October 2012 - New York Farm Bureau

Page 2 Grassroots October 2012Growers and Dept. of Labor Discuss Wage SurveyBy Nicole Willisnwillis@nyfb.orgRecently, a group of North Countryapple growers held a meeting with theNYS Department of Labor to discussprevailing wages and the NYS AppleHarvest Survey, distributed by the StateDepartment of Labor. The meeting wasorganized by NY Apple Association andincluded NYFB participation. The survey,distributed yearly to apple growers,gives growers the opportunity toprovide information on the wage ratesthat they pay workers during the peakharvest season.It is crucial for growers to fill out thissurvey and provide this information asit determines the prevailing wages andthe employment practices in each regionthroughout the state. Therefore,the more growers that file this surveythe better illustration of wages will begiven in each area.This survey is required through theH-2A process laws that require a surveyof employment practices a prevailingwages paid to domestic workers. Whilethis has a significant impact on growersusing the H-2A program it also has animpact on overall wages being paid ineach area of the state. Growers shouldfill out this survey, but only do so fortheir seasonal employees, NOT permanentworkers. The survey responsesmust reflect actual employment practices,not preferred employment practices.The survey will ask growers if theyrequire workers to meet production(quantity) thresholds, and it is importantto be specific on what your farm requiresas a level of production that yourworkers must achieve in order to retainemployment while performing certaintasks. It further specifies quality standardsas an element that is requiredby workers to meet while performingVilda Mayuga, Director of Division of Immigrant Policies and Affairs, talks with apple growers in Peru, NY to discuss the importanceof filling out the NYS DOL Labor survey.tasks. When answering these questions,bear in mind, the outside influence thatis also required of your product whenmarketing and selling.Be thorough, accurate and carefulwhen answering this survey. Understandthat your responses affect yourfuture H-2A order and local employmentstandards within your area. If yourequire experience, be sure to includeexperience. If you require minimal tozero bruise rate, be clear on these expectations.Again, the answers shouldbe based on peak-season, seasonal employees,not permanent.The survey is expected to be sentto growers mid-November to coordinatewith post-harvest season butprior to the anticipated holiday rushof events. Growers are encouragedto contact Nicole Willis at New YorkFarm Bureau or the NYS Departmentof Labor with any questions or concerns.Our goal for you:No surprisesat tax time.Our ag tax experts work with business owners all year tomanage liability, keep payments level and take advantageof all the tax opportunities legally allowed.Contact us today for a free review of your tax situation.800.562.2235FarmCreditEast.com

October 2012 Grassroots Page 3Study FindsProp. 37WouldIncreaseFood Cost inCaliforniaRepublican Challenger Matt Doheny (left) and Congressman Bill Owens, (right) participated in a Meet the Candidates forumlast month in Greenwich. The event, hosted by the Washington County Farm Bureau, featured questions submitted by the150 person audience on a variety of agricultural issues. NYFB is non-partisan, but encourages voter education on ag issuesand thanks both candidates for attending.2012 Election UpdateAgriculture Policy DirectionHangs on Tight RacesBy M. Kelly Youngand Jeff WilliamsKyoung@nyfb.org, jwilliams@nyfb.orgThere are tight election racesacross the state this November andthe results could truly impact publicpolicy for agriculture. The Senateon both the federal and state levelscould potentially flip majorities, butthe lower houses at both levels arenot expected to change drastically.Who is sitting in those houses, however,could change the flavor of policymoving forward.The same holds true for state legislativeraces as well. While we don’texpect a sea change in the Assembly,there could be some new facesin the Legislature when we start thenew Legislative Session in January.Enough new faces elected could shiftthe majority rule from Republican toDemocrat in the Senate, which Republicanscurrently control at 33-29.New York Farm Bureau is a nonpartisanentity and does not endorseany candidates, but several countyFarm Bureaus have held meetings orconducted surveys of the candidatesto better illuminate their agenda onagricultural issues. The best voter isthe informed voter and NYFB encouragesyou to research the positions ofthe candidates in your district. Wehave chosen to highlight several ofthe more notable races in the state.CongressNew York’s House delegation willshrink from 29 to 27 seats due to redistrictingfollowing the census.Currently we are represented by 21Democrats and 8 Republicans. Threemembers have announced their retirement,Maurice Hinchey in theHudson Valley and Gary Ackermanand Ed Towns in New York City. Eightmembers of the delegation are servingtheir first term in office and severalof those are in hotly contestedseats that could potentially changeparties.According to Roll Call, a CapitolHill news outlet, five New York Houseraces were still a toss-up at press timeand are races to watch on electionnight.NY-18 – This district in the LowerHudson Valley is currently representedby freshman Nan Hayworth(R-Mount Kisco), an ophthalmologist.She is being challenged by ColdSpring’s Sean Patrick Maloney (D),who served as an advisor in the ClintonWhite House.NY-19 – This redrawn district in theHudson Valley contains parts of thedistricts currently held by retiringHinchey (D- Saugerties) and freshmanChris Gibson (R-Kinderhook).Gibson, a retired Army Colonel andmember of the House AgricultureCommittee, is being challenged byJulian Schreibman (D), a public prosecutorfrom Kingston.NY-21 – This North Country districthas been redrawn, but most of it iscurrently represented by Bill Owens(D-Plattsburgh), an attorney andmember of the House AgricultureCommittee. He is being challengedby businessman Matt Doheny (R)from Alexandria Bay. These two wereseparated by 2,000 votes in a threewayrace in the last election.NY-24 – This Central New York districtfeatures a second round of lastelection’s close race between AnnMarie Buerkle (R-Syracuse) and DanMaffei (D-Syracuse), who after servingone term lost office by just over600 votes. This time polling showsthe race to again be one of the tightestin the state. Buerkle is a nurseand attorney and Maffei is a journalistand professor.NY-27 – This newly redrawn districtin Western New York is primarilyrepresented today by Kathy Hochul(D-Amherst), an attorney and formerlocal government official who won aspecial election for the seat last year.She is challenged by Chris Collins(R), a businessman and former countyexecutive from Clarence.State LegislatureSenate District 43 – Incumbent CapitalDistric Senator Roy McDonald lost aprimary battle with Saratoga CountyClerk Kathy Marchione on the Republicanline. Marchione also won theConservative line and forced the closeprimary election