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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.
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