Grassroots - New York Farm Bureau

Grassroots 

Vol. 1, No. 5 the voice of new york agriculture ® may 2012 

On-Farm 

energy 

production 

is soaring 

Matt Nelligan 

mnelligan@nyfb.org 

Photo courtesy ????? 

Irrigation occurring unseasonably early in Long Island, on Long Island Farm Bureau President Frank Beyrodt’s family 

farm, DeLea Sod Farm 

Unusual weather 

patterns leave farmers 

scratching their heads 

By Rebecca Schuelke Staehr 

An all-lamb March, followed by a 

lion-like early April has New York 

growers scrambling, smiling – and 

sometimes, just scratching their 

heads. 

The atypical weather pattern, 

which started in winter 2011-’12, and 

extended into this year’s spring, has 

many farmers wondering what the 

effects will be on New York’s crops. 

“Knock on wood, today, we have 

the potential for a really good crop,” 

said Jim Allen, president of the 

New York Apple Growers Association. 

The weather from December-February 

will go down as New York’s 

second warmest since recordkeeping 

began in the 1890s, according to 

the National Oceanic Atmospheric 

Administration. Across the continental 

US, March was the warmest 

since 1895, the NOAA reported, with 

temperatures averaging 8.6 degrees 

Fahrenheit above the norm. 

The month of March brought everything 

from snow to temperatures 

in the 80s. New York’s 600-plus apple 

growers closely watched the warm 

temperatures, which can bring on 

early budding in trees, followed by 

frost, which can kill the tree’s ability 

to bear fruit that year. 

“The tree is a scientific marvel. 

For a tree to come into bloom, it 

must achieve so many growingdegree 

days,” Allen said. Budding 

started in March, followed by cool 

April temperatures. Parts of the 

state experienced several frosts in 

early April. 

“The cooler weather has held off 

bloom,” Allen said. “There has likely 

been some bud damage already, 

but it’s too soon to put an estimate 

on the damage.” 

Based on grower reports in mid- 

April, Allen predicted that any significant 

bud damage has been isolated 

to a few farms or local areas. 

A cooler April has returned 

spring to normal for much of the 

state, stalling any advances the 

warm March brought. But, parts of 

the state are unusually dry, absent 

those famous “April showers.” 

Long Island has experienced onethird 

the rain typical for this time 

of year, and brush fires have been 

spotted on the island’s East End, 

said Frank Beyrodt, president of 

Long Island Farm Bureau. 

Beyrodt is one of the owners of 

DeLea Sod Farms, which produces 

3,400 acres of sod in New York and 

New Jersey. 

“We are running our irrigation 

fulltime. The dry weather shouldn’t 

cause crop failure, but with the 

Please see Weather, Page 20 

In 2009, the United States Department 

of Agriculture undertook its first ever 

survey of renewable energy production 

on American farms. The results were 

nothing less than astonishing. Increasing 

interest in the renewable energy field 

along with supportive policies at the state 

and federal level have led to substantial 

growth in on-farm 

“We bottle 

2000 cases 

of wine per 

day, so we 

use a lot 

of energy, 

and the 

additional 

solar 

capacity 

has had a 

substantial 

and positive 

impact on 

our utility 

bills.” 

— Colleen 

Hughes, 

Brotherhood 

Winery 

generation over the 

last decade. Currently 

8,569 farms generate 

renewable energy onsite. 

In two significant 

areas, New York leads 

the pack. Only one 

state has more anaerobic 

digesters than 

the Empire State and 

on average; New York 

farmers saved the 

most on their energy 

bills with more than 

$5000 in yearly savings 

reported. Study after 

study confirms that 

New Yorkers pay some 

of the highest electricity 

rates in the country, 

so farmers are particularly 

focused on reducing 

that burden. 

Crescent Duck 

Farm in Aquebogue, 

Long Island started 

using an anaerobic 

digester about eight years ago in order 

to power their water treatment plant and 

save money on their electricity bills. According 

to Doug Corwin who owns the 

farm, they’ve built a one of a kind system, 

“Our goal is to treat waste water from the 

farm efficiently, while producing energy. 

We treat 50 thousand gallons of water a 

day and produce enough energy to power a 

200 horsepower engine. Our system saves 

us money and allows us to be more environmentally 

friendly and sustainable.” 

Putting in the digester and all of the 

ancillary equipment was a big investment 

for Corwin, since the overall project cost 

was around $1 million. State renewable 

energy programs picked up about half the 

cost, and the farm invested the rest. ‘This 

is a very valuable project, but it would 

only have made sense using some of the 

incentive programs that are out there. The 

return on investment on this was about 

five years, and we’ve been saving money 

ever since,” Corwin concluded. 

Please see Energy Page 20 

In this issue 

Senator George Maziarz, Senate 

Energy Chair talks 2012 priorities 

Page 5 

Next Month 

Got Milk? 

It’s Dairy month

Page 2 Grassroots May 2011 

Keep the Carriages Rolling through NYC 

By Mark Adams 

Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester FB President 

What do Angelina Jolie, Eric Estrada, 

Wayne Gretzky, Liam Neeson 

and Jon Bon Jovi have in common? 

They’ve all taken a ride through New 

York City’s Central Park on Stephen 

Malone’s horse drawn carriage. Stephen 

is the President of the Horse and 

Carriage Association of N.Y. City. He’s a 

second generation carriage driver and 

a Farm Bureau member. On March 31, 

Stephen hosted an open house at Clinton 

Park Stables on Manhattan’s 52nd 

Street, where Farm Bureau board members 

and other interested parties could 

get an idea of how the Carriage Association 

operates. 216 horses, 190 drivers 

and an additional 200 or so employees 

work full time in the carriage industry. 

Most of the carriages are owner operated, 

and work in Central Park and 

the surrounding streets year – round, 

except during temperature extremes. 

Most of the horses, draft and Standardbred, 

are housed at Clinton Park, with 

the rest at three nearby stables. 

Clinton Park Stables has been in operation 

almost 150 years, dating back 

to a time when horses were the principal 

means of transportation in the 

city. When Central Park opened in 1859, 

designer Frederick Law Olmstead insisted 

that carriages inside the park be 

fitted with rubber tires – a revolutionary 

idea – to mask the noise of the steel 

wheels on cobblestones. The same tire 

is used today, mounted on the steel rim 

by a special machine still in use at the 

stables. 

As we toured the facility, it became 

obvious that the horses are incredibly 

well cared for. The driver – owners are 

real horsemen; many are Irish immigrants 

who worked on family farms in 

Mark Adams getting ready to leave the stables for a carriage ride through Central 

Park 

their homeland, and this is their full – 

time occupation. The individual stalls 

are roomy enough for horses to lie 

down and stretch out, and are mucked 

at least once, and often several times 

daily. When they’re being harnessed, 

the horses seem eager for their trip to 

the park, where they work less than 

nine hours daily, spending a good deal 

of that time waiting for passengers. 

While we were enjoying our visit 

with the horses and drivers, a small, and 

I would say, motley group of demonstrators 

gathered across the street to yell 

at us. They were from an outfit calling 

itself “Win Animal Rights”, and would 

like to ban all horses in the city. According 

to the Horse and Carriage Association, 

“radical anti – horse activists are 

agitating against urban working horses, 

seeking to deprive them of their homes 

and jobs through calls for total bans 

on horse-drawn carriages. In their attempts 

to win public sympathy for their 

extreme position, they have perpetuated 

a host of myths, misconceptions and 

outright lies about carriage horses.” Unfortunately, 

last October, a 15 – year old 

carriage horse named “Charley” died on 

the street (from an ulcer, it turned out), 

adding fuel to the protest fire. 

Right now two bills are simmering, 

one in the city council, Introduction 86, 

which would replace the carriages with 

electric cars, another in the state legislature, 

S.5013/ A.7748, which would ban 

horse-drawn carriages in the city. Farm 

Bureau is concerned with the precedent 

setting nature of banning livestock animals 

from working.” 

To gain additional clout with the city 

and state, the Horse and Carriage Association 

recently joined the International 

Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 533. 

Ironically, the Teamsters Union was 

founded by horsemen, back when goods 

were delivered by “teams” of horses. 

New York Farm Bureau policy states 

“We oppose legislation that would ban 

the carriage horse business.” The best 

way to support the Horse and Carriage 

industry is to take a ride through Central 

Park the next time you visit New 

York City. 

NYFB is now tweeting! 

Follow us at Twitter. 

com/NYFarmBureau! 

Speak up for 

agriculture! 

E-Lobby your 

lawmakers today at 

www.nyfb.org 

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May 2011 Grassroots Page 3 

NYFB, Keeping kids safe on the farm 

Albany and Waterport — 

NYFB held two simultaneous press 

conferences to protest U.S. Secretary of 

Labor Hilda Solis’ proposed revisions to 

the regulations that govern the types of 

employment and ages at which youth can 

work on a farm. Originally designed to 

keep kids safe on a farm, the regulations 

have for decades encouraged common 

sense restrictions – like keeping kids 

from operating dangerous equipment 

and away from bulls and stallions. However, 

a recent proposed revision to the 

rules would have negative consequences 

to New York’s family farms. The first 

change (which is now in the process of 

being re-proposed) would not allow a 

farmer’s own children to work on the 

family farm if the farm is organized as 

an LLC, an S corp or a C corp. The second 

change revises the Hazardous Orders 

Occupations, (HO’s) which restrict the 

work that a youth can perform on a farm. 

The changes to the HO’s are just as detrimental, 

by essentially restricting kids 

from performing any task that requires 

the operation (including cleaning and 

maintenance) of a tool that is powered in 

a means other than by the hand or foot. 

President Norton was at Brown’s Berry 

Patch, in Orleans County, along with 

Eric Brown and Paige Levandowski from 

the FFA. The Western New York press 

conference highlighted to local print media, 

as well as television stations from 

Buffalo and Rochester the absurdity of 

the proposal. President Norton talked 

about how the issue was intensely personal 

to him, as his own children Callee 

and Kyle would not be able to work 

on his family’s farm given its corporate 

structure. “My family’s farm, Norton 

Farms and Oak Orchard Dairy, formed 

a corporate and Limited liability Company 

structure years ago to protect the 

farm assets. But because of what is a 

wise business planning decision, my kids 

would never be able to work with cows on 

our family’s farm, as the proposed regulations 

are written in such a way that it’s 

virtually impossible to allow youth to be 

around animals,” said Norton. 

In eastern New York, Congressman 

Bill Owens, a member of the House Agriculture 

Committee, joined NYFB leaders 

Erik Leerkes, Essex County Farm 

Bureau President and dairy farmer, Linda 

Fix, from Fix Brothers Orchards in 

Columbia County, Beth Chittenden from 

Dutch Hollow Dairy in Columbia County, 

and Cathy Hanehan from Turning Point 

NYFB President Dean Norton answers a question from the media at NYFB’s Western New York press conference highlighting 

the organization’s opposition to radical revisions of the agriculture youth employment guidelines proposed by Secretary of 

Labor Hilda Solis 

Dairy in Saratoga County. Congressman 

Bill Owens started off by talking about 

how at one of his meetings with farmers 

in the North Country, a 10 year old boy 

came up to him and expressed his fear 

that he wouldn’t be able to work with 

his dad on the family farm anymore if 

the Secretary of Labor’s proposal went 

through. That conversation has made 

the Congressman committed to raising 

awareness of the issue, and urging some 

common sense back into the system. 

Julie Suarez noted, “In 8 years, farmers 

have been able to decrease by half 

the number of injuries to minors on 

farms – all without government regulation.” 

“If this regulation goes through, 

a child can ski, can snowboard, and can 

pay a farmer to take a horse back riding 

lesson. But the same kid can’t be 

Albany — New York Farm Bureau, 

the State’s largest general farm 

advocacy organization praised the 

adoption of the final budget today, as 

a sign of real progress for the State’s 

36,000 farms. The $132.5 billion dollar 

plan succeeded in fully funding 

important agricultural programs− 

without raising taxes or fees. Significantly, 

this year’s budget actually saw 

the first increase in support for farm 

friendly programs in over four years, 

beginning to reverse reductions in recent 

years that totaled nearly 70%. 

“The strong leadership of Agriculture 

Committee Chairs Senator Patty 

Ritchie and Assemblyman Bill Magee 

delivered the first increases in agricultural 

funding in more than four years,” 

said Dean Norton, President of New 

York Farm Bureau. “Their successful 

bi-partisan efforts demonstrate that 

support for farmers and nutritious 

locally grown food is widespread. On 

behalf of our farm families, I thank 

Senator Ritchie and Assemblyman 

Magee for championing our cause and 

standing with us as true advocates for 

agriculture.” 

All of the vital agricultural assistance 

programs that New York farmers 

count on, were either funded at 

last year’s levels or received a slight 

increase. Funding highlights include: 

• Farm Net-A program that provides 

financial and personal counseling 

services uniquely tailored to agriculture 

received a year to year funding 

increase from $384,000 to $484,000. 

This increase is especially important 

as farm families continue to cope with 

the affects of Hurricane Irene and 

Tropical Storm Lee 

• Grow New 

York -$3,000,000 was 

allocated to reinstitute 

this program 

aimed at enhancing 

the economic vitality 

of New York agriculture 

• Farm Viability 

Institute-A 

program that supports 

agricultural 

research that has 

direct impacts on 

farm profitability 

and sustainability 

was funded at the 

same level as last 

year-$1,221,000 

• Integrated Pest Management- 

A program that provides environmentally 

friendly approaches to eradicating 

pests was funded at the same level 

as last year-$500,000 

• Maple Producers Association- 

A program that assists in the 

promotion and marketing of New York 

State Maple Syrup is fully restored to 

$100,000 in the final budget agreement. 

• Tractor Rollover Protection 

Program-A program that helps reduce 

employed by the horse farm to muck 

out a stall – because while the kid can 

lift a shovel, he or she can’t, according 

to the revisions in HO number 3, utilize 

any type of hoisting device such as a 

push cart or wheelbarrow, even if it’s 

powered by hand and not motorized.” 

The media coverage generated by a 

simultaneous press conference was unprecedented. 

President Norton had several 

radio interviews on western New 

York stations, while NYFB staff had the 

opportunity to speak on Albany based 

shows like YNN’s Capitol Tonight. 

Print media statewide ran numerous 

stories, all helping to raise awareness 

of the issue. Support from upstate 

members of congress has been fantastic 

on this issue, as Congresswoman 

Buerkle, Gibson (another member 

farm safety hazards is fully restored to 

$100,000 in the final budget agreement. 

• North Country Ag Development-A 

program that promotes and 

supports the development of agriculture 

and agribusinesses in the North 

Country received 

a year to year increase 

from $300,000 

to $500,000. 

Other important 

victories were included 

in the Article 

VII Budget language. 

Some issues 

that are important 

to agriculture are: 

• Expansion of 

the Linked Deposit 

Loan program to 

save farmers 3% on 

of the House Ag Committee), Owens, 

Hanna, Reed and Hayworth have signed 

onto a letter urging Solis to reconsider. 

Senator Schumer also sent a letter to 

the Secretary urging her thoughtful 

consideration of how this issue would 

impact New York’s family farmers and 

the future of agriculture. 

With momentum building throughout 

the country, farmers are strongly 

encouraged to continue to utilize 

NYFB’s email advocacy system, which 

has been activated to support a new, bipartisan 

bill in Congress that will block 

Secretary Solis from implementing the 

proposed regulatory changes. Using 

the email system is easy, log onto www. 

nyfb.org, click on the right hand side 

and send a letter to your Congressperson 

and Senator urging their co-spon- 

Farmers Hail State Budget: On time, Fee Free, and Farm Friendly 

After weathering 

a nearly 70% 

reduction since 

2008, agriculture 

programs get a 

lift 

capital investment 

loans interest rates 

• Maintaining the “Hours of 

Service” transportation exemption for 

agriculture and food product deliveries. 

• The reconfiguration of the 

Agriculture and New York State Horse 

Breeding Development Fund includes 

a requirement that at least three of the 

Governor’s appointees must have experience 

or have been actively engaged in 

the breeding of standardbred horses in 

New York State 

Farm Bureau also welcomes the final 

resolution of funding for the Environmental 

Protection fund that keeps 

total funding steady at $134 Million 

dollars and continues to support the 

organization’s conservation priorities 

including: 

• Funding for the Farmland 

Protection Program and Agricultural 

non-point source pollution control remained 

constant at $12 million and $13 

million respectively. 

• Support for the work of Soil 

and Water Conservation Districts increased 

by $500,000 over last year. 

• The Agricultural Waste Management 

Program saw an increase 

from $430,000 to $700,000 

• The Invasive Species program 

continued to receive strong support at 

$3.4 million. 

“I have to commend Governor Cuomo, 

Majority Leader Skelos and Speaker 

Silver, for addressing our State’s 

economic challenges with an on-time, 

fiscally prudent budget that doesn’t 

increase taxes or fees and prioritizes 

support for sectors like agriculture, 

that help drive economic growth,” said 

Dean Norton, President of New York 

Farm Bureau. “This budget is yet another 

sign that New York State Government 

is functioning and most importantly 

is listening. A good process 

produced a good product, and the Governor 

and Legislative leaders deserve 

a great deal of credit for putting New 

York back on the path to prosperity.”


The President’s message 


May, 2012 

Grassroots is published monthly by New York 

Farm Bureau (159 Wolf. Rd., P.O. Box 5330, 

Albany, NY 12205-0330) as a member service. 

Production services by New York Press Service, 

Inc. Subscriptions are available through New 

York Farm Bureau membership. postage price is 

pending at Albany. Non-member subscription rate 

is $12. Application to mail at periodicals postage 

prices is pending. POSTMASTER: Send change of 

address notices on Form 3579 to Grassroots, 159 

Wolf Rd., P.O. Box 5330, Albany, NY 12205-0330. 

EDITOR 

Julie Suarez 

jsuarez@nyfb.org 

Associate Editor 

Matt Nelligan 


ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Adam Specht 

aspecht@nyfb.org 

ADVERTISING MANAGER 

Doug Rea 

doug@nynewspapers.com 

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 

facebook.com/NYFarmBureau 

MANAGEMENT 

Jeffery Kirby Executive Director 

Julie Suarez Public Policy 

Elizabeth Dribusch Legal Affairs 

Kevin Cook Member Services 

Fred Perrin Member Relations 

Paul McDowell Financial & Info Systems 

Sandra Prokop NYFB Foundation 

NYFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

President, Dean Norton 

Elba, (716) 474-3901 

Vice President, Eric Ooms 

Old Chatham, (518) 392-9594 

District 1, Hal Kreher 

Clarence Center, (716) 741-8781 

District 2, Paul Bencal 

Ransomville, (716) 216-4039 

District 3, John Sorbello 

Shortsville, (315) 730-2670 

District 4, Ashur Terwilliger 

Lowman, (607) 733-3957 

District 5, Darrell Griff 

Hamilton, (315) 691-9635 

District 6, Eric Behling 

Mexico, (315) 963-8160 

District 7, David Fisher 

Madrid, (315) 261-8231 

District 8, Jay Skellie 

Salem, (518) 854-7883 

District 9, Richard Ball 

Schoharie, (518) 295-7139 

District 10, Charles Larsen 

Germantown, (518) 537-6586 

District 11, Kenneth Schmitt 

Melville, (631) 249-2616 

Ann Peck Chair of Promotion 

and Education Committee 

Newark, (315) 331-7791 

Andrea Schultz,Chair,Young Farmers 

and Ranchers Committee 

Ransomville, (716) 622-0279 

REGIONAL OFFICES 

Western NY Resource Center 

877-383-7663 or 585-343-3489 

Central NY Office 

866-995-7300 or 315-252-1367 

Eastern NY Office 

866-995-7300 or 518-854-7368 

Long Island Office 

631-727-3777 

On Page One: 

Half Hollow Nursery in Laurel Suffolk County is one 

of the largest farms of its kind on the east coast. 

Half Hollow is also a leader in green power production 

and sustainability through their use of power 

generated by wind turbines. Each month, we’ll 

highlight a different member farm on the Grassroots 

nameplate. Send a photo of yours to info@ 

nyfb.org, and you might see it in a future issue! 

How old were you the first time you used a flashlight? 

If you were like most kids, it was pretty early in 

life. It could have been working with your mom 

or dad in the barn, or it could have been a game 

of flashlight tag with your friends. Regardless, there 

was nothing dangerous about it. 

Well, if USDOL’s new youth labor regulations are 

finalized, farm kids can forget about using a flashlight 

for any reason until they turn sixteen. They 

can also forget about mowing 

the lawn, cleaning a refrigerator 

or washing a farm truck. 

That’s right−if USDOL has 

its way, all of these everyday 

activities will be labeled as 

hazardous. 

I’m not going to put my kids 

in harm’s way, my parents 

didn’t put me in harm’s way 

and we’re not going to let US- 

DOL put the rural way of life 

in harm’s way. 

This is another in a long line 

Dean Norton 

NYFB President 

By Jim Allen 

President of New York Apple Association 

Seeing my column in New York 

Farm Bureau (NYFB) Grass 

Roots is certainly unusual; 

but thanks to the kind offer from 

the Farm Bureau staff, I 

eagerly accepted the opportunity 

to contribute. 

You all know that 

because of extenuating 

circumstances, the Core 

Report® is transitioning 

to a new provider 

and has taken a brief 

hiatus. As we informed 

you all this month, we 

are making every effort 

to be back as soon as possible. 

Given the opportunity 

to place some New 

York Apple Association 

(NYAA) news in this 

publication is greatly appreciated 

and is an excellent 

example of separate 

organizations working together for 

the good of their constituents. 

For years, 12 to be exact, NYAA 

and NYFB have been partners 

of intrusive government regulations 

that attempt to substitute 

the judgment of a bureaucrat 

in Washington for the common 

sense of a farmer. I don’t know 

about you, but the best teachers I ever had were my 

Father and Grandfather, and the best classroom I ever 

had was our family farm. USDOL is trying to prevent 

our kids from having the same positive learning experiences 

that we had, and New York Farm Bureau is 

not going to let that happen without a fight. Luckily 

for us the facts are on our side. 

Unemployment rates in New York are still high, 

but the unemployed don’t generally live in farm 

country. The latest census shows why we’re having 

a problem, as more people in that critical 18-25 year 

demographic are fleeing upstate and rural New 

York. Labor is becoming an even greater issue for 

farms thinking about investing or expanding. 

The Secretary of Labor has said that she will 

“re-propose” a portion of the regulations that deals 

with LLC or incorporated farm structures and the 

Guest opinion 

working for New York State agriculture. 

Back in 2000, we forged 

a mutually beneficial agreement 

that has been the foundation of our 

cooperative efforts. Occasionally, 

different views may surface, but in 

those few instances a professional 

and respectful decision 

to ‘agree to disagree’ 

has prevailed. That is 

truly the sign of a good 

relationship. 

Our Association has 

a great deal of respect 

and admiration for the 

efforts and for the dedicated 

service that NYFB 

provides to their members. 

We rely on and 

look to them for guidance, 

leadership, and 

information on many issues 

that they deal with 

daily. A great example 

of this can be seen 

each year as the NYAA 

board travels to Albany 

to visit with Senate and Assembly 

members about not only New York 

apples, but New York agriculture 

and the need for Albany to support 

partners’ in the farm’s own kids. This is good for 

starters, but since we have no idea what the new 

proposal will look like, we have to remain vigilante 

and continue to educate the public about the importance 

of being able to teach our own kids on our own 

farms. 

Recently Secretary Solis was quoted as saying 

that farms weren’t really family owned anymore, 

they were in fact “commercial operations and 

should be treated like other businesses.” You and I 

both know this simply isn’t; true. 99% of New York 

farms are in fact family farms, and no amount of 

misdirection from USDOL can make it otherwise. 

We need to remind Secretary Solis that we are the 

1% who provide food, fuel and fiber for the 100% of 

Americans who eat! 

Even more disconcerting however, is that the section 

of the USDOL regulations that labels unloading 

a truck or using a wheelbarrow as too dangerous for 

farm kids are moving full speed ahead. We need to 

derail this train before it reaches the station because 

the very future of our family farms is at stake. 

Farmers are also concerned about the ability to 

access the H-2A program and are pleased with some 

recent steps the U.S. Department of Labor has taken 

recently to establish an “ombudsman”. In one case 

I heard about recently, this system helped the growers’ 

job order clear through the state and federal 

government in a timely manner. If you are a grower 

and need H-2A assistance, feel free to call NYFB’s 

public policy staff. 