on the Republicanline in large part due to outcry overSenator McDonald’s vote in supportof marriage equality in 2011. At thistime, it is unclear whether McDonaldplans to continue his run on the IndependenceParty ballot line. In doingso, McDonald could potentially splitthe general election vote and makefor a very competitive race againstDemocrat Robin Andrews, a Town Supervisorin Columbia County.Senate District 51 – Long-time HudsonValley Senator, Steve Saland, declaredvictory in a tight Senate Racethat had him winning by 107 votesafter absentee ballots were counted.Like McDonald, the race had beentoo close to call on election night. HisRepublican challenger, Neil DiCarlo,also controls the Conservative lineand made the Republican primaryclose based on Saland’s vote on marriageequality. Democrat Terry Gipsonis waiting in the wings to pose achallenge in the General Election.Senate District 60 – Niagara Falls RepublicanSenator Mark Grisanti easilywon his primary election whenmany thought he would face a strongchallenge. Up next is Democrat MichaelAmodeo who hopes to benefitfrom the district’s 3 to 1 enrollmentadvantage. This will be a closelywatched race.Senate District 4 – Long Island RepublicanAssemblyman Phil Boyle facesDemocratic Suffolk County LegislatorRicardo Montano. Both are vyingto replace a 40-year incumbent, andinstitution, Senator Owen Johnsonwho announced his retirement earlierthis year.NYFB is a non-partisan organization,but hopes that voters take thetime to question candidates on theirpositions on various agricultural issues.A new economic study done byNorthbridge Environmental ManagementConsultants finds that byrequiring food producers to re-label,repackage or remake thousands ofcommon grocery products with higherpriced ingredients, Proposition 37would increase the cost of food soldby as much as $5.2 billion per year.These higher production costswould be passed on to California consumersin the form of higher foodprices, increasing the typical family’sgrocery bill by an average of $350to $400 per year.“Prop. 37 will drive up grocerycosts for California families, whileproviding absolutely no benefits,”said Jamie Johansson, an Orovillefarmer who grows olives to make oliveoil. Mr. Johansson is also secondvice president of the California FarmBureau Federation. “It’s a hidden foodtax and it comes at the worst possibletime to add more financial burden onconsumers and food producers, whenwe already face an economic downturnand a severe drought.”For nearly 20 years, biotechnology,or “genetic engineering,” hasbeen used to create modern varietiesof corn, soybeans, canola and othercrops that are more resistant to pestsand diseases or have other beneficialproperties such as drought resistanceor faster growth.Prop. 37, on the California November2012 statewide ballot, would createa complex labeling scheme thatwould require special labels on somefood and beverage products that containGE ingredients, but exempt others.It would effectively ban the saleof tens of thousands of perfectlysafe,common grocery products inCalifornia unless they are speciallyrepackaged, relabeled or remadewith higher cost ingredients. Prop. 37mandates that by 2019, products mustcontain zero percent GE, or they mustbe labeled. It also prohibits processedfood products from being labeled as“natural” in California, even if theycontain no GE ingredients and no additivesof any kind. These labelingregulations and restrictions do notexist in any other state or country inthe world.official notice of newyork farm bureau,inc.annual meetingThe New York Farm Bureau,Inc. (NYFB) Annual Meetingwill be held at The DesmondHotel and Conference Center,Albany, New York during threedays on December 4-6, 2012.The voting delegate businesssession convenes on Tuesdayafternoon, December 4, 2012and runs through Thursday,December 6, 2012. All FarmBureau members are invitedand encouraged to attend theNYFB Annual Meeting.

Page 4 Grassroots October 2012The President’s messageGrassrootsOctober, 2012Grassroots is published monthly by New YorkFarm Bureau Member Services, Inc. (159 WolfRoad, P.O. Box 5330, Albany, NY 12205-0330)as a member service. Production services by NewYork Press Service, Inc. Subscriptions are availablethrough New York Farm Bureau membership.Non-member subscription rate is $12. Periodicalspostage permit at Albany, NY. POSTMASTER:Send change of address notices on Form 3579 toGrassroots, 159 Wolf Road, P.O. Box 5330, Albany,NY 12205-0330.EDITORSJulie Suarezjsuarez@nyfb.orgSteve Ammermansammerman@nyfb.orgASSISTANT EDITORTara Wileytwiley@nyfb.orgADVERTISING MANAGERDoug Readoug@nynewspapers.comNEW YORK FARM BUREAUMAILING ADDRESSP.O. Box 5330Albany, NY 12205PHONE/WEB SITEPhone: 1-800-342-4143Web site: www.nyfb.orgfacebook.com/NYFarmBureauMANAGEMENTJeffery Kirby Executive DirectorKevin Cook Member ServicesElizabeth Dribusch Legal AffairsScott Keyes Insurance PartnerRelations & MembershipMarketingPaul McDowell Financial & Info SystemsFred Perrin Member RelationsSandra Prokop NYFB FoundationJulie Suarez Public PolicyNYFB BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident, Dean NortonElba, (716) 474-3901Vice President, Eric OomsOld Chatham, (518) 392-9594District 1, Hal KreherClarence Center, (716) 741-8781District 2, Paul BencalRansomville, (716) 216-4039District 3, John SorbelloShortsville, (315) 730-2670District 4, Ashur TerwilligerLowman, (607) 733-3957District 5, Darrell GriffHamilton, (315) 691-9635District 6, Eric BehlingMexico, (315) 963-8160District 7, David FisherMadrid, (315) 261-8231District 8, Jay SkellieSalem, (518) 854-7883District 9, Richard BallSchoharie, (518) 295-7139District 10, Charles LarsenGermantown, (518) 537-6586District 11, Kenneth SchmittMelville, (631) 249-2616Ann Peck, Chair of Promotionand Education CommitteeNewark, (315) 331-7791Andrea Schultz,Chair,Young Farmersand Ranchers CommitteeRansomville, (716) 622-0279REGIONAL OFFICESWestern NY Resource Center877-383-7663 or 585-343-3489Central NY Office866-995-7300 or 315-252-1367Eastern NY Office866-995-7300 or 518-854-7368Long Island Office631-727-3777On Page One:Various ornamental gourds are ready to be soldfor the fall season at Hand Melon Farm in Greenwich.Each month, we’ll highlight a differentmember farm on the Grassroots nameplate. Senda photo of yours to info@nyfb.org, and you mightsee it in a future issue!