
Offices.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 11 a.m.
NYSDEC Region 6 Lowville office,
7327 State Route 812, Lowville, 13367.
and recognition of existing BMPs, both permits
continue to have areas that need to be
better clarified and changed.
Now is the time comments are needed.
Again, these permits will establish the program
for the next five years. Farms need to
weigh-in by Jan. 26 with written comments
on the draft permits. DEC will be holding
several information sessions to help people
become familiar with the proposals (see box
for details). Visit www.nyfb.org to E-Lobby
on this issue and obtain more information.
New York farmers donate
3.5 million pounds of food
JOHN LINCOLN speaks to the crowd and
the media about NYFB’s efforts to help the
region’s food banks.
the outpouring of support and generosity the
farm community has shown for those in
need. The more than 3.5 million pounds of
fresh and healthy food collected through the
New York Farm Bureau will be well served at
the Food Bank and the thousands of families
they reach daily.”
“In times like these, our farmers are more
determined than ever to do all we can to help
feed the needy across the state,” said John
Lincoln, then president of New York Farm
Bureau.
“We are proud to once again do our part
to deliver food to the state’s food banks and
help eliminate hunger,” said Brian Ziehm, a
dairy farmer from Easton, N.Y. and an
NYFB board member.
Joanne Dwyer, Director of Food Sourcing
and Business Development Representative at
the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern
New York said, “We are so grateful to New
York Farm Bureau for all of the continued
support we receive from its members. Over
25 farmers and producers will participate
locally in this special donation drive, enabling
us to reach our goal of 100,000 pounds of
high quality fresh food. The local donations
will be added to the statewide donations in
the hopes of beating last year’s record total.”

Page 10 Grassroots January 2009
Farm wins worker housing permit lawsuit
LEWIS FAMILY FARMS recently won a major victory in its long legal struggle
against the Adirondack Park Agency over these houses for farm workers.
GOT REGULATIONS?
Tell us about them.
We all deal with regulations
that make no sense, are
duplications of another agencies
requirements, increase
our costs of doing business or
just make things complicated.
We want to hear from you about how the smaller things
make it difficult to operate a business in New York State.
Share your experiences with us… We want to help!
Please use the space below to specify the regulation,
agency involved, and any compliance difficulties:
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Return to:
New York Farm Bureau
159 Wolf Road, P.O. Box 5330
Albany, New York 12196
BARBARA LEWIS PHOTO
New York Farm Bureau helped Lewis family
fight long legal battle to protect their rights
By ELIZABETH DRIBUSCH
edribusch@nyfb.org
Agriculture has won an important case
against the Adirondack Park Agency, which
had been seeking to require permits for farm
worker houses in the Adirondack Park.
In Lewis Family Farms v. APA, the APA
failed in its attempt to treat the farm worker
house as “single family” dwellings, and thus
subject to the agency’s onerous regulations,
which govern most construction and development
in the park in a Nov. 19, 2008 ruling.
Lewis Family Farms v. APA is an important
case for agriculture because it represents
the significance of agricultural protection
statutes and exemptions for agriculture
within other state laws, like the Adirondack
Park Act.
The battle may not be over, however, as
the State Attorney General has filed a notice
of appeal of the decision.
Case History
The Adirondack Park is a unique and irreplaceable
ecological resource with a long and
rich agricultural history and future. Lewis
Family Farm, which is located in Essex
County and owned by NYFB members
Barbara and Salim (Sandy) Lewis, is a stateof-the-art
organic farm that raises crops and
beef and has operated in the Adirondack
Park since 1978. The farm is approximately
1,100 acres in size and represents the consolidation
of several smaller farms. This case
began when Lewis Family Farm needed to
provide its workers with housing, which is
often necessary to recruit and retain farm
workers given the lack of available housing
in rural agricultural areas.
The Lewis Family Farm sought and
received local building permits from the
Town of Essex to construct modular housing.
The farm considered the units to be “agricultural
use structures” under the park’s regulations
and did not believe that the farm worker
housing fell within APA jurisdiction, so it
did not seek an APA permit. The farm began
construction of the three housing units and
the APA initiated enforcement activities,
claiming that the units were “single family
dwellings” and thus subject to APA oversight.
By the time the matter reached the APA hearing,
the agency was seeking a penalty in
excess of $1 million from the farm.
After a hearing, the APA, interpreting its
own statute, determined that the dwellings
were “single family dwellings,” not “agricultural
use structures,” as defined by APA regulations.
The construction of a “single family
dwelling” is subject to APA jurisdiction,
while an “agricultural use structure” is not.
The APA rules define “agricultural use structure”
as “any barn, stable, shed, silo, garage,
fruit and vegetable stand or any other building
or structure directly and customarily
associated with agricultural use.” In the
APA’s opinion, farm worker housing could
never be an “agricultural use structure.”
Further, since the APA determined that the
dwellings were “single family dwellings,”
since there were more than one, the APA
ruled the farm worker housing was also an
illegal subdivision. After coming to the
conclusion that the project was subject to
its jurisdiction, the APA assessed a
$50,000 fine, established a timeline and
prescribed a series of actions that the farm
would need to take to secure the necessary
permits.
Lewis Family Farms
vs. APA
Lewis Family Farm appealed the APA
decision by filing an Article 78 proceeding
in Essex County Supreme Court. The
state attorney general, on behalf of the
APA, also filed a civil suit against the
farm, and Barbara and Sandy Lewis personally,
to compel the payment of the
$50,000 penalty, as well as compel the
completion of the permit process. The
two actions were consolidated in Essex
County Supreme Court before Judge
Richard B. Meyer.
Recognizing the importance of this case to
New York agriculture, New York Farm
Bureau sought and received permission to
file a friend of the court legal brief and to
participate in oral arguments in the case.
The NYFB Board of Directors approved the
use of Legal Defense Fund dollars to finance
the use of expert appellate counsel to draft its
brief and participate in oral arguments.
While many procedural and substantive
legal arguments were made to Meyer, both
in oral arguments and in brief form by the
parties and NYFB, the most significant
question was whether farm worker housing
was included in the definition of agricultural
use structure. In his Nov. 19
decision, Meyer answered unequivocally,
“Yes.” The court stated that as a matter of
law, farm worker housing was included in
the definition of agricultural use structure,
and as a result the APA was not entitled to
deference to interpret the statute any
other way. “Had the legislature intended
to limit ‘agricultural use structures’ to
‘accessory structures’ and preclude a single
family dwelling from qualifying as an
Please see APA PG. 21 ➤

Page 12 Grassroots January 2009
New York Farm Bureau gathers
THE STATE ANNUAL MEETING was a time for past NYFB presidents Dick McGuire
(second from left) and Charles Wille (second from right) to visit with John Lincoln (center)
during the reception honoring the outgoing president’s years of service. NYFB
Executive Director Jeff Kirby (left) and Mark Maslyn (right), AFBF Director of Public Policy
and former NYFB employee, joined the group.
ASSEMBLYMEN CLIFF CROUCH and Bill Magee joined John Lincoln and AFBF
President Bob Stallman after the awards banquet on Wednesday evening. Magee served
as the auctioneer for the NYFB Foundation live auction and was honored with a plaque
from the Foundation for filling this valuable role for so many years.
STATE FARM BUREAU PRESIDENTS from across the Northeast attended the NYFB State Annu
of Massachusetts, Richard Nieuwenhuis of New Jersey, Lincoln, AFBF President Bob Stallman, Je
banquet, Pennsylvania president Shaffer presented a plaque to Lincoln on behalf of the group.
NYFB VICE PRESIDENT ERIC OOMS and Assemblyman
Tim Gordon, who represents the Albany and Rensselaer
area, attended the Wednesday evening reception honoring
John Lincoln.
JON GREENWOOD, the ne
County Farm Bureau presiden
ing the State Annual Meeting d
AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER Patrick Hooker with outgoing
NYFB President John Lincoln
NEW YORK STATE PRODUC
Pride of New York wagon at St
FARM FAMILY AGENT JIM GRAY and Field Advisor Mark
James recognize Farm Family’s Lorraine Hall for signing up
199 new NYFB members in 2008.
JOHN LINCOLN congratulates
for having the highest NYFB m

January 2009 Grassroots Page 13
in Albany for annual meeting
A TOTAL OF 44 NYFB MEMBERS earned the distinction of Most Valuable Volunteer, or
MVV, this year for signing up five or more new members in 2008. They were rewarded
with Farm Bureau jackets at the Membership Breakfast during the State Annual Meeting.