But beyond H-2A, the need for substantive, real 

immigration reform weighs heavily on most farmers 

minds – regardless of whether you’re growing 

apples or milking cows. The need for a reliable labor 

force is probably one of the biggest factors, along 

with state regulation and taxation, in a farmer’s 

decision not to expand or re-invest in the specialty 

crop agriculture (including dairy) that New York is 

known for. 

Labor – on many fronts – is a real challenge 

that must be solved, and soon, or we face the real 

danger of losing farms and food production in 

this state and in this country. 

Cooperation at the Highest Level 

Jim Allen 

President of New York 

Apple Association 

New York farms. With the expert 

guidance and direction from Julie 

Suarez, Jeff Williams, Cathy Mural, 

Nicole Willis, and Kelly Young, our 

growers cruise the halls of the Legislative 

Office Building and Capitol 

visiting legislators and/or their 

staff armed with accurate information 

and knowledge of this process. 

Thank you Farm Bureau teachers! 

When you look at New York State 

agriculture from ground level, it’s 

easy to only see down the row to the 

end of the field or orchard. When 

you look at New York State agriculture 

from the 30,000 foot level, you 

see how all aspects of this industry 

play a vital role in New York’s 

economy and future. It is at this 

level that we have to identify and 

remove the obstacles that interfere 

with farming. I doubt that DEC, 

DOL, DHS or EPA differentiates 

between a cow, a cucumber or a 

carton of apples. At the end of the 

day, it’s all about farming in New 

York State. At the end of our day, 

we are glad to have folks like those 

at NYFB to work with. Thanks for 

the chance to express our appreciation 

to NYFB.


Guest opinion 

Let’s Keep New York’s Farms Going 

By Senator George D. Maziarz 

Chair of the Senate Energy Committee 

There is no shortage of challenges 

in New York State 

when it comes to creating a 

favorable environment for business. 

However, over the last year, 

New York has been correcting 

this situation through 

innovative thinking 

and a commitment to 

our natural strengths. 

One of New York’s 

natural strengths is its 

agriculture and farming. 

New York is home 

to approximately 36,000 

farms that employ 

tens of thousands of 

workers. In fact, New 

York farms represent a 

multi-billion dollar industry 

and contribute 

hundreds of millions 

of dollars per year to 

local communities. 

Simply put, farming 

is a vital part of the 

New York economy and one that 

should be encouraged. 

From a public policy perspective, 

I believe the decisions that 

should be made are clear - enact 

laws that improve business 

Sen. George 

Maziarz, Chair of 

the Senate Energy 

Committee 

conditions for our farm families. 

Luckily, as Chairman of the Senate 

Energy Committee, I have had 

an opportunity to do just that by 

advancing favorable energy policies 

for New York’s farmers. 

In 2011, I was proud to sponsor 

a bill that expands New York’s 

innovative net metering laws. Specifically, 

the bill authorized 

remote net-metering 

for farm operations 

that use solar or farm 

waste electric generating 

equipment. Net-metering 

allows a utility 

customer with an electric 

generating system 

to send excess power 

that they generate back 

to the utility, receiving 

a credit against their 

own energy usage. This 

law will result in lower 

energy costs for farmowners. 

Another positive 

development from 2011 

was the agricultural 

discount in the ReCharge New 

York program. ReCharge NY is an 

economic development program 

that provides low-cost power to 

certain businesses in New York. 

The agricultural discount sets 

View from Washington 

aside up to $8 million per year to 

provide discounts to agricultural 

producers that receive electric 

service at the residential rate. 

During the 2012 legislative 

session, I will continue 

to push for policies that 

will provide greater 

flexibility to farmowners 

while lowering 

the costs of doing 

business. Currently, I 

sponsor legislation that 

would establish a grant 

and low-interest loan 

program to assist dairy 

farmers with energy 

efficiency projects. This 

program would provide 

options to farmers that 

want to reduce energy 

costs by investing in 

energy efficient equipment. 

I am also co-sponsoring legislation 

that would add micro-hydroelectric 

generating equipment to 

New York’s net metering laws for 

farm operations. This will provide 

farmers with another option 

to lower costs. In addition, I am 

co-sponsoring the Let New York 

Farm Act which would reduce 

farm-based taxes, fees and regulatory 

burdens. 

From a 

public policy 

perspective, 

I believe the 

decisions that 

should be 

made are clear 

- enact laws 

that improve 

business 

conditions 

for our farm 

families” 

These are a few examples of 

the types of policies that I believe 

will produce positive results for 

New York’s farms and for the entire 

state. Helping farm-owners 

in this manner will have 

the immediate benefit of 

strengthening our farms 

and the agricultural 

sector of New York’s 

economy. New York already 

ranks among the 

largest producers in the 

nation in some agricultural 

commodities – lets 

work to keep it that way. 

Further, most of our 

farms are owned and operated 

by families that 

have lived in their local 

communities for generations 

– lets work to keep 

these farming families 

here in New York. 

To me, the formula for success 

is simple: ease the burdens on 

family farms to ensure successful 

farm operations well into our 

future. This will strengthen the 

farm-based sector of New York’s 

economy which will, in turn, 

contribute to job creation and 

greater economic activity statewide. 

Let’s keep New York strong 

by keeping our farms going. 

USDA celebrates 150 years of innovation 

President Abraham Lincoln is known 

for many achievements during his 

lifetime, but a little known triumph 

of his—that affects farmers and ranchers 

greatly—was the establishment of the 

United States Department of Agriculture 

150 years ago. 

On May 15, 1862, President Lincoln 

signed into law a bill establishing a new 

Department of Agriculture, 

which was 

specifically directed to 

acquire information 

through “practical and 

scientific experiments” 

and to collect and propagate 

“new and valuable 

seeds and plants” 

and distribute these to 

the nation’s agriculturists. 

It is clear, Lincoln 

Bob Stallman 

AFBF President 

was a man beyond his 

time. 

A Man with a Vision 

Lincoln understood the importance of 

agriculture to America, and, as importantly, 

he realized science and technology 

played a major role in the farming industry. 

Without a doubt, I believe Lincoln today 

would embrace the many technological 

advancements farmers use on their farms, 

including biotechnology. 

Lincoln once wrote: “Every blade of 

grass is a study, and to produce two, where 

there was but one, is both a profit and a 

pleasure. And not grass alone, but soils, 

seeds and seasons—hedges, ditches and 

fences, draining, droughts and irrigation— 

plowing, hoeing and harrowing—reaping, 

mowing and threshing—saving crops, 

pests of crops, diseases of crops and what 

will prevent or cure them … the thousand 

things of which these are specimens—each 

a world of study within itself.” 

The federal government was, from the beginning 

of its involvement in agriculture, 

dedicated to scientific progress in farming. 

This commitment continues today and is 

shared by farmers and ranchers across the 

country, regardless of the methods of food 

and fiber production they use—organic, 

conventional or biotechnology. They all 

need science. 

Full Speed Ahead 

The importance of science and innovation—biotechnology 

in particular—to 

agriculture will be significant as we face 

several challenges in the years ahead. The 

world’s population just passed the 7 billion 

mark. According to the World Food 

Program, the best estimate is that 1 billion 

people (one in seven) are hungry and food 

insecure. By 2050 the world’s population 

will rise to 9 billion people. This means we 

must double world food production by 2050 

in order to meet this challenge. 

Further, we must accomplish this hefty 

goal while realizing that our Earth is fragile. 

To take care of our environment, we 

must embrace agriculture research, science, 

innovation and biotechnology. When 

it comes to medical care, communication 

and transportation we accept the importance 

of innovation. We need to do the 

same when it comes to the production of 

food. 

Earlier this year, the United Nations issued 

a special report recognizing that “new 

‘green’ biotechnologies can….improve 

resistance to pests, restore soil fertility 

and contribute to the diversification of the 

rural economy.” Sound familiar? Seems a 

lot like what Lincoln described as a goal 150 

years ago. 

Scientists have developed new seeds that 

can improve yields while resisting disease 

and requiring less water. That is critical as 

70 percent of all fresh water is used by agriculture. 

American consumers and consumers 

all over the world can feel safe with this 

technology and confident it will improve 

our environment. 

While meeting these quantitative challenges 

and meeting our environmental 

goals, we will strive to focus even greater 

attention on the qualitative side, to also 

meet the needs of consumers who express 

a preference for foods grown “their way.” 

Science is the answer for all these missions, 

and today’s USDA is helping to blaze that 

trail. 

So, Happy Birthday USDA and best wishes 

as we continue down the road for another 

150 years. America’s farmers, ranchers 

and research scientists can lead the way to 

a new 21st century Green Revolution if we 

follow the vision of Abraham Lincoln. As 

Honest Abe said, “Leave nothing for tomorrow 

which can be done today.”


Commodity report: Horticulture 

Berry growers cautioned about new insect pest 

By Amanda Garris 

Late last summer, a single fruit fly 

dropped into a vinegar trap in the Hudson 

Valley, alerting extension specialists 

to spotted wing drosophila’s (SWD) 

arrival to New York state. This tiny fruit 

fly may spark big changes for growers 

of berries and other soft-skinned fruits 

in the Northeast this summer. 

“Based on what is occurring in places 

like Michigan and North Carolina, I 

expect the SWD to be a serious issue for 

small fruit growers in New York,” said 

Cornell professor of entomology Greg 

Loeb. “Until now, we have not had to 

spray a lot of insecticide on our small 

fruit crops, but SWD could be a game 

changer for pest management.” 

An Asian native, Drosophila suzukii 

first appeared in California in 2008 and 

subsequently became established in the 

Southeast. Hurricane Irene is credited 

with helping it expand northward last 

year to the Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes 

and Long Island. 

According to Loeb, summer fruits 

with soft skins are at risk, including 

raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, 

sweet cherries and strawberry varieties, 

which produce fruit through late 

summer. Grapes are potentially at risk, 

but they do not appear as vulnerable as 

the others. 

Although the SWD are small -- about 

the size of common kitchen fruit flies -- 

their damage to crops can be massive. 

Adult females use specialized, serrated 

ovipositors to stow their eggs beneath 

the fruit skin. The maggots that subsequently 

hatch from them destroy the 

fruit’s commercial value. 

“Although unappealing, eating fruit 

that might contain SWD is not harmful 

or poisonous to consumers,” noted Julie 

Carroll, fruit IPM coordinator with 

New York State Integrated Pest Management 

(IPM) Program. 

To prevent crop losses, Cornell research 

and extension specialists hope 

to reach all potentially affected growers 

before the growing season starts. 

“The punctures from egg laying are 

Peter Jentch, senior extension associate in entomology, set apple cider vinegar traps in the Hudson Valley Laboratory grape 

vineyard in March. Such traps are one way for growers to monitor the spotted wing drosophila 

so small that they will be hard for growers 

to spot with the naked eye,” Carroll 

said. “Growers will likely first notice infested 

fruit, which will develop darker, 

The male spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, can be identified by the dark 

spots near the tips of its wings. 

soft regions as the SWD develop.” 

Monitoring is the first line of defense, 

according to Peter Jentsch, senior 

extension associate in entomology 

at the Hudson Valley Laboratory in 

Highland, N.Y. 

“It’s crucial to determine the earliest 

appearance of SWD adult females 

to prevent the onset of egg laying,” 

Jentsch said. “With only 10 to 15 days 

from egg to egg-laying adulthood, populations 

can erupt very quickly, making 

them difficult to control as harvest approaches.” 

According to Carroll, two insecticides 

have been granted special approval 

for use this season, including 

one for organic production. However, 

guidelines for spray regimes will likely 

evolve over the growing season, in part 

because the newcomer harbors some secrets. 

For example, although the insects 

are presumed to be present all summer, 

they don’t show up in traps until 

late summer or early fall. In addition, 

sprays must be carefully timed to target 

the adult stage, because the eggs and 

worms are shielded by the fruit. 

“What’s most important is for growers 

to be tuned in to their Cornell Cooperative 

Extension specialists and 

extension entomologists, because there 

is a lot we will learn as the season progresses,” 

Carroll said. 

Researchers plan to use this growing 

season to learn as much as they can 

about the SWD. Loeb and collaborators 

have initiated five local and regional 

research projects to better define effective 

control, including trials to test pesticide 

efficacy, monitoring to determine 

what crops are most at risk, and alternative 

approaches to managing SWD 

populations, such as “attract and kill” 

traps and repellants. 

Reprinted with the permission of the 

Cornell Chronicle 

Next month: 

Dairy 

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possible by donations from members like you. 

Upon request, further information about NYFBFAE’s activities and programs will be provided. If you 

wish additional information on the NYFBFAE’s activities and programs, please write: New York Farm 

Bureau Foundation For Agricultural Education, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Albany, NY 12205. The NYFBFAE’s 

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Broadway, New York, NY 10271 or the New York Farm Bureau Foundation For Agricultural Education, 

Inc., at the above address. 

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Education news 

2012 Ag Literacy Week A True Hit in NYS 

By Sandie Prokop 

sprokop@NYFB.com 

New York Agriculture in the Classroom’s 

seventh annual Agricultural Literacy 

Week was held in March. Community 

members volunteered to read “Seed, 

Soil and Sun”, written by Cris Peterson, 

to local elementary classrooms. In this 

clearly written and beautifully photographed 

book, Peterson describes the 

seemingly miraculous process by which 

air and water combine with seed, soil, 

and sun to create nearly all the food we 

eat. Using the corn plant as an example, 

she takes the reader through the story of 

germination and growth of a tiny corn 

seed into a giant plant reaching high 

into the air with roots extending over 

six feet into the ground. The resource/ 

lesson plan is available on the website 

for anyone who might be interested. 

Many books were donated to local 

Public Elementary Schools as well as to 

local libraries. An educator guide was 

given to teachers together with a New 

York lesson plan containing a sample 

lesson conducted during the classroom 

visits in which the children created 

their own beanie babies (using soybeans) 

and kept a journal of the seeds 

intriguing germination process, noting 

when “roots and shoots” first appeared 

and how quickly they grew. Experiencing 

this miracle made this lesson exciting 

and brought tremendous understanding 

about a part of agriculture to 

the students. 

This literacy activity helps teachers 

address learning standards in many areas. 

Many volunteer readers helped to 

make this ag literacy week a true success. 

Agricultural literacy is the basic 

knowledge about agriculture that all 

citizens need to make informed decisions 

impacting careers, health, and 

Liza Toborg, 1st grade teacher at Middleburgh hangs the student’s germination lesson on the window which completed 

the needed components; soil, seed, moisture and SUN! 

public policy. Over 20% of our nation’s 

workforce is in some way involved in 

food processing, marketing, distribution, 

and sales – and all of us eat. NY 

Ag in the Classroom envisions a day 

when all students have the opportunity 

to understand the economic, social, historical, 

and scientific significance of 

agriculture to our society; explore food 

system career opportunities; and recognizes 

the connection between agricultural 

production and the daily need for 

food and fiber products. 

Many organizations and agencies 

partnered on this statewide educational 

effort, including NYS Department 

Outstanding Promotion and Education 

Project Award Announced 

“The Outstanding Pro-Ed Project 

Award” Application is now available 

on the NYFB website at Membership/ 

Promotion & Education. This award 

provides recognition of county programs 

through a Promotion & Education 

sponsored award and our 16th annual 

presentation will take place at the 

2012 State Annual Meeting. 

Each and every county has achieved 

success via a variety of projects and 

activities. All County Farm Bureaus 

are invited to participate in this recognition 

award so that their ideas and 

successes may be shared with partners 

in agriculture throughout New York 

State. This is an opportunity for your 

county to embark on a special project 

or put a bit more emphasis, or simply 

a new twist, to an established project. 

Award: An Excellence lapel 

pin for each core committee member; 

a certificate presented at the State Annual 

Meeting; and a $200.00 check for 

the County Farm Bureau treasury. 

The project/activity must have taken 

place between August 20, 2011 and August 

31, 2012. A simple application process 

may bring your county recognition 

PLUS a check for $200 to use to fund your 

next promotion and education event! 

The NYFB Promotion & Education 

Award for 2011 was presented to Genesee 

County Farm Bureau for “The 

Cruisin’ Classroom”, an agricultural 

classroom on wheels. The goal of the 

project was to replace a defunct mobile 

learning unit with a newer, updated 

unit that is a recognizable force 

in agricultural education. The vision 

included a classroom on wheels that 

would be an educational platform to 

“Grow and Tell” the agricultural message. 

We know from past experience 

that featuring hands-on-learning activities 

provides the “WOW” factor 

needed to demonstrate the importance 

of agriculture in everyone’s life. 

“The Cruisin’ Classroom is a shining 

example of Farm Bureau and the 

other agricultural service agencies 

combining resources and expertise to 

expand the outreach of agricultural 

education. It is an excellent example 

of the successes that can be accomplished 

when there is a common goal.” 

“The opportunities abound for use 

of this wonderful resource, and the 

unit is booked for many events as well 

as schools,” said Dean Norton, President 

of New York Farm Bureau.” We 

are proud to recognize this project for 

its positive impact and the tremendous 

collaboration it represents. 

The two National Farm-City Award 

Winners for New York were Cattaraugus 

County Farm Bureau for the project; 

“Our County Fair Ag Discovery 

Tent” and Chenango County Farm 

Bureau for their “Savor the Flavor” 

event. 

Meghan 

Rodwell from 

Livingston County 

participates in the 

food, land and 

people workshop 

sponsored by 

NYFB’s Foundation 

for Agricultural 

Education 

of Education, NYS Department of Ag 

& Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 

NY Agricultural Educators, and 

NY Farm Bureau. In Schoharie County 

our special thanks are extended to 

Farm Credit East for their continued 

sponsorship of the books that were donated 

to our schools and libraries. 

A Challenge 

has been 

issued! 


sprokop@NYFB.com 

Once again Mark Zaweski has laid 

down the Gauntlet for the Foundation by 

issuing an official challenge. He wrote 

to Paul Bencal, Foundation Chairman, 

stating “I will once again put out my challenge 

to all members to donate their $20 

from signing up new members during the 

membership drive to the Foundation”. 

Mark is making this challenge to help 

the Foundation reach its goal for the Kiosk 

Project and other future program and 

product development. 

As you may recall, last year Chairman 

Bencal received a very generous donation, 

together with a challenge for all 

New York Farm Bureau members. Mark 

Zaweski, past president of LIFB, truly put 

his money up front to work for agriculture 

by generously donating his membership 

incentive, earned by signing up five new 

members the previous month. 

Mark has repeatedly set the standard 

in terms of support for his fellow farmers 

because he thinks beyond himself and for 

the benefit of all. Chairman Bencal stated 

that he is truly proud to know Mark and 

encouraged all to strive to meet the high 

standard he has set. 

In closing, Mark Zaweski and I officially 

issue a challenge to NYFB members to 

donate their $20 per new member signed 

up in the month of March to the Foundation, 

so that you not only earn a new member 

but the added value of continuing 

education and understanding. We will be 

tracking the results and keep you updated. 

Thank you Mark and all the others who 

take part in this “winning” challenge!


From the field 

Busy Spring in 

Region 3 

The spring has been packed with 

social activities in District 2. The counties 

worked on membership, purchased 

books and read in schools for Ag Literacy 

Week, and 5 

Region 3 counties held “Celebrate 

Ag” dinners. 

The counties are 

getting ready for a 

busy summer. Here 

is a brief run-down 

of some of their activities… 

Genesee 

Amanda 

Krenning 

akrenning@nyfb.org 

Genesee County 

Farm Bureau hosted 

their first consignment 

auction 

on April 13. The 

purpose of this auction was to raise 

money to support agricultural education 

in the county. Genesee CFB would 

like to thank Kent’s Auctioneers and 

all of the members that participated 

and supported the project. GCFB will 

also be hosting their annual Dairy Day 

event this year on June 6 at Post Farms. 

If anyone is interested in volunteering 

at the event please contact the WNY Regional 

Office for additional details. 

Livingston 

Livingston County Farm Bureau is 

gearing up or a busy summer season. 

The Livingston CFB summer picnic 

will be held on July 11 at the Wingate 

Barn in Livonia. This is an excellent 

opportunity to socialize and network 

with your friends and neighbors. All 

members are encouraged to attend the 

event. Call the WNY Office at (585) 343- 

3489 to RSVP. In addition, Livingston 

CFB participates in both the Hemlock 

and the Livingston County Fairs during 

the summer. They operate ice cream 

booths at both fairs as fundraisers and 

always need volunteers. Please let us 

know if you are interested in volunteering 

at either fair. 

Monroe 

District 5 and Chenango County Pro-Ed Chair Rainy Collins-Vickers presents an award to Raymond James, the District 5 

winner and representative for the NYFB Ag Youth Scholarship, during Chenango County’s annual Ag Day Luncheon, held at 

the Silo Restaurant in Greene. 

Monroe County Farm Bureau is 

working with Allen’s Creek School and 

Miller Farms again this year on the 

Feed the Hungry program. Students 

will be planting butternut squash this 

spring, weeding the squash this summer 

with their families, and harvesting 

the squash in the fall. This is a great 

hand’s on program that helps the students 

understand how their food is 

grown and also gives them an opportunity 

to give back to their community by 

donating the crop to Foodlink in Monroe 

County. This is the 3rd year that 

Miller Farms has worked with Monroe 

CFB on this project and we sincerely appreciate 

their support of the program. 

Niagara 

Niagara County Farm Bureau held 

their 3rd Annual “Taste Niagara” Dinner 

on March 3 at the Tuscorora Inn in 

Lockport. The event highlights Niagara 

County products and gives attendees a 

chance to socialize and network. This is a 

cooperative effort between Niagara CFB, 

Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension 

and the Niagara USA Chamber 

of Commerce. This was the most successful 

event yet and NCFB would like to 

say “Thank you” to all of the farms that 

donated food for the dinner. In addition, 

Niagara CFB is getting ready for summer 

and will be participating in several fundraising 

events, including the Niagara 

County Fair, with their Corn Roaster. 

Orleans 

Orleans County Farm Bureau partnered 

with the Orleans County CCE, Orleans 

County Soil and Water, the Albion 

FFA Alumni for this year’s Farmer to 

Neighbor Dinner. The Dinner was held 

on March 10 at the White Birch Golf 

Course in Lyndonville. There were over 

200 people in attendance. This event 

brings Orleans CFB members together 

to socialize but also highlights both the 

Albion and Medina FFA students. The 

attendees were treated to a recitation 

of the FFA Creed by Jack Hill, Medina 

Junior FFA member and a speech on 

horse racing by Albion FFA Vice President 

Paige Levandowski. 

Wyoming 

Wyoming County Farm Bureau held 

their annual meeting with the Wyoming 

County Board of Supervisors on 

March 13. This meeting gives both the 

WCFB and the Board of Supervisors a 

chance to share concerns about issues 

in the county and to work toward supporting 

agriculture in the community. 

In addition, Wyoming CFB is working 

with the Wyoming County Cornell Cooperative 

Extension on the 2nd Annual 

Agri-Palooza which will be held on Sunday 

June 12 at Sondericker’s Friendly 

Acres. We hope to see you there! 

Exciting events 

abound 

Broome 

Broome County Farm Bureau, in 

conjunction with Broome CCE, held 

their annual Farm 

Region 4 

Lindsay 

Wickham 

lwickham@nyfb.org 

Days at the Mall, 

at Oakdale Mall in 

Johnson City. Once 

again visitors came 

in droves to see 

the animals, farm 

equipment, tractors 

new and old, and the 

many booths representing 

all aspects 

of agriculture. Free 

ice cream and milk 

and cheese from 

the dairy princess 

program, as can be 

expected, continue 

to be a highlight. 

Their annual consignment auction continues 

to wow everyone. It is a two day 

affair and attracts thousands of sellers 

and buyers. The auction supports the 

county FB’s programs including their 

scholarships. Applications are now 

available for high school seniors and 

college students. Many thanks to all 

the volunteers for both events, and especially 

to the Manasse family for their 

partnership in the auction. Broome 

FB continues to support CCE’s efforts 

on their capital campaign to refurbish 

their facility, with another generous 

pledge. 

Chenango 

The first annual Chemung Valley Consignment Auction, to benefit the 5 county Farm Bureau’s that make up District 4, 

Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, Tompkins, and Steuben, was held with great success. Held centrally at the Chemung County Fairgrounds, 

over 500 numbers were given out. Plans are already underway for next year. 

Chenango County Farm Bureau held 

their annual Ag Day luncheon, this 

year titled “Ag-vocating for Agriculture”. 