“National Food Day” Can Be Hard to SwallowFood is a hot topic this month. Not only isthe Farm Bill still continuing to linger asan issue in national politics, October isgenerating headlines as the group of well-meaningfoodies, “localvores” and a few farmers, havedesignated October 24th as “National Food Day”.There are quite a few activities being planned inplaces like New York City, from a farmer’s marketand locally themed food booths created bycelebrity chefs, to activitiesplanned on college campusesthroughout New York.It’s the second year in arow that “Food Day” hasbeen celebrated, and it putsorganizations like ours in aninteresting conundrum. Onthe one hand, it’s wonderfulas always to see such interestin food from our neighborsin New York City and onour college campuses. OnDean NortonNYFB Presidentthe other hand, while mostof the guiding principles of“Food Day” are things wecan all agree about - celebratingthe harvest, eating locally,supporting local farmers and getting local,healthy fruits, vegetables and dairy products inschool cafeterias - several of the policy basedprinciples are things which our organizationsimply can’t agree with. “Food Day” advocatesfor reforming “factory farms” without stoppingto realize that 99% of New York’s farms – manyof which are incorporated – are run by farmfamilies. It advocates for restrictions on animalhusbandry practices and farm worker justiceissues without taking the time to understandthe real needs of people working in agriculture,both employees and employers, and realize thatfarming is simply not a manufacturing industrywith the same labor law needs.It continues to be a great paradox for all of usinvolved in production agriculture. While ourneighbors love to eat locally and support the conceptsof farming, they have a tendency to knowbetter than we do when it comes to how to takeView from WashingtonTuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 is a very important day.Not because a Democrat may be reelected asthe U.S. President or because a Republicanmay ascend to the office. Tuesday Nov. 6 is significantbecause on that day we will all have asay in the future direction of our government aswe cast our votes at ballot boxes across America.Because many brave Americanshave fought to ensurethis inalienable right, it is allof our responsibility as citizensto uphold it by engagingin the political process. Thisis crucial to a functioningdemocracy. George BernardShaw best stated this sentimentwhen he said, “Democracyis a device that ensureswe shall be governed no betterthan we deserve.”All Politics is LocalJust as important to agricultureand rural Americaare the ballot initiativestaking place around the country. Often the agricultureindustry is far more impacted by localcare of our farm businesses, the land and ourlivestock! Some “Food Day” principles directlycontradict the beliefs that New York Farm Bureauwas founded upon - a belief in the abilityof a farmer to choose the best mode of operationthat will keep the land in farming and the familyon the land.“Food Day” can be divisive, and unfortunately,it misses the opportunity presented totruly recognize and celebrate our food system bypicking and choosing the type of farms to celebrate.This misses the point of New York’s phenomenaldiversity in our agricultural and foodsystem, the diversity that is our strength andour opportunity. Because of this diversity, ourfarm organization spends its time advocatingfor farmers to give us all the ability to chooseto run our farms in the way that best suits ourresources, our beliefs, and our families. Withvarious “Food Day” activities being plannednear you, most of which do not have actual farmersparticipating, the choice is now up to us asto whether we try to engage a different audience.I would suggest that county Farm Bureaus, andother farm groups and individuals try to seek toparticipate as you best see fit, by having a boothat a farmers’ market organized for “Food Day”or speaking at one of the forums. A full listingis available at this website www.foodday.org.But bear in mind that with the opportunitycomes a responsibility to try to engage consumersand participants and broaden their understandingof what it takes to farm, of the diversityin agricultural production that is a wonderfulasset in New York, and keeping an open mind- on the usage of technology in agriculture, onfarm employment rules and regulations, andagricultural environmental issues.Within the Farm Bureau system, Octobermeans not only a winding down of the harvestbut a gearing up of our policy process. MostCounty Farm Bureaus have their annual meetingsthis month, and I would again encourageyour participation. New York Farm Bureau isrun on a grassroots basis, and we can only be assuccessful in our advocacy and in our mission ofserving agriculture as you make us.Your Democracy, Your Vote, Your ResponsibilityBob StallmanAFBF Presidentreferenda than what happens in Washington.For example, the North Dakota Farming andRanching Amendment, also known as Measure3, sponsored by the North Dakota Farm Bureau,would forever guarantee modern agricultural practicesin the state. Specifically, the measure calls fora constitutional amendment that would block anylaw ‘which abridges the right of farmers and ranchersto employ agricultural technology, modernlivestock production and ranching practices.”In California, many farmers are fighting Prop37, a ballot initiative that, if passed, would makeCalifornia the first state to require labeling offoods produced with biotechnology. According toopponents of Prop 37, like the California FarmBureau, the measure would raise food costs, hurtsmall businesses and farmers and create frivolouslawsuits. Further, farmers feel that labelingwrongly implies that biotech foods are unsafeand misleads many consumers.So, as Tuesday, Nov. 6 approaches, take theopportunity to read up on the candidates andissues that could impact your lives and livelihoods.Once you get past all the campaign rhetoric,you may be surprised at what’s really at theheart of the issues. It’s your democracy—getinvolved!

October 2012 Grassroots Page 5Guest opinionsNew York Horse Racing a Good BetBy Joe FaraldoArecent state comptroller’saudit of horse racing operationsat New York’s racinos(racetracks with video lotteryterminals) is certain to cause muchhand-wringing both in Albany andin horse paddocks across the state,thanks to its focus exclusively onattendance and wagering. Unfortunately,the reflexive analysis thatVLTs aren’t helping racing becauseattendance and live handle aren’tincreasing misses the point andignores the big picture gains inboth the equine and agriculturalindustries across New York.The fact is that we can’t honestlytalk about the health of racingand its economic value to the statewithout first addressing the seriousmisconception that the numberof fans in the grandstand orhow much they wager only at theon-track betting window is directlyindicative of the economic viabilityof the sport. (This would be likedoing an economic audit of theNew York Yankees and looking onlyat ticket sales and concessions atYankee Stadium, without broadcastrevenues or licensing.)The naysayers suggest that sincewe don’t see 10,000 harness fansin the seats on a Saturday nightlike they used to have at RooseveltRaceway, then our sport is dyingand the VLTs aren’t helping. This isan absolute fallacy and ignores therealities of modern parimutuel racing-— including the fact that thetotal, all-source handle at YonkersRaceway has more than doubledsince 2006.While we’d certainlylove to see more spectators— and both trackowners and horsemencan do a better jobof promoting racing— the reality is thattimes and technologieshave changed for thewagering public. Attendanceat the trackis no longer directlylinked to the industry’soverall strength. Withlive-streamed races andInternet-based wagering,the future of racingis much more aboutiPads and smartphonesthan