They included (l-r): Ron Zehr, John Mead, Harvey Skeele, Kevin Swartley, Hans Mobius,
Louise Hoffman Broach, Jim Gruber, Phil Wagner, Chuck Couture, Paul Zittel, Kim Zuber,
Ashur Terwilliger, Rainy Collins-Vickers, Bradd Vickers, Dan Hubbard, Doug Staley and
Carl Brink.
al Meeting to honor retiring president John Lincoln (l-r): Carl Shaffer of Pennsylvania, Alex Dowse
ffrey Holmes of New Hampshire, and Bill Stamp of Rhode Island. During the Wednesday evening
COUNTY FARM BUREAUS elected 16 new presidents this year and they received their
pins during the Membership Breakfast: Jim Bittner of Niagara County, Mark Zaweski of
Long Island, Charles Eastman of Jefferson County, Chuck Couture of Cattaraugus
County, Dean Casey of Rensselaer County, Bill Eick of Orleans County, Andrew Fellenz
of Ontario County, Robin Keller of Genesee County, Jon Greenwood of St. Lawrence
County, Doug Staley of Cortland County, Charles Larsen of Columbia County, Eric
Leerkes of Essex County and Ben Simons of Oneida County.
wly elected St. Lawrence
t, introduced a resolution durelegate
session.
STATE FFA PRESIDENT Rebecca Greene presented John
Lincoln with a plaque honoring his years of service to agriculture.
TS were on display at the
te Annual Meeting.
JOHN LINCOLN presents the “Traveling Trophy” to Louise
Hoffman Broach (left) and John Sorbello of Wayne County
for membership excellence in 2008.
Farm Family agent Jim Agals
ember retention in 2008.
FARM FAMILY CEO TIM WALSH thanked outgoing NYFB
president John Lincoln for his years of service to agriculture
and presented him with a plaque.

Page 14 Grassroots January 2009
THE FACE
of New York Agriculture
Margaret Beeman,
Broken Wheel Ranch,
Millerton
What’s the full range of things you do
in your equine business?
I am an equine appraiser, consultant, clinician,
and trainer.
Here at the ranch I train horses and their
owners to reach whatever goal they have
chosen.
I board horses, take horses in training,
and give clinics and workshops.
How and when did you get into this
work?
I grew up on our family’s ranch in
Litchfield County, Connecticut — a third
generation horsewoman. My father
bought nine untrained pony stallions for
my brother and me to learn our skills on.
My brother and I traveled the tri-state
horse show and rodeo circuit, trick riding,
and competing in both English and
Western riding, and driving to promote
the sale of ponies.
Do you have any employees? How
many?
I have two part-time employees.
Who were your mentors as you grew
into this?
My dad and a few old horsemen he
knew: Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Buck
Brannaman, and Peter Campbell. John
Lyons taught me to how to teach. Ray
Hunt brought me the gift of going where
I had to go to understand the horse.
What do you see as the near-term and
long-term outlook for the equine industry
of New York?
I think the New York horse industry will
fair well in these hard times. Prices may
drop and entries may also, but horse folks
will always have horses, they will just be
more conscience of their spending like
everyone else.
Aside from the horse business, what
hobbies do you have?
I used to play upright bass and sing in a
bluegrass band before I became deaf. Now
I enjoy being outdoors, gardening.
Read any good books lately?
I like adventure and suspense and read
to relax in the evenings.
Any magazines you read regularly?
Western Horseman, Eclectic Horseman,
Practical Horseman, and Psychology
Today.
What other organizations or civic
activities are you involved with?
I belong to the American Association of
Equine Appraisers, The American Paint
Horse Association, The Dutchess County
Professional Horseman’s Association, and
work with 4-H and Pony Clubs
Why do you think it is important to
be a Farm Bureau member?
Because it’s important to know about
the industry you have chosen to make
your living in and to have the support of a
large and knowledgeable organization
which will speak on your behalf when you
need them to.
Anything you’d like to add?
Farming and agriculture are not only a
unique and multi-faceted industry. It’s a
way of life that has its roots deep in the
beginning of this country.
I give thanks to those beginnings and to
my forefathers and mentors for giving me
the knowledge and ability to make it
through these tough times with pride and
confidence.
JOHN LINCOLN presents the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award to Sen. Joseph
L. Bruno, R-Brunswick, above, and Rich Jerome, below, with his wife, Mary.
NYFB honors Bruno,
volunteer Rich Jerome
ALBANY —Sen. Joseph L. Bruno, R-
Brunswick, and Rich Jerome of Ontario
County were honored for Distinguished
Service to Agriculture, New York Farm
Bureau’s most prestigious award, on
Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the organization’s
State Annual Meeting.
In presenting the awards, retiring Farm
Bureau President John Lincoln said, “The
Distinguished Service Award is one of the
highest honors that can be bestowed on a
member of the agricultural family. We are
fortunate this year to have two very deserving
recipients.”
Bruno served 32 years as a New York State
Senator for the 43rd district and 13 years as
Senate Majority Leader. His commitment to
agriculture through his many years leading
the Senate helped to ensure a more positive
business climate for farmers and recognition
for the industry as a major revenue generator
for the state of New York. He retired
from the Senate in July, 2008.
For many years, Bruno expressed his desire
to partner with New York Farm Bureau on
various issues and this proved to be a successful
relationship. From including agricultural
cooperatives in the Empire Zones program,
to funding for the New York Farm
Viability Institute, the senator was always
committed to including agriculture as a
strong component of economic development.
Also under his leadership, hundreds of legislative
proposals favorable to agriculture
passed the New York State Senate and others
that would have hurt agriculture were
defeated. The industry would not be as
strong today without his vision and dedication.
Rich Jerome has been a volunteer and
advocate for Farm Bureau for more than 30
years. Jerome and his wife, Mary, reside in
Naples, where they recently celebrated 50
years of their u-pick grape operation. Their
farm market also sells raspberries, strawberries
and other vegetables.
Jerome served on many committees of
New York Farm Bureau to help advance the
mission of the organization, but most
notably are his service to the Promotion and
Education Committee and the NYFB
Foundation for Agricultural Education. He
was also New York’s representative to
American Farm Bureau Federation’s national
fruit committee and served as its chair.
Jerome has served on both the Ontario
County Farm Bureau Board of Directors
and as a New York Farm Bureau Director for
District 3.
In addition to his work with Farm Bureau,
Jerome has been a great spokesman for the
grape and fruit industry and currently serves
on the NY Wine and Grape Foundation
board. He is also involved to his community
and serves on Ontario County’s Farmland
Protection Board and Agricultural
Enhancement Board.

January 2009 Grassroots Page 15
FFA LEADERS VISIT NYFB OFFICES
Comptroller speaks
to NYFB at meeting
DiNapoli pledges gas lease probe
NEW YORK STATE FFA officers visited the New York Farm Bureau offices during a
trip to Albany and talked with staff members about Farm Bureau’s public policy and
leadership roles. The state officers attending were, from left, Sentinel Jackie
Geoghan of Warwick Valley Central School, Secretary Corey Reed of South
Jefferson Central School, Reporter Danielle Dapson of Madison Central School,
President Rebecca Greene of Salem Central School and Vice President Katie
Wratten of Madison Central School. They were joined by (back row) NYFB’s Jessica
Gaige, Jeff Kirby, Sandie Prokop and Fred Perrin, Bill Ransom of the NYS FFA
Foundation, Salem agriculture teacher Amy Maxwell, Madison agriculture teacher
Glenn Osterhout, and NYFB’s Bob Hokanson.
ALBANY — State Comptroller Thomas P.
DiNapoli spoke to members at the New
York Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting on
Dec. 9 during the opening ceremony.
DiNapoli discussed the state’s current
budget deficit, amounting to a projected
$30 billion in the next three years, and discussed
the type of work his office is doing to
help keep upstate businesses sound during
economically challenging times.
During his address, DiNapoli officially
announced that his office would begin a
new audit of the Department of
Environmental Conservation’s leasing of
state land for natural gas and oil exploration
and production.
“We want to make sure DEC is implementing
appropriate bidding, economic and
environmental oversight procedures for the
leasing of state lands,” DiNapoli said.
“These leasing agreements are of critical
value to many farmers and in these challenging
economic times we want to make
sure farmers are getting a fair deal. At the
same time, we want to ensure that the water
resources needed for farm production are
not harmed by drilling.”
DiNapoli highlighted programs administered
by his office that invest in small businesses
and help bolster the upstate economy
and support local jobs. For instance, the
state’s retirement fund invested in Northeast
Biofuels in Fulton, an ethanol plant that will
employ 100 workers and spinoff an estimat-
Please see COMPTROLLER PG. 22 ➤
Gold, Silver Key Awards given at State Annual Meeting
ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau presented
Gold Key Awards to four county
Farm Bureaus at the group’s State Annual
Meeting, held on Dec. 9-11.
Gold Key Awards were presented to
Chemung, Genesee, Chenango and
Ontario. Gold Keys are awarded to four
county Farm Bureaus for overall program
accomplishment based on membership size.
In order to qualify for this award, the county
must have achieved its membership goal.