This year’s event was highlighted


From the field 

by proclamations from the State Senate 

and Assembly, the Governor’s office, 

County government, and the city of Norwich; 

an award presented to Raymond 

James, the District 5 representative for 

the NYFB Ag Youth Scholarship, and 

a keynote address about using social 

media to promote your organization to 

the public and current members. The 

county FB also has been working with 

a 6th grade class from All Saints School 

to educate and promote the use of waste 

vegetable oil for energy through biodiesel 

production. The ultimate goal is to 

get households to stop dumping used 

oil down the drain, collect it, and recycle 

it into useable fuel. This not only 

makes sense for energy reasons, but 

would also help the environment and 

local municipality by removing it from 

the waste water system and ultimately 

save tens or hundreds of thousands of 

dollars in maintenance. Aldo be on the 

lookout for a memorial event for Giff 

Foster, who tragically died earlier in the 

year. It looks to be sometime around the 

Memorial Day weekend. 

Chemung 

Chemung County Farm Bureau has 

a multitude of things on their plate. 

They hosted the 1st annual Chemung 

Valley Consignment Auction to benefit 

the 5 counties of NYFB’s District 

4, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga 

and Tompkins. The auction was held 

at the Chemung County Fairgrounds 

and over 500 numbers were handed out. 

Many thanks to long-time FB member 

and auctioneer Howard Visscher and 

his crew for making it a huge success. 

Plans are already underway for next 

year. With the help of Marie Krenzer, 

NYFB’s unofficial historian, Chemung 

FB has been delving into their history 

in this their 100th anniversary. They 

continue to work on bringing a regional 

farm market to the fairgrounds. They 

are working with CCE and the county to 

make this happen. Along with Schuyler, 

Steuben, and Yates County FB’s, Chemung 

County FB, represented by President 

Ashur Terwilliger had a great 

one-on-one meeting with Congressman 

Tom Reed while he was in town during 

his Easter recess. As has been the case, 

Congressman Reed continues to work 

hard on behalf of the agriculture community 

and relies heavily on the leadership 

of Chemung FB in setting his ag 

policies. 

Schuyler 

Schuyler County Farm Bureau continues 

to outpace the rest of the state 

in membership success by over 14%. As 

noted above, they also were represented 

at the Congressman Reed’s meeting by 

Board member Barlow Rhodes. Schuyler 

is busy planning their upcoming 

events. After holding a board meeting 

at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, 

they are planning a volunteer day for 

members to lend a hand at the food 

bank. They will also be hosting their 

annual farm tours for Odessa-Montour 

6th graders and Watkins Glen 8th graders. 

These tours show off the diversity 

of the counties’ dairy farms and also 

focus in on the many careers involved 

in running a farm. Their now famous 

summer picnic is also in the planning 

stages and promises to be another great 

event for members. The event is tentatively 

set for August 14th. Stay tuned for 

further details on these events. 

Tioga 

Tioga County Farm Bureau has been 

very busy with a number of issues and 

events. They held their 2nd annual ag 

vehicle inspection and safety seminar. 

NYS Troopers Peck, Klock, and Hendershott 

put on a first rate program that really 

shows off the complexity of rules 

that farmers must deal with complying 

with transportation regulations and 

laws. Planning is already underway for 

next year’s version. Tioga FB was instrumental 

in finalizing the Town of 

Nichols Farmland Protection Plan, that 

will become the base for new plans to 

come across the state. Many members 

had a lot of input into the plan, including 

Kevin Engelbert, Pam Moore, 

Wendy Walsh, John King, Dale Weston, 

and John Lacey. Many thanks to all the 

farmers that joined us for coffee one 

morning when some issues popped up 

concerning its content and adoption. 

It was real grassroots in action. Plans 

are under way for their annual rural 

urban picnic, tentatively planned for 

July 19th. They are also working with 

the American Petroleum Institute to 

bring a summer festival to the county to 

promote safe and responsible gas drilling 

to the county and state and help out 

the regions economy, especially in lieu 

of the floods last year. 

LIFB fights drought 

and fire 

Long Island 

Updates are taking place on the Suffolk 

County Chapter 8 Farmland Preservation 

program. Farm Bureau and local 

officials are working to refine the program 

to make it more “farmer-friendly”. 

Farm Bureau is also working with 

the Wine Council to ensure wineries 

have the opportunity to conduct business 

while maintaining relations with 

local residents. 

Region 11 

Joe 

Gergela 

jgergela@lifb.com 

LI Farm Bureau 

leaders have selected 

two very deserving 

ladies to be honored 

this summer at 

the Annual Awards 

Gala set to take place 

at the Hyatt East 

End in Riverhead on 

Friday, July 27, 2012. 

Debbie Schmitt, of 

Phillip A. Schmitt & 

Sons Farms in Riverhead, 

was named 

Amherst Davis Memorial 

Farmer Citizen 

Award winner 

and Randi Shubin Dresner, CEO of Island 

Harvest, the largest Hunger Relief 

organization on Long Island, was named 

LI Farm Bureau Citizen of the Year. 

Both were selected as exceptional leaders 

in the agricultural industry. Tickets 

will go on sale soon. For more information, 

please contact 631.727.3777 or visit 

our website as details become available 

www.lifb.com 

Long Island has had a very mild winter 

with drought-like conditions the last 

few weeks. As a result, farms are struggling 

with early planted fields (some reported 

planting as early as the end of February 

for spring crops such as spinach) 

and have begun some serious irrigation. 

Early in April, the dry conditions created 

an ideal atmosphere (and a red alert) for 

fires in the area, and right on cue, a fire 

burned throughout the Manorville and 

western areas of Riverhead in what is 

considered the “Pine Barrens” of Long 

Island. This left a few homes, businesses 

and horse stables in ashes. Social media 

swept news across the internet about several 

dozen horses needing transport and 

shelter from the fire and many people 

from the community stepped in to assist. 

Horses found shelter in various horse 

farms across the East End. 

Plans are underway to hold the Second 

Annual Celebrate Grown on LI Day 

at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank 

on Friday, August 17, 2012. Celebrate 

Grown on LI Day hosts several dozen 

local farmers in the shape of a farmers 

market with food and wine tastings and 

fun for the kids. Last year’s event, which 

was put together in collaboration with 

several local ag-affiliated organizations 

to promote the East End’s abundant and 

diverse agricultural was a huge success 

with several hundred in attendance 

throughout the day. 

Members of the Jefferson County YF&R program take to the gridiron to promote 

North Country Agriculture and build positive relationships 

Play Ball, From Farm 

Field to Field Turf 

By John Wagner, 

Field Advisor, District 6 

How do you combat the winter blues? 

If you are a member of the Jefferson 

County YF&R program you tape your 

ankles, strap on your sneakers and 

paint some eye black on to get ready for 

some Wednesday night YMCA indoor 

football. After hearing about the formation 

of an indoor football league from a 

friend who plays indoor soccer at the 

Watertown YMCA, Adam Miner chair 

of the Jefferson County YF&R program 

thought, what a great way to get some 

physical activity and beat the winter 

time blues of the North Country. 

So, Adam started talking up the idea 

to other young farmers in the area and 

the talk soon became reality. The group 

recruited 25 people to play in the eleven 

team league that started in early February 

and finished up in mid April. 

The team sponsored by Poulin Grain, 

Country Belle Farms and the Jefferson 

County Farm Bureau was comprised of 

dairy farmers, an animal nutritionist, 

equipment salesman and agricultural 

farm employees. Another unique aspect 

of the team was the inclusion of 

a couple of members of the U.S. Army 

who are stationed at nearby Ft. Drum. 

When asked how the year went, 

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Adam replied, “It was definitely a learning 

year, there was a lot of growth in 

skill and ability from the beginning of 

the year until the end of the season.” 

Many of the players had very limited 

football playing experience having never 

played organized football. A couple 

of the players did play in college and 

a few in high school so this did help in 

preparing the team to be competitive in 

nature. Adam did remark that, “Our 

team did by far have the most passionate 

fan base of any team in the league 

and it really gave people in the community 

something to talk about each 

week.” 

When asked if he thought the nonfarm 

competitors the team played 

against gained anything from the experience 

that would give them a better 

understanding about agriculture, 

Adam replied, “There really wasn’t a 

ton of time for conversation during the 

games but I truly think the other teams 

enjoyed playing against us because our 

team exhibited a great sense of sportsmanship 

and really just tried to have a 

lot of fun with the whole experience.” 

Adam believes that they will be back 

again next year because it was a great 

way to build relationships not only 

among the team members but also with 

the people of the community that supported 

their efforts. 


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News briefs 

NYFB, Clear Value 

partner to fight 

hearing loss 

With the spring season in full force, 

May is “Better Hearing Month” and 

a time when ClearValue Hearing and 

hearing professionals try extra hard 

to get the word out about the consequences 

of untreated hearing loss and 

the negative impact hearing loss has 

on individuals’ lives. Raising the general 

public’s knowledge relating to all 

aspects of hearing during the month 

of May has been occurring for over 75 

years. Currently, 36 million Americans 

suffer from hearing loss with over 40% 

being under the age of 65 years old. 

If one stops and thinks about the 

people they care about, almost everyone 

has at least one person in their life 

who suffers from hearing loss to some 

degree. Does having to repeat what you 

said and hearing “what?” ring a bell to 

anyone? Only about 20% of people with 

hearing loss have sought treatment, and 

the financial impact of untreated hearing 

loss is estimated as high as $26 billion 

dollars annually. More importantly, 

hearing and being able to effectively 

communicate with loved ones is a quality 

of life issue. The inability to hear 

and understand others causes people to 

decrease or eliminate some activities in 

their life that were once enjoyed. Parties, 

family gatherings, and dinners out 

are just a few examples where untreated 

hearing loss can make for an undesirable 

experience. As a Farm Bureau 

member, hearing loss is not something 

that must be tolerated or put up with. 

Farm Bureau, partnered with Clear- 

Value Hearing, provides its members 

with a 25% discount on hearing aids 

when comparing the actual cost of 

hearing aids instead of the inflated suggested 

retail price. Reducing the cost of 

hearing aids helps eliminate the number 

one barrier to hearing loss treatment. 

This is the fundamental goal of 

ClearValue Hearing Healthcare Program 

and its founder Dr. Kent L. Webb. 

Past stereotypes of those who wear 

hearing aids and the benefit from hearing 

aids need to be reconsidered since 

almost 75% of hearing aid users are satisfied 

patients. Don’t let past hearing 

aid technology and stereotypes keep 

you from seeking help for your hearing 

difficulties from your local ClearValue 

Hearing Provider. 

Merger Creates 

Hudson Solar 

Two New York-based leading solar 

companies, Adirondack Solar and Hudson 

Valley Clean Energy have merged 

today and created Hudson Solar, the 

company’s new brand for its Capital 

Region and Hudson Valley customers, 

additionally expanding its service area 

into Western Massachusetts, Western 

Connecticut and Southern Vermont. 

The combined companies have 

installed more than 1,000 systems 

throughout the state of New York. Hudson 

Solar will continue as a full-service 

solar electric provider specializing in 

the development, design, installation 

and servicing of these renewable energy 

systems. Hudson Solar serves the 

residential and commercial markets as 

well as non-profit and government installations. 

“This merger continues our excellent 

service under one brand geared 

toward revolutionizing the solar industry. 

We are dedicated to providing the 

most affordable and technologically advanced 

systems to our homeowners and 

local businesses,” said John Wright, 

vice president of Hudson Solar. “As 

solar continues to make its way mainstream, 

we believe this new merger will 

allow us to break into new markets. 

The two companies have been growing 

Maple royalty performs ceremonial untapping 

Assemblyman Bill Magee, Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair, and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, Ranking 

Minority Member on the Agriculture Committee, take part in an unusual ceremony at the traditional Vernon 

Verona Sherril FFA’s Maple Weekend. The maple “royalty” as represented by the NYS Maple Queen, and the 

Assemblymembers “untapped” a tree this year, marking the end (and not the beginning as is traditional) of the 

maple season. 

steadily for several years while actively 

creating new jobs and opportunities for 

local professionals & businesses.” 

Additionally, Hudson Solar will be 

the premiere distributor of the Sun- 

Power Lease solution that allows residential 

homeowners the ability to install 

a solar system with no up-front 

costs. The program provides homeowners 

with the flexibility of partial or full 

repayment plans, tailored monthly payments 

as well as the option to purchase 

and own the system. This allows homeowners 

to stay at their current utility 

costs or below, locking in their rate for 

the next 20 years. 

“As America’s oldest winery, we understand 

the importance of preserving 

our natural resources and that’s why we 

chose to install a solar electric system 

with Hudson solar,” said Hernan Donoso, 

president of Brotherhood Winery. 

“We’ve already generated 38 percent 

of our electrical usage in the past year 

alone and only expect to further benefit 

from this investment.” 

The companies behind the merger 

recently were awarded major industry 

accolades. In February, the New York 

State Energy Research and Development 

Authority’s (NYSERDA) “Excellence 

in Quality” award in the PV 

program went to Hudson Valley Clean 

Energy for achieving the highest overall 

Quality Assurance inspection score. 

The Hudson Solar headquarters is also 

the first and only zero-net energy, carbon-free 

commercial building in New 

York State and the entire Northeast. 

NYFB Unites on 

Hunt’s Point” 

New York Farm Bureau has long 

supported capital investment in the 

transportation infrastructure at Hunt’s 

Point terminal market. Now, a new effort 

is afoot to secure $100 million in 

funding from the Federal government. 

When combined with existing commitments 

totaling $137 million from the 

City and state of New York and $160 million 

from the Produce Market Cooperative, 

enough money would finally be in 

place to begin work on this long awaited 

modernization project. 

Working with Governor Cuomo’s 

Washington Office, New York Farm Bureau 

assisted in getting all of the members 

of the upstate Congressional delegation 

to sign on to a letter with their 

downstate colleagues in support of the 

Hunt’s Point grant application. In part 

the letter reads “USDOT’s TIGER grant 

is a “last mile” investment to a piece 

of the larger project to modernize the 

market’s transportation infrastructure 

and warehouse facilities for greater efficiency, 

food safety and environmental 

sustainability.” 

New York Farm Bureau also sent 

an additional letter in support of the 

project from President Norton that 

stressed the importance of the project 

to our farmers and to the many consumers 

who use Hunt’s point. While a decision 

on the Hunt’s Point grant application 

isn’t expected for several months, 

the bi-partisan support of Governor 

Cuomo and the entire New York Congressional 

delegation put all of New 

York’s weight behind the proposal for 

the first time. 

Senate Maj. speaks 

up for small bus. 

The concept of raising the state’s 

minimum wage is shaping up to be one 

of the biggest discussion issues in Albany, 

as legislators have finished their 

work on the state budget and are now 

turning to legislation. NYFB opposes 

increasing the minimum wage. The last 

time the state increased the minimum 

wage was in 2007, in advance of the 

federal minimum wage rate increase. 

Advocates of increasing the minimum 

wage argue that it lifts families out of 

poverty, and will help jump start the 

economy. Opponents of increasing the 

wage rate point to the fact that poverty 

rates have not gone down since the last 

state minimum wage rate increase, and 

youth employment has actually become 

a matter of strong concern to policymakers. 

Senator Dean Skelos (R-Nassau), 

Majority Leader in the State Senate, recently 

wrote a letter to Senate Minority 

Leader John Sampson, who announced 

a forum on the minimum wage in Albany, 

arguing that a minimum wage 

increase would only hurt the economy, 

and particularly small businesses. 

Skelos said, “Senate Republicans, working 

with Governor Cuomo, are finally 

making progress undoing the damage 

caused to businesses in New York State 

and attracting new businesses and 

jobs…”. “We have our state headed in 

a new, positive direction and we must 

continue our efforts to strengthen the 

economy an d create jobs,” said Skelos. 

Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon 

Silver (D-Manhattan) has also announced 

hearings on increasing the 

state minimum wage, with locations 

scheduled for Buffalo, Syracuse, and 

New York City. NYFB encourages members 

to e-lobby on this topic, at www. 

nyfb.org, or attend a hearing and express 

your concerns. 

Rivera named new 

Labor Commissioner 

Governor Cuomo announced another 

high level staff appointment 

this month, naming Assemblyman Peter 

Rivera from the Bronx as the next 

Department of Labor Commissioner. 

Mr. Rivera, a former police officer and 

practicing attorney, has been an Assemblymember 

since 1992. Originally 

from Puerto Rico, he has also chaired 

the Assembly’s Black, Puerto Rican and 

Hispanic Caucus, and during his Chairmanship 

was instrumental in pulling 

together several discussions about immigration 

that included the farm community. 

Mr. Rivera’s committee assignments 

include a long history serving on the 

Assembly Agriculture Committee. 

During that time, he has made it a point 

to understand agricultural issues from 

a farm perspective, and has always been 

committed to finding ways to increase 

the marketing of New York grown products 

to his district. Mr. Rivera worked 

on establishing connections between 

upstate farmers and downstate consumers, 

putting NYFB in touch with community 

groups in the Bronx that sought 

the re-development of the Hunts Point 

Terminal Marketplace, a shared goal. 

Board analyzes 

FB organization 

NYFB’s Board of Directors’ spent 

some time at a recent meeting in Albany 

participating in the American Farm 

Bureau Federation’s centennial de-


News briefs 

velopment project. This project, mentioned 

by President Stallman during 

his remarks at the NYFB Annual meeting, 

is designed to provide a thoughtful 

and thorough review by members, volunteer 

leaders, and staff of the Farm 

Bureau system. 

Why spend time in analysis? President 

Stallman said it best when he 

talked about the need to make sure that 

Farm Bureau remains an effective organization 

as we look towards the future 

of another 100 years of Farm Bureau. 

The strength of the organization is the 

grassroots, farmer based membership 

at the county, state and federal levels. 

While the centennial project is geared 

towards a strategic review of the national 

organization, the questions 

asked are pertinent for all levels of the 

Farm Bureau system. 

The NYFB Board spent time identifying 

both potential opportunities and 

potential threats to the national organization 

as we look into the future. One 

of the biggest opportunities identified 

by NYFB Board members was the local 

agriculture movement – how does the 

national organization truly tap into the 

groundswell of support for local farmers 

to create a synergy between necessary 

farm policies and the masses of 

consumers who eat. Similarly, one of 

the biggest threats is how to address the 

growing usage of social media and the 

disconnect that consumers and sometimes 

farmers can feel towards the national 

Farm Bureau organization. 

The NYFB Board comments will be 

submitted to the AFBF Board, on which 

NYFB President Dean Norton serves. 

President Norton said “At its heart 

Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization, 

and providing our input to AFBF 

on the future of our movement really 

drives that point home. I look forward 

to working on this project with my fellow 

AFBF board members and setting 

the correct course for our future.” 

AFBF regards the centennial project 

as an important, grassroots based process 

to gather the information needed 

to prepare the organization to meet 

member needs for the next 100 years. 

The NYFB Board’s review was the first 

step in a grassroots process, and additional 

feedback will be solicited prior to 

AFBF’s conclusions. 

Working to advance 

silvopasturing 

NYFB and Cornell forestry, agriculture 

and natural resource experts 

met with Assembly staff to discuss 

and receive feedback on inclusion of 

silvopasturing in the agricultural assessment 

program which requires the 

State Legislature’s approval. This symbiotic 

practice of foraging livestock in 

actively managed wooded areas retains 

the environmental services of forested 

land while providing better quality forage 

and more comfortable, shaded living 

space for livestock. Senator Patricia 

Ritchie and Assemblyman William Magee 

both sponsor legislation to include 

silvopasturing as an eligible practice 

for ag assessment purposes. After bill 

language revisions are made, NYFB 

will be working to have this legislation 

brought before the full Assembly and 

Senate for consideration and passage 

this year. 

Slaughter Connects 

H2A Growers,DOL 

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter 

provided another opportunity for 

Western New York fruit and vegetable 

growers to talk with officials at the U.S. 

Department of Labor who have being 

working to address several problems 

with the H2A temporary agricultural 

worker program. The Congresswoman 

also connected growers and DOL last 

year through a conference call when 

several farms were experiencing problems. 

In the time between these calls, 

Slaughter has been pushing DOL to 

make strides in addressing farmer concerns. 

“Today I was happy to make sure 

growers from across Upstate New York 

could hear directly from the federal officials 

working to remove the red tape 

from a process that has plagued the upstate 

agriculture industry for years. I’m 

so pleased that the Department of Labor 

is working with and listening to our 

local growers to improve access to the 

labor they need this harvest season,” 

said Slaughter. 

“Farmers have struggled for years 

with the senseless red tape and uneven 

application of the H2A Program,” said 

Dean Norton, President of New York 

Farm Bureau. “It’s time that officials at 

the Department of Labor recognize that 

they need to work with us to streamline 

the H2A process-because we either 

import labor or we import food, it’s 

that simple. I thank Congresswoman 

Slaughter for her support in continuing 

to facilitate a productive dialogue with 

Federal officials and I look forward to 

working with her to address the inadequacies 

of the H2A process once and 

for all.” 

The Department of Labor is currently 

developing a web-based filing system 

for H2A that should be ready this fall. 

DOL has worked to provide more guidance 

to growers and released in December 

an Employer Handbook for those filing 

an H2A application for next season. 

That resource can be found at http:// 

www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/ 

H-2A_Employer_Handbook.pdf 

DOL has also created an ombudsman’s 

office to assist growers struggling 

with H2A applications. This office can 

be contacted directly by emailing H2A. 

Ombudsman@dol.gov. Growers can expect 

a response within 24 to 48 hours. 

Sorbello named to 

Farmnet board 

John Sorbello, NYFB‘s Director for 

District 2 was recently named to the 

Board of NY FarmNet by President 

Norton. Sorbello succeeds Jonathan 

Taylor who just completed a four year 

term. 

FarmNet provides vital services to 

farmers in a variety of areas including 

financial and business planning and 

personal well-being. FarmNet’s programs 

were particularly valuable over 

the past year as farm families worked 

to recover from the devastation of Hurricane 

Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. 

Because of the importance placed on 

these programs, New York Farm Bureau 

worked hard and succeeded in 

getting an increase in State funding 

for FarmNet in the recent state budget 

from $384,000 to $484,000. 

Sorbello begins his four year term 

immediately, and as a member of the 

NY FarmNet Board, he will be responsible 

for providing input on behalf of 

the nearly 30,000 members of New York 

Farm Bureau. We all wish John the best 

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Farmers Benefit from Rollover Protection Program 

By Matt Nelligan 


Since 2006, the New York State budget 

has provided critical funding to 

support the Rollover Protective Structures 

(ROPS) safety program for farm 

tractors. Through the grassroots efforts 

of Farm Bureau members and other 

agricultural advocates, $100,000 that 

had been cut from the program was restored 

in the 2012-2013 State budget approved 

last week. For farmers in Schoharie 

and Greene counties and across 

New York State, this program has made 

an enormous difference. 

Installing roll over protection bars 

on a tractor can be expensive, but the 

cost of not doing so is much higher. The 

northeast has the highest rate of deaths 

from tractor rollovers, and installing 

state of the art rollover bars used in 

combination with a seat belt can prevent 

99% of these tragic occurrences. 

With farms struggling to just get by, 

installing ROPS equipment isn’t often 

first on the to-do list. 

That’s where the New York Center 

for Agriculture Medicine and Health 

(NYCAMH) and local County Farm Bureaus 

come in. NYCAMH provides 70% 

of the funding to install roll over protection 

through the State’s ROPS program 

and the Schoharie and Greene County 

Farm Bureau’s pitched in the rest. The 

result couldn’t have been better for local 

Dairy Farmers Gary and John Schultz 

from Schoharie County and Bill and 

Harry Albright of Greene County. 

“I would never have been able to afford 

to install this rollover bar, without 

help from the ROPS program and 

Greene County Farm Bureau,” said 

Harry Albright of Albright Dairy in 

Earlton. “It’s hard to keep a small dairy 

farm like this going, and I certainly appreciate 

the fact that programs like this 

are making an effort to help the little 

Funding provided by NYCAMH and Greene County Farm Bureau, helped Harry Albright install ROPS protection on his tractor. 

Pictured left to right are Bambi Baehrel, NYFB Field Advisor, Bill Albright and Harry Albright of Albright Dairy Farm, Erin 

Madden and Barbara Bayes of NYCAMH 

guy.” 

In addition to the cost of installing 

tractor rollover protections, another 

challenge is getting the word out to 

farmers that assistance is available. 

“To be honest, I had no idea that this 

program existed until I heard about it 

from my county Farm Bureau,” said 

Gary Schultz of Schultz Brothers Farm 

in Schoharie. “I would encourage my fellow 

farmers to put in their application to 

NYCAMH right away, so that they don’t 

miss out on a great opportunity.” 

Rollover bar installations for Schultz 

and Albright had a price tag of close to 

$1000. So the benefits provided by ROPS 

and local County Farm Bureau’s are 

really making a difference. Since 2006 

more than 1000 tractors have been retrofitted. 