it is about standing at the rail.VLTs have so strengthened localharness racing — and with theAqueduct racino now open, arejust now starting to have the samepositive impacts on thoroughbredracing — that our New York raceshave become highly-valued wageringoutlets for markets across thecountry and the world. That meansthat racing fans and bettors fromPhiladelphia to Perth, Australia,are wagering and directly injectingmoney into our New York stateeconomy like never before.Better purses lead toan influx of better qualityhorses and horsemenfrom other parts of thecountry, which leadsto better racing, whichleads to more interestin New York racing,which then leads tomore investment in NewYork farms, which leadsto more jobs — and onthrough the economiccycle.The comptroller essentiallylooked at onlytwo small componentsof this huge economicpicture. ComptrollerTom DiNapoli himselfhas said that more study is neededto determine whether VLTs arehelping horse operations in thestate and our industry. We could notagree more. In fact, we look forwardto showing him firsthand how thisCanadian Wine Issues: The Economic ImpactBy Joseph M. Perlaand Bradley J. RickardIn 2007, the Trans-Pacific Partnership(TPP) began with tradenegotiations between Chile,New Zealand, Singapore,and Brunei in orderto promote increasedtrade between those fournations. More recentlyAustralia, Vietnam,Peru, Malaysia, theUnited States, Mexico,and Canada have joinedthe TPP negotiations.The TPP discussionsbetween Canada andthe United States haverenewed an agriculturalissue that has attractedattention among industrystakeholders in NewYork State. It concernsthe regulations thatCanada, and in particularOntario, places onthe importation of winefrom the United States. Feedbackfrom industry sources suggeststhat the combination of Canadianduties and Ontario excise taxes createsa prohibitive barrier on salesof U.S. wines to Canadian visitors,and that this especially importantfor wineries located close to theOntario border in New York State.It is expected that the wineriesthat are members of wine trailsin the Niagara Region and in theThousand Islands Region will benefitthe most from a policy changethat removed the trade barrierfacing Canadian consumers giventhat wineries in these regions haveclose proximity to Ontario’s majorBradley RicardCharles H. DysonSchool of AppliedEconomics andManagement,Cornell Universitypopulation centers. In addition,the Finger Lakes Region (includingwineries in the Canandaigua WineTrial, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail,the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and theSeneca Lake Wine Trail) includesmany wineries and alsoreceives visitors travellingfrom Ontario.In order to gauge theeconomic impact for thewine industry in NewYork State, we conductedinterviews withwinery owners in eachregion. During eachinterview we collectedinformation about theaverage number ofvisitors per winery, theshare of visitors thatwere Canadian, theaverage sales amountper transaction (for alltransactions across allvisitors to the winery),and the share of totalsales that were winesales. Information from industrysources indicate that the Canadianvisitors currently purchase verylittle wine; the purpose of thisexercise was to predict the increaseJoe FaraldoPresident of theStandardbred OwnersAssociation of NY.in wine sales if the Canadian visitorsdid not face import restrictionsand developed spending patternsthat were similar to other visitors.During each interview we collectedinformation about a specific wineryand also documented informationthat described ranges on the numberof visitors to other winerieswithin the region. We then combinedthis information with datadescribing the number of wineriesin the wine trails in each regionto calculate the annual change inwine sales per region given tradeliberalization with Canada.In the table below we outlinethe key variables that were used tocalculate the likely annual changein wine sales in each region. Herewe see that the average number ofvisitors per winery ranged between20,000 and 50,000 across the three regions(it ranged between 5,000 and200,000 across individual wineries)and the share of Canadian visitorswas higher the closer the regionwas to Canada. We used the lowerbound of this variable (share of Canadianvisitors) in our calculations.Overall, we see that total annualwine sales would increase by $414.7thousand in the Niagara region, bynew racing paradigm is benefittingNew York.Economic indicators across ourindustry show significant growthas a direct result of VLTs — fromthe millions being invested in newhorse farms to double-digit increasesin mares being bred in-state.Nearly 40,000 New Yorkers now relyon this critically important, multibilliondollar sector for employment.After far too many years ofdecline, New York’s horse racingand agriculture industries havestarted to regain their rightful positionsas national and internationalleaders. Now is not the time to putthese proven gains at risk becauseof a basic misunderstanding of thenew realities of racing and wagering.Joe Faraldo is president of theStandardbred Owners Associationof New York, representing morethan 1,000 harness horsemen -- trainers,breeders, drivers, and owners inNew York.This editorial originally appearedin the August 22nd edition of theAlbany Times Union and can beviewed online at http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/N-Yhorse-racing-a-good-bet-3808303.phpalmost $800 thousand in the ThousandIslands Region, and by $1.3million in the Finger Lakes Region.The disproportional increase insales to the two smaller regions isnot surprising given that a muchlarger share of their visitors arefrom Canada.The total economic impactacross the three regions wouldbe over $2.5 million per year inincreased wine sales. Wine salesare a well-recognized engine ofeconomic development and arecredited with generating substantialspillover effects in local economies.Recent multiplier effectsused to describe the New Yorkwine sector indicate that eachadditional $1 spent on wine generatedan additional $7.86 to supportingindustries upstream anddownstream. Therefore, usingthis multiplier value, the increasein wine sales calculated abovewould translate into an increasein economic activity in New YorkState of $19.9 million per year.Overall, our results indicate thatthe effects could be very importantfor individual wineries andare non-trivial for the industry inaggregate.Projected Annual Increase in Direct Wine Sales Given Trade Liberalization With Canada aNiagara Region Thousand Island Region Finger Lakes RegionNumber of Wineries in Trail (total wineries) 16 (18) 7 (8) 69 (124)Number of Visitor per Winery (average) 20,000 40,000 50,000Share of Canadian Visitors 8 to 10% 15 to 30% 4 to 6%Average Sales per Transaction b $36.00 $40.00 $24.00Share of Total Sales on Wine 90% 95% 80%Total Increase in Sales of Wine ($) 414,720 798,000 1,324,800a Calculations based on information provided by winery owners in the three wine regions.bWe assume that there are transactions from 50% of visitors (to account for the observation that many visitors travel in pairs).