In addition to Gold Key awards, 43 Silver
Key Awards are presented to county Farm
Bureaus that have exhibited excellence in a
variety of categories relating to effectiveness
in policy implementation, promoting agriculture
amongst the public and in classrooms,
leadership development, and membership
building.
New York Farm Bureau is dedicated to
solving the economic and public policy
issues that challenge the farming communities
in the state. Gold and Silver Key Awards
recognize County Farm Bureaus for their
commitment to agricultural.
The counties receiving Silver Key Awards
include: Albany, Allegany, Broome,
Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua,
Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia,
Cortland, Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester,
Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene,
Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Long Island,
Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Onondaga,
Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego,
Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady,
Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga,
Tompkins, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming
and Yates.
GOLD KEY AWARD winners are recognized by retiring New York Farm Bureau President
John Lincoln, center, at the State Annual Meeting.

January 2009 Grassroots Page 17
Young Farmers honored at SAM
DISCUSSION MEET winner Slade Cox and retiring New
York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln.
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Farm Bureau honored outstanding
young farmers during the organization’s State
Annual Meeting in December.
Young farmers ages 18 to 35 competed in statewide competitions
during the fall and the winners were announced on
Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Washington County residents Brian and Catherine Ziehm
received the 2008 Young Farmer Achievement Award. This
award recognizes young farmers for their agricultural pursuits
and leadership within the community. The couple has a
dairy, beef cattle and alpaca operation. The Ziehms were
awarded $1,000 from Dodge and the NYFB Young Farmer
& Rancher Program, use of a Kubota M Series Utility Tractor
for one year, a Valvoline product voucher and an expensepaid
trip to compete on the national level at the American
Farm Bureau Federation Convention.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award, which recognizes
young farmers for their contributions to agriculture and to
Farm Bureau, was presented to Heath Eisele of Franklin
County. Contestants were judged on their involvement in
agriculture, leadership ability, and their participation in Farm
Bureau and other organizations. Eisele works as a soil conservationist.
He received $1,000 from Dodge and the NYFB
Young Farmer & Rancher Program, a Stihl MS 290 Farm
Boss Chainsaw and an expense-paid trip to compete at the
AFBF Convention.
Slade Cox, a dairy farmer from Cayuga County, was
named the winner of the Discussion Meet finals. This contest
simulates a committee meeting, with contestants working
cooperatively as they discuss issues important to agriculture.
Four finalists competed on Dec. 9 in the last round of
Discussion Meet judging on the topic of “After Young
Farmers and Ranchers, how can Farm Bureau utilize the
leaders it has developed?”
The contest was very close, but Cox was selected as the
winner and received $1,000 from Dodge and the NYFB
Young Farmer & Rancher Program, a prize from Grainger,
and an expense-paid trip to compete nationally at the
AFBF Convention.
These individuals will represent New York Farm Bureau
during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention
Jan. 11 to 14 in San Antonio, Texas. The winners of
each of these national contests will receive a selected 2009
Dodge pick-up truck.
LINCOLN AND EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE Award
winner Heath Eisele.
YOUNG FARMER ACHIEVEMENT Award winners Brian
and Catherine Ziehm are congratulated by award sponsor
Bill Moller (left) of Kubota.
Top 5 Food Trends
A look back at 2008;
A look ahead at 2009
Identifying the top trends in anything—food, fashion or fun
toys for kids—is at best an inexact science. Even so-called
experts in a given field rarely agree 100 percent when asked to
rank current trends or predict future ones. Below are five foodrelated
trends that captured the attention of foodies in 2008 and
four that are likely to generate buzz in 2009.
A look back at 2008
• Local foods. Consumer interest in buying local foods continued
to grow; “locavore” (person who seeks out and consumes
locally grown food) was the New Oxford American Dictionary’s
word of the year.
• Celebrity chefs. Celebrity chefs and their cooking shows,
advice columns/blogs and product endorsements had a strong
showing throughout the year.
• Higher food prices. Retail food prices rode the energy price
roller coaster throughout the year.
• Food safety and traceability. Non-stop news coverage of safety
and traceability issues related to spinach, lettuce, tomatoes,
jalapeno peppers and ground beef eroded consumer confidence
in the nation’s food supply.
• Food companies listened to consumers. In an effort to stay
ahead of competitors and capture shrinking consumer grocery
dollars, Butterball, Wegmans, Starbucks,
Whole Foods Market and other companies changed product
offerings in response to consumer feedback.
Hot trends in 2009
• Farm-to-table cuisine. Consumers wanting to know where
their food comes from, how it is prepared and who prepared it
intersect in the growing “farm-to-table cuisine” trend, which is
an extension and refinement of the local foods trend.
• Cutting back and bargains rule. Consumer interest in reducing
outlays for food will continue to spur the eating/baking at
home trend; economizing at restaurants and splitting orders
with a dining companion will become mainstream.
• Restaurants go high tech. High-tech entertainment offerings
to entice diners will grow at restaurants. At UWink in Los
Angeles and Mountain View, Calif., customers place food
orders at touch screens that do double-duty as video game consoles.
• Buckwheat, the next hot grain. The “intensely earthy” flavor
of buckwheat will grow in popularity with chefs, as the grain has
proven to be a remarkable workhouse ingredient in what foodies
describe as “rich, luxurious dishes.”

Page 18 Grassroots January 2009
BY THE NUMBERS
November milk
prices unchanged
ALBANY — Prices received by New York
producers for milk sold during November
were unchanged from a month earlier,
according to the USDA’s National
Agricultural Statistics Service, New York
office.
The price of corn,
wheat, and hay
decreased. The price
of apples, eggs, and
potatoes increased.
Many previous
month prices were
revised due to more
complete sales information.
Dairy farmers in
the Empire State
received an average
of $17.80 per hundredweight
of milk
sold during November, unchanged from
October but $4.70 less than November a
year ago.
Poultry producers received an average of
92.6 cents per dozen eggs sold, up 1.1 cents
from October but 32.4 cents lower than last
year.
Grain corn, at $3.77 per bushel, was down
$1.45 from October but increased 30 cents
from last year. Potatoes, at $16.80 per hundredweight,
were up 10 cents from October
and up $4.50 from last year at this time.
Hay averaged $114.00 per ton, down $6.00
from October and down $3.00 from
November 2007.
Apples, at 38.1 cents per hundredweight,
were up 4.1 cents from last year at this time.
Wheat averaged $3.92 per bushel, down
$1.32 from October and $3.40 from last year.
The preliminary All Farm Products Index
of Prices Received by Farmers in November,
at 139 percent, based on 1990-92=100,
decreased 12 points (7.9 percent) from
October. The Crop Index is down 16 points
(9.5 percent) and the Livestock Index
decreased 2 points (1.6 percent).
Producers received lower prices for soybeans,
corn, lettuce, and hogs and higher
prices for tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers,
and cantaloupes. In addition to prices, the
overall index is also affected by the seasonal
change based on a 3-year average mix of
commodities producers sell.
Increased monthly marketings of milk,
cattle, cotton, and cottonseed offset
decreased marketings of soybeans, potatoes,
peanuts, and lettuce.
The information in this release is available
by free e-mail subscription by subscribing to
New York reports at www.nass.usda.gov/ny.
— NASS
Grain corn, soybean
production up
ALBANY — New York grain corn production
is forecast at 81.7 million
bushels, up 17 percent from last year’s
output.
Production is up due to increases in the
number of acres harvested and increased
yields. Acreage for harvest is expected to
total 610 thousand acres, up 11 percent
from a year earlier. Yields are expected to
average a record high 134 bushels per
acre, 7 bushels more than in 2007.
U.S. corn production is forecast at 12.0
billion bushels, down slightly from the
October forecast and 8 percent below
2007. Based on conditions as of
November 1, yields are expected to average
153.8 bushels per acre, down 0.1
bushel from October but 2.7 bushels
above last year. If realized, this will be the
second highest yield on record, behind
2004, and production will be the second
largest, behind last year.
Forecast yields are higher than last month
across the northern of the Great Plains and
northern and central Corn Belt. Yield
prospects are lower than last year in the
southern half of the Great Plains and Delta.
Soybean production in New York is forecast
at a record high 10.2 million bushels,
up 28 percent from last year. Acreage harvested
for beans is expected to total 226
thousand acres, up 11 percent from a year
earlier and the largest acreage on record.
Yields are expected to average 45 bushels per
acre, up 6 bushels from 2007. If realized this
will be the second highest yield on record,
behind the 46 bushel per acre set in 2006.
U.S. soybean production is forecast at
2.92 billion bushels, down less than 1 percent
from the October forecast but up 9 percent
from last year. If realized, this will be
the fourth largest production on record.