Farmers interested in applying 

for ROPS funding should go to www. 

ropsr4u.com or contact the ROPS hotline 

at (877) 767-7748. 

Young Farmer & Rancher Award Programs 

By Patti Dugan 

pdugan@nyfb.org 

The New York Farm Bureau State 

Young Farmer & Rancher Committee 

is excited to announce the 2012 Young 

Farmer & Rancher Award Programs - 

Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture 

Award and the Discussion Meet. 

All Young Farmers, 18-35 years of age as 

of 1/31/13 are encouraged to participate 

in these events to compete for recognition 

& prizes. The winners of the New 

York State contests will represent NY at 

the national contests which will be held 

in Nashville, TN in January 2013. 

The Achievement Award recognizes 

young farmers for their farming pursuits 

and participation/ leadership 

within agriculture and their own community. 

The ideal candidate(s) for the 

Achievement Award is an individual 

or married couple involved in production 

agriculture with a majority of 

their income subject to normal production 

risks. The judging of this award 

is based on: farm operation and growth 

(70 points), financial progress of operation 

(60 points), Farm Bureau leadership 

(40 points) and other leadership involvement 

(30 points). Applicants complete 

a written application which is judged to 

select the top 3 finalists who then complete 

a more detailed application and 

participate in an interview. Kubota 

Tractor Corporation has agreed to donate 

use of a Kubota M Series Utility 

Tractor (44 – 98 horse power) with loader 

(if desired) (250 hours or be returned by 

Dec. 15 of award year whichever occurs 

first) again this year for the NYFB winner 

of the Achievement Award. 

The Excellence in Agriculture Award 

is designed as an opportunity for young 

farmers to earn recognition while actively 

contributing and growing through 

their involvement in Farm Bureau and 

agriculture. The ideal candidate(s) for 

the Excellence for Agriculture Award 

is an individual or married couple who 

do not have the majority of their income 

subject to normal production risk. Applicants 

must have derived a majority 

of their income from a non-production 

agribusiness enterprise for the past 

three years. For example ag teacher, 

fertilizer salesperson, ag marketing, ag 

writer, farm employee (non-owner). Applicants 

complete a written application 

which is judged to select the top three 

finalists who will give a presentation of 

their application. Participants’ written 

application will be judged on: answers to 

application questions II-IV (30%), Farm 

Bureau experience (25%), Other Leadership 

Experience, Awards and Recognition 

(35%) and overall application form 

(10%). The presentation is judged: overall 

presentation (50%), Personal Growth 

& Development (25%) and Leadership 

Involvement (25%). The total score is 

based on the application (66.7%) and 

the presentation (33.3%). Stihl Outdoor 

Power Equipment will donate a chain 

saw for the NYFB winner of the Excellence 

in Agriculture Award. 

Up to three finalists, singles or married 

couples, will be selected for both the 

Achievement Award and Excellence in 

Agriculture Award. The finalists will 

compete Wednesday October 24 in the 

Central NY area for the opportunity to 

be named the NYFB 2012 Award Winner. 

The application deadline for the 

Achievement Award and the Excellence 

in Agriculture Award is June 15, 2012. 

Contact NYFB at 1-800-342-4143 or visit 

www.nyfb.org for an application. 

The Discussion Meet is a contest involving 

four to six participants, a moderator 

and relevant, controversial issues 

affecting agriculture. It is an exercise in 

cooperative problem solving. 

This contest is designed to simulate 

a committee meeting where discussion 

and active participation are expected 

from each committee member. The 

participants are scored on their effectiveness 

in bringing out all information 

the group has on the specific issue and 

how they work cooperatively to develop 

possible solutions. The 2012 Discussion 

Meet Round Robin contest will be held 

Wednesday October 24 in the Central NY 

area. The top 4 contestants will compete 

in the Finals Contest held at the State 

Annual Meeting in December. Grainger 

will donate a prize for the NYFB winner 

of the Discussion Meet Contest. 

On the national level, the winners 

of the New York contests will be able to 

compete for awards and prizes. The national 

winners will be determined during 

AFBF’s 94th annual convention in 

Nashville, TN January 13-16, 2013. All 

national contestants in these programs 

will receive an inscribed plaque. 

Application information is available 

on the NYFB website: www.nyfb.org or 

to obtain a copy of the application by 

email, send your request to: pdugan@ 

nyfb.org. For more information on the 

NYFB Young Farmer and Rancher program 

and awards contact: Patti Dugan, 

Deputy Director of Member Relations at 

1-800-342-4143. 

YNN from Binghamton interviews Cortland County Farm Bureau President 

Paul Fouts following a press conference that highlighted the importance 

of following proper safety procedures in relation to agricultural vehicles. 

Cortland County Farm Bureau teamed up with The Cortland County Sheriff’s 

Department, the County Legislature , Cornell Cooperative Extension and 

Nationwide insurance on this innovative program.


New York FFA Raises $16,500 in 

Tractor Restoration Program 

By Todd Lighthall, 

Executive Director 

Syracuse NY- March 15, 2012- On 

Friday February 24, the New York FFA 

drew a winning ticket for a fully restored 

1946 Ford 2N Tractor. The winner 

of the tractor was Kerry Bell of 

Fort Ann, NY. The FFA raised $16,500 

to support agricultural education and 

state level FFA leadership programs. . 

The 1946 Ford 2N was donated to 

the New York FFA by retired agricultural 

teacher Bob Robinson. The tractor 

was originally purchased by Bob’s 

father, Don Robinson who was also an 

agricultural teacher. The tractor was 

fully restored by members of the Pioneer 

FFA Chapter in Yorkshire, NY and 

then turned over to the New York FFA. 

Ticket sales were kicked off at the Empire 

Farm Days and concluded during 

the FFA Alumni Toy Auction held during 

the New York Farm Show on Friday 

February 24. Tickets were sold across 

the state by members of the New York 

FFA and countless supporters. 

The Ford 2N is the fifth such restoration 

and raffle conducted by the FFA 

since 2003. Former restorations have 

included two Ford 8N’s, an Allis Chalmers 

WD, and John Deer BR. With the 

conclusion of the Ford 2N raffle, just 

shy of $75,000 has been raised to support 

the New York FFA. Todd Lighthall, 

Exec Dir of the NY FFA Foundation 

shares that the value of this program is 

much greater than the monetary benefit. 

“The tractor restoration program not 

only provides an opportunity to raise 

much needed funds, it also provides a 

meaningful project to students enrolled 

in high school agricultural mechanics. 

Students, guided by their advisors 

Tim and Kerry Bell, with their 14 yr old son. According to the Bells he has 

claimed the tractor as his own. 

and community volunteers do the work; 

from tear down, to parts research, to seeing 

the project through to completion. It 

is truly a win/win for all involved.” 

And the project has a future. Currently 

the FFA has three tractors being 

restored for future raffles. These 

include an Allis Chalmers by Southern 

Cayuga FFA, an American Fordson by 

Morrisville State College, and a Ford 

Ferguson by the Tully FFA. All eight 

tractors have been donated to the FFA. 

The next raffle is slated to kick off at 

the Empire Farm Days this summer. If 

you have a tractor that you want to contribute 

to this program, contact Todd 

Lighthall at 315-346-1222. 

The New York FFA would like to 

recognize the following businesses and 

individuals who went the extra mile to 

promote and implement this event. Bob 

Robinson and Family, the Pioneer FFA 

Chapter, Jon Clayson, Marty Krause, 

Marylou Genaway, Larry Romance & 

Sons, Conroy Motors, Tim Havens - 

Falls Farm & Garden and the New York 

Farm Bureau and its many members 

who supported this raffle. 

Meet the new 

Committee 

Representative 

District 6, which includes Herkimer, Jefferson, 

Lewis, Oneida, and Oswego County, 

now has the voice of Audrey Donahoe on 

the NYFB State Promotion & Education 

Committee. Audrey and her husband, Jeff, 

own and operate Atrass Farm in Frankfort, 

Herkimer County, which includes 200 head 

of Registered Holsteins and Registered 

Brown Swiss. Atrass Farm crops about 400 

acres, raising the feed for their herd. 

Audrey has been active on a County 

level for a number of years. She and her 

husband have six children; Arnold (age 

24), Thomas (age 22), Rick (age 20), Allison 

(age 15), Samuel (age 11), and Seth (age10). 

Audrey is a fifth generation dairy farmer 

(all from Herkimer County) and her family 

is pleased that one of their sons will be 

continuing on the farm when he finishes 

college in the spring of 2012. 

A busy life on the farm has also included 

a good deal of involvement within the 

community and the dairy industry. She 

serves as Director and County Promotion 

& Education Chair for the Herkimer County 

Farm Bureau. Other Organization involvement 

includes the ADADC, Inc. Board 

of Directors from 2001 to present; UDIA director/Herkimer 

County Dairy; recipient 

of the Silver Cow Promotion Award; service 

on the National Dairy Board (2 terms 

2001-2008), and Herkimer County Cooperative 

Extension Board of Director. 

Audrey’s enthusiasm and expertise 

will certainly complement the Promotion 

& Education Committee. She feels that 

Farm Bureau is a diversified organization 

that suits so many of our needs in the agriculture 

industry. After attending a training 

session for Food, Land, and People, she 

has added another opportunity to her repertoire 

of promotion and education tools. 

We officially welcome Audrey and look 

forward to working with her. 

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Dave Rudd started installing 

these wind turbines on his 

dairy farm in Oswego County 

in 2004, and since then has 

seen savings of between 30- 

40% on his utility bills 

Congresswoman Kathy 

Hochul visits “Worm Power” 

in Avon, Livingston County. 

The company uses manure 

from from Coynes Dairy Farm 

to make the worm compost. 

Tom Herlihy is pictured with 

Congresswoman Hochul 

Frank Beyrodt, President of Long Island Farm Bureau shares his thoughts on 

federal agriculture policy with Congressman Tim Bishop at a meeting held recently 

in LIFB’s offices in Riverhead. 

Farmers from all over eastern New York came together with Congressman Bill Owens 

and New York Farm Bureau to express their opposition to USDOL’s proposed youth 

labor restrictions at a press conference in Albany on April 12. Pictured left to right are 

Cathy Hanehan of Turning Point Dairy Farm, Beth Chittenden of Dutch Hollow Farm, 

Erik Leerkes, President of Essex County Farm Bureau, Congressman Bill Owens, NYFB 

Director of Public Policy Julie Suarez and Linda Fix of Fix Brothers Fruit Farm. 

Doug Corwin of Crescent Duck Farm on long 

Island looks over equipment powered by his 

anaerobic digester that produces the equivalent 

output of a 200 horsepower engine. 

NYFB Associate Director for National Affairs, 

Kelly Young discusses Farm Bureau’s priorities 

for the 2012 farm bill at a forum hosted by 

Congressman Richard Hanna (pictured to the 

left of the podium) 

NYFB’s Foundation for Agricultural Education Recently held It’s annual fundraising feast at the New York Wine and 

Culinary Center in Canandaigua, Ontario County.


Education, Awareness and Advocacy 

Nationwide insurance was well represented at the Feast, and joined with NYFB 

President Dean Norton and Executive Director Jeff Kirby to support the great work of 

NYFB’s Foundation for Agricultural Education. 

Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville NY, in photo above left, installed this 

75KW solar array on the roof of its production facility last year, and is already realizing 

the benefits both in terms of a lower energy bill and customer interest. 

NYFB President Dean Norton holds up a battery powered flashlight at the 

organizations western New York press event highlighting the absurdity of USDOL’s new 

proposed farm youth labor restrictions. The event was held at Brown’s Berry Patch in 

Orleans County. Pictured also is Eric Brown, owner of Browns and Paige Levandowski, 

Vice President of Albion High School FFA. 

Local Farm Bureau leaders met with 

Congressman Reed over Easter recess. Issues 

discussed included Farm Bill, Youth Labor, 

Chesapeake Bay, Trade, EPA and Clean Water Act, 

gas drilling, 

State Senator Patrick Gallivan points to a chart that demonstrates the negative impact of New York’s Scaffold 

law on the cost of insurance. Gallivan sponsors a bill to reform the law, along with Assemblyman Morelle 

Assembly Agriculture Chair Bill Magee 

presides at a recent meeting of the committee. 

Commissioner of Agriculture, Darrel Aubertine 

addressed the committee to provide updates from 

the Department. Assemblyman Peter Rivera who 

was recently tapped by Governor Cuomo to be the 

next Commissioner of Labor listens on the left. 

NYFB Manager of Public Affairs, Matt 

Nelligan, above, offers Farm Bureau’s 

perspective on the scaffold law while 

Senator Patrick Gallivan (behind right) 

and Mike Elmendorf, President and CEO 

of the Associated General Contractors 

look on. 

Wayne and Onondaga County Farm Bureau members visited Congresswoman Buerkle’s office. The members pictured are 

from left to right standing: Gary Orbaker, Andy Reeves, Phil Wagner, Congresswoman Buerkle, Kay Hilsberg, Mike Marshfield, 

Harvey Skeele, Duane Crandon, Larry Fleckenstein. Seated are Nancy Wolf, Skip Jensen (NYFB Field Advisor), and Lindsey 

Gertenslager.


Lonny & Lizz Schaefer are New Members 

of the State Young Farmer Committee 

By Patti Dugan 

pdugan@nyfn.com 

In December 2011, Lonny & Lizz 

Schaefer were appointed to be the 

young farmer representatives on the 

NYFB State Young Farmer Committee 

representing District 9 (Delaware, 

Greene, Otsego, Schoharie & Sullivan 

counties). The Schaefer’s reside in the 

town of Deposit which is in Delaware 

County. Lonny & Lizz are expecting 

their first child in May. 

Lonny began his own beef herd at 

the age of 14, independently from his 

family’s dairy. He founded Catskill Cattle 

Company in 2006 when he moved his 

operation to its current location and 

began growing produce in addition to 

beef. Lonny graduated from Cornell 

University in 2007 with a degree in Applied 

Economics and Management. 

Lizz grew up in a military family, living 

all over the country, and graduated 

from Dartmouth College in 2008 with a 

degree in Classical Studies. 

Lonny and Lizz Schaefer have been 

farming together since they met in 2010 

on their beef/cow-calf and produce operation. 

They currently work together 

full-time on their 300 acre farm, raising 

their predominantly Simmental commercial 

beef herd and growing natural 

produce. Their future goals include 

drying and processing their own grain 

and buying/marketing local feeder 

calves out of their own bulls. They plan 

to expand both their beef herd and acreage 

of vegetable in the years to come. 

Lonny & Lizz are chairs of the Delaware 

County Farm Bureau Young 

Lonny & Lizz Schaefer on their farm 

Farmer Committee. The Schaefer’s 

were the 2011 NYFB Young Farmer & 

Rancher Achievement Award winners. 

They are very active in various beef 

cattle associations and are currently 

creating a local livestock productionbased 

4-H club in Deposit. 

According to the Schaefer’s, Farm Bureau 

is important because “Farm Bureau 

gives farmers a voice. As we diminish 

in numbers it is important for us to find 

strength in the unity of a professional organization 

such as Farm Bureau. Farm 

Bureau gives us the opportunity to protect 

our future and the future of our children.” 

New York Farm Bureau welcomes 

Lonny & Lizz to the State Young Farmer 

Committee! 

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sprkop@NYFB.com 

Garth and Chip Elms work the parking lot during a recent “agritainment” event held at Elms farm 

Agritainment entrepreneur 

makes “40 Under 40” list 



Each year, the Capital District Business 

Review picks 40 individuals in 

a variety of fields to honor as up and 

coming leaders under the age of 40. 

This year, Farm Bureau member Garth 

Ellms was one of the chosen few. 

Garth and his family have owned 

Ellms Farm in Charlton, Saratoga 

County since 1983. They planted their 

first Christmas trees in 1984 to meet a 

growing demand from customers to 

choose and cut their own tree. In 2000 

the Ellms family purchased land from 

a neighboring dairy farmer to increase 

the size of their farm to more than 200 

acres. In 2005 they began to operate in 

the fall as well as the winter offering 

Sound Bites 



hay rides, a corn maize and pumpkin 

u-pick. 

Starting in 2010, Garth began a series 

of “agritainment’ events at the 

Ellms farm. These included Saratoga 

Brewfest, which drew thousands to the 

farm to sample craft beers from across 

the area. “We started the festivals as a 

different way to market our farm, in 

hopes that people would return in the 

fall to get a pumpkin or in the winter 

for a Christmas tree” Elms explained. 

“It worked out great as we saw a large 

jump in business that first year.” 

The size and scope of Garth’s entertainment 

enterprise has grown so much 

since 2010, that they were relocated off 

the farm to the Saratoga County Fairgrounds 

to accommodate a growing 

audience. Nonetheless, Ellms’ thoughts 

Recently, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, and 

the State Catholic Conference, declared 

support for a new effort to pass the farm 

labor bill that was defeated in 2010. As a 

practicing Catholic and an agricultural 

advocate, I felt compelled to respond. 

It’s important that my fellow Catholics 

understand how farm employees 

are protected in this state, because in 

the absence of the facts it is easy to believe 

that there are no laws in place. 

The federal Migrant & Seasonal Agricultural 

Worker Protection Act covers 

such standards as housing (most 

seasonal farm jobs come with free 

housing) and disclosure of all of the 

work conditions on the farm. The Agricultural 

Fair Labor Standards Act 

sets the basis for a minimum wage for 

farm employees, and the Worker Protection 

Standards regulation by the 

Environmental Protection Agency requires 

farm employers to provide personal 

protective equipment and abide 

by other protective measures. The Occupational 

Safety & Health Administration 

requires the provision of drinking 

water in the fields and other sanitation 

measures important for both employee 

health and food safety. 

New York State is one of only 25 

states that require farms to carry workers’ 

compensation insurance for employees 

along with having an additional 

layer of protection in the form of a 

Farm Worker Housing Sanitary Code 

that ensures that seasonal housing is 

clean and in good condition. 

While the perception raised by the 

farm labor bill is that farm employees 

have no labor protections, the converse 

is actually true. 

Let me be clear: No one is more invested 

in the health, safety and happiness of 

farm workers than farmers. As Catholics 

our faith teaches all of us, that God created 

the world with all of its beauty and 

its challenges. As such, farmers, have to 

harvest produce when the weather and 

the conditions allow. The natural order, 

dictated by a loving and all powerful 

God, doesn’t allow for strikes, it doesn’t 

allow for work stoppages, and it doesn’t 

allow for food to stay fresh forever. 

The Catholic Conference’s 2012 Legislative 

Agenda, includes an interesting 

document entitled “Meeting the Needs 

of Rural New Yorkers.” It reads in part: 

“New York’s agriculture industry has 

a long and proud tradition of helping 

to feed the nation. However, local taxes, 

utility costs and stagnant prices for commodities 

have resulted in the loss of 

many small farms. New York’s surviving 

farms and farm families require special 

attention from the legislature.” 

Truer words were never spoken. New 

York currently has 36,000 farms−300 

less than the previous year and thousands 

less than just twenty years ago. 

Farmers do need help and special attention, 

what they don’t need is a new and 

never wander far from his roots on the 

farm. He’s interested in the discussions 

in Albany about a farm brewery license 

since he sees great opportunities for 

his family farm to grow more hops and 

brew and sell their own beer. 

“We started growing a small amount 

of hops last year,” Ellms said. “If there 

was an opportunity for us to capitalize 

on the new farm brewery license 

in order to grow our business through 

greater hops production and specialty 

brewing, we would be very interested.” 

Ellms currently works on the family 

farm and runs his own promotions 

business called Saratoga Festivals. To 

find out more about the Ellms Farm go 

to www.ellmsfarms.com and to learn 

more about Garth’s festival projects 

visit www.saratogafestivals.com 

“The hardworking farmer ought to have the 

first share of the crop” Timothy 2:6 

unnecessary farm worker mandate that 

would cost tens of millions of dollars. 

According to a University of New 

Hampshire study, residents of rural 

areas are more likely to attend church 

weekly, than those living anywhere 

else. The Association of Religion Data 

Archives lists the most Catholic counties 

in the country. Several New York 

Counties are in the top 100, but I was 

interested to see, that Clinton, Erie and 

Franklin Counties were among them. 

Combined these counties host about 

2500 farms and form the backbone of 

the Roman Catholic Church. 

Supporting farmers strengthens the 

church while at the same time keeping 

food prices low for people in need, 

and providing job opportunities that 

strengthen our efforts to achieve economic 

justice. Please stand with your 

rural flock, and stop advocating for policies 

that will harm farm families and eat 

away at the fabric of rural communities. 

Editors Note: In a departure from my 

usual subject matter; I decided to focus on 

the farm labor issue from a Roman Catholic 

perspective. Recent comments from 

Cardinal Dolan emphasized that the 

Church was going to make the passage of 

the omnibus farm labor bill a top priority 

this year. As a practicing Catholic, I wrote 

the op-ed above on behalf of New York 

Farm Bureau and submitted it to all of 

the Diocese newspapers around the state. 

Not unsurprisingly, none of them have 

printed it. So I’m sharing it here. 

The first of a two-part training workshop 

on Food, Land & People, sponsored 

by NY Ag in the Classroom, Cornell 

Cooperative Extension and the NYFB 

Promotion and Education Committee 

(who were facilitators and hosts at each 

location), was held on April 3rd at seven 

Cooperative Extension sites. With more 

than 70 registrants, the lead facilitators; 

Barb Sturm, extension educator from 

CCE Genesee County and Angela Hedstrom, 

NY Ag in the Classroom Director, 

led the Polycom workshop through a 

variety of exercises that will supply the 

needed experience to utilize Food, Land 

& People lessons (FLP). 

FLP is a curriculum resource developed 

to help students and communities 

understand the connections between agriculture, 

the environment, and people. 

There are science and social studiesbased 

lessons for Pre-K to 12th grade, 55 

lessons for hands-on learning, critical 

thinking, and easy integration with existing 

curricula. Aligned to NYS Learning 

Standards, it contains a range of educational 

materials exploring food and nutrition, 

natural resources, conservation, 

farming, consumer choices, stewardship, 

human populations, and land use issues. 

Twenty of the lessons are available in 

Spanish as well as English. 

At the workshops the participants 

will become familiar with the overall 

structure and content of FLP, experience 

activities and engage in small group 

and large group collaborative learning. 

Those attending will receive all materials 

at the conclusion of the second workshop 

on April 30th, plus four professional 

credit hours from Cornell Ag in the 

Classroom. 

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Inside Washington 

Farm Bill leads list of 

pressing federal issues 

By M. Kelly Young 

The chances of a Farm Bill being 

completed this year are looking less 

and less favorable. At press time, the 

Senate was planning to have its version 

of the bill written and marked up 

in late April, the House is much farther 

behind in drafting its version and 

has not indicated a timeline yet. 

Perhaps a bigger challenge than getting 

each house’s version down in ink 

will be the large gap between budget 

figures. The Senate is looking at cutting 

$23 billion from the Farm Bill over 

10 years, largely by deleting direct farm 

payments. The House is looking at more 

than $100 billion more in cuts, largely 

from nutrition programs, but also from 

direct payments and crop insurance. 

Reconciling these two approaches 

will be a battle and there is almost no 

chance there will be time to complete 

it before the fall elections. It is more 

likely that in September Congress will 

have to pass an extension of the current 

Farm Bill, which expires Sept. 30, 

to buy time until the Farm Bill can be 

hammered out. 

Outside of Farm Bill conversations, 

there was a flurry of activity in Congress 

before the body returned home 

for a two-week break at the beginning 

of April. As a result, there were several 

new bills introduced and several old 

bills revived that affect farmers. Here 

is a summary of those efforts. Farm 

Bureau members are encouraged to E- 

lobby on these issues at www.nyfb.org. 

Agricultural Youth Labor 

Regulations 

S. 2221/H.R. 4157 (Thune/Latham)— 

The “Preserving America’s Family 

Farms Act” bill would prevent the U.S. 

Department of Labor from implementing 

its proposed rule to change the regulations 

governing 14 and 15-year-old 

employment on farms. NYFB members 

have been very concerned that these 

changes go too far and would exclude 

teenagers from doing common-sense 

activities on farms. Rep. Owens has 

co-sponsored the House version of the 

bill. NYFB supports this bill. 

Bridging The MILC Gap 

S. 2126/H.R. 4085 (Leahy/Welch)— 

The current dairy safety net of the 

Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) 

program is set to expire on Sept. 30 this 

year. The “MILC Continuation Act” 

would extend this program until Sept. 

30 of next year. This is particularly 

important if the new Farm Bill is not 

completed this year, which looks likely. 