Page 6 Grassroots October 2012Commodity report: AquacultureFish Farmers Reeling In Business in New YorkBy Tara Wileytwiley@nyfb.orgLife is going swimmingly for thefolks at Hickling’s Fish Farm in OtsegoCounty. Specializing in both large andsmall-mouthed bass, they are the largestbass rearing facility in the Northeast.The fish are raised not only inponds, but also in enclosed buildingswith recirculating systems that allowthem to use water much more resourcefully.Darin Hickling, President of thebusiness, says they are planning onraising between 80,000 and 100,000 fishthis year alone.But that is not all that the Hicklingsdo. Many different varieties of fish aresold, including trout, catfish, walleye,perch, and minnows, some of whichthey get from other wholesalers.“We work with a lot of other wholesalers,so we will buy our trout fromthem and then they will buy their bassfrom us. It’s a good system,’ said Hickling.Business has been going so well forHickling’s that they recently were ableexpand their operations by adding anew building that houses 4 new tanks,which are long concrete structurescalled raceways, and hold 36,000 gallonsof water each.“All the expansion we have done hasreally paid for itself just by allowing usto become more efficient. Fish tend togrow to the size of their environment.So these bigger tanks have helped withour capacity to raise bigger fish,” Hicklingsaid.Over the last few years, the businesshas learned a lot on how to get bettergrowth from the fish and become moreeffective in terms of feeding the fish,which help them grow faster. Becauseof this new building, they were not onlyable to increase their capacity, but alsodropped their energy costs about 50 –60% through fewer but more highly efficientpumps.“We raise and sell fish for mostlyDarin Hickling (L) and his father Vinnie (R) outside of their fish farm in Otsego County.stocking purposes, but recently we havegotten more and more into the meat sideof the business,” said Hickling.So the recent decision by DEC to proposenew regulations that will make iteasier for farm-raised black bass to besold in New York State is great newsfor the Hicklings. The new regulationswould allow anyone who purchases thefish from a licensed hatchery, such astheir fish farm, to resell the fish in NewYork. Under current regulations, onlylicensed hatchery operators can sellblack bass in New York State. The onlypossible drawback, says Hickling, isthat it maybe it would bring more competitioninto the aquaculture business.But they aren’t too worried.“We work very hard at what we do.Not many people are willing to work ashard as we are!” he laughs.Despite a dry summer, the fish farmhad an excellent spring and is lookingforward to a reeling in more businessfor a successful fall season.Next month:ApicultureAFBF Names10 NewYorkers“Friends”American Farm Bureau Federationhas named 10 New York lawmakers asrecipients of the Friend of Farm Bureauaward for the 112th Congress.This award is given each Congress,every two years, to those individualswho have supported Farm Bureau policy,as shown by their voting records onAFBF priority issues, bill sponsorshipand leadership on priority issues.Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and RepresentativesAnn Marie Buerkle, ChrisGibson, Michael Grimm, Richard Hanna,Nan Hayworth, Peter King, BillOwens, Tom Reed and Bob Turner willall receive their awards this fall fromNYFB.Stop the Flood DisplayAlbany County Farm Bureau proudly showed off their new Stop the Flood of Regulations display at the Altamont Fair lastmonth, built by ACFB Treasurer Nancy Neff.Did You knowthat members can placefree classified ads?Call or e-mail Missy Nicholsand reserve your FREEclassified adPhone: 518-436-8495E-mail: classifieds@nyfb.org

Page 8 Grassroots October 2012From the fieldFall is in Airin Region 3Where did the summer go? Sometimeswe all think that if I can just getthrough this week or this month, nextmonth won’t be so busy. Fall is an especiallybusy time forRegion 3 Farm Bureau. Wehave Policy Developmentissues thatneed to be workedon. Plans for theCounty AnnualMeetings need to befinalized and thenthe County AnnualMeeting in October.November bringsthe State ResolutionsCommitteeand December isthe State Annualmeeting.All my counties are making plansSkipJensensjensen@nyfb.orgfor early membership work. By gettingmembership work done early in themembership year more time is left inthe rest of the year for other importantFarm Bureau activities. All counties inRegion 3 are planning county membershipevents with workers visiting theirfriends and neighbors to encouragethem to join Farm Bureau.All members are encouraged to attendtheir local county annual meeting.It’s at these meetings where weelect members to serve on the Board ofDirectors and also discuss and vote on2013 policy. This is truly the grassrootspart of Farm Bureau. If you have anidea or concern it can become Farm Bureaupolicy.When Washington tries to over regulatefarmers and local communities weusually can depend on our local FarmBureau leaders to step up and help withfight. NYFB and all our county FarmBureaus are actively engaged in opposingthe proposed changes in the EPAwater regulations. We are working withall county elected officials to try to getthem to pass supporting resolutionsthat we can take to Congress and showbroad support for our policy. Any membercan go to our NYFB website and elobby in support of our policy.CayugaFall means the start of a new schoolyear and Cayuga County will continueto sponsor scholarships to schools tohelp cover the cost of field trips to farmsor ag related places. We are always lookingfor new people to help with activitiesin the county and also to serve onthe Board. If you are interested giveRay Lockwood a call or contact the Regionaloffice.OntarioAs I reported in a previous articleFarm Bureau and Cooperative Extensionworked with the Town of Genevain establishing manure storage regulationsfor small non CAFO farms. Thatwas accomplished and I think onceagain we have shown that working togetherwe get things done for the goodof all. We all feel that we have somethingeveryone can work with now.A new issue that is causing somereal concern is a proposal by the StateDepartment of Transportation to closea part of Route 5 & 20 East of Canandaiguafor about 3 months next summer toreplace a small bridge. They plan to detourtraffic along county roads with lotsof farms and farm machinery travelingthose roads. We believe that this is atremendous safety issue and we will beworking with the State DOT and see ifthere is a better way to divert the traffic.SenecaWe had a nice display at the SenecaCounty Fair this year. Dan Babbitt, theJohn Wagner, Senator Patty Ritchie (Senate Ag Committee Chair) and Jeff Covell (Nationwide Insurance) at the St. LawrenceCounty Fair.Pro Ed chair always does a nice job.The evening before the fair started theChamber of Commerce and CooperativeExtension had a “Business after Hours”event at the fairgrounds. Many ag businessand farms were represented with areal showcase of Seneca Agriculture.TompkinsFarm City Day sponsored in part byTompkins County Farm Bureau washeld August 18 at the Baker family’sSweyolakan Farm on Bostwick Road inIthaca. This is a great way to showcasemodern agriculture and let the nonfarmpublic get a good look at what ittakes to operate a modern dairy farm.It was a beautiful day and there was agood turnout and lots of fun had by all!WayneAs you all know Wayne County producesa lot of apples and other fruit.With the crazy weather this spring andthe dry weather this summer, we haveall been waiting to see what the harvestwill bring. It varies widely dependingwhere you are in the county and whatvariety is being harvested. There aresome areas that are a total loss andsome that are not affected at all. That’sthe way for most of the fruit in all theFinger Lakes