Based on November 1 conditions, yields are
expected to average 39.3 bushels per acre,
down 0.2 bushel from Oct. 1 and down 2.4
bushels from 2007. Compared with compared
with Oct. 1, yields are forecast lower
or unchanged across the Corn Belt and
To have your event listed here and on
www.nyfb.org, fax your announcement
to (518) 431-5656 (include information
on how to contact you).
NYFB Board of Directors
Meeting
Albany, NY
January 21-22, 2009
AFBF Leadership and
YF&R Conference
Sacramento, CA
February 5-9, 2009
Great Plains, with the exception of Illinois,
Indiana, and Missouri.
Yields increased from the October forecast
in Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee,
New York, and Virginia. Area for harvest
in the U.S. is forecast at 74.4 million acres,
unchanged from Oct. 1 but up 16 percent
from 2007.
— NASS
Farm, ranch survey
to be conducted
ALBANY — The U.S. Department of
Agriculture will soon conduct the Farm
and Ranch Irrigation Survey as a follow-up
to the 2007 Census of Agriculture.
By providing a single source of comprehensive,
up-to-date information on irrigation
and water use across the agricultural
industry, this survey will aid in efforts to promote
efficient irrigation practices and ensure
long-term sustainability of water resources.
These operators will be asked about irrigated
area by horticultural crops grown,
water use, application methods and value
of sales. The confidential survey will be
mailed on Jan. 12, 2009. Survey results
will be available Nov. 30, 2009.
— NASS
CALENDARCALENDAR
Food Check-Out Week
February 15-21, 2009
NY Farm Show
Syracuse, NY
February 27-28
NYFB Lobby Days
Albany, NY
March 2-3, 2009

Grassroots
Farmers’ Market
Classfieds/Dealer Listings/Auctions
Advertisers in this section
support the mission
of New York Farm Bureau
Call Missy Nichols for Classified Advertisements (518) 436-8495 or e-mail classifieds@nyfb.org
HAY
IDAHO'S FINEST ALFALFA. Larsen
Farms 607-865-8844.
rbishop@larsenfarms.com
BALEAGE, 1st cut clover, crude protein
17.1, available protein 13.5,
adjusted crude protein 14.5; baleage
2nd cut clover, crude protein 20.8,
available protein 18.6, adjusted
crude protein 19.6, 200+ available.
607-692-4665
HIGH QUALITY Hay and Baleage for
sale. 4x5 Round bales, stored inside,
mixed grass, 1st, 2nd & 3rd cut.
Quantity Discounts. NOFA certified,
same price. Whitehall, NY 518-499-
0239
HAY for sale. 3'x3' round bales. 607-
426-0819
TRACTORS, MACHINERY
FOR SALE: NH354 Grinder-Mixer 17'
augur ext. All screens. $1800; Corn
crib 1900 bushel U-remove $500.
845-496-4975 evenings.
JOHN DEERE Front mount aux fuel
tank 60 gal fits 10-55 series tractors.
$150 Call 716-532-4380
FULL CAB - fits John Deere 5200 and
5400, maybe more models. Farm
shop built. Full glass, lights, heater.
JD green. Can send picture. Free
delivery. Finger Lakes area. Asking
$500.00 607-243-7359
FMC SPRAYER 16hp engine, electric
reel with hose, 300 gallon. Best offer
; FMC Sprayer on wheels, 8hp
engine, 200 feet of hose, 200 gallon.
Best offer. 516-330-1790
1979 INT'L 35,000 gas engine. A.B.
5and 2 Good running condition. Cab
FAIR. Tires 90% also 60” WOODS
Model F35 Mower Deck only. 607-
693-2752
D37E DOZER $25,000 24T Square
Baler $800.00 (needs work), Toro
Rider with front Blower $2500.00 and
Jackson Diesel 72” Mower $2000.00
Call 845-412-5226
1977 R MODEL Mack dump truck, 10
speed with 5 under. Air brake pedal
sticks other than that truck runs &
works great. Has all new rubber.
Asking $7000.00. HD 450 SE Kato
Escavator V series. Lights need rewiring
other than that, runs and
works great. Asking $11,000.00 20
Ton Equipment Trailer with dual
wheels and dual axle. Back wheel on
rear axle on drivers side hangs up
when trailer sits for some time.
Asking $4000.00 Call Kevin at 518-
239-6289
FORD 7710 4x4 Factory cab, dual
power, 3 remotes, 3900 hours.
$18,700 Call Cell# 585-330-9784
3 INTERNATIONAL High clearance
tractors. Runs well - 2 deisel and 1
gas. $4250.00 each. Call 716-366-
7012
JOHN DEERE 401 Tractor with 6' side
mount flail mower. Call 585-535-
7868
CHEVY Tandem axle truck, 20' aluminum
dump $8000.00, Chevy single
axle diesel 16' dump $7000.00,
1H 1440 Combine 1063 Corn Head,
810 grain head $18,000.00 Call 315-
945-5131
1957 Chev. Hood. Good condition.
$125.00 518-692-7810
ACWD 45 Gas with loader and snow
removal extensions. Early Ford 9N
with rear metal scoops. Sullivan
County. 845-482-4469
SNOWBLOWER 30” 10hp Troybilt,
New condition! Used 6 times
$800.00 new list is $1299.00 Call
315-549-8257 or 315-246-6272
TOOL STORE CLOSING. $100,000
inventory. Woodworking/Automotive
Equipment. Air, hand tools, compressors,
generator, jumbo
socket/wrench sets, engine stands to
2000lbs. Vices, hoists and much
more. Call 845-266-5537
2 KNIGHT REEL Augie 3300 mixers.
1 with discharge auger & 1 with slide.
$4500.00 each or best offer. Call
585-567-2358 or 585-322-5112.
LOCKWOOD potato planter, model
#426 $900.00 631-727-0408
NEW TRACTOR Parts for old tractors.
Full line of tractor parts for older tractors.
Our specialty is TRACTOR
RESTORATIONS. North Otto Tractor
Parts. 716-257-9863 or
www.NorthOttoTractorParts.com
WANTED: Medium sized farm-type
wagon with brakes and preferably
rubber tires to hold 6 people pulled
with a team or single horse. 845-
226-1424
WANTED: Rope Pull feeders for use
in milking parlor, need eight. 585-
973-7105
LIVESTOCK
BULLS! BREEDING- Age Jerseys,
very good - excellent dams with
20,000lbs + records. Dreamroad
Jerseys Call Flip 518-762-2375.
BOER GOATS from Skyland farm.
World champion sire, bucks available
now. 315-822-6600.
FREE GOATS. “Don't Get My Goat”
Get (2) free from my herd of 23. Pets
only, no killers please. Call Lou “The
Woodguy” at 518-584-3041
REGISTERED Nigerian Dwarf dairy
goats. Doelings & bucklings available.
Breeding stock, personal milk
supply, 4-H goat projects. Make fine
pets. Corbee Farm. 607-693-2682
evenings.
CHEVAL STABLES stalls available
October 2006 72x140 cover-all
indoor 100x200 outdoor shows on
premises Marion NY 315-926-0416.
WILDWOOD FARM - standing imported
Lusitano Stallion - Voluntario
Interagro. Quality Iberian warmblood
young stock available. 607-693-5091.
REINING HORSES FOR SALE -
Ticonderoga, NY. Check out website
www.willowwoodfarm.com
RETIRED HORSE BOARDING.
Custom diets. Stalls, turnouts-individual/group.
Indoor arena. Afton, NY
www.equine-retirement.com
(607)639-2409.
SHEETLAND SHEEP BREEDING
stock for sale. For information or photos,
585-437-5433 wildgees@localnet.com
ALPACAS- Two unproven one year old
males. $1500 each. Rich Farms,
Martville, NY, 315-626-6768
www.alpacasFarm.com
OLD ENGLISH sheepdog puppies:
adorable, willing learners, love children.
Health guarantee. Payments,
shipping available 716-483-6511.
AKC Labrador puppies, Parents on
site. Ready 1/7/09. Farm family
raised. 518-663-5220.
BORDER collie. Female. 315-735-
7391
MEAT GOATS: market-show-breeding
stock. See: Empire State Meet Goat
Producers Association website
www.ESMGPA.org
THOROUGHBRED FARM Oneonta
area exercise rider wanted to re-train
race horses: Prospects and facilities
in place; split proceeds 607-783-
2696.
GOATS, DONKEYS, TURKEYS,
spring chick, fresh eggs, live and
dressed. NPIP certified 518-733-
9332.
MORGAN HORSES- We offer the
finest in trained mares and geldings
and outstanding young stock. Terrific
quality, sane, and sound. Hartland
M o r g a n s ,
www.hartlandmorgans.com
Windsor, NY, 607-655-2604.
HORSES/PONIES. Large selection.
Quiet family to fancy show.
Thoroughbred and Paint/warmblood
stallions. Broodmares. Photos.