This bill would ensure that dairy 

farmers have a safety net in place until 

dairy pricing reform can be addressed 

in the next Farm Bill. This bill is cosponsored 

by Higgins, Hochul, Owens 

and Tonko in the House. NYFB supports 

this bill. 

Preventing Clean Water Act 

Expansion 

S. 2245 (Barrasso)—The “Preserve 

Waters of the U.S. Act” would prevent 

the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) and the Corps of Engineers 

(Corps) from finalizing their proposed 

guidance document which effectively 

eliminates the term “navigable” from 

the Clean Water Act. This would dramatically 

expand the scope of federal 

jurisdiction under the act, including 

to ditches and wet spots on farms that 

don’t even drain into rivers, streams or 

other waterbodies. NYFB supports this 

bill. 

Chesapeake Bay Program 

H.R. 4337 (Reed)—The “Chesapeake 

Bay State and Local Backstop Limitation 

Act” was introduced by two New 

York representatives, Reed and Hochul, 

to limit EPA’s authority to implement 

backstops in states that are progressing 

toward meeting their Total Maximum 

Daily Load levels. This means 

EPA would not be able to enter a state 

and take over water regulation from 

the state agency (DEC) and change 

point source or non-point source permits 

or make other changes. NYFB 

supports this bill. 

Chesapeake Bay Program. 

H.R. 4153 (Goodlatte)—The “Chesapeake 

Bay Program Reauthorization 

and Improvement Act” ensures that 

the six states in the Chesapeake Bay 

watershed make the final decisions for 

their own clean water plans because it 

“reaffirms and preserves” the rights of 

states. It also would call for a review 

of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay model. The 

bill creates an independent evaluation 

commission to oversee the scientific 

validity of EPA’s model. NYFB supports 

this bill. 

Apple Export Inspections 

S. 2208/H.R. 3914 (Gillibrand/Owens)—This 

bill would remove an outdated 

and expensive requirement that 

apple growers inspect bulk apples being 

exported to Canada. There is no 

need for this as Canada does not require 

the inspection and it would save 

farmers approximately $450,000 each 

year in unnecessary fees. In addition 

to the two New York sponsors of these 

companion bills, Hanna co-sponsored 

the House version. 

Animal Antimicrobials 

S.1211/H.R. 965 (Feinstein/Slaughter)—The 

“Preservation of Antibiotics 

for Medical Treatment Act,” seeks 

to phase out the non-therapeutic use 

of antimicrobials in food-producing 

animals if that antimicrobial is in 

the same chemical class as drugs used 

in human health. In addition to being 

sponsored in the House by Rep. 

Slaughter, this bill is co-sponsored by 

the following NY representatives: Ackerman, 

Clarke, Hinchey, Israel, Lowey, 

Maloney, Nadler, Rangel, Serrano and 

Tonko. NYFB opposes this bill 

Follow the Farm Bureau 

on facebook at www.facebook.com/NYFarmBureau 

Or visit the New York Farm Bureau any time at www.nyfb.org 

Compliance Corner 

Worker Protection Standards 

By Lisa A. Ovitt 

lovitt@nyfb.org 

Worker Protection Standards for 

Agricultural Pesticides are set forth by 

the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA), the federal agency tasked with 

protecting human health and the environment. 

Worker Protection Standards 

(WPS) cover approximately 2.5 

million employees – both agricultural 

workers and pesticide handlers -- in 

this country. This is accomplished 

through requirements for pesticide 

safety training, notification of pesticide 

applications, use of personal 

protective equipment, restricted-entry 

intervals after pesticide application, 

decontamination supplies, and emergency 

medical assistance. 

Who Is Covered? 

The WPS protects employees on 

farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses 

from occupational exposure to 

agricultural pesticides. Included are 

those workers who perform tasks related 

to the cultivation and harvesting 

of plants on farms or in greenhouses, 

nurseries, or forests. Workers include 

anyone employed for any type of compensation 

(including the self-employed) 

doing tasks -- such as carrying nursery 

stock, repotting plants, or watering -- related 

to the production of agricultural 

plants on an agricultural establishment. 

Who Is Not Covered? 

Those not covered by the Standards 

include employees such as office employees, 

truck drivers, mechanics, and 

any other workers not engaged in worker 

or handler activities. 

Who Enforces the Program? 

The NYS Department of Environmental 

Conservation (DEC) has an 

agreement with the federal government 

to implement and enforce the WPS in 

New York State. The DEC compliance 

program focuses on education and outreach 

as the foundation for grower compliance. 

In addition to routine WPS enforcement 

inspections, each year DEC 

targets a different area of New York 

State to check for WPS compliance. 

How Can Farmers Become 

Compliant? 

If a farmer uses the designated pesticides, 

or if he or she employs workers or 

pesticide handlers who use pesticides, 

employees must be provided with: 

• Information about exposure to pesticides 

• Protections against exposure to 

pesticides 

• Ways to mitigate exposures to pesticides 

Information 

Farmers must provide employees 

with information on: 

• Pesticide safety training 

• Access to labeling information 

• Access to specific pesticide application 

information at a central posting 

area 

Protections 

Farmers must ensure that employees 

are protected from pesticides by: 

• Notifying workers about treated 

areas so inadvertent exposures can be 

avoided 

• Prohibiting handlers from applying 

pesticide in a way that would expose 

workers or other persons 

• Excluding workers from areas being 

treated with pesticides 

• Excluding workers from areas that 

remain under a restricted-entry interval 

(REI) and protecting early-entry 

workers who are permitted into REI areas 

with personal protective equipment 

(PPE) 

• Protecting handlers during handling 

tasks, which include monitoring 

and correct use of PPE 

Mitigation 

Farmers must take specific steps if 

workers are exposed to pesticides: 

• Decontamination of site: Farmers 

must provide handlers and employees 

with an ample supply of water, soap, 

and towels for routine washing and 

emergency decontamination 

• Emergency Assistance: Transportation 

must be made available to a medical 

care facility if a worker or handler 

has been poisoned or injured by a pesticide, 

and information must be provided 

about the pesticide to which the person 

was exposed 

Signage 

The WPS contains specific criteria 

for the design of the sign required for 

treated-area posting and for the content 

of the safety poster, worker training 

materials, and handler training materials. 

The EPA has developed a safety 

poster, warning sign, and worker and 

handler training programs to meet the 

requirements of the WPS. You may use 

these materials, or you may use alternative 

materials that meet the criteria. 

Each WPS safety poster must convey 

to agricultural workers, in both English 

and in their native language, that there 

are federal rules to protect them, including 

a requirement for safety training 

and information on how to help 

keep pesticides from getting on or into 

their bodies. The poster must include 

the following instructions: 

• Avoid getting on your skin or into 

your body any pesticides that may be on 

plants and soil, in irrigation water, or 

drifting from nearby applications. 

• Wash before eating, drinking, chewing 

gum, using tobacco, or using the toilet. 

• Wear work clothing that protects 

your body from pesticide residues, such 

as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, 

socks, and hats or scarves. 

• Wash or shower with soap and water, 

shampoo your hair, and put on clean 

clothes after work. 

• Wash work clothes separately from 

other clothes before wearing them again. 

• Wash immediately in the nearest 

clean water if pesticides are spilled or 

sprayed on your body. As soon as possible, 

shower, shampoo, and change into 

clean clothes. 

• Follow directions about keeping out 

of treated or restricted areas. 

Specific information about signage is 

found at: http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/epa-735-b-05-002.pdf. 

What Happens If A Farmer Is 

Found Not In Compliance? 

The penalty for not complying with 

the WPS Standard is the same as the 

penalty for using a pesticide in a manner 

inconsistent with its labeling. Generally, 

fines can be up to $2,500 per offense 

for private applicators and up to 

$5,000 per offense for commercial applicators. 

If the WPS is knowingly violated, 

higher fines will be charged for the 

criminal violation as well as possible 

jail time. 

For More Information: 

Worker Protection Standards for Agricultural 

Pesticides: 

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ 

twor.html 

How To Comply With Worker Protection 

Standards for Agricultural Pesticides 

-- What Employers Need to Know: 

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ 

htc.html 

NYFB Members-Only Fact Sheet: 

www.nyfb.org 

The information contained herein 

is provided for informational purposes 

only. It is not intended to be, nor should 

it be considered, a substitute for legal advice 

rendered by a competent attorney. If 

you have any questions about the application 

of the issues raised herein to your 

particular situation, seek the advice of a 

competent attorney.


John Dyson opened his winery to the Foundation for Ag. Education for a forum last year. Pictured left to right Paul Bencal, 

Foundation Chair, Dean Kathryn Boor, Mr. Dyson, Jeff Kirby NYFB Executive Director and Pres. Norton 

The face John Dyson 

of New York Millbrook Vineyards 

Agriculture Millbrook, N.Y. 

Tell us a little about the 

history of Millbrook Vineyards 

and Winery-what got you 

interested in the viticulture 

business? 

I hated the beer at my fraternity at 

Cornell while studying Agricultural 

Economics, so I went out one night and 

bought some wine. From there I took 

the course in wine tasting. I developed 

an interest in wine and then in 1979 

decided to try some grape growing 

myself. The courses in agronomy, 

plant science, plant pathology, and the 

like came in very handy at that point. 

Since we liked the result, we decided to 

plant 5 acres and made our first wine 

in 1985, so we just passed our 25th 

anniversary! 

How many acres do you farm? 

About 40 in Millbrook, 100 in Tuscany 

and nearly 900 in California 

How many employees do you 

have in your farm business and 

winery retail shop? 

At Millbrook we have about 20 

employees in the winery and the 

vineyards with some extra seasonal 

help and weekend help in tasting room 

as well. 

Millbrook, along with many 

other wineries, has focused on 

special events, catering and 

weddings. Why has the farm 

gone in the “agri-tourism” 

direction? 

Basically the only way for a 

small winery to make a profit is to sell 

directly to the customer. Over all these 

years we have built up a big fan base 

little by little that sustains the business. 

Other events that we do deepen their 

knowledge or seek to bring new people 

for a visit in hopes of making them long 

term friends as well. 

Millbrook has a great 

reputation in the wine and 

grape industry – are there any 

kinds of special marketing 

techniques or innovative 

agricultural practices you use 

to stay on the cutting edge? 

Without Cornell and the Geneva 

Station we could not grow the quality of 

grapes or the quality of wine that we do, 

so staying current with new science is 

critical to us. We have developed various 

pruning and trellising techniques in 

the vineyards and finally sorted out 

which rootstock works best for us. Took 

a while. Marketing is about every way 

one can think of to make that direct 

connection with the individual buyer so 

we can maximize direct sales. We also 

work with a distributor and in our local 

county directly to be in restaurants and 

retail shops so customers can find us 

there as well. 

The Hudson Valley is an 

excellent place to farm, 

but farmers there face 

multiple challenges from 

lots of neighbors and second 

homeowners buying land and 

houses upstate. How have you 

positioned Millbrook to meet 

those challenges and remain in 

farming? 

We do everything possible to be 

a good neighbor. Most people like the 

idea of a vineyard in the neighborhood 

and we have fewer of the issues that 

many farms face with neighbors. Lots 

of them are our customers as well. 

Millbrook has clearly changed 

over the years, from a dairy 

to a vineyard and winery, any 

ideas on what changes the 

future will bring to the farm? 

I think we have things pretty well 

set for the foreseeable future. We 

will try new varieties, in our case, 

Riesling, to see how it grows along 

with one or two others. We will focus 

on our specialty wines like Tocai 

Friuliano from the Veneto in Italy and 

Cabernet Franc which are becoming 

our signatures. We will still make 

Chardonnay and are having good 

luck with the newer Pinot Noir clones 

after lots of trials. 

As a former Commissioner of 

the Department of Agriculture 

and Markets, and also 

Chairman of Empire State 

Development, how have you 

seen both agencies approach to 

agriculture and farming evolve 

over time? 

I think the State government has 

become more alert to the economic 

value of vineyards and wineries 

both directly and in the tourism and 

associated restaurants and hotels that 

we bring to the local economies of the 

State. Thus, they are steadily more 

helpful to us in all kinds of ways. The 

recent direct shipping statutes and 

other improvements in the law have 

helped us greatly. 

If there were one thing you 

could fix to make farming or 

winemaking easier or more 

profitable, what would it be? 

I would transmit to each governmental 

official a week’s experience of actually 

farming and living with all the rules 

and paperwork imposed by them on 

small businesses like wineries. Then 

they would think twice about adding 

any more. 

Why are you a Farm Bureau 

member? 

We could not have the voice we do 

in Albany without the Farm Bureau. 

They provide us with vigilance against 

stupid regulations or laws and positive 

support for changes that make our work 

easier and more fulfilling. We could not 

do our own job if the Farm Bureau was 

not doing its, plain and simple. 

Ag Trivia Quiz 

Question: True or False: 

Help keep 

industry 

strong, put 

wine in 

grocery 

stores 

Carol Doolittle 

Frontenac Point Winery 

The 2012 Economic Impact of Allowing 

Shoppers to Purchase Wine in 

Food Stores analysis clearly shows that 

in states where food and package stores 

both sell wine, package stores successfully 

continue in business and even increase 

in number. 

“We must stay focused on keeping New 

York’s wine industry competitive and 

wine in grocery stores enjoys widespread 

support as a key to achieve this goal,” 

said State Senator Thomas F. O’Mara 

(R-C, Big Flats), who sponsors the “Wine 

Industry and Liquor Store Revitalization 

Act” in the Senate. “We keep missing this 

opportunity to create thousands of jobs, 

strengthen agriculture, and generate 

significant new revenue without raising 

taxes or borrowing.” 

The New York Wine Industry Association, 

New York State Wine Grape Growers 

Association, New York Farm Bureau, 

Business Council of 

New York State, Food 

“We must 

stay focused 

on keeping 

New York’s 

wine industry 

competitive.” 

— State Senator 

Thomas F. 

O’Mara 

Industry Alliance of 

New York State and 

allied businesses are 

asking the Legislature 

and Governor 

Andrew M. Cuomo to 

let wineries continue 

to lead statewide economic 

development. 

But to do this, New 

York wines must be 

conveniently available 

to adult consumers 

in retail stores. It is not today with 

maybe half of the liquor stores in New 

York offering any New York wine to customers, 

according to winery owners. 

The Economic Impact of Allowing 

Shoppers to Purchase Wine in Food 

Stores analysis shows that, nationally, 

more than 50% of wine is purchased by 

women who are uncomfortable in conventional 

package stores. Women tend 

to buy wine in food stores or not buy it at 

all. Sales to these customers would, therefore, 

be in addition to those currently occurring 

in package stores. 

Additionally, if the “Wine Industry 

and Liquor Store Revitalization Act” was 

passed by the State Legislature, liquor 

store owners could own more than one 

store, add high mark-up cheeses, mixers 

to go with spirits and other products that 

liquor stores already sell in the 35 states 

that allow wine and food to be sold in the 

same establishment. Liquor stores support 

this legislation because it adds value 

to existing liquor licenses. 

The proposed legislation has been 

sponsored in the Senate by Thomas 

O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats), Elizabeth 

Krueger (D-Manhattan) and in the Assembly 

by Joseph Morelle (D-Irondequoit). 

A national report released by the 

American Association of Wine Economists 

in December, shows “a higher 

share of wine (consumed) correlates 

with lower traffic fatality rates.” 

As we get into planting… 

n More wheat is directly consumed by humans than any other grain. 

Answers: True: More wheat is directly consumed by humans 

than any other grain. This is true, even in China.


Unusual weather patterns leave 

farmers scratching their heads 

Inside Albany 

By Cathy Mural 

cmural@nyfb.org 

There’s a saying - If you’re not at 

the table, you’re on the menu. Sadly, 

this is also true in politics. It is important 

that the family farm continue to 

voice what can hurt or help them at 

the legislative table as state lawmakers 

prepare to adjourn in a little over 

a month. With state legislative session 

winding down, NYFB is focused 

on moving five bills to change the 

way farmers do business for the better. 

Please take one minute to E-lobby 

on each of these bills at www.nyfb.org 

during this crucial time of consideration 

by our lawmakers. 

Farm Sustainability 

2% Ag Assessment Cap 

Farmers have been seeing alarming 

increases in their property taxes for 

farmland because of increases in their 

agricultural assessments. Agricultural 

assessments have been going up because 

the “base rate” per farm acre utilized 

in the assessment formula is being 

driven by an income based methodology 

which has also been rising. What 

this potentially means for New York 

farmers is that even under a 2% property 

tax cap, farmland property taxes 

can still see significant increases even 

when the local municipal tax rate stays 

low. In response, NYFB is asking for a 

2% cap on the increase in agricultural 

assessment values from the prior year. 

Farm Savings Accounts 

Farmers can use this tax strategy 

tool to manage risk voluntarily 

by shifting income during profitable 

years via tax-deferred deposits into a 

savings account for withdrawal during 

less profitable years. NYFB is asking 

the State to make this market-oriented 

tool available to farmers. 

Farm EZ Pass 

NYFB is asking for a reduced toll 

rate “Farm EZ Pass” for farmers who 

Continued from Page 1 

price of fuel what it is, it obviously affects 

our profit margins,” he said. 

The warm, dry spring has been a 

“double-edged sword,” Beyrodt remarked, 

with more people looking to 

install sod earlier than usual. 

“We are selling more, but it costs 

more to produce,” he said, adding that 

as this year’s planting season approaches, 

he joins many Long Island growers 

in crossing their fingers for “significant 

rainfall in the next few weeks.” 

Just as customers were ready for sod 

ahead of schedule, some shoppers were 

ready for flowers and bedding plants in 

March. 

“The weather was too warm, too 

early,” said Ed Fairweather, co-owner 

of Wessels Farms, a wholesale greenhouse 

in Otisville, in the Hudson Valley. 

“Everybody wanted plants, but we 

weren’t ready. We’ve been burned in 

the past by bringing out product too 

early.” 

The greenhouse grows bedding 

plants, potted flowers, and plugs for 

independently-owned wholesale customers. 

“Our customers are cautious,” Fairweather 

said. “They don’t want a lot of 

inventory they can’t sell when the temperatures 

go back to normal. It’s nice 

to have sunshine. People seem to be in 

a good mood – I think because of the 

mild winter.” 

Across New York, many growers 

took advantage of the warm March to 

start fieldwork ahead of schedule. 

“It has been a blessing to not have 

snow on the ground,” said Dick De- 

Graf, who along with wife Victoria, 

operates Grindstone Farm in Pulaski, 

east of Lake Ontario. The farm grows 

35 acres of certified organic fruits and 

vegetables. “We definitely enjoyed the 

warm weather and the chance to get on 

the fields earlier than usual.” 

DeGraf put in a few cool season 

crops, including peas, ahead of schedule, 

but elected not to take chances 

with early plantings. 

“The weather in March was too abnormal,” 

he said. “We had three frosts 

in April, and we seem to be back to normal 

for this time of year.” 

Grindstone Farm, now in its 31st 

year, markets produce year-round and 

has been extending its growing season 

with high tunnels and cool-tolerant 

transport product to NYC markets. The 

ever-increasing tolls for the NYS Thruway 

and NYC bridge and highway system 

is a significant business expense 

for farmers looking to take advantage 

of this prime urban market. 

Pulling Back Red Tape 

Two year automatic renewal for agricultural 

assessments 

With farming being a land intensive 

business, NYFB is asking for a 

two year automatic renewal for agricultural 

assessment eligibility on parcels 

of land that have been filed and 

accepted the previous year and have 

had no changes affecting eligibility 

for the current year. Farmers would 

be required to keep all necessary paperwork 

on hand for inspection if requested 

by the local assessor. 

Let NY Farm 

In order for our family farms to 

thrive and grow, farmers need to be 

able to focus their time and attention 

on investing in their business rather 

than being buried under paperwork 

and crippled by taxes and fees. To this 

end, NYFB is asking for enactment of 

the “Let NY Farm Act” which would: 

• Provide written or electronic notice 

to all landowners with land being 

proposed for inclusion in an agricultural 

district. 

• Encourage farms to invest and 

grow their business by allowing them 

to treat any credits received through 

the Investment Tax Credit that are 

greater than taxes due as an overpayment 

leading to a refund. 

• Exempt wineries from certain 

annual sales tax reporting requirements. 

These reporting requirements 

place a huge burden on a small farmer 

who has to spend costly time on 

paperwork instead of focusing their 

attention on growing and harvesting 

crops. 

• Extend the amount of time farms 

have to pay corporate filing fees and 

also would base filing fees and corporate 

taxes for farms on their net 

plant varieties. 

“We do production as long as we 

can – we are up to 10-11 months a year, 

and we are used to planting in atypical 

weather conditions, but we are 

cautious about planting, too,” DeGraf 

said. 

Allen, of the Apple Association, 

said, “Weather patterns are so unpredictable. 

We don’t know what will 

happen, but we know that each set of 

weather conditions has its own challenges 

and opportunities.” 

Follow the Farm Bureau 

on facebook at 

www.facebook.com/NYFarmBureau 

Or visit the New York Farm Bureau 

any time at 

www.nyfb.org 

Take time to E-Lobby on important Issues 

income versus federal gross income. 

The current system bases fees and 

taxes on farms’ federal gross income 

and that does not take into account 

the high expenses a farm incurs to 

yield their products. 

• Exempt some agricultural vehicles 

from the supplemental registration 

fee of $25 for those in any of the 

Metropolitan Commuter Transportation 

districts. This bill would also reduce 

the agricultural plate licensing 

fee, returning it to the 2008 level. 

• Reduce the State Pollutant Discharge 

Elimination System permit 

fees for agricultural projects. 

In dealing with volatile markets 

and Mother Nature, producers and 

growers recognize that they will always 

face changing risks and business 

costs. But there are some business 

costs and requirements that are 

needless and should not be carried by 

our farmers. These bills look to remove 

some of those barriers and need 

grassroots support to advance them 

through the state legislative process. 

Every email and letter counts - please 

tell your state lawmakers to support 

these bills through our E-lobby center 

at www.nyfb.org. 

Farm energy 

production 

soaring 

Continued from Page 1 

According to the USDA Renewable energy 

survey, solar or photovoltaic power 

made up by far the largest percentage of 

all on-farm generation. New Yorkers have 

been on the cutting edge of this technology 

as well. Brotherhood winery located in the 

Hudson valley is America’s oldest winery. 

It has been in continuous operation since 

1839. Last year Brotherhood installed a solar 

array to power its production facility 

and the results have been incredible. 

“We partnered with Hudson Valley 

Clean Energy to install a 75 kilowatt (KW) 

solar array to power our production facility,” 

said Colleen Hughes of Brotherhood 

Winery. “We bottle 2000 cases of wine per 

day, so we use a lot of energy, and the additional 

solar capacity has had a substantial 

and positive impact on our utility bills.” 

Brotherhood has also installed a generation 

and environmental benefits electronic 

display meter in its tasting room so 

that patrons can see the many benefits the 

winery is getting from using solar power. 

“Customers have been very interested 

in the display, particularly because it 

tracks how many barrels of oil are being 

saved or how many cups of coffee could be 

brewed,” said Hughes. “It’s become a real 

conversation piece, because it allows our 

customers to visualize the benefits of solar 

power for the community as a whole.” 

In Northern Oswego and Jefferson 

counties, naturally occurring winds off 

of Lake Ontario provide the perfect conditions 

for farmers to harness wind power. 

Dave Rudd, runs a small dairy farm that 

features three wind turbines ranging in 

size from 1KW to 10KW. High energy costs 

were becoming a real problem for Rudd, 

so in 2004 he applied for a grant through 

the Farm Viability Institute to construct 

a 10KW wind turbine. The grant covered 

about 50% of the costs, but due to the 

favorable wind conditions, it only took 

about three years for the farm to recover 

its part of the investment. 

“The three turbines combined have 

reduced my utility bill be 30-40% over the 

last several years,” said Rudd. “Energy is 

a big expense for dairy farmers, and my 

goal is to pass the farm onto my son, who 

represents the fourth generation of our 

family to work this land. Having these 

wind turbines saves us money and makes 

the farm more profitable.” 

In fact, Rudd has been so pleased with 

the performance of his wind turbines that 

he is looking into installing a solar array 

as well, in order to maximize his renewable 

energy savings. 

USDA recently announced that it will 

conduct a follow up to its 2009 survey of 

on-farm renewable energy generation. If 

current trends continue, New York farmers 

will continue to adopt green energy 

innovations quicker than those in other 

parts of the country-not just because it’s 

good for the environment but, because it 

is also good for business. 

Senator Patty Ritchie, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee meets 

with NYFB member Paul House, along with representatives of the 

construction and trucking industries during small business lobby day in 

Albany.