Counties. Most growersfeel that there will be some significantlosses when harvest is all said and done.YatesWe work very closely with CooperativeExtension in all our counties. InYates County we welcome a new ExecutiveDirector, Nicole Landers. She startedfull time in mid September and wewish her well and look forward to continuingour working relationship.Stop the Flood ofRegulationsIn last month’s issue of the Grassrootsfrom New York Farm Bureau an articleappeared about theRegion 6movement by theEPA and the ArmyCorps of Engineersto remove the wordJohnWagnerjwagner@nyfb.org“navigable” fromthe Clean Water Act.The article wenton to state that theword change wouldpotentially give theEPA the authorityto regulate nearlyevery drop of waterand some dry landtoo!!! This shouldget ever land ownersattention. As part of our organizationsoverall strategy to lobby against this potentialchange in policy by the EPA, wehave asked local county farm bureausto reach out to their respective countybranch of government. Be it a board ofsupervisors or a county legislature weasked them to pass a resolution supportingour position in asking the EPA to notremove the word “navigable” from theirguidance documents.I am pleased to report that all of thecounties in my region; Jefferson, Lewis,Madison, Oneida, Oswego and St. Lawrencehave approached their countygovernment bodies and have had or willhave the resolution passed by these entities.I would like to thank the Farm Bureaumembers who also serve as countylegislators in these counties who guidedthe resolutions through the county governmentprocess.Jefferson – Barry Ormsby and John PeckLewis – Mike TaboltMadison – Russ CaryOneida – Patrick Brennan, HowardRegner and George JosephOswego – Morris SorbelloSt. Lawrence – Kevin AcresOn behalf of the membership in yourrespective counties thank you for yoursupport on this issue.County FairsOn behalf of the county Farm BureausI would like to publicly thank theNew York Farm Bureau Foundation fortheir continued support of local countyfairs thru the use of the Foundation Kiosk.All six counties that I work with hadthe use of a NYFB Foundation Kiosk attheir county fairs this year. I encourageall members to think about supportingthe Foundation either by giving a directmonetary donation or by purchasingraffle tickets for this year’s State AnnualMeeting raffle prize.Each of the counties also partneredwith local Nationwide agents as part ofour county fair booths. I would like toextend a big thank you to the Kevin DanielsAgency, the Lance Wilste Agencyand the Lashomb Agency for their supportof the county fair booths.County Annual MeetingsA reminder that the county annualmeetings for our region will be for ourregion are fast approachingPlease consider attending as this isyour opportunity as a member to electthe leaders of our county farm bureausand to voice your opinion on proposedpolicy resolutions.I would like to extend a deep thanksto three county farm bureau leaderswho will be leaving their post as countyFarm Bureau president at the October

October 2012 Grassroots Page 15Staff from NYFB, as well as various legislative and state agency offices, stand for a picture at Hand Melon Farm in Greenwich.NYFB Holds Legislative Farm Tourby Tara Wileytwiley@nyfb.comLast month, the New York Farm BureauPublic Policy Department heldits annual Legislative Farm Tour. Thisyear, the group consisting of legislativeand agency staff, visited 3 local farms inWashington County and heard from theirowners on a variety of different issuesthat are important to the state’s farmers.The first stop was at Reafield Dairyin Cambridge. This working dairy farm,owned by Agri-Mark Chairman NealRea, milks around 200 cows and has beenin operation by the Rea family for overtwo hundred years. Neal, as well as hisson Travis who also works with him onthe farm, talked about a variety of issues,including the challenge of a smallfarm growing to meet CAFO regulations.They also explained a bit abouttheir participation in the AgriculturalEnvironmental Management planningprocess which they do with the help ofWashington County Soil and Water ConservationDistrict. By doing a NutrientManagement Plan they identify the fieldswhich are nutrient rich and therefore requirelittle or no added fertilizers. Thisnot only saves them money, but it is muchbetter for the environment. In addition,Neal explained his role in Agri-Mark andhow the cooperative works to provide nutritiousdairy products all over the world.NYFB State Director Jay Skellie joinedthe group on this tour stop.Next stop was at Hand Melon Farm,located in Greenwich, a vegetable andfruit farm celebrating their100th year of operation.The 400 acre farm featuresU-Pick strawberries, blueberries,raspberries, tomatoesand peppers whenin season. They also growcorn, tomatoes, squash,eggplant, pumpkins andfall ornamentals and ofcourse their ever popularHand Melons. Owner JohnHand spoke to the groupat length about topics suchas labor and immigration,their methods of irrigationthat make them a successfulfarm, the use of newtechnology and pest management to increasetheir efficiencies and productivity,and the allure of their Hand Melons thatare shipped all over and are especiallypopular come track season at the nearbySaratoga Race Course.Following the Hand Melon Farm, thegroup made a quick stop for a treat atThe Ice-Cream Man, a local business thatpurchases milk and cream from nearbyfarms. The stand was featured on theshow “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” andTo see more pictures fromthe Washington County farmtour, use your smartphone toscan the QR code.Travis Rea talks to agency and legislative staff about issues concerning dairy farmers, such as cow comfort and nutrient management.it rotates over 300 different ice cream flavorson a frequent basis.From there, the grouptraveled to Stirling BrookFarm in Easton. FarmManager Tim Hayesshowed the group aroundthe spotless horse barn.The 256-acre farm, startedjust four years ago, has astate of the art Standardbredbreeding programwith room for 24 stalls inthe yearling prep barn andanother 40 in the broodmarebarn. Hayes alsodemonstrated the automatedtraining ring that hasroom to exercise 6 horsesat a time. He explained thesuccess of the farm and how its closeproximity to a number of tracks, breeders,and transportation hubs makes iteasily accessible for potential customers.The farm’s location is truly breathtakingoverlooking miles of rolling farm fields.John Hand shows off some of hisaward-winning ornamental gourds.Hand Melon Farm brought homeover 20 blue ribbons from this year’sWashington County Fair.

October 2012 Grassroots Page 17Got NY wine and milk?NYFB Seeks to Open Canadian MarketBy Julie Suarezjsuarez@nyfb.orgThis spring, a group of committedwineries along with the New YorkWine and Grape Foundation and NewYork Farm Bureau, sought to reinvigoratethe long simmering issue of theunfair taxation rates between Canadianand New York wines. Similarly, thelongstanding issue of a lack of a faircompetitive market in dairy productsbetween the two countries was alsobrought to the forefront.Three new developments have occurredwhich may help to at leastjumpstart a serious discussion betweenCanadian and U.S. officials tobenefit our New York farmers. Torecap, if a Canadian tourist to a NewYork winery wants to bring a bottle(or a few bottles) of wine back to theprovince of Ontario, that visitor willpay almost double the actual cost ofthe bottle of wine due to the extremelyhigh tax rates for the province of Ontario.A New York visitor to a Canadianwinery, in contrast, will only payabout a 3% excise tax on a bottle ofCanadian wine brought back to NewYork. That unfair difference in taxationrates has never been able to berolled back, despite many efforts bySenator Schumer, among other politicalleaders. Similarly, dairy farmersknow full well that the quote imposedby Canada on milk production hasmeant that Canadian negotiators inNAFTA were quite insistent on keepinga high tax barrier to New York’sdairy products entering the Canadiandomestic market.Now, however, with the opening ofnegotiations with Canada over its ascensionto the Trans Pacific Partnershiptalks, we may have an opportunitywe haven’t had before, and thereare three major advances that have occurredon this issue since the spring.On the wine front, Cornell UniversityProfessor Bradley Rickard and graduatestudent Joe Perla recently completeda case study on the economic gainsNew York wineries could secure if thetaxation issue was resolved. By visitingtwo of our wineries - ThousandIslands Winery in the North Countryand MarJim Manor in Niagara County- the economic analysis showed that19 millions could be gained.This matters as each and every timeNew York Farm Bureau has met withNYFB names “Circle ofFriends” in State LegislatureNew York Farm Bureau, the state’slargest general farm advocacy organization,has named 96 State Legislatorsto its “Circle of Friends.” Theaward is an indication of the individuallawmaker’s support of New Yorkagriculture and the Farm Bureau.