WWW.HIGHPOINTFRM.COM 845-
266-3678.
CLUN FOREST TWIN ewe and ram
lambs. Grainless growth, meat or
fleece. windyridge@twcny.rr.com
315-653-7575.
ALPACAS! ALPACAS! ALPACAS!
Invest in the New York Farm lifestyle!
Near Belleayre Mountain.
www.alpacasofdundorwoods.net
845-254-4602.
ALPACAS, show quality, many to
choose from - plan a farm visit, negotiate
your own contract! Offering
3mo's free boarding. 200 miles free
delivery. Alpaca products, rugs, yarn
& Etc. 518-475-7774
LLAMA pets, show llamas, guard llamas,
new crias, champion herd sire
breeding, llama treks, llama wool,
home schooling visits. Hemstreet
Farm, East Aurora, NY 716-655-
3904, mfs@buffalo.edu.
HORSES TRAINED - Youngsters started/problem
horses. Registered
Morgans for sale - sweet tempered
and beautiful. www.blackwillowmorgans.com.
FRIESIAN HORSES. Big, bold, beautiful.
Purebred. Dutch registered.
Exceptional bloodlines and temperaments.
www.starlitridge.com
PAINTED DESERT SHEEP, Miniature
donkeys, Pygmy goats, Turkeys,
Golden
Blackenvelder
chickens,White bobwhite quail,
Ryder Pond Farm 518-568-2953
ICELANDIC SHEEP: Meat, breeding
stock, fleece, roving, yarn, felt, pelts.
High quality products. Shepherd's
Falls Farm. 315-683-9408 or visit our
website at www.shepherdsfallsfarm.com
QUALITY boarding, training and riding
lessons at reasonable rates. Horses
for sale. Southern Dutchess
Equestrian Center. Call 845-226-
1256 or
www.southerndutchess.com.
AFTER HOURS FARM, Clifton Park
NY. Specializing in "TLC" horse
boarding, superior English riding lessons
and training. Indoor and outdoor
rings. Horse shows, clinics and
summer camp. (518)384-6441.
QUALITY STABLES. Quality care for
boarding and training horses. Large
lesson program for all ages. Visitors
welcome. Oneonta, NY 607-432-
8977. www.qualitystables.com.
AQHA IF Western Pleasure prospects
and broodmares. 1 yearling gelding
Sire is World Champion Ziprageous
out of an own daughter of Blazing
Hot. Paid up in NSBA Breeders
Futurity. Foals coming in 08 by Open
Range and Time To Zip It Up. Prices
start $1500-$7500. May help pay for
trucking expenses. Ticonderoga, NY
518 585 3040 Web address
www.freewebs.com/journeysendfarmqhs
REGISTERED Holstein service bulls
for sale. VG or EX dams with records
to 34,000lbs. Well grown and vaccinated.
$1200.00 Call Shane at 315-
576-0205
FREE RANGE grass only beef bulls
$1.00 a pound live weight 518-883-
8284
BLACK Angus bull, 3 years old,
$1500.00 607-692-4665
FOR SALE: 1 Jersey Bull 7 months
old, 1 Holstein bull 7 months old. All
hand raised. 1 sow pig approx 300
pounds. Call 607-965-2174
REGISTERED Dexter bull calf. Born
5/08. Black, dehorned, halter and
electric fence trained. Good disposition,
very gentle.
www.MizrahiManor.com or 607-336-
4200 or email@mizrahimanor.com.
HONEYBEES - Start Beekeeping
today, we offer Italian, Carniolan and
Russian Honeybees in Packages,
Queens and Nuc Hives. Contact
Please see CLASSIFIEDS PG. 20 ➤

Page 20 Grassroots January 2009
Classifieds
▼ Continued from PG. 19
Betterbee, Inc at 1-800-632-3379 or
online at www.betterbee.com and
order today. Please mention code
FARMB2008
QUAIL for sale. Bobwhite, Mountain,
Valley and Blue Scale. Call Jim for
price and availability. Sag harbor, NY
Cell#631-902-2519 or house #631-
537-3001
CONSIDERING ALPACAS... At Spirit
Wind Farm and Fiber Studio we take
pride in offering quality alpacas with
competitive prices and guarantees.
We are committed to providing education
in alpaca husbandry and fiber
with ongoing support before, during
and after the sale. We welcome you
to contact us with questions or to
schedule a visit to our farm and studio.
315-926-5427 email:
kyoung8@rochester.rr.com
A HORSE DRAWN AFFAIR/BROE
FARM home of Roseville Leggo. 16.2
black morgan stallion standing at
stud. Boarding ,lessons, training,
dressage, driving ,hunters, Sales
518-329-5249
MINIATURE HORSES,AMHA,AMHR,
Stallions, Mares, Geldings.
Champion bloodlines, Show and Pet
quality. Also Miniature Donkeys,
Llamas & Peacocks. Fairwise Acres.
607-545-6247 or visit www.fairwiseacres.com.
MINIATURE HORSES, appaloosa
stallion, mares, great dispositions.
$600, saddles. Ticonderoga, NY.
Lord Howe Valley Farms. 518-585-
3009.
SUPPLIES
LOCUST POSTS Poles Lumber split
rail fencing hardwood, softwood,
lumber wood. Lot's wanted 518-883-
8284.
DISCOUNT PESTICIDES. We ship
daily. info@thompsonag.com 716-
934-3808.
WOODWORKERS: Planer/jointer
knives anyone can change! Free
shipping for NYFB members.
www.dispozablade.com 800-557-
8092.
SULLIVAN COUNTY FARM has compost
for sale. Buyer responsible for
trucking. Dry manure available. 845-
295-0063.
AMSOIL SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS.
Wholesale prices available. The pioneer
company since 1972. Will lower
overall operating cost. For free information
pack call 1-800-753-8679.
EGG CARTONS AND POULTRY
SUPPLIES at discounted prices. 1-
888-852-5340.Visit
www.EggCartons.com.
CON-TACK CONSIGNS and sells any
horse related items including tack,
riding apparel, antiques, etc.845-
757-4442 or visit www.con-tack.com.
TARPAULINS: 1000 denier heavy duty
weave, white, silver, green/silver, 26
sizes 8' x 10' thru 50' x 100'
Rubber/nylon tiedowns. 845-266-
5537.
Reminder!
New York Farm Bureau
members are entitled to a
FREE classified ad each
month.
POND SUPPLIES, fish stocking and
algae control. Contact us for your
pond needs. 1-888-854-8945.
www.willowpondaquafarms.com
OAK 1x6x16ft 10.00 each other
lengths and widths and thickness
also pine hemlock cherry, maple,
locust ect some up to 50 ft. 518-883-
8284
SAW MILL BLADES 1 40 in. $500
obo, 1 48 in $1,000 obo, 1 50 in 1000
obo, 518-883-8284
START BEEKEEPING - Raise your
own honey bees. Harvest your own
honey. Pollinate your garden naturally.
Contact Betterbee, Inc at 1-800-
632-3379 or online at www.betterbee.com
and order today. Please
mention code FARMG2008
BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES now
stocked at the Bloomfield Honey
Farm, near Rochester, NY. We are a
small bee farm working to
maintain/increase the local honeybee
population. We currently have
inventory on many Mann Lake products;
other products also available.
(Prices may vary, but should be less
than catalog process plus standard
shipping.) Please call or email for
more information. 585-229-2236 or
bloomfieldhoney@gmail.com Buy
Local!
SAND, STONE, GRAVEL, LIME-
STONE CRUSHER-RUN prompt
service fully insured since 1949. Van
trucking 315-263-2647
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
BEES FOR POLLINATION of Apples,
Blueberries, etc. Wintered in South
Carolina for added strength. 30+
years experience. Blossom Sweet
Honey Co. Moravia, NY 13118 Cell #
315-246-2325
WOOL yarn, retail LAMB and sausage
from our flock.
www.Paragonfarm.com Palmyra,
N.Y. 315-597-6742.
SEW WHAT? FABRIC SHOPPE -
Fabrics, yarn , classes and machine
quilting. Addison, NY 607-359-4308
VITAZYME BIOSTIMULANT improves
fertilizer efficiency, boost crop yields
and quality. Call 585-455-0331 or
visit www.agbioinc.com
PACIFIC WESTERN OUTDOOR wood
boiler furnaces, 409 stainless steel,
priced to pick up Oneonta 607-434-
3474.
BLUE RIVER Organic seeds. Your
Western New York dealer. Jim
Fralick. 716-257-5185 or cell# 880-
5538
“MR.POPPING COB” The popcorn
that pops off the cob. Proven product
for farm markets. Easy sales. Taking
orders for the 2008 season. Call 518-
527-0667ask for Lloyd.