Take action now, prep house for spring storms 

By Mike Spaulding 

Sponsor Relations for Nationwide Insurance 

Homeowners should do what they 

can now to protect their home and property 

from the violent spring storms that 

are certain to roar through New York 

this year. A few precautions may ease 

some stress if and when that storm hits 

and you need help. Plan ahead by taking 

the time to prepare an emergency 

kit, trim shrubs and trees, and identify 

a safe place to take shelter before a 

spring storm hits. 

“We’ve learned 

a lot from our response 

to severe 

storms over the 

past few years. 

Taking some small 

steps now can go a long way toward 

preventing damage and helping you 

be more prepared if the unthinkable 

occurs,” said Pete Lore, leader of Nationwide’s 

National Catastrophe claims 

response team. 

Nationwide managed 160,000 insurance 

claims resulting from the spring 

storms of 2011, compared to 130,000 

total claims from the 2004 Florida hurricanes 

and Hurricane Katrina combined. 

“Last year, our company paid out 

more than $1.3 billion to help our members 

rebuild from catastrophic weather 

events across the country,” said Mark 

Pizzi, President and Chief Operating 

Officer of Nationwide Insurance. “Homeowners 

can get in front of these storms 

and the damage they cause by being insurance 

savvy. Know what insurance 

coverage you have and get the coverage 

you need before disaster strikes. Your 

insurance agent can review your policy 

with you before you need it.” 

These tips on damage prevention 

and homeowners insurance coverage 

are meant to help you make decisions 

that may reduce your risks. We don’t 

know every risk and cannot guarantee 

these will work for you, but some of 

them may help protect your most valuable 

assets – you and your family. 

Things to consider doing 

outside your 

home to 

protect it from 

severe weather 

damage: 

• Keep trees and 

shrubs trimmed. Weak branches could 

fall on your home or your neighbor’s 

home. 

• Clear drains, gutters and downspouts 

of debris to prevent drains from 

breaking uring heavy rains and water 

flooding into your home. 

• Extend and re-direct the downspouts 

close to your home to move the 

water away. 

• If storms are forecast, secure lawn 

furniture and other objects that could 

be moved by strong winds. 

Things to consider doing inside your 

home to protect against flooding: 

• Install a sump pump with a battery 

backup system. 

• If you have a sump pump, test it 

now. 

• Caulk cracks on the interior where 

you may have seen water in the past. 

• Store area rugs and carpeting on 

higher floors to reduce the chances of 

rugs 

getting wet and growing mold. 

• Move furniture and electronics off 

the basement floor. 

Safety tips for you and your 

family: 

• Put together an emergency kit – 

flashlight, batteries, weather all-hazard 

radio, first 

aid supplies, air horn, basic tools, extra 

car keys, extra eyeglasses. 

• Identify a safe place to go in a storm. 

Share that with everyone in the house. 

Protect your personal property: 

• Inventory your valuables, including 

approximate value and date purchased. 

Pictures or videos are great. Go to 

www.KnowYourStuff.org for more 

information and download free software. 

• Store mortgage and other important 

papers in a safe deposit or fire safe 

box – and do not store the box on your 

basement floor. 

• Add your insurance company’s 

claims number to Contacts on your cellphone. 

• Read and understand your homeowner 

and auto insurance policies, 

especially your deductibles. Talk to an 

agent to make sure you have the appropriate 

amount of insurance coverage to 

protect what matters most to you. 

• Consider buying flood insurance. 

Most homeowner insurance policies 

don’t cover flooding. Specialized flood 

coverage through FEMA’s National 

Flood Insurance Program is available 

to most homeowners. Many local insurance 

agents can help you acquire flood 

insurance. Make sure to consider buying 

flood insurance coverage before 

the heavy flooding season because in 

most cases the policies take effect 30 

days after purchase. You can visit www. 

floodsmart.gov to learn more. 

NYFB Field Advisor Lindsay Wickham sits down to discuss membership 

strategy with John Yurkanin, Nationwide farm insurance underwriter 

for New York and Pennsylvania 

New York Farm Bureau and Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative 

Extension recently hosted a training session for small meat and poultry 

processors in Ithaca. A total of 19 participants attended the seminar 

taught by instructors from Penn State. Here Dr. Catherine Cutter, later 

joined by Martin Bucknavage, provides background on the development 

of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points to the group. This 

seminar was made possible by sponsorship by the New York Farm Viability 

Institute, Empire Livestock Marketing, the Food Bank Association 

of New York State, Cornell University Department of Animal Science 

and NYFB Members Services Inc. This seminar was held in response 

to requests from USDA-inspected small processors to help strengthen 

their businesses. Many livestock producers in the state depend on 

these small processors in order to market their meat for groceries and 

restaurants. 

Solar energy 

apple growers 

can trust. 

Dad Steve Clarke took daughter Pam’s advice at Prospect Hill 

Orchards and their 42kW solar system will save them over 

$196,000 in electricity costs over the life of the system. 

Call or email today. 

(518) 326-1104 | bill@jordanenergy.org 

JEFE0412_PHO.Ad.indd 1 

4/17/12 8:45 AM


Grassroots Farmers’ Market 

Classified Ads FREE to NYFB members, 

and darn cheap for everybody else! 

Hay 

IDAHO’S FINEST ALFALFA. Larsen Farms 607- 

865-8844. rbishop@larsenfarms.com 

QUALITY HAY for sale. Alfalfa-Grass mix. 45 

pound bales. $2.75 per bale. 315-866-3348 

HAY FOR SALE. 4x5- 1000lb. Round silage 

bales, mixed grass, no chemicals, can load 18- 

wheelers. 1st cut and 2nd cut available. Cash 

upon loading. Schaghticoke, NY 518-796- 

2344 

A.G. EMERICH & SONS. Hay, straw and bagged 

shavings. Serving NY and NE since 1935. Van 

trailer loads dropped or picked up by the bale. 

518-399-1893 or 518-399-7444 

HAY FOR SALE. 1st cutting $5.00 – high 

quality mixed grass – delivery and stacking 

anywhere in the Capital Region. Call Klaus 

Busch 518-928-1593 

HAY FOR SALE. O’Mara Family Farms – 

Premium quality hay. Top quality timothybrome-orchard 

grass mix. Feed hay and mulch 

hay offered year round. Delivery or pickup 

available. Brewster, NY 845-423-3995 

BARLEY STRAW for sale. Small squares. Clean, 

bright and tight. Use as a pond treatment for 

algae, for bedding and feed. Cazenovia, NY. 

315-662-3861 

HAY FOR SALE. 48”x50” net wrapped round 

bales, stored inside $25 each. Square bales 

$3.50 each. For pick-up. Pitcher/Cortland 

area. 607-863-3164 

HAY FOR SALE. Horse or dairy quality hay. 40 

pound bales. $2.50/picked up. 518-569-1954 

HAY FOR SALE. 1st cutting good quality grass 

hay, kicker bales. $2.00/bale. 1,000 bales left. 

Cuba, NY. 585-968-3442 or 585-968-3823 

HAY FOR SALE. Mulch hay, small squares. $1/ 

bale. 518-966-8103 

HAY FOR SALE. 4x5 baleage and Excellent 

2nd cutting 40 lb squares. $3/bale. Other hay 

available. 315-837-4134 or 315-419-9641 

HAY FOR SALE. Small squares of mixed grass. 

$2.50/bale. Large round bales $70/ton and 

2nd cut baleage $35/bale. 716-984-8088 

HAY FOR SALE. Large round bales 4x4. Quality 

mixed grasses/timothy. Stored inside. $35/bale 

Will load. Cash upon loading. Brockport area. 

585-637-9632 evenings. 

Tractors, Machinery 

JOHN DEERE Front mount aux fuel tank 60 gal 

fits 10-55 series tractors. $150 Call 716-532- 

4380 

JOHN DEERE 400 bucket loader w/backhoe 

$6800 obo. JD Rotary cutter 205 gyramower, 

5’ $50 obo. IH 3 bottom trip plow $100 obo. 

Southern Otsego County 607-764-8663 

JOHN DEERE Model 950. 3cyl. Yanmar diesel. 

3pt and pto. Like new. $6800. 315-271-4490 

JOHN DEERE 2240, Woods Orchard Rotary 

Mower 0121 (offset), Vicon Spreader PS603, 

Utility trailer 5x8, Honda WP20X water pump, 

New chain saw Echo 12”, Homelite 14”. 716- 

523-8972 

1981 JOHN DEERE 2940. 2 wheel drive. 80hp. 

New engine and new rear wheels. $9000. 

607-591-2694 

JOHN DEERE Model 42 bale ejector. Complete 

and still on shipping skid. $5500.00 716-773- 

5333 

1060 NEWFIELD. 65hp diesel. Excellent 

Condition. New rubber. $4500. 315-831-5132 

or 315-368-8286 

MCCORMICK INT Farmall Type M, NH mower 

attached. Excellent condition. $4000. 518- 

284-2433 

IH Hay Loader and IH Hay Rake. Both antiques 

and restoration started. Best offer on each. 

607-760-8865 

NH Haybine Model #488. 9’. Field ready. 

$4500. 518-569-1954 

Reach Farm Bureau members throughout the state! 

Sell equipment, real estate or a service, you name it! 

One free ad — up to 30 words — per month for every member, 

as long as we receive your ad by the 15th of the previous month. 

Want an additional up-to-30-word ad? No problem. 

Members pay just $15. Non-members pay $30. 

We gladly accept ads by e-mail at: classifieds@nyfb.org. 

or mail to: Grassroots Classifieds, PO Box 5330, Albany, NY 12205 

or fax to: 518-431-5656 

For more information call: 518-436-8495 


NH 490 haybine $700, tractor tires (2) 18.4 x 

38, submersible well pump complete with tank. 

585-352-4511 evenings. 

NH 489 haybine. Good condition. 607-652- 

3784 

TWO IH Blowers #56 and #600. Good shape. 

WNY. 716-481-0740 

MASSEY Ferguson 1655 Power Shuttle Diesel 

Factory installed cab, AC/heat. Tires, loaded 

Block heater, HD bucket, Extra hydraulics. 130 

hours. Mint condition. Asking $31,000 518- 

254-0021 

CASE INTERNATIONAL 8340 haybine. 9ft cut 

with rubber rollers and stub nose guards. Ex. 

Cond. Stored inside $5500. 8x16 wooden 

kicker wagon on running gear $1200 and a 

2000 Chevy Silverado Z71 super cab. 145k 

miles. V-b, 5.3L. New tires and brake lines, has 

cap, Trans & Exhaust bad. $3500. 716-592- 

2594 BEFORE 8PM, leave message. 

CORN PICKER head for a Class combine. $1000 

obo. Wheels and rims for Class combine. Pair 

of 30.5 x 32 and pair of 14.9 x 24 $500 obo. 

518-753-6072 

DOZER Terrax C6. New tracks, Excellent 

undercarriage. Runs excellent. Asking $13,500 

obo. 518-963-7752 

BUSH HOG Brand 7’ trailer rotary mower. Exc. 

Shape $1875; Schulte heavy duty 3pt rotary 

mower 6’ cut, Exc. Shape $1275. 315-964- 

1161 until 8pm please. 

PARTS for H.G. Cletvac. Axels, Drive gears, Farm 

Hand 2 row potato harvester with m table dirt 

remover. Farmall Cub. 315-573-2365 

GREENHOUSE EQUIPMENT. Ellis super flat/ 

pot filler. Fills pots up to 16” tall. Only premier 

pro-mix was used in this machine. Works great. 

Located on Long Island 631-831-7259 

OLIVER 1650 with loader. Reconditioned. 

$6,000. 716-532-1466 

All credit cards accepted. 

Advertisers in this section support the mission 

of the New York Farm Bureau. 

NYFB reserves the right to refuse to accept any classified ad, paid or unpaid, 

at its sole discretion. Payment must accompany order with all paid ads. 

Advertiser 

of the month: 

Sugar Hill Farm 

SUGAR HILL FARM of Victor, NY offers 

riding lessons for all levels. A safe 

environment builds confidence 

and teaches compassion while working 

with horses. 585-924-8240 or 

www.Sugarhillarabians.com. 


MOSQUITO MAGNET. Large 20 lb tank. 

Everything intact. Make offer. 518-641-9661 

or 518-374-9107 

GREENHOUSE EQUIPMENT: 5 furnaces modine 

(4) 16,000 btu (1) 11,250 btu. 2 blowers 

acme 40” x 2’x40” deep. 2 automatic lowers 

40”x63” and a Gleason Econc-Pak Flat & Pot 

filling system. Md# FFR-30-H. 6’6”, width 3’5”. 

716-532-4358 

MILKING SYSTEM: 10 stall flat barn parlor 

(discontinued use because of new parlor). 

2 pipelines including numerous items. Will 

separate. List available. Brian Newton. 607- 

863-3931 

WILLIAMS Cultivator with vegetable and 

pumpkin knives. 3 pt hitch. Very good 

condition. $900. 716-945-5221 evenings or 

email gvberrypatch@gmail.com. 

MECCA GRAPE Harvester, 2 row – FORD 

309 corn planter, JD 950 4x4 w/ JD 75 

loader, Arps 730 Backhoe, 5 ft Howard 

Rototiller, Vicon Fertilizer spreader. 716- 

672-7313 

AG PAK 24” packing line, consisting of feed 

belt, washer, water absorber, waxer, 2 sizes. 

$7500. 518-731-8776 or 518-495-9600 

AG RAIN Turbine driven Irrigation water reel. 

Excellent condition, approx. 10 yrs old. Model 

T21A, Hose length 660ft. Nelson SR100 Big 

Gun attachment. Sanborn, NY. 716-628- 

9704 

WEED BADGER Model 4200 – 3pt hitch/pto w/ 

auto control, excellent condition, used very little. 

$5000 315-730-2670 Ontario County, NY. 

NEW EQUIPMENT. Farm King 60” tiller, Farm 

King 84” rear blade, Farm King 3 pt Post 

Hole Digger (9” heavy duty), 500 lb fertilizer 

spreader, woods 6’ rotary cutter. Ford 9N 

– excellent 607-529-3294 walter44643@ 

earthlink.net. 


WEED BADGER Model 4400 Inline Tiller w/ 

12” head. Perfect for weeding vineyards, 

berry fields, nurseries, fence lines, tree rows. 

Designed to fit compact and subcompact 

tractors. $4300. Pickup. Delivery available for 

addl. Fee. 607-829-2587 

FARM HELPERS. 60” snowplow for Yamaha 

rhino $400. Trailer cart 60”l x 37” w Load 

Hog Red Devil $50. 18 gallon metal gas tank 

36x18x7.5 $25. 315-483-4443 

BALDER INDUSTRIAL motor. 10 horse. Single 

phase 3450 rpm. $200. Buyers Gooseneck 

retractable ball mount $85. 315-336-8921 

OEM Massey, Gleaner, New Idea, White, Agco, 

& Challenger parts. 0% financing on Hesston 

and Massey Ferguson round balers, mowers 

& most hay tools. . www.mabiebros.com or 

315-687-7891 

CALL US for KRONE hay tools and parts. 

Tedders and Rakes in stock. www.mabiebros. 

com or 315-687-7891 

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 

RETIRING JD Tractor Mechanic is selling Shop 

Service and Repair Manuals, extra parts, come 

tools and some toys NIB. Call 631-830-7051 

or Email deeredoc161@yahoo.com. \ 

WOODEN SILO Stays. $250 for all. Silo has 

been recently torn down. Mark 518-774-8623 

or 518-993-3493 

2 CONCRETE STORE Silos. 20x80. Best offer. 

Call Kinderfields. 518-758-2249 

WANTED: 14x50 or 16x50 concrete silo. 

Canajoharie. 518-673-2267 

FREE: 3 silos. You take down. One is made of 

antique wood. Located in Washington County. 

914-393-2184 

FREE: 2 concrete silos, 65x20 and 75x25. You 

take down and remove one or both. 518-287- 

1870 

WANTED: Diesel tractors. Case LA,DC (wide 

front),730, 830, 930, 1030, 500. 518-922- 

6301 

Vehicles and Vehicle Parts 

1957 CHEVY HOOD Good condition. $125.00 

518-692-7810 

2002 FORD F250 SD 4x4 Ext cab. 5.4L engine. 

Standard transmission, long bed, rear air 

suspension. New brakes. 140k miles $6000 

obo. 607-783-2505 after 5:30pm 

2008 HONDA ST-1300 cc. 2009 Harley 

Davidson Screaming Eagle fat bob, 1803 cc. 

Both motorcycles in showroom condition, low 

miles, lots of extras, never dropped. Call Dave. 

518-966-8130 

1969 INTERNATIONAL 1800, no rust, like 

new. In storage 30 years. 31k miles. 345 

V-8 engine, 2 – 50 gal tanks. 1025 new. 2 

speed rear, 5 speed transmission. Air brakes, 

new 8x16 4’ high body. $8,000 New 20x38 

tractor chain $400; 20x25 articulate loader 

$500. 845-726-4086 

1 TON LIVESTOCK Truck. Older GMC. Good 

condition, good box. Rubber 90%, 4 speed. 

Call for details. 607-546-4055 

1996 33 FOOT MOTOR HOME. 4600 miles. 

GM chassis & engine. Sleeps 6. A/C, Satelite 

TV, full kitchen & bath, generator. Excellent 

condition. Originally $85,000 asking $25,000. 

In Brewster. 845-406-1266 

1993 FLAIR 25FT MOTORHOME 93k miles. 

10.4 mpg (9.65 towing station wagon). Chevy 

454, P30 chassis, Onan generator, LP HW & 

furnace, 3-way refrigerator, roof air, one owner 

now 85. Must sell. $7500 obo. NY. 518-692- 

2035



Vehicles and Vehicle Parts 

1997 F350. 8’ bed, boss plow, 5th wheel hitch. 

Excellent tires, runs great. 150k miles. $3000. 

845-266-5042 

2007 Breckenridge Park style mobile home. 

12x40, furnished, gas heat, central air, all 

appliances, great for guest cottage, excellent 

condition. Long Island. $59,000. 631-722- 

3414 

Equine 

EQUINE DENTAL SERVICES accepting new 

clients in all of New York State 315-829-3135. 

WESTERN CHAPTER NYS Horse Council. 

Serving the equine community in WNY. www. 

wcnyshc.org. 716-941-9120. 

WILDWOOD FARM – standing imported 

Lusitano Stallion – Voluntario Interagro. Quality 

Iberian warmblood young stock available. 607- 

693-5091. 

FOUNDATION QUARTER HORSES. 

Temperament and Conformation. At stud 

“How Blue Are You.” Sale horses, suitable 

for ranch disciplines, hunter, trail and more. 

Raycliff Farm. 315-823-4321 visit www. 

rhultenquarterhorses.com. 

LAND’S END WHIPPORWILL. Reg. Section B 

Liver chestnut Welsh pony stallion! By #1 

ranked Hunter Pony Stallion Caroline’s Red Fox! 

$500 private treaty. Foxtale Farm. foxtalefrm@ 

aol.com or 607-215-5594 

JP RHOADES FARM. Reg. Morgan horses. 

All ages. Trained and young stock. Bred for 

soundness, athleticism, sensibility. Pine City, 

NY 607-732-8485 Prhoades@stny.rr.com. 

MORGAN HORSES- We offer the finest in 

trained mares, geldings and outstanding young 

stock. Terrific quality, sane, and sound. Hartland 

Morgans, www.hartlandmorgans.com Windsor, 

NY, 607-655-2604. 

HAFLINGER Horses. All ages. Top bloodlines. 

Mostly imported. From 14.1 to 15.1 hands. 

Reasonable prices for top bloodlines. NEW 

TREND FARM. 518-762-1503 

SMALL HAFLINGER PONY. Great as a 

companion pony. $200 716-754-7156 

GYPSY VANNERS for sale: Premier American 

and European bloodlines. Long island bred 

foals, yearlings, geldings and mares are 

available now. Visit www.Ellena’sGypsy 

VannerFarm.com or call David at 631-921- 

9300 

FEMALE DONKEY. Friendly. DOB 7-17-10. 

Raised with goats $500. 315-658-0202 

PURE FALABELLA Miniature Horses. Falabellas 

are a rare breed, only 1700 in the registry, 

all double registered. Wonderful opportunity 

to start your own breeding program. 

Transportation could be available. 607-598- 

2345 

HORSES TRAINED – Youngsters started/ 

problem horses. Registered Morgans for 

sale – sweet tempered and beautiful. www. 

blackwillowmorgans.com. 

FINGER LAKES THOROUGHBRED Adoption 

Program has new horses available for show 

and pleasure. These horses are looking for a 

great home. For information and pictures visit 

www.fingerlakestap.org. 585-905-7457 

STALLS AVAILABLE FOR LEASE. State of the 

art 72x180 indoor arena, bull pen, round pen, 

1/8 mile track, outdoor arena, turnout, miles of 

trail riding. Karen 607-222-4447 Binghamton 

area. 

C.B. WALKER STABLES. Brewster NY. Horses 

boarded, leased, bought and sold. Lessons in 

all disciplines. Training in dressage, jumping 

and eventing. 845-278-1731 or info@ 

cbwalkerstables.com. 

CHESTNUT RIDGE Stable in Cambridge, NY. 

Boarding, Lessons and Training. Indoor and 

Outdoor Riding Arenas, Cross Country Course 

and Trails. Indoor and Outdoor Board. 518- 

677-3545. 

DUTCH MANOR STABLE – Since 1967. Where 

quality board, training & instruction are a 

Capital District tradition. Large heated indoor 

and outdoor riding arenas. USHJA certified 

instruction. 518-456-5010 www.dmstable. 

com 

Equine 

death of a loved one 

should not be a taxable 

“The 

event,” 

Senator John Thune 

DIAMOND DERBY Ranch. Horse boarding, daily 

turnout, trails and lessons. Western, English. 

845-638-0271 

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. 

ADIRONDAK FOOTHILLS EQUINE in Comstock, 

NY offers horse boarding, lessons, indoor arena 

and much more. Brand new 120x280 outdoor 

provides the perfect venue for ranch sorting, 

team penning, barrel racing and gymkhanas. 

Visit www.adkfoothillsequine.com for a listing 

of events. Call 518-642-3755 or e-mail 

adkfoothillsequine@roadrunner.com. 

RENEGADE FARM in Schenectady NY. 

Reasonable rates with experienced quality 

service since 1996. Boarding, training, English 

& western lessons by Lynn Bakos. ARIA certified 

instructor. Monthly Adult Horsemanship course, 

summer camp. Indoor & outdoor rings, trails, 

over 40 acres of pastures. 518-864-5518 or 

lgbrenegade@yahoo.com. 

IVES FARM – Brewster/North Salem NY. Family 

owned horse boarding farm. Exceptional, 

personal care for horse and rider. Unique 

welcoming peaceful atmosphere in countryside 

setting. Roomy matted stalls with window. 

Grass turnout with sheds. Large outdoor arena, 

round pen, cross country field, miles of NSBTA 

trails. Stalls or rough board. 845-489-4940 

Lisa 

HORSE BOARDING- Sullivan County. New barn. 

Lots of turnout with run-ins. Endless trails, 

tireless care. www.HighRoadHorseFarm.com or 

845-482-4706 

HORSE BOARDING - Private family horse farm, 

Abundant secure pastures. Unending quiet 

woodland trails. Very large indoor arena. Large 

box stalls. Individual care. Resident veterinarian. 

Otego, NY 607-988-7779 

HORSE BOARDING – includes personal care, 

bi-monthly worming, use of outdoor arena 

and access to gravel road and trails. Separate 

paddock and roomy stall. $200/315-314-1932 

labowgirl@yahoo.com. References available. 

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. 

BOARDING,TRAINING & SALES: Pasture 

and rough board. Natural training methods 

in dressage, trail riding and western 

horsemanship. Lusitano crosses and quarter 

horses for sale. Clinton Corners, NY 845-594- 

9915 

NEED A HORSE STARTED or a problem 

corrected. Have a pleasure, show or racehorse 

that needs a place to stay? Check us out at 

www.southerndutchess.com or 845-226-1256. 

Indoor/outdoor facilities. 

BAR JMC RANCH offers full boarding, 

training programs, and lessons –english and 

western. Family run facility in Greene County. 

Reasonable rates with quality service. 845-820- 

4072 

Equine 

CORNERSTONE TRAINING STABLES. Training, 

lessons and sales. Check us out. Training, 

Lessons and sales. 607-359-2390 or www. 

cornerstonetrainingstables.com . Addison, NY. 