“The ‘Circle of Friends’ awardis based upon each legislator’s votingrecord on issues of importanceto New York agriculture and otherevidence of legislative support, includingsponsorship of bills thatFarm Bureau has either supported,or opposed, throughout the LegislativeSession,” said Dean Norton, NewYork Farm Bureau President.The selected lawmakers were chosenfor their strong support of NewYork’s family farms. Each “Circle ofFriends” member has demonstratedthat they understand the importanceof agriculture in their legislative district,and how the industry impactsthe economy and the future of NewYork State. The “Circle of Friends”award is not an endorsement, and includesonly the 2012 Legislative Session.“Circle of Friends” recipients for 2012 are:the United States Trade Representatives’office on the issue, the questionhas been raised about whether or notthe economic impact of changing thetax rates is really worth the politicalcapital expended by the United Statesto fix the issue. The Canadians are reluctantto interfere with a provincialtaxation rate and without good economicdata about why this matters toNew York’s wine industry we haven’tbeen able to move the issue forward.The second development is the connectionbetween this steering groupsefforts and the Empire State DevelopmentCorporation. In the past, NewYork Farm Bureau wasn’t even awarethat the state’s economic developmentagency has a trade bureau tasked withmonitoring and advancing New Yorkproducts in international markets.With the United States Trade Representative’sOffice seeking official commentson the potential ascension ofCanada into the TPP, the state of NewYork sent in an analysis detailing thenegative impact of Canadian barriersto trade in New York products - fromwine, nursery and horticultural products,to dairy. This official communicationincluded letters from impactedfarm businesses, as well as a letterfrom New York Farm Bureau, andsignificantly enhanced the qualityand gravity of the issue to New Yorkwithin the official record. To see a fullcopy of the comments, please go to ourwebsite at www.nyfb.org, and click onbusiness issues.The third development, that is specificto the winery taxation issue, isa joint letter circulated by CongressmanOwens and Congressman RickLarsen and sent to the United StatesTrade Representative. Wine America,a national trade group, helped facilitatethe interstate connection, andagain, just like when a state agencycomments when representatives fromtwo different states start communicatingto the federal government thatthere’s a problem, there’s a lot more ofa chance of action.There’s still a long way to go on thisissue, but for once, there’s a glimmerof a possibility that perhaps we maysee some serious discussions and perhapsresolution of these long standingcross border problems between NewYork and Canada.NYS SenateJoseph Addabbo, Jr.James AlesiGreg BallJohn BonacicDavid CarlucciJohn DeFranciscoMartin DilanHugh FarleyJohn FlanaganPatrick GallivanMartin GoldenJoseph GriffoMark GrisantiKemp HannonOwen JohnsonTimothy KennedyJeff KleinKenneth LaValleAndrew LanzaWilliam LarkinThomas LibousBetty LittleCarl MarcellinoJack MartinsGeorge MaziarzJoseph RobachDavid ValeskyRoy McDonaldMichael NozzolioTom O’MaraMichael RanzenhoferPatty RitchieDean SkelosStephen SalandDiane SavinoJames SewardDavid StorobinCathy YoungLee ZeldinNYS AssemblyGeorge AmedoreJeffrion AubreyWill BarclayKen BlankenbushPhil BoyleAnthony BrindisiDan BurlingMarc ButlerNancy CalhounJohn CerettoJane CorwinClifford CrouchBrian CurranMichael CusickJanet DupreyGary FinchMichael FitzpatrickChristopher FriendJoe GiglioAl GrafAileen GuntherSean HannaSteve HawleyAndrew HevesiMark JohnsTony JordanSteve KatzBrian KolbPeter LopezDan LosquadroDonna LupardoWilliam MageeNicole MalliotakisDavid McDonoughTom McKevittSteven McLaughlinDonald MillerJoel MillerMichael MontesanoDean MurrayRobert OaksPhilip PalmesanoEdward RaAnnie RabbittAndrew RaiaBill ReilichAddie RussellTeresa SaywardRobin SchimmingerKevin SmardzEric StevensonJames TediscoClaudia TenneyFred ThieleLou TobaccoRaymond WalterHarvey WeisenbergNew Senate Chair Meets with NYFBSenator Patrick Gallivan, recently appointed by Senate Majority Leader DeanSkelos to Chair the Senate Economic Development, Commerce and SmallBusiness committee, meets with Julie Suarez and Jeff Williams of the PublicPolicy Department in Albany. Senator Gallivan is seeking input from localand Albany based business groups, including New York Farm Bureau, intoan economic development agenda for the State of New York. Pictured inthe photo are the Senator’s recently released Agri-Tourism Guide, listing localfarms that open their doors to the public.Follow the Farm Bureauon facebook atwww.facebook.com/NYFarmBureauOr visit the New York Farm Bureau anytime at www.nyfb.org

Page 18 Grassroots October 2012Attention Membersof Safety Group 486:The Annual Meeting of Safety Group486 will be held at the New YorkFarm Bureau State Annual Meetingin Albany, NY. The Desmond Hotel& Conference Center Albany, NYWednesday, December 5, 2012 @8:00 a.m. in Suite 111This is a meeting for policyholdersof Safety Group 486 during whichthe past year will be reviewed andany questions or issues will be discussed.Representatives of the NewYork State Insurance Fund will alsobe available to answer questionsalong with Kevin Cook, New YorkFarm Bureau Director of MemberServices. We look forward to seeingyou there.Full-Page10x16$1175Third-Page Horizontal10x5.3$520PremiereClassifiedDisplayBox Ad4.5x3.5$350NEW YORK PRESS SERVICENYPSwww.nynewspapers.comGrassrootsT H E V O I C E O F N E W Y O R K A G R I C U L T U R E2012 Advertising Rate CardThird-PageVertical3.3x16$520JuniorFull-Page8x11.25$900Half-PageHorizontal10x8$700Quarter-Page5x8$400Business Card-Sized Ads (3.5x2) — $100Eighth-PageHorizontal5x4orVertical2.5x8$210Premium Placement — Back Page, Color, Full-Color — $2350UNIQUE and PREMIERE Advertising Opportunity,Not to be missed!!!1681 Western Avenue, Albany, New York 12203-4305518.464.6483 • Fax 518.464.6489Douglas Rea — Senior Vice President, Advertisingdoug@nynewspapers.comHalf-PageVertical5x16$700Reach Every New York Farm Bureau Member!Circulation of more than 30,000!!!Call 518.464.6483 to Reserve Your Ad Space TODAY!Farm Bill Now Rally in Washington, D.C.Hundreds of farmers from across the country gathered behind the Capitolto rally Congress to pass the Farm Bill. Senate and House agricultural leadersjoined representatives of Farm Bureau and the National Farmers Union onthe stage while farmers in the crowd donned signs and chanted “Farm Billnow!”NYS Snowmobile AssociationThanks Farmers for Open TrailsBy Dominic JacangeloNYSSA Executive DirectorThe New York