BULK PINE SHAVINGS Available for
Pick-up Truck to Tractor Trailer Loads
Priced by Cubic Yard Mike Smith
Logging 877-658-3250 or mikesmithlogging@msn.com
NEW YORK DEER & ELK FARMERS
ASSOCIATION invites you to come
visit a deer or elk farm near you!
There are over 540 farms in New
York State! Contact NYDEFA at 716-
685-4019 or NYDEFA@NYDEFA.org
to locate a farm near you!
FLOWERING PEARS - 4 young trees.
$15 each, you dig (approx 15' tall).
315-946-5261
LEHIGH VALLEY WREATH Co. has all
your Christmas Wreath needs. All
sizes - mail order - fundraisers - call
315-662-3774
GOT COLD FEET? Alpaca socks are
the warmest socks you'll ever wear.
100% Alpaca - made in the USA from
our own herds fleece. Buy on-line at
www.HideAwayAcres.com.
HideAway Acres - Sardinia, NY 716-
496-7225.
REAL ESTATE
GET CASH FOR YOUR NOTES - If
you have sold a home or property
and have carried back a mortgage
note - GET CASH for all or part of
your note. 716-207-2002/800-816-
2735.
FANCY EQUESTRIAN FACILITY for
lease, 15 stalls, 80 x 165 indoor,
much more, Nunda, NY
www.DanMarRanch.com 585-468-
2679.
COUNTRY HAVEN on 32 acres, beautiful
modern 3 bdrm home, pool,
garage, private setting 518-922-
6301.
ON GOLDEN POND 180 acres, 5 acre
po¬nd. Fantastic wildlife. Classic
farm home and barns 518-922-6301.
FURNISHED ROOM private bath one
person share home. Quiet countryside,
security, references, $390.00
monthly 518-854-7862.
SELL YOUR LAND OR PROPERTY
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TAX
FREE. Call Free brochure on IRC
§1031 Exchange designed to help
farmers since 1921. 800-748-5720
HORSE FARMETTE. 12.9 acres, 2
barns with plenty of hay storage and
15 stalls, garage area in one of the
barns, new fencing 2 pasture lots,
also 2 small lots with run ins, small
riding ring. All 12.9 acres useable.
Great gardening area. Land borders
NYS Trout Stream and is located in
the Finger Lakes Region of NY 20
minutes from Cornell University.
$175,000 Call Roberta Holocomb at
607-657-8644
HOME on 5.2 acres with 4 car garage,
central to Albany and MA.
$175,000.00 Neg as it is an Owner
Sale. Call 518-733-9332 . Rainbow
Ridge Ent.
10 BEAUTIFUL acres overlooking
Seneca Lake. 3 bedroom colonial
home, nice set of barns. 36x72
Morton building with shop. Great
Please see CLASSIFIEDS PG. 21 ➤
Grassroots
FREE!
Classifieds!
Reach fellow Farm Bureau members throughout the
state! Sell equipment, real estate or
a service — you name it!
One Free Classified Ad for NYFB Members!
All ads must be received by the 15th of each month
to appear in the following month’s issue.
Members receive one free ad per month. Additional ads for members
may be submitted at a rate of $15 for 25 words.
(Non-members may submit an ad at a rate of $30 for 25 words.)
E-mail submissions to: classifieds@nyfb.org
or Mail to: Grassroots Classifieds
PO Box 5330
Albany, NY 12205
or Fax: (518) 431-5656
For more info, call: (518) 436-8495
NYFB Reserves the right to refuse to accept any classified ad, paid or
unpaid, at its sole discretion.

January 2009 Grassroots Page 21
Classifieds
▼ Continued from PG. 20
location in Yates county! 315-536-
2717
DISNEY AREA Kissimmee, Florida 4
bdrm, 3 bath fully equipped with private
heated pool in Emerald Island
Resort. Free phone and internet-free
tennis $1,000 per week. 516-333-
9596 ztea@aol.com
EMPLOYMENT
SHOW HORSE FARM needs experienced
help. Heated indoor facility.
Housing plus salary. Call 518-756-
9777.
OPEN POSITION: Hunting Ranch
and Deer Farm looking for qualified
individual to run operations year
round. Must have strong background
in farm operations, breeding, equipment
operation and client relations.
Salary based on experience.
Respond to David Vanderzee 508
Miller Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065.
ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES
LAND OF OZ AND ENDS Bus tours
welcome. Rare OZ items among distinctive
antiques in a “homey” setting.
Th-Sat, 10:-5: Sun 1:-5: or by
appointment , 2 miles west of downtown
Chittenango on route 5 315-
6 8 7 - 3 3 1 9
www.landofozandends.com.
“HORSE DRAWN” farm and logging
equipment. Plows, plow parts, handles,
videos, draft horse clinics. 585-
567-8158. www.farmerbrownsplowshop.com.
SERVICES
WESTERN CHAPTER NYS Horse
Council. Serving the equine community
in WNY. www.wcnyshc.org. 716-
941-9120.
ELLEN WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY.
For your photography needs on Long
Island. www.ejwatson.com.
LOGGING, LAND CLEARING, firewood,
call Rainbow Ridge Farms
518-733-9332.
CHEMICAL CONSULTANT, GDA
Consulting “Chemistry at Work” Guy
D'Angelo, Chemist. Call: 631-878-
2912.
SPANISH/ENGLISH; translating, interpreting,
classes; 14 years experience;
www.camysorbello.com Camy
Sorbello 315-597-9791.
A&G DOG Boarding at Cedar Creek
Farm. Bring your dog on a winter
vacation! We provide a warm home
environment on a 70 acre farm in
East Fishkill, NY. Daily exercise. Call
Kim at 845-206-1756
TRAIL RIDES: Join us for a fun ride on
our trails and fields. 585-638-5042.
APA: Case teaches
lesson in vigilance
▼ Continued from PG. 10
‘agricultural use structure,’ it would have
done so,’ ” said Meyer, but it did not.
When the legislature and the governor
established the Adirondack Park Act in the
early 1970s, NYFB and its members successfully
lobbied for the protection of agricultural
activities within the park. These
protections have essentially remained
unchanged since their creation. The makers
of the legislation understood that environmental
and agricultural protection are compatible
and desirable goals. Until the Lewis
Farms case, a court had not interpreted the
definition of “agricultural use structure” in
Adirondack Park Act, as it applied to farm
worker housing. The value of the precedent
established by the Lewis Family Farms decision
is incalculable.
The Lewis Family Farms case reminds us
that farmers and NYFB must be vigilant in
protecting agricultural activities when new
state laws are created. As a regional land use
authority, the APA has enormous power
Classified ad deadline
Grassroots Classified ads need to arrive at the FB offices by the
15th of the month to ensure placement in the upcoming issue.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE STORAGE,
refrigeration, and ventilation. Arctic
Refrigeration Co., Batavia, N.Y. Tel.
585-343-2678.
INCOME TAX PREPARATION.
Individuals, Farms, Businesses,
Electronically! MBA, EA. Elma
Phillips, Pattersonville, 518-887-
5740, taxlady@ptcconnect.net
EQUINE DENTAL SERVICES accepting
new clients in all of New York
State 315-829-3135.
SUSAN KEISTER, Forester. Specialty:
softwood, low grade and high grade
timber sales; Management Planning.
585-728-3044.
H2-A and H2-B work visas. Call U.S.
Americans for free consultation at
516-997-1065.
STEVE O'S EXCAVATION Land
cleared, roads, ponds, culverts,
bridges, drainage, retaining walls,
trucking, demolition Insured 607-
432-4284.
H2A, H2B Consulting service. Help
with paperwork all levels and locating
workers. Micosta 518-822-9708,
micosta@taconic.net
STONEWALL STABLES, I do everything,
50+ acres to enjoy, full board
$200. Alden, NY 716-937-7682.
GOAT HOOF GROOMING services,
NYS Meat Goat Associates, call
John at 845-246-9052.
REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT delivered
to your site. Check my web site
www.altref.com or email:
altref@rochester.rr.com
SHEARING SERVICES: Llamas and
Sheep. Baitsholts Farm. 518-797-
5201.
SLATERSQUILTBARN.COM. Fabric!
Quilts! Looking or a special gift or
need fabric for your project? Slater
Quilt Barn has ready-made and will
make to order quilts with your choice
of 100% cotton to choose from. We
offer custom and panograph
machine quilting for your tops; also
handquilting. 716-753-3786.
BULK MAIL SERVICES - Let us send
your advertising mail. Call or email.
845-482-3010 or
jdayton@pronetisp.net.
FIVE CRUISES FOR TWO. Lifetime
Travel Discounts. $1,320.00 Also
home business opportunity. NYFB
M e m b e r .
http://tom.thecoastalsite.com.
CARRIAGE DRIVING and Beginner
Riding lessons, Pony Parties.
Shadow Brook Farm, Middletown,
NY Call Betty 845-692-5046.