FOUNDATION TRAINING & Solutions for 

Problem Horses. 32 acres of heaven just 

outside of Saratoga. Natural Horsemanship 

Approach (PNH). Learn with your horse! Call 

Sue Knight at Round Table Training. 518-885- 

0402 

SUGAR HILL FARM of Victor, NY offers riding 

lessons for all levels. A safe environment builds 

confidence and teaches compassion while 

working with horses. 585-924-8240 or www. 

Sugarhillarabians.com. 

PLEASANT HILL STABLES. Trail riding, Western/ 

English tack & Apparel shop, Boarding, Lessons, 

Indoor arena. Horse & Carriage for Weddings, 

Team & Wagon for Parties, Birthday parties, Gift 

Certificates. www.pleasanthillstable.com or 

607-648-4979 

WINDROCK FARM solving common training 

issues with your horse, safe trailering, no 

kicking, biting, leading with respect, starting 

young horses with confidence, ride and 

obstacle course. Check web site for details. 

www.SwansonPetersonProductions.com. 

HORSES – Sales, training, lessons, breeding, 

boarding. Morgans, Paints and Quarter Horses. 

www.northstarfarm.com or 716-532-3390 

BOARDING, TRAINING (foals to seniors), 

Lessons, and Sales. Natural Horsemanship. 

WWW.hoofstepstrainingLLC.com (845) 820- 

0339 “Hoof Steps Training LLC, Doing things 

right one step at a time”. 

RETIRED HORSE BOARDING. Custom diets, 

12x12 stalls with windows, turnouts – 

individual/group, indoor arena. Specializing in 

nutritional problems. Equine nutritionist-owner/ 

manager. Afton, NY. www.equineretirement. 

com 607-639-2409 

HORSE BOARDING & Riding Lessons. 

Brunswick NY. Oversized indoor arena, heated 

stables with all amenities. Board $525. Lessons 

for beginners-intermediate on seasoned horses 

$35. PlacidHillsStables.com 518-279-9717 

HORSE BOARDING at Stillwater Island 

Farm. 20 min from Saratoga or Clifton Park. 

Spectacular views from the 50 acre private 

island. We have room for 2 boarders. Indoor 

arena, large box stalls, turnout in grass 

pastures with run-in sheds. Individual care. 

Maintained trails. Resident Veterinarian. 

Foundation Training available with natural 

horsemanship methods (PHN). $650 518-281- 

6383 

HORSE BOARD. Full care. Beautiful property 

and barn in Fredonia. Indoor arena. Trainer on 

site. Heather at 716-785-2535 

FOUR SEASONS Therapeutic Riding Center. 

Where people speak through horses. 

Therapeutic riding instruction, EAAT and 

Hippotherapy for people of all abilities. NARHA 

member center. 845-434-5912 

OLDER HARTMAN 2-horse trailer, ramp load. 

New brakes, in very good condition. $500 obo. 

845-226-1424 or 845-309-4444 

Equine 

REG. TENNESSEE WALKING Horses. Bred for 

trail riding. All have been used in my trail 

riding business and all do the original running 

walk. Why bounce when you can float in the 

Cadillac glide ride? $2800 to $4800. Will 

finance at 0% interest with a deposit. Happy 

Trails Walking Horses, LLC. 607-330-1198 or 

come trail riding with us by the Fingerlakes 

National Forest. 

LUKENS HORSE Transportation. Providing 

the best care for your horse for over 25 years. 

Weekly trips from the Northeast to Kentucky. 

Give us a call! 1-800-621-1225 or www. 

horsetransport.com. 

CARRIAGE DRIVING and Beginner Riding 

lessons, Pony Parties. Shadow Brook Farm, 

Middletown, NY Call Betty 845-692-5046. 

1990 Circle J 2-Horse trailer, straight load 

w/ramp, storm doors, 2 escape doors, tack 

compartment. 4 new tires. Very good condition. 

607-225-4909 

WHISKEY CART & One Horse Cutter Sleigh. 

Excellent condition. Extra set of draft shafts for 

the cart. 2 complete sets of harnesses. Cart 

$1500 Sleigh $2000 Harness $200 & $400. 

845-744-6251 

PARADE WAGON – Metal. Rubber tires, kept 

inside, Party wagon – Wooden, kept inside. 

White horse sulky plow, brand new, 12” steel 

eveners, plow tongue with neck yoke, coulter, 

kept inside. Syracuse plow – 2 way, new points, 

mold board, joiner. Forecart – 2 seater, heavy 

duty. Other Misc. Equipment.. Featherlite Stock 

trailer. 1997 gooseneck, 20ft. Used for Draft 

horse team and implements. Very few miles. Exc. 

Condition. $9000 585-542-9134 

CARRIAGE. Bronson wagon ready for the show! 

Horse size, natural wood, tan Bedford cord seats, 

dust covers for the seats, brakes, shafts and pole. 

Great condition. 716-741-4862 

ANTIQUE cutter sleigh in restored condition. 

$475. sprucerun@aol.com for pictures. 607- 

936-4737 

RETIRED FROM DRIVING. Collection of Antique 

Carriages and sleighs. All restored by Leola 

Carriage Com. Swiss Wagonette, Wicker 

Phaeton, Buckboard, Studebaker Roadcart, 

Spindle seat Runabout (2), Road cart, Speed 

wagon, Portland cutter, Dickey Bobs (s), 

beautiful Albany cutter, Fringe Top surrey and a 

Doctor’s cutter. Pair of Smuckers Russett 15-16 

hands driving harness, 21 in. K collars – Ex. 

Cond. Misc Items. 315-789-4909 

Con-Tack consigns and sells any horse related 

items including tack, riding apparel, antiques, 

etc.845-757-4442 or visit www.con-tack.com. 

OLDER western saddle , 14” seat, all leather. 

$100; (3) older english saddles, various styles 

$25 each or three for $60. 315-245-0687 

FARRIER TOOLS at Afton Farrier Supply. Rasps, 

Nippers, Hoof Knives, horseshoes and more. 

607-206-3867 or www.aftonfarriersupply. 

tripod.com 

STOP ARENA DUST Now you can have a 

dust free indoor! MAG Flakes eliminates 

watering, saves money. Proven and safe. www. 

StopArenaDust.com Emerson Supply 716- 

434-5371 

PREMIUM QUALITY THRIVE horse feed; complete 

feed, highest quality ingredients. Great for all 

ages/breeds of horses. Aids with normalizing 

weight, build healthy hooves, improves coat, aids 

with establishing a calm temperament. Feed as 

nature intended. See website: prayroadstables. 

com or call 315-393-3433 

TRAIL RIDES: Join us for a fun ride on our trails 

and fields. 585-638-5042. 

SHOW HORSE Appraiser. Maple Row Farm. 

716-435-0114 (cell) or 716-741-6900 

EQUINE CONNECTIONS © MASSAGE 

THERAPY. Enhance Performance. Safeguard 

against injury. Give your horses the best 

possible care. CJ Mathewson. Certified 

Equissage © Therapist. Info@ www.equitouch. 

webs.com 518-848-4599 

COGGINS TESTING – AGID and ELISA. 

Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Fecal and 

Serology too. Have your veterinarian contact us 

at Mohawk Valley Vet Labs (MVVL) located in 

Westmoreland, NY 1-877-853-4930



Equine 

Livestock 

Forestry/Forest Products 

Farm Market 

A HORSE DRAWN AFFAIR/BROE FARM home 

of Rosevale Leggo. 16.2 black morgan stallion 

standing at stud. Boarding ,lessons, training, 

dressage, driving ,hunters, Sales 518-329-5249 

Livestock 

BULLS! BREEDING- Age Jerseys, very good 

– excellent dams with 20,000lbs + records. 

Dreamroad Jerseys Call Flip 518-762-2375. 

100% PUREBRED WAGYU BREEDING BULL 

available for sale or lease. Semen available, 

will deliver. Forever Hopeful Farm. 518-369- 

6874 

REGISTERED POLLED Hereford Heifer and Bull 

calves; high weaning weights, good bloodlines. 

Berne, NY 518-872-0256 

HOLSTEIN STEER 1200lbs, butcher ready $1100 

or $1.90 hanging weight. 4 holstein/jersey 

steers, 600lbs, $500 finish off this summer! 

All fed certified organic feed, pasture raised. 

585-554-4468 

ANGUS BULLS, Trowbridge Bull Sale. 5/5/12. 

Held in Canandaigua, NY. 50 bulls sell, angus, 

Herefords, red angus. Video preview online 

at www.TROWBRIDGEFARMS.com. Catalogs 

mailed on request. Phil 518-369-6584, phil@ 

trowbridgefarms.com. 

ANGUS & HEREFORD Female sales. May 12, 

2012, back to back auctions start at 11am. 

NY Angus Association and NY Hereford 

Breeders, hosted by Trowbridge Farms, Ghent, 

NY. Catalogs mailed upon request. mike@ 

cattlepromotions.com, 518-598-8869, 

ny-angus.com or jkwagner@mhcable.com, 

518-469-3777. 

LAKE EFFECT HOOF TRIMMING. Serving all 

New York State. 12 yrs experience, modern, 

safe equipment, insured. Contact our team 

John & Nicholas Anderson 315-408-6030 or 

mscoolcows@aol.com. 

PERFORMANCE Dairy products. Live microbials 

for your dairy cows. Let Fred Myers help you 

improve your herd average. 315-271-5329 or 

315-865-6190 

DAIRY GOATS – ADGA registered Oberhasli 

National Top Ten DHIR milkers, yearlings, bucks, 

goat milk soap. Delicious milk, high butterfat. 

Darien 585-547-9906. www.harperhillfarm. 

com. 

REGISTERED NIGERIAN Dwarf Goat Does and 

Buckling. Nice markings. Easy to handle. 

Excellent milkers. Milk is very good for you and 

makes great cheese. Great for a small family 

or 4H project. 518-854-9702 or Alanna@ 

starlitridge.com. 

REGISTERED NIGERIAN Dwarf dairy goats – 

small and easy to handle. breeding stock, ideal 

for personal milk supply, 4-H projects, Can pull 

carts of be a pack animal. Does and bucks 

available. Shots-wormed- Downsizing herd. 

Binghamton area, call evenings 607-693-2682 

ANGORA GOATS. Reg. breeding stock from 

super fine Texas bloodlines. Breeding age 

bucks, does and starter flocks available, also 

raw or washed mohair fleece. Some pet quality 

stock also available. 518-537-4487 

AKBASH Livestock Guardian dogs. Taking 

reservations for puppies in late spring. 

Experienced dogs also available, guarding 

sheep, alpacas and goats. We sleep at night, 

because they don’t! Springside Farm. 315-683- 

5860 

SHETLAND SHEEP BREEDING stock for sale. 

For information or photos, 716-244-0290 or 

wildgeesefarm@gmail.com. 

MEAT GOATS: market-show-breeding stock. 

See: Empire State Meet Goat Producers 

Association website www.ESMGPA.org 

MINIATURE Donkeys, Nigerian dwarf goats, 

Muscovy Ducks, Serama Bantams. Friendly, 

healthy babies, adults available this spring. 

Questions welcome! 607-843-5584 or 

thornghyll@frontiernet.net or visit www. 

braethorn.tripod.com. 

GOATS, DONKEYS, TURKEYS, spring chick, fresh 

eggs, live and dressed. NPIP certified 518-733- 

9332. 

LAMBS - Old English Babydolls. Reg.Flock. 

2011 rams and ewes. 845-469-4462 

DAY OLD CHICKS – Cornish Rock cross broiler 

chicks, Red Sex linked layer chicks, and Broad 

Breasted White turkey poults. Call or write for 

prices and availability. NEPPA Hatchery, 660 

Fordsbush Road, Fort Plain, NY 13339 518- 

568-5322 

2011 WHITETAIL FAWNS for sale. Max, Palmer, 

Xfactor,, Rolex, Maxbo Extreme and Absolute 

genetics. Great crosses. Limited number of 

fawns for sale. Taking deposits. Northern 

Whitetail Farms, Akron, NY. More details on the 

website at www.NorthernWhitetailFarms.com. 

PRESTON ALPACAS. Sales. Breeding, registered 

high quality stock. Schedule a visit today. 

Stop by our booth at the CNY Fiber Festival in 

Bouckville, NY June 9-10. 607-397-8051 

CONSIDERING ALPACAS... At Spirit Wind Farm 

and Fiber Studio we take pride in offering quality 

alpacas with competitive prices and guarantees. 

Providing education in alpaca husbandry and 

fiber w/ ongoing support before, during and 

after the sale. Contact us w/ questions or to 

schedule a visit to our farm and studio. 315-926- 

5427 email: kyoung8@rochester.rr.com 

ALPACAS – Reg. quality breeding females, 

pet/fiber quality males. Call for sales list. 

Reasonably priced. Package deals available. 

Visit us, just outside of Syracuse, NY 315-445- 

2865 www.brierhillalpacas.com. 

ALPACAS FOR SALE. ALL must go! Pet & 

quality animals, males & females. Shearing 

table, cute and other misc. items. All 

negotiable. Call after 7pm or leave a massage 

607-589-4888 or 607-589-7590 

ALPACA DISPERSAL. ARI registered. Bred 

females $500 . Herd Sire $250. Perfect fiber 

and conformation. Don’t miss this opportunity 

716-990-3317 

WE BUY ALPACAS: Looking for unwanted boys 

and non-breeders in good health for meat. $100/ 

head and free pick up within 50 miles of 14414. 

585-237-8575 or Meat@AlpacaBytes.com. 

ALPACAS! High quality reg. alpacas. Sales and 

Breeds. Farm visits always welcome. See the 

alpacas and the farm store with alpaca mill 

spun yarn and roving, homespun yarn from 

our alpacas fiber and many other alpaca items. 

Call today as the summer calendar is filling up. 

607-397-8051. Worcester, NY. 

BABYDOLL LAMBS. 2012 lambs, yearlings, 

rams. Registered NABSSAR, www. 

cabincreekacres.com or 518-587-6008 

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 

WHITE DORPER SHEEP. Shedding, no shearing 

needed, ewes, ewe lambs and ram lambs for 

breeding, custom-butchered freezer lambs, 

pasture raised without any grain, hoof rot free. 

www.whitecloversheepfarm.com or Email ulf@ 

whitecloversheepfarm.com. Phone 585-554-3313 

Forestry/Forest Products 

LOCUST POSTS Poles Lumber split rail fencing 

hardwood, softwood, lumber wood. Lot’s 

wanted 518-883-8284. 

WORMY Chestnut lumber. Assorted lengths and 

widths. 607-776-2513 

EXOTIC TIMBER available. Japanese Yew, 

Cedar, other. Suitable for woodcrafts, stick 

furniture making. Land to lease. Approx 30 

acres. Schenectady County. Previously used for 

hay and feed corn. 518-382-3681 or Shirley. 

glindmyer@gtech.com. 

SUSAN KEISTER, Forester. Specialty: softwood, 

low grade and high grade timber sales; 

Management Planning. 585-728-3044 or visit 

www.susanjkeisterllc.com. 

CONSULTING FORESTRY : Timber sales, 480A, 

Gas Line and other appraisals, Firewood/ 

improvement marking, ect. Roy D. Hopke, CF, 

607-648-4573 Info Google “Roy Hopke”. 

NEW LEAF ENVIRONMENTAL LLC. North 

Eastern Wildlife and Forestry Consultants. 

Contact Lance Ebel and Andrew Fuerst at 607- 

229-0272 or visit www.newleafenvironmental. 

com for more information. 

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE. Firewood processors 

and other products to choose from. View 

videos at www.windancerfarm.com. 607-656- 

4551 

FREE WOODWORKING KNIVES SELF-SET: Joiner 

and planer knives, buy any start-up kit and 

receive a FREE set of HSS replacement blades. 

Retail orders only. www.dispozablade.com or 

call Dispoz-A-Blade 800-557-8092 

SAW MILL on Long Island. Custom Cut lumber 

Boards, Planks, Beams. 631-727-5920 Ed 

Thompson. 

SAWMILL American #2 50” blade $1000. Also 

52” left hand blade $600. 716-307-3175 

DRY DOUG FIR 2 x 12 x 16 (55) $1100, select 

2 x 6 x 16 decking 1.10 @ LF 8” log siding ship 

lap 1.39 LF. Nancy Crane 585-567-2583 

PINE,SPRUCE and FIR seedlings for Christmas 

trees, reforestation, wildlife habitat, 

windbreaks, property beautification. Wholesale 

prices. FREE catalog. Fliskinger’s Nursery, 

Sagamore, PA. 800-368-7381 or www. 

flicknursery.com. 

SEEDLINGS – Colorado Blue and White 

Spruce 3 yr 8”-16” 20 for $21.95 100 for 

$79.95. Shipping minimum $15, 25% deposit, 

balance due prior to shipment. CNURSERY@ 

Frontiernet.net. 585-657-7165 fax 585-657- 

7167 

APPLE WOOD & FIREWOOD available in 

Columbia & northern Dutchess counties and all 

adjacent areas. Delivery available, call for free 

quote. 845-876-5999 

TIMBER & LOG BUYERS. “The Wagner 

Company” purchase standing timber, hardwood 

logs and timberland throughout New York and 

the Northern Tier of PA. 607-687-5362 or 

www.wagnerlumber.com. 

$$$LOGGING$$$. Buying standing timber. 

Hard, soft, maple, cherry, walnut ,ash, red 

&white oak. 50-500 acres. Paid before cut. Free 

consultation; good network. 315-668-3786 or 

315-706-4592 

CUSTOM SAWING of logs, rough-cut hard 

and soft wood lumber available. Mill Blades 

Hammered. Call Ken. 585-547-9269 or 585- 

591-0180 

NOW BUYING TIMBER: any kind. Aspen, poplar, 

cotton wood, willow, soft maple. Pole wood, 

fire wood stock. Standing or harvested. Picked 

up or delivered. Covey Tree Inc. 716-484-6183 

Travel 

COME VISIT OUR FARMS! 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! 

EASTON VIEW OUTFITTERS are specialists 

in putting together just the kind of outdoor 

adventure you have in mind! From oncein-a-lifetime 

trophy hunt to wilderness 

photography to using our lodge for your 

gathering or as your source of quality cervid 

stock for a new or existing farm, we promise 

you an unforgettable outdoor wilderness 

experience. Call 518-692-9999 for more 

information. www.EastonViewOutfitters. 

com. 

LLAMA TREKS. Take a guided nature hike 

with our pack llamas, through forested 

ravines with a stream and waterfalls, while 

they carry drinks and snacks. Spring, summer 

and fall. www.woodmanseellamas.com 315- 

696-8997 

SEASONAL AGRI-TOURISM business opens 

in Lodi, NY, Seneca County! Amazeing Acres 

features a 7000 sg.ft Hedge Maze, a classical 

stone Labyrinth, Medicine Wheel Garden, 

pond w/paddle boats and walking paths 

to the Finger Lakes National Forest. Rough 

camping and Hostel. Open May1 – Oct 31. Fun 

outdoor field trip for families and classrooms. 

Coming soon: A hopscotch pavilion and Pedal 

Cart Track! Available for Birthday parties, 

celebrations and Fundraiser Events too. www. 

amazeingacres.org or 607-592-5493 to book a 

reservation. 

“THE MAPLE LADY” visit her at www. 

MapleLady.com for unique maple products, 

gifts and recipes. 

GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD TASTE that lasts all 

year long! Jam of the month subscriptions 

from Knapp Farm. Locally grown and 

processed by 8th generation. www.knappfarm. 

net. 607-733-5269 

MARKETING BOOST. New York Farm Bureau’s 

“Local Farms, Local Food” promotion program 

gives your retail farm market more visibility 

with press releases, advertising, point-ofpurchase 

materials, and Web site listing, 

plus a commission on new Farm Bureau 

memberships you sell. To inquire send e-mail 

to MemberSupport@nyfb.org or call 800-342- 

4143, ext. 5631. 

VENDOR OPPORTUNITY at winestock 2012. 

June 16th, noon – 6 at Three Brothers 

Wineries, Geneva. Sell you NYS food or craft 

to wine, food, music and art lovers. Email 

Erica@3brotherswinery.com. 

Supplies 

DISCOUNT PESTICIDES. We ship daily. info@ 

thompsonag.com 716-934-3808. 

GENERIC PESTICIDES – Springwater Ag 

Products. 8663 Strutt St. Wayland ,NY Open 

7 days a week! Farmer friendly prices. Call for 

early savings and prices. Serving the Finger 

Lakes area since 2003. We sell brand names as 

well. 585-728-2386 

DRUMS and CONTAINERS Great for home 

brewery. Polyethylene plastic drums ideal for 

storage. 10 gal. white drum w/ blue screw 

on lid $10 each. 20 gal square containers w/ 

blue snap on lids, will hold 60lbs of wheat. $5/ 

each. 55 gal. plastic open top drums for rain 

barrel $10 each. 1/2 oz and 5 oz glass amber 

bottles with caps $.13 each. Contact paul@ 

ontariorecycling.com for pictures, pricing and 

shipping. 585-328-4253. 

DRAINAGE SUPPLIES – a complete line of 

yellow and black corrugated polyethylene pipe 

and fittings. NYS approved, heavy-duty, high 

quality to solve your drainage problems. Paul 

Schwarting for info and consult. 315-689-6460 

WADE RAIN Irrigation Pipe. 2 inch x 30 foot 

and 4 inch x 20 foot. 2 Mario PTO pumps (6x6) 

and 2-row Berry King Strawberry mulcher on a 

16’ wagon. Louis 561-718-4247 

OUTDOOR WOOD/COAL BOILER. Royal Boiler, 

490,000but, Pressurizes system. Model 6490. 

Large door with 50 cubic ft fire box. Burns 52” 

wood or chestnut coal. This unit is currently 

in operation and has never seen the weather; 

it is hooked up and housed inside a building. 

Heavy duty unit in excellent condition. Includes 

controls. $6500. Horton Hardware in Afton, 

NY. Steve or Al. 607-639-1283 

SAVE UP TO 65% off your hot water bill with 

EarthKind Solar. Use the sun to save money, 

save energy and reduce your dependence on 

imported fuels. Great for dairy farms. Call 

1-877-Earth-71. 

WOODWORKERS: Planer/jointer knives anyone 

can change! Free shipping for NYFB members. 

www.dispozablade.com 800-557-8092. 

VERMONT CASTINGS Encore Noncatalyst 

wood stove, 8” flue collar, 2009 model 

year. Good stove for large home. Includes 

thermostatic blower system, firebox screen 

and 8”doublewall piping sections. $2100 obo. 

516-449-1282 

LISTER LASER Shearing Machine with extra 

combard culler, with plastic carrying case. Never 

used. Paid $320, asking $300. Firm. 716-992-3806 

SHEEP FARM EQUIPMENT Dispersal. Includes 

Aluminum trailer, hay elevator, foot trimming 

table, semen tanks, AI equipment, show 

blankets, shears, fans, feed racks and more. 

Ox7ford@hotmail.com for details. 

PRECISION GPS Guidance Equipment. We sell 

units that Guide operators, auto steer tractors, 

map spraying and systems that guide within 

1-2 inches. Outback Guidance center. Geneva, 

NY 14456 315-789-0037 

SULLIVAN COUNTY FARM has compost for 

sale. Buyer responsible for trucking. Dry manure 

available. 845-295-0063.



Supplies 

Specialty Products 

Real Estate 

Antiques and Collectibles 

TEXAS REFINERY LUBRICANTS Since 1922. 

Top quality oils and greases. TIRESEAL never 

equaled. Leading fuel conditioner for wear and 

deposit reduction in diesel. 716-581-0570 

Made in USA. 

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. 

PURCHASE AMSOIL Synthetic lubricants. 

Reduce engine wear, lower your operating cost 

and help Farm Bureau. Visit www.lubedealer. 

com/ve Use dealer number ZO 1664563 

Egg Cartons and Poultry Supplies at 

discounted prices. 1-888-852-5340.Visit www. 

EggCartons.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. 

POND SUPPLIES, fish stocking and algae 

control. Contact us for your pond needs. 1-888- 

854-8945. www.willowpondaquafarms.com 

HONEYBEES – Start Beekeeping today, we 

offer Italian, Carniolan and Russian Honeybees 

in Packages, Queens and Nuc Hives. Contact 

Betterbee, Inc at 1-800-632-3379 or online at 

www.betterbee.com and order today. Please 

mention code FARMB2008 

HONEYBEES 3lb package with queen. April 

delivery. Beehives, equipment, clothing and 

supplies. 845-445-2137 or 845-427-2809 

Elwill40@yahoo.com 

HONEYBEE COLONIES wintered over and 

washed empty 55 gallon open head barrels. 