KEUKA LAKE ALPACAS offers; Stud
service, Sweater, scarves, hats,
gloves, socks, etc. Branchport, NY
315-595-8834.
TRUCK BODIES, CUSTOM BUILT TO
YOUR NEEDS. Dump bodies, rollbacks,
stake racks, flat beds, roundbail
wagons, dump trailers, equipment
trailers. Western Fabrication
(315)827-4008
MOON VALLEY PLANT CO. 5664
RT14 Dundee NY. April - October
607 243 5120 Greenhouse Garden
Center 15% Discount for FB
Members Everything Under the Sun
Since 1981
FUND RAISING WITH FUDGE! The
best butter cream fudge provides
excellent profits and easy sales for
your group. Pumpkinville Farms 716-
699-2994
CATSKILL HARVEST MARKET, a
new farm market/nursery/general
store in Liberty, NY seeks suppliers,
growers, crafts people, etc. to supply
new store. Email info to: purchasing@catskillharvestmarket.com
WORK CLOTHES - Save 75% on
quality work clothes. 6 pants + 6
shirts $39.95 men's jeans 5 pr
$25.00 Lined work jackets $9.95
Since 1968. 1-800-233-1853
Satisfaction Guaranteed! www.usedworkclothing.com
ADIRONDACK BALSAM PROD-
UCTS.. Balsam sold by the pound,
etc.. I will stuff anything you want
with Balsam.. 518-582-2260
AUNT POLLY'S MATERIAL GIRLS
sells Quality Quilting fabrics at bargain
prices. 518-582-2260
I TOO CARE has been offering
Complimentary Care Services since
1998; Iridology, Reiki Trainings,
Aqua-chi, Aura Imaging and Young
Living Essential Oils. VISIT:
www.itoocare.com 607-862-9536.
GRANDPA'S EXCAVATING DIV.
Ditching,Tiling,Ponds,Land clearing,
Roadways,Demolition, Orchard
Removal Serving Western NY 315-
483-6784 Any questions please
email me at
grandpas@rochester.rr.com or mail
to James Van Eenwyk 6720
Roterdam Rd , Sodus NY 14551
PIETRZAK & PFAU Engineering and
Surveying, PLLC is pleased to
announce the opening of their third
office located at 2 Karl's Corner,
Suite B, Bolton Landing, New York
12814. This office will provide service
from Albany thru the Adirondack
Region. Other locations include 2
Hamilton Ave, Monticello, NY 12701,
serving the Catskill area and 262
Greenwich Ave, Goshen, NY 10924,
serving the Hudson Valley-Tri State
Area. The firm specializes in all
aspects of land development and
within the park. Only the protections for
agriculture in the state constitution and the
APA’s enabling stature stood between Lewis
Family Farms and the APA. If other similar
agencies are created or the authority of existing
agencies is enhanced to protect other
state environmental or ecological assets,
agriculture must remain vigilant to protect
farming practices from unreasonable and
burdensome regulations if it hopes to survive
in these areas.
NYFB asked both Gov. David Paterson
and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo not
to pursue an appeal in this case. In a letter,
continues to provide initial consultations
at no charge.
SAVE ON HEATING COST - Lopi
Wood, pellet, gas stoves & fireplaces.
Leisure Line & Saey Coal
Stoves. Piping, accessories, & installation
also available. 5% material discount
with Farm Bureau membership.
Countryside Stove & Chimney
of Oxford, Route 12 & Warn Pond
Road, Oxford 607-843-2000
OIL and GAS: Richard Gerard,
Attorney. Practice limited to Oil and
Gas. Exclusively representing
Landowners in NY and PA. Call 607-
732-379
OIL & GAS LEASE/PIPELINE right of
way consultations. Learn what the
Oil & Gas companies don't want you
know! Get paid for your property
rights, don't get ripped off! 607-292-
3690
MOORES LOGGING - Buyers of
standing timber. Hardwood and softwood.
607-293-7968.
MISCELLANEOUS
CUSTOM SADDLES at wholesale
prices. Custom tack. Six to eight
week time frame. 845-292-9224.
A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN Horse and
Carriage Events/Occasions -
Carriage, Hay, Sleigh, Weddings
518-587-8706.
WILD WEST TROPHY HUNTS: Trophy
elk, whitetail, red deer and buffalo.
Wildwestrophyhunts.com 607-847-
6658.
ALASKA STOKER STOVES, automatic
coal stoves up to 170,000
BTUs. Valley View Farm, 518-872-
1007, www.vvfstoves.com
MAX ATV's - The six-wheeler workhorse
that is built to last. Nothing
Compares! Call 315-853-3640.
2004 JEEP 5.0 WRANGLER. 5 speed
standard, Rubicon tires, side steps,
10 thousand pound warn wrench,
overhead consol, piaa off road & fog
lights, Piaa back up lights, Edge air
intake, Warn bumper. $13,000.00
631-581-5210
TIOGA GAS LEASE. The Tioga
County Landowners Group is now
accepting members. Membership
information and educational
resources on gas leasing can be
found at: www.TiogaGasLease.org.
DISCLAIMER: New York Farm Bureau
reserves the right to refuse to accept
any classified ad, paid or unpaid, at
its sole discretion.
NYFB suggested that in today’s uncertain
economy, our state would better utilize its
resources by creating economic stability and
growth for New York’s farmers and their
communities, rather than stifling farming’s
existence within the Adirondack Park. Since
the state has decided to move forward with
an unproductive and expensive appeal,
NYFB will continue to support Lewis Family
Farms position and vigorously defend the
valuable precedent established by this case.
Additional information about this case and
copies of court documents can be found on
the Web at www.sblewis.com.

Page 22 Grassroots January 2009
LEWIS COUNTY FARM BUREAU delegates Kathleen and Ronald Zehr talk with Field
Advisor Kirby Selkirk (left) during the State Annual Meeting.
FIELD: New county officers installed
▼ Continued from PG. 7
another legislative farm tour for the spring.
Peggy Shultz was honored for her many
years of service to the county during their
annual meeting.
Her duties have
been divided
among three of the
board members.
Robert Wilson
and Blake
SELKIRK
REGION 7
Jendebien were
elected to the St.
Lawrence County
FB Board of
Directors. Wilson
has been instrumental
in developing
the sheep industry
in northern New
York. Jendebien is involved with the family
dairy farm.
Elaine Torrey, Dennis Egan and Joanne
McElwain have returned to the Franklin
County FB Board. All have served in years
past and are involved with the dairy industry.
ed 1,500 jobs in agriculture and other sectors
of the economy.
“This is the type of investment that makes
perfect sense for the upstate New York economy,
for the Retirement Fund, for the environment
and for famers,” he said.
DiNapoli also noted that he continues to
scrutinize the Thruway Authority and
opposes toll hikes, which impact the upstate
economy, and is auditing the
Franklin County, and the whole North
Country, heartily congratulate Heath Eisele
for winning the 2008 Excellence in
Agriculture Award. Eisele also produced an
outstanding video presentation for the
Young Farmers award ceremony.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes
young farmers for their contributions
to agriculture and to Farm Bureau.
Contestants were judged on their involvement
in agriculture, leadership ability, and
their participation in Farm Bureau and
other organizations. Eisele works as a soil
conservationist. He received $1,000 from
Dodge and the New York Farm Bureau
Young Farmer & Rancher Program, a Stihl
MS 290 Farm Boss Chainsaw and an
expense-paid trip to compete at the
American Farm Bureau Federation
Convention.
Clinton, Franklin and Lewis Counties
received several Silver Key awards in recognition
of their programs through the year.
St. Lawrence, Franklin and Lewis received
recognition for their membership efforts.
NEW YORK COMPTROLLER Thomas DiNapoli, second from right, is seen with, from
left, John Lincoln, New York Farm Bureau Director of Public Policy Julie Suarez and Long
Island Farm Bureau Executive Director Joe Gergela.
COMPTROLLER: Thruway Authority
among subjects of DiNapoli’s scrutiny
▼ Continued from PG. 15
Environmental Protection Fund to ensure
the money is being expedited for effective
use in key projects.
“Necessity is the author of change. The
current fiscal crisis gives us an opportunity
to rethink and redesign our most critical —
and expensive — programs. It’s an opportunity
to reshape how we do things to create a
more sustainable future,” DiNapoli said.
“Agriculture must be a part of that future.”
BUDGET: Paterson details his cuts
▼ Continued from PG. 1
reputation of spending above our means,
and farmers, business owners and organizations
have been concerned about the relatively
high cost of doing business here
because of high taxes and excessive red tape
and regulation.
If we can turn the current fiscal crisis into a
real examination of the duplicative regulations
and governmental layers, then we may
have a real opportunity to change the state
around and curb the appetite for spending
more than we can afford. The governor’s proposed
budget does start to make some
progress in critical areas and doesn’t cut
spending by simply cost-shifting to already
over-burdened local governments.
Farmer members were justifiably angered
by the governor’s proposed cuts in the
November session due to the disproportionate
nature of many of the cuts on agriculture
and agricultural environmental management
programs. The governor’s proposed 2009-10
budget starts agriculture on a better footing.
Generally, funding for the Agricultural
Environmental Management program and
non-point source pollution prevention have
been retained. Most animal health and several
important research programs, as well as
agricultural education programs are off to a
relatively good start.
However, there are a number of rather glaring
discrepancies and oddities that will hopefully
be corrected as time moves on, especially
in the area of funding for agricultural promotion
programs that are critical to encourage
consumers to buy New York products
and which provide great and needed economic
development for the apple, maple,
and grape and wine sectors of agriculture.
Be assured NYFB’s public policy division
staff and our grassroots farmer leaders will be
working on the budget and continuing to
advocate for changes in several areas critical
PRESIDENT: Norton, Ooms installed
▼ Continued from PG. 1
York,” Norton said. “I’d also like to thank
John Lincoln, the former president, for his
continual commitment to working for the
agricultural industry in New York and
nationally.”
Norton is involved in his family’s dairy
farm in Batavia, and is a partner in the family
custom trucking operation for forage and
commodity harvesting. Norton is an agriculture
consultant for an accounting firm.
Norton has served on NYFB’s state board
of directors since 2004 and was the Genesee
County Farm Bureau president from 2000-
2004. Norton and his wife, Melanie, have
two young children, Callee and Kyle
Norton.
During a speech before voters, Norton
outlined an aggressive and ambitious plan to
increase membership and continue to
improve on NYFB’s excellent record of
achievements and service to the agricultural
community.
Ooms owns and operates a 425-cow dairy
farm with his father and brothers in
Kinderhook in Columbia County. Ooms
ran unopposed for the VP spot, which is
also a two-year term.
He has served New York Farm Bureau for
10 years as Columbia County Farm Bureau
President, and six years on the State Board
EPA: ‘Cow tax’ draws ridicule
▼ Continued from PG. 1
Federation. Even hogs would be taxed under
the EPA scheme.
At issue is the methane emitted by livestock,
which is purported to have an impact
on global warming. While there is no concrete
evidence that cow belching is depleting
the ozone layer, there is no doubt that the
EPA is eyeing agriculture as a culprit. And
farmers could pay the price.
NYFB aggressively fought against the proposal
in November and December.
Members were effective in getting comments
in to the EPA before the comment
period deadline of Nov. 28. Other Farm
Bureaus across the nation also spoke out.
The biggest blitz came through the media,
which latched onto the “cow tax” story,
making headlines across the country.
The New York Times reported on the
story based on a press release issued by New
York Farm Bureau in late November. The
New York Post, the Associated Press and all
of the major upstate daily newspapers all did
stories based on the NYFB press release.
Numerous TV stations also did reports on
the issue.
Please see FEES PG. 23 ➤
as Young Farmer and Rancher Chair and
District 10 Director. He won the NYFB
Discussion Meet in 2001 and the Excellence
in Agriculture Award in 2005.
Ooms has a strong record of service to
NYFB and the agricultural industry, starting
with his early involvement in the Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact fight. Ooms and
his wife, Catherine Joy, have a 1-year-old
son, Arendt.
“It truly is an honor to be selected by the
membership to help lead this great organization,”
said Ooms. “I look forward to continuing
to serve the organization, and
appreciate the service and example set by
Paul Zittel, the former Vice President.”
Three new members also joined the
NYFB Board of Directors. Paul Bencal, a
grape grower from Niagara County, was
elected the District 2 director, replacing
Norton.
Charles Larsen, a retired dairy farmer
from Columbia County, was elected to fill
the District 10 position vacated by Ooms.
Ann Peck, of Ontario County, was elected
chair of the Promotion and Education
Committee and will also sit on the board,
replacing retiring chair Nancy Weber.
In virtually all of the media, the story
angled in favor of the farmer and the
incredulity of the federal government taxing
cows.
“This is probably the biggest media coverage
we’ve had on an issue all year,” said Peter
Gregg, NYFB’s public relations director.
Talk radio grabbed onto the story with
gusto. Bob Lonsberry, a controversial talk
show host on WHAM 1180 in Rochester,
covered the issue on both his show and a
column he writes on his web site. Al Roney,
a host on WGY 810 in Albany also did a
show on the issue.
The coverage was so intense, the EPA
itself issued a media response saying it does
not plan on imposing a “cow tax.” It did not
come out and say agriculture would be
exempt from its new regulations.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., also held a
press conference on the issue, urging the
EPA to leave agriculture out of its proposal.
The issue will likely continue into next
year as the EPA considers comments and
devises its final rule.
That may not come until 2010, according
to experts.

January 2009 Grassroots Page 23
ALICIA BEERLEY of Energy Plus attends her first NYFB State Annual Meeeting.
▼ Continued from PG. 1
the foreign government consulates and help
them stay in compliance with all the rules.
“I have been working on immigration law
for about 10 years and the firm has been
practicing it for 20 or more years. Our purpose
this week was really to provide some
education to farmers and to serve as a
resource.”
Energy Plus
Alicia Beerley attended her first State
Annual Meeting to provide information on
AUGIE BORTOLINI and Robert Lawson represent the New York State Insurance Fund.
VENDORS: State Annual Meeting draws partners in agriculture to Albany
the newest NYFB member benefit.
“We just launched the program with
New York Farm Bureau and we thought an
introduction in person was a great opportunity.
Our product is actually pretty complex
and it always helps to have someone
walk you through the process so you can
see exactly how it works. We offer a sales
tax waiver on the delivery portion of your
electricity bill and cash back on the supply
charges.
“We don’t have a commitment so members
are able to try it out and see if it works
for them. This benefit is for all members—
we have something for everyone, even if
you’re just looking at the electricity for a single
house.”
New York State Insurance Fund
Augie Bortoloni and Robert Lawson discussed
workers’ compensation matters with
NYFB members, many whom are part of
NYFB’s Safety Group 486.
“New York Farm Bureau’s safety group is
the largest out of the 100 we have at the
State Insurance Fund and it has been very
successful. I have been working with Farm
Bureau for 10 years and the members and
the staff have been wonderful to work with,”
said Lawson.
“Workers’ compensation is a very complicated
issue, and especially in this industry, it
is very difficult and we often get questions
from Farm Bureau that we have to research
and come back with the right answer. But it
has been a great relationship over the years,”
Bortoloni said.
FEES: NYFB to oppose higher fees
▼ Continued from PG. 22
to the agricultural industry. It’s important
that the governor recognize that agriculture is
one of the single biggest players in economic
development right now, especially during a
time of tremendous financial uncertainty and
corporate difficulties. But, future
growth and expansion of the
industry will be determined by
the critical decisions made both
in the budgetary process and the
regulatory process to ensure that
farms can continue to farm well
into the next generations.
The governor has proposed a
wide variety of fees, some of
which NYFB will be opposing
during the coming months. He
has proposed increasing fees on
drivers license renewals and car
registrations, along with amusement
options such as a sales tax
on movie and concert tickets.
More seriously, other agri-business
licensing fees are also projected
to increase, including
those for feed dealers, seed distributers,
slaughterhouses and
food processors. Increases were
also proposed for CAFO permit
fees and wine and beer excise
taxes.
Among newly proposed fees is
the controversial “obesity tax,”
which reflects an additional sales
tax on sugary beverages. The tax
is being pitched as a way to control
obesity and boost the consumption
of low-fat dairy beverages,
100 percent fruit juices and
water. If enacted, this proposal
may have a remote chance of
changing some consumption
habits to reflect more healthy
(and farm produced) beverage
choices.
The budget does offer some
good news for consumers and the
grape and wine industry as the
governor proposed allowing the
sale of wine in grocery stores. The
New York Wine Grape Growers’
Association has sought this
change for more than two
decades and many grape farmers
and wineries feel that increasing the number
of outlets that can sell wine will assist in finding
new markets for wine grapes and new
opportunities for wineries to market their
products.
NYFB is also concerned, though, with the
possible impact on liquor stores and hopes
that the proposal will eventually include
modernization of the liquor laws so that
stores can expand to sell additional items as
the market dictates and allow stores to have
several licenses in different locations to assist
in achieving better economies of scale.
It will certainly be an interesting and challenging
year for everyone in Albany, as years
with very little budgetary funding are always
difficult ones for legislators to make decisions
and prioritize. However, it may also be a time
for people and programs to get more creative
and think harder about how to best use hardearned
taxpayer money.
One thing is for sure, NYFB leaders and
staff will be in the mix of things, working
hard to represent the agricultural community
and keeping farmers farming in the years to
come.