Available after May 1st. 585-964-3121 

WASHED BEDDING SAND, STONE, GRAVEL, 

LIMESTONE CRUSHER-RUN prompt service fully 

insured since 1949. Van trucking 315-263-2647 

EQUIPMENT- Gates, pens, feed panels, corrals, 

feed throughs, all sizes. Finger Lakes. 585- 

394-1515 or 585-315-0498 ask for Ron. 

EQUIPMENT - CATTLE: chutes, headgates, 

sweeps, panels. EQUINE: stalls, saddle racks, 

round pen. Also have kennels. Call Layden’s. 

888-589-7033 

Specialty Products 

FISH HATCHERY at Falconwood Farms. Live 

fish for ponds, restaurants and farm markets. 

Grown in ponds and tanks supplied by water 

from wells and springs.. 845-832-6086 www. 

fishfarm.com 

BEAVERKILL Trout Hatchery LTD. Brook, Brown, 

Rainbow. Stocking private lakes, streams, 

fishing clubs, kids fishing derbies. Located in 

headwaters of the Beaverkill Valley. Delivering 

to NY,PA,CT and NJ. 845-439-4947 

SEW WHAT? FABRIC SHOPPE – Fabrics, yarn 

, classes and machine quilting. Addison, NY 

607-359-4308 

AFFORDABLE Art prints. Country & garden 

scenes, livestock, pets, wildlife. Great gift 

ideas! www.etsy.com/shop/MarthasPrintsPlus. 

EMU OIL. Helps arthritis, psoriasis, skin rashes, 

poison ivy, etc. Works for any dry skin, excellent 

for wrinkles. At the Windmill on Saturdays in 

Penn Yan. Mail order available. Young Hill Ostrich 

& Emu Farm. 8489 Lattimier Hill Road. Arkport, 

NY 14807 emufarm@linkyny.com. 

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. 

CATTLE FREE STALL SAND. Inorganic bedding 

sand, delivered by the yard. Provided by 

Ashcroft Construction Company. Greenwich, 

NY. 518-692-2014 

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 

SAWDUST and bark Mulch. Also wood cuts 

offs-ends from sawmill. Ideal for outdoor 

furnaces. Will deliver to Sussex, NJ, Orange- 

Chenango-Sullivan-Delaware, Putnam, Wayne 

Counties. All calls returned. 845-986-2946 

BULK PINE Shavings loaded on your pick-up 

or dump truck. Mike 607-859-2394 or www. 

sawdustguy.com. 

MULCH. All natural barks and colored mulches, 

bulk stone and boulders, Rinox brick and 

block products, Aquascapes, pond supplies. 

GreenScapes Inc. 315-469-0007 or www. 

greenscapesonline.com. 

KILN DRIED SAWDUST and wood shavings, 

green sawdust available. Quality, clean horse 

and dairy bedding. 20 to 120 yard loads 

available. Prompt Service. 315-729-1499 

BAREFOOT WOOD PELLETS. $275/ton. 

Worcester Valley Lumber Rte 7 West, 

Worcester, NY 12197. 607-397-8002 

LAMB for your freezer (legs, chops, burger, 3 

flavors sausage, etc.) Registered Cotswold 

breeding stock, natural colored sheep too. 

Exceptional handspinning fleeces, prepared 

fiber and sheepskins, all from our flock. www. 

nistockfarms.com or 607-522-4374. Located 

in Prattsburgh. 

GIANT VARIETY Vegetable Seeds – grow giant 

pumpkins, corn, sunflowers, etc. and make a 

show for your farm market. Start a contest and 

involve the kids! Set world records! www. 

bigseeds.com. 

MEDIUM RED Clover Seed. Excellent quality. 

Clean and ready for use. Plowdown or Hay 

$1.20/lb. Kime Farms. Geneva, NY. 315-858- 

6356 

NORTHERN WHITETAIL SCENTS sells premium 

scents direct from our deer to your door! We 

are a family owned and operated white-tailed 

deer farm right here in New York. Our scents 

are collected and bottled fresh daily! 100% 

natural, the way nature intended! We now 

have antlers and mounts for sale. Call 1-800- 

683-3002 or visit www.NorthernWhitetail.com. 

ARMSTRONG’S ELK FARM has ARMSTRONG’S 

VELVET ANTLER CAPSULES for sale. Velvet 

antler provides nutritional support for joint 

structure and function. This natural dietary 

supplement is 100% natural – 100% Whole 

Velvet Antler from Armstrong’s Elk Farm in 

Cornwallville, NY. Call 518-622-8452 or e-mail 

elkfarmerd@aol.com. 

Real Estate 

CLEAN LICENSED & FENCED SALVAGE/REPAIR 

YARD with new house 50% done. Great 

location, next to I-88. Some inventory 100 plus 

engines/transmissions, complete shop – lift – 

tools, waste oil furnace, body crusher – loaders 

– picker. Roll back, back hoe and lots more. 

DANA’s AUTO PARTS. Bainbridge, NY. Visit 

www.danasautoparts.web.com. $275,000. 

$85,000 down, EX Terms. 607-624-8370 or 

352-308-4746 

OPEN FLOOR PLAN For vacation or business 

plus 2 acres. Chautauqua County. Adjacent to 

state lands with snowmobile/horse/biking trails 

and hunting. $46,500. 716-962-2200 judy@ 

shafferrcausage.com. 

SMALL HORSE FARM w/ 3 bedroom ranch 

house with garage.. Barn with small indoor, 

34 acres fenced pasture/woods and pond. 

www.514oldsharronrd.com $234,900 518- 

424-2637 

FURNISHED ROOM private bath one person 

share home. Quiet countryside, security, 

references, $390.00 monthly 518-854-7862. 

186 ACRE FARM – Otsego Co. Edmeston NY. 

Close to Cooperstown. 4 bedroom home, 

barn, machine shed, good pasture, fenced, hay 

fields, woods. Great for horses and livestock. 

Excellent hunting. 607-965-2174 

65 ACRE farm between Albany/Saratoga 

(Clifton Park). 5 minutes from I-87 Exit 8A. 

Low taxes, excellent for horses. Deer, geese, 

turkey. 2 golf courses near by. Mohawk River. 

Will sell with or without machinery. $425,000. 

518-371-5739 

RANCH HOUSE. 11 acre field backed by woods, 

near Jordanville, in Southern Herkimer County., 

Knotty pine throughout, open design, 3 BR, 

2B,attached double garage with heated shop/ 

hobby rooms; full dry basement,$199,000 

includes mineral rights. 732-449-5499. 

COUNTRY HAVEN on 32 acres, beautiful 

modern 3 bdrm home, pool, garage, private 

setting 518-922-6301 

BUILDING maintenance business established 

for 38 years in Hamburg, NY. $345,000 in 

business for 2010. Must sell 2010, make offer. 

Owner illness forces sale. Will stay in area for 

12 months to help new owners. 716-649- 

7942 or 716-861-3984 

10 BEAUTIFUL acres overlooking Seneca Lake, 

Yates County. Very nice 3 bedroom colonial 

home with stone fireplace, nice set of barns. 

40x80 Morton building with shop. 315-536- 

2717. Please leave message. 

DEER AND TURKEY hunting galore!! 76 acres 

of open and wooded land in Steuben County, 

lots of state land nearby, with or without mineral 

rights. Several great cabin sites. 315-945-5559 

BEEF & HORSE Farm. 66 acres. Great pasture, 

lots of water, 4 bedroom home, garage/shop, 

pole barn. Low taxes in an excellent location. 15 

minutes from Syracuse. Illness forces sale. Will 

sell with or without machinery. Reasonably priced. 

315-380-0089 ask for Richard for more details. 

HUNTERS PARADISE. Ducks, geese, Deer. 114 

acres with acreage for a camp. 17 ponds 

constructed to Ducks Unlimited Specs for 

nesting. 315-397-2783 

SELLING YOUR FARM? Want to buy a farm? 

We can help. Go to Fingerlakesrealestate.com 

then click on FARMS. We cover all of New York 

State. We have buyers ready to buy and they 

have been Pre-approved. Want to buy, we have 

farms for sale. Call Richard Schmidt at 315- 

729-3672 or email richardschmidt@realtor. 

com total sales commission 7.95%. 

77 Acres. Remodeled farmhouse. Fenced 

pasture. Older dairy barn. Near village of 

Dryden, Tomppkins County. Pond, woods, 

upper meadows. Incredible views! Offered at 

$260,000. Call NY Land Quest 877-257-0617. 

www.nylandquest.com 

BUY LAND. 40 years experience in Farm and 

Land sales in Orange County. D.L. Hawkins & 

Assoc. 845-629-6896 

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 

DISNEY AREA ORLANDO MAGIC Kissimmee, 

Florida 4 bdrm, 3 bath fully equipped with 

private heated pool in Emerald Island Resort. 

Free phone and internet-free tennis $900 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. 

THOROUGHBRED FARM Oneonta area exercise 

rider wanted to re-train race horses: Prospects and 

facilities in place; split proceeds 607-783-2696. 

HERDSMAN wanted for small (40 cow) 

registered Breeding/Dairy. Partnership potential 

available. Please send resume to : Resume – 

PO Box 111, Kanona, NY 14856. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – winestock 2012. June 

16th, noon – 6 at Three Brothers Wineries, 

Geneva. Two volunteer shifts available 11-3 or 

3-7. Help this NYS Wine, Food, Music and Art 

festival raise money for wine education. Email 

smcvineyard@htva.net. 

FARM HELP WANTED. Full time on 70 cow 

dairy. Responsible for barn chores, field work, 

etc. Approx 60 hours/week. One day/week off. 

Pay neg. 716-592-2594 WNY 

Antiques and Collectibles 

LAND OF OZ AND ENDS Bus tours welcome. 

Rare OZ items among distinctive antiques in a 

“homey” setting. Thur-Sat, 10:-5: Sun 1:-5: or 

by appointment , 2 miles west of downtown 

Chittenango on route 5 315-687-3319 www. 

landofozandends.com. 

JERRYS DEERE BARN – Vintage John Deere 

Lawn & Garden tractors & two cylinder tractors. 

New website for hobbyists, collectors, restorers. 

Help forum, library, photo gallery and more. All 

free. www.JerrysDeereBarn.com 

VINTAGE CLOTHES (ladies and babies), 

parasols, old lace, fur hats, tablecloths, old 

quilts, tatting yarn, table runners, silk shawls 

etc. 518-924-5280 

Services 

FERRLAND PRESS – Graphic design, printing 

and promotional products. Discount pricing 

available. Contact us for a free quote. www. 

ferrlandpress.com. Toll free: 888-332-3253, 

email trent@ferrlandpress.com. 

HORSE BLANKETS: Cleaned, waterproofed and 

repaired. Over 30 yrs experience. 845-677- 

6906 Serving Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, 

Columbia Counties and Long Island. 

AUCTIONS. Reynolds Auction Co. can help 

with all asset liquidation including farm, 

horticulture, commercial, restaurant, vehicles, 

estates, antiques and real estate. www. 

reynoldsauction.com for upcoming auctions. 

315-597-8815 

BRANDT’S CUSTOM MEAT CUTTING and 

mobile processing offers on site slaughtering 

for all types of farm animals as well as poultry. 

Now taking appointments. For those ordering 

chicks, we offer on site slaughtering of all 

poultry. Also selling quarter’s and halves as 

well as whole beef, butcher hogs and pasture 

raised poultry. Jordan or Rachel Brandt 315- 

493-9120 

AUBIN’S BUTCHERING & PROCESSING. 

Slaughtering beef, pork, veal, lamb, goats. 

Smoking hams, bacons, beef jerky, slim jims. 40 

years experience. Gary and Bert Aubin 315- 

688-2964 

DIRECT MARKETING LIVESTOCK SERVICE. 

B.K.Transfer. 5324 County Rd 14 in Odessa, 

NY is accepting all types of livestock. Mondays 

9-4 and Thursday 9-3. 607-703-0052 and 

607-227-5282 

HUNTING GUIDE SERVICE – Long Island Fowl 

Outfitters.com Hunting at its best on the twin 

forks. Now booking field and pond hunts for 

2011-12. 631-965-9251 

HUNTING LEASE NETWORK (HLN) 

provides professional managed hunting 

leases with liability insurance. Visit www. 

nationalhuntingleases.com or call 315-789- 

3181. 

A&G DOG Boarding at Cedar Creek Farm. 

Bring your dog on a summer vacation!! We 

provide a warm home environment on a 70 

acre farm in East Fishkill, NY. Daily exercise. 

Call Kim at 845-206-1756. 

CERTIFIED Animal Aromatherapist. Available for 

the common and uncommon: environmental 

issues, trauma, immune system, show placing 

and rescue animals. Appointments for the 4 & 

2 legged. Itoocare@aol.com or 607-862-9536 

SHEARING. Russell Mountain Shearing. 

Specializing in small flock sheep shearing 

and hoof trimming. Southern Tier of NY and 

Northeast PA. Jerry Russell 607-669-9176 

CUSTOM CARDING & SPINNING. Processing 

all fiber types. Batting, roving or yarn from 

your own fleece – no minimums. Visit On-Line 

www.battenkillfibers.com or come for a tour. 

518-692-2700 

HOME IMPROVEMENTS: Erie & Niagara 

Counties. Interior & Exterior Renovations 

and Repairs. Kitchens and baths. Family 

owned business for over 28 years. References 

and estimates. 716-695-1414 or email 

dirhomemaininc@aol.com. 

AUNT LULU’s Embroidery specializes in 

livestock embroidery on garments and 

accessories. Denim shirts, award chairs, 

hats and much more. Check out www. 

StitchesByAuntLulu.com for breed specific 

embroidery. Laura 585-765-2280 

EMBROIDERED APPAREL. Your logo or text on a 

wide selection of caps, shirts, jackets and more. 

631-929-2800, www.omnibusinessproducts. 

com and email omnibp@optonline.net. 

SAMPLERFARM CUSTOM QUILTS made to 

your order. Pieced, appliquéd, art and T-shirt 

quilts are professionally created and quilted. 

Longarm Machine Quilting services available. 

Nancy at samplerfarm@aol.com or 518-885- 

8427



Services 

Services 

Services 

Services 

FENCING. Serving Western New York for over 

14 years. We install livestock, horse, deer and 

many other types of fence. All designed to fir 

your specific needs. Call R&R Fencing. 585- 

599-3489 

FENCING: we install agricultural and 

residential fencing to meet your needs. Post 

pounding, woven wire, board, split rail, chain 

link, vinyl. 25 years experience. Serving 

Western and Central NY. Stable fences & 

Vineyards, LLC. 585-349-4119 www. 

StableFences.com. 

TREE SERVICE. Serving all of WNY. 

Specializing in dangerous tree removal. Fully 

insured. 716-275-5591 

NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL Services. Let a 

professional trapper harvest muskrats from your 

property this season. Licensed and Insured. A 

beaver control specialist serving CNY. Call Scott 

315-200-0777 

DEER NUISANCE control free services. 

Suffolk Archers Deer Management Program 

specializing in helping farms reduce crop loses 

to zero. Guaranteed deer harvest. Permits, 

licensed and insured. Andy 631-521-1471 

CHEMICAL CONSULTANT, GDA Consulting 

“Chemistry at Work” Guy D’Angelo, Chemist. 

Call: 631-878-2912. 

HORTICULTURE/NURSERY/CONSULTING. 

Diversify your ag business, expand or create. 

FREE initial consultation. Contract Growing 

available. Billsplants@optonline.net or 631- 

924-1513 

HEDGE TRIMMING by Peter Vorkman. We trim 

hedgerows up to 16+ feet. We will trim them 

back to the original hedgerow. Call 607-319- 

4960 

DESIGN-BUILD-CONCEPTS for ALL your Equine/ 

Ag building plans as well as Residential and 

Commercial. Give us your information at our 

website www.design-build-concepts.com for a 

free quote. 607-292-3690 

SPANISH/ENGLISH; translating, interpreting, 

classes; 14 years experience; www. 

camysorbello.com Camy Sorbello 315-597- 

9791. 

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE STORAGE, refrigeration, 

and ventilation. Arctic Refrigeration Co., 

Batavia, N.Y. Tel. 585-343-2678. 

FULL SERVICE YEAR around tax accounting 

& payroll service in Marion, NY. New clients 

receive 20% off the tax return fee. New payroll 

clients receive 20% off their current monthly 

payroll fee. Call Boerman Tax Accounting & 

Payroll. 315-926-0203 

FULL SERVICE YEAR ROUND Tax accounting/ 

payroll/bookkeeping services. New customer 

discount of $50 on your 2011 returns. $20 per 

client referral. We are located in Middle Grove, 

NY, just minutes away from Saratoga Springs. 

Nancy DeLorenzo 518-581-0163, www. 

DELORENZOASSOCIATES.COM. 

DON’T LET NYS keep your money. Call 

today about getting a refund of taxes paid 

on qualified farm fuel. Contact Melissa for 

information. Peachin&Associates. www. 

peachincpas.biz. Or 607-432-5314 

STEVE O’S EXCAVATION Land cleared, roads, 

ponds, culverts, bridges, drainage, retaining 

walls, trucking, demolition Insured 607-432- 

4284. 

CAPITAL SAWMILL SERVICE. Bucket truck tree 

removal and portable sawmill service. Serving 

the greater capital region and will travel. 

Landscape design and installation. www. 

capitalsawmill.com 518-479-0729 

CONSULTING REAL ESTATE APPRAISER: 

Specializing in conservation easements for PDR 

and or IRS donations; MAI, Associate member, 

ASFMRA, 30 yrs experience: R. Peters Hubbell, 

Jr. – R.P. Hubbell and Company, Inc. 845-454- 

6525 or 518-846-3322 

H2A, H2B Consulting service. Help with 

paperwork all levels and locating workers. 

Micosta. H@Express 518-755-4102, 

h2express@yahoo.com. 

REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT delivered to your 

site. Check my web site www.altref.com or 

email: altref@rochester.rr.com 

H2-A and H2-B work visas. Call U.S. Americans 

for free consultation at 516-997-1065 

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY (H-2A/H-2B): 

Experienced attorney to handle all aspects 

of visa processing, including advertising, 

forms preparation, consular processing, legal 

consulting. L.J.D’Arrigo, Esq., Whiteman, 

Osterman & Hanna, LLP. 518-487-7642 or 

ldarrigo@woh.com. 

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! 

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. 

BARBEQUE CATERING. Let us cater your next 

event. LaJeunesse Cuisine. 518-673-2453. 

Email lajeunessecuisinellc@yahoo.com. 

THE PICKERING PUB 170 South Main Street 

Canandaigua. Warm friendly atmosphere. 

Pick the Pub for Wednesday: drafts and 

tacos $1.00, Tuesday: Wing Night. 585-396- 

9060 

SEAWAY RENTAL CORP: A Honda dealer for 

your parts and repairs. We also stock parts and 

we repair many types of portable heaters. 315- 

788-4700 or www.seawayrentalcorp.com. 

AG & SMALL ENGINE PARTS: If you need any 

parts for tractors, bedding choppers, lawn mowers 

& more, visit us on the web at www.wnyparts.com 

or www.nyparts.com. 315-347-1755 

REPAIR-vs-REPLACE. Electronic Dairy 

Board Service. Specializing in repair of 

WestfaliaSurge, BouMatic, Germania, DeLaval 

and Muellar Milk tank control Repair. 406- 

590-7764 

Truck bodies, custom built to your needs. 

Dump bodies, rollbacks, stake racks, flat beds, 

round bail wagons, dump trailers, equipment 

trailers. Western Fabrication (315)827-4008 

ENGINE & Cylinder head rebuilding. Complete 

engine balancing, line honing, decking, 

resurfacing, boring, sleeve repair, big bore, 

pin boring, performance valve jobs, cast iron 

welding, guides and seat boring & installation 

etc. Call Steve Dannible’s Engine & Machine 

in St. Johnsville. 518-568-7794 

AG & HEAVY Equipment part and repair. In 

house machine shop and fabrication shop. 

New replacement parts for most makes and 

models of equipment. www.pdmechanical.com 

315-288-5307 

ENGINE REBUILDING AG Tractors, cars, trucks 

and small engines. All engine machining, 

cleaning, grinding and inspection needs. We 

have engine kits, gasket kits and A&I parts. 

315-789-0037 

FARM AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT BODY REPAIR. 

Heavy Equipment, Truck, Trailer and Tractor 

Body Repair; Aluminum and Stainless Steel 

Welding; Steel for sale. Visit our website at 

www.MapleGroveEnterprises.com or call Maple 

Grove Enterprises 585-492-3340 

LIME-LAKE PERFORMANCE. Servicing Sleds- Jet 

Skis- ATV’s. Ask for Mike. 716-353-8262 or 

716-560-6018 

AQUASCAPE RAIN Xchange rainwater 

harvesting systems/Water gardens. 

Installations, consultations, products. Chips 

Landscaping. 518-339-4869/Fax 518-893- 

2064 website www.chipslandscaping.net. 

FUEL SERVICE: Call for Special Fuel Pricing. 

Mohawk Home Comfort Services a full service 

Heating & Cooling installation company 

delivering Oil,Kerosene,Diesel,Gasoline and 

Propane products. Ed @ 1-800-432-8669 

OIL & GAS ATTORNEY: Richard Gerard, Practice 

limited to Oil and Gas. Exclusively representing 

Landowners in NY and PA. Visit www. 

ny.gaslaw.com Call 607-732-3793 

WIND TURBINES – Solar Panels: Representing 

nine different wind turbine manufacturers and 

solar pv insures you receive the best option for 

your site and your energy requirements. Call 

Pyrus Energy 315-834-6406 

WIND ENERGY FOR YOUR FARM. Sustainable 

Energy Developments, Inc. has installed over 25 

wind turbines at farms and homes throughout 

NY State, leading the state and third in the 

country in small wind turbine installs. www. 

sed-net.com and 1-877-WINDNRG. 

CORPORATE ATTORNEY: Experienced attorney 

on Long Island handling business formation, 

contracts and transactions. Vicki S. Gruber, P.C., 

516-845-8088 vgruber@vsgpc.com or www. 

vsgpc.com. 

GAS LEASE ATTORNEY: Chenango County 

area, attorney Ed Downey, review and 

consulting on gas leases and right of ways, 

607-316-5601 or edowneylaw@nycap.rr.com 

Miscellaneous 

BOOK OF NEW YORK’S Agricultural history 

is rich and fascinating! “Four Hundred Years 

of Agricultural Change in the Empire State” 

by Robert Bitz. Purchase on-line from both 

Amazon or Barnes & Noble. 

FIBER FESTIVAL. Family festival with fiber 

animals, demonstrations, workshops, fiber 

vendors, farm vendors and children’s activities. 

June 9-10 in Bouckville. See www.cnyfiber.org. 

or call 315-899-7792 for details. 

WINESTOCK NY 2012. Come to the 3rd annual 

“Festival of NYS Wine,Food,Music and Art” 

Saturday June 16th, noon – 6 at Three Brothers 

Wineries, Geneva. Ticket information www. 

facebook.com/events/257691440992405 or 

www.winestock2012.eventbrite.com. 

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. 

Members: 

Call or e-mail Missy Nichols 

and reserve your FREE 

classified ad 

Phone: 518-436-8495 

E-mail: classifieds@nyfb.org 

Please donate today! 

Products and services provided by the NYFB 

Foundation for Agricultural Education are made 

possible by donations from members like you. 

Upon request, further information about NYFBFAE’s activities 

and programs will be provided. If you wish additional 

information on the NYFBFAE’s activities and programs, please 

write: New York Farm Bureau Foundation For Agricultural 

Education, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Albany, NY 12205. The 

NYFBFAE’s Annual Report may be obtained by writing either the 

N.Y.S. Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New 

York, NY 10271 or the New York Farm Bureau Foundation For 

Agricultural Education, Inc., at the above address. 

Yes, I would like to donate to the NYFB Foundation: 

q $25 q $50 q $100 q $200 q Other $_________ 

Name __________________________________________________ 

Address ________________________________________________ 

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________ 

Phone __________________ E-mail__________________________ 

In q memory q recognition of ____________________________ 

(please check one, if you so choose) 

Send to: NYFB Foundation, PO Box 530, Albany, NY 12205


Join us online 

Now there are more ways than ever 

to stay connected to the important 

issues facing New York farmers. 

Visit the New York Farm 

Bureau any time at 

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and events, legislation 

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Get in on the dialogue 

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at 1-800-342-4143 

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315-783-1856 

Farm Bureau Member for 35-Years

OUR 

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Nationwide Insurance® 

was founded by the farmerleaders 

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Today, we’re New York Farm 

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trusted insurer. As a New 

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Contact your local 

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Grassroots - New York Farm Bureau

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