State SnowmobileAssociation (NYSSA) extends a veryheartfelt thank you to the thousandsof farmers who each year open theirland up to allow snowmobile trails totraverse their property. Without yourparticipation New York State would nothave a statewide system of snowmobiletrails that spans 10,500 miles to all partsof upstate NY. Eighty percent of ourtrail network crosses private land andmost of which are clearly agriculturallands.There are three components thatmake this partnership work better inNew York than anywhere else in thecountry:1. New York is one of several statesthat provides a land owner protectionfor opening up their property to certainrecreational activities. Informallyknown as the “Recreational Use Statute”the NY General Obligations Law(GOL) Section 9-103 provides in part:“an owner, lessee or occupant of premises,whether or not posted as providedin section 11-2111 of the environmentalconservation law, owes no duty to keepthe premises safe for entry or use byothers for….snowmobile operation, ….or to give warning of any hazardouscondition or use of or structureor activity on such premises to personsentering for such purposes;.” There areexceptions to this shield but basicallyit makes it very difficult to successfullybring suit against a property ownerwhen the person has been involved in asnowmobile accident.2. A statewide liability insurance policycovers the landowners of all maintainedtrails in the state. The NewYork State Snowmobile Association inpartnership with the State Office ofParks which has stewardship responsibilityfor the snowmobile programannually acquires a liability insurancepolicy with limits of $1 million per incidentand $3 million in aggregate toapply to all trails. This policy protectsall the snowmobile clubs that performtrail maintenance activities and mostimportantly covers every landownerwhere a trail may cross their property.Frequently, the clubs provide a landownerwith a certificate of “additionallyinsured.” These certificates arenot required for the landowner to becovered. The simple fact that the trailis there, covers the landowner. We haveall heard the phrase that, “Anyone cansue anyone!” While the GOL can makeit hard to prevail in a case, it can’t stopsomeone from suing. That is why ourinsurance steps in to be the first line ofdefense in these cases. Our insurancecompany uses specialized counsel familiarwith snowmobile suits and withthe provisions and application of theGOL. We are proud of the fact that ourinsurance has never been pierced andthat the loss history within this programhas been outstanding.3. Local snowmobile clubs are well organized,well trained and sensitive tothe wishes of landowners. Every clubwithin New York that maintains trailshas by-laws, is most likely incorporatedas a not for profit, and meets regularly.Each fall they pursue land owner permissionto establish trails, sign thosetrails prior to the season and once thewinter comes maintain those trails. Additionally,they strive to make the trails‘disappear’ at the end of each snowmobilingseason by removing signs andany debris they find left behind by others.The clubs understand the importanceof good landowner relations andrespond as quickly as they can to issuesas they arise.Fall is now upon us and the clubs willbe out once again asking for your permissionto operate a trail on your land.Our goal is to ensure that snowmobilingis not only fun for the snowmobilerider but is not a burden to those whowillingly open their property to thissport that brings $866 million dollars tothe upstate NY economy.Have a question or an issue that yourlocal snowmobile club can’t answer orresolve? Feel free to give me a call at 888-624-3849, ext. 104.On behalf of the 69,000 members ofNYSSA, thank you once again for yourgenerosity in opening your land for asnowmobile trail.New York Farm Bureau and NYSSAboth work to help protect the environment.Nationwide Insurance works tohelp protect NYFB and NYSSA membersby offering them special savingson their insurance. And, if you’re amember of both groups, you’ll receivetwo sets of savings! Call Nationwidetoday at 866-447-SNOW, or visit nationwide.com/NYFBfor more information.

October 2012 Grassroots Page 19Compliance CornerCommercialSignageIssues inNew YorkStateBy Lisa A. Ovittlovitt@nyfb.orgThe face Jim and Megan Sollecitoof New York Sollecito LandscapingAgriculture Syracuse, N.Y.Tell us a bit about your nursery.My wife Megan and I own SollecitoLandscaping Nursery outside of Syracuse.Sollecito Landscaping NurseryLLC. is celebrating its 40th year inbusiness. We have a 6-acre garden centerthat employs up to 22 in season. Wedon’t sell bagged lawn chemicals, as webelieve those 4-step programs are probably2 steps too many. We do sell over800 varieties of sustainable landscapeplants grown in the northeast, with asmany as possible from New York State.We also have 170 acres that we use asa test farm for ornamental and habitatplants under consideration for oursales yard and where we grow organicfruits for our own use. My primary jobis designing and installing residentiallandscapes and Megan manages theweb site and popular email newsletterfull of tips, quips and natural advice.How did you get involved instarting this operation?I began my residential landscape businesswhile at Cornell, where I earned aBS in Ornamental Horticulture. As professorsanswered homeowners’ questionsabout landscape challenges, theyconfidently suggested me as a reliableworker with the initiative to installthe plant solutions that the professorstaught. Enthusiastic to implement thesolutions, I worked with nearly all myLambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothersand even the house cook on a variety ofplanting sites in the Ithaca area.Share a little history with us:To maintain availability of theunique plants I need for my work, in1979 I bought an old nursery just outsideof Syracuse and converted it intoa garden center. Our inventory includes“Signature” plants, rare and unusualplants with special landscape value,clearly enhancing the appearance andquality of their projects. The companyhas earned First Place in the New YorkState Landscape Awards Competition24 times. As “The Sodfather,” I alsohosted a continuing radio show for over27 years. I continue to write for severalmagazines and publications as well asdoing radio and television work. Youcan find my holistic plants podcasts onNPR at www.wrvo.org/sollecito.Why are you so excited about“Fall Is For Planting”?We love the fall planting season withits warm earth, short days, and the increasingrainfall. In 1977, I was an earlyproponent of the original Fall PlantingCouncil. Supported by research, myCornell advisor Dr. George Good took avery strong stand in favor of fall plantingof many plants. This was radicalthinking back in the day. Now it is commonlyaccepted that Fall Is For Planting.What are some of the obstaclesin the nursery business, andhow have you overcome them?One of the challenges that will alwaysbe an issue in horticulture is seasonallabor. Our year-round staff has beenwith Sollecito for decades. Our LandscapeSupervisor is in his 38th year,with several others who have been partof the team for over 20 years. The keyis to stay on the cutting edge of whatworks better now than in the past. Manyof our competitors are stuck using thesame techniques and materials as whenthey first started. Our thinking is thatif you stop trying to get better then youcease being good.In agriculture of any kind, we allwork within the cycles of the seasons.Winter allows us to sharpen our toolsand our minds so when it’s time to getstarted in the spring, we are more thanready to do things better than the previousyear.You enjoy traveling around theworld. What are some of theideas you have brought back?Color brightens up just about anyenvironment. Fresh flowers, in a vaseor in a garden, can change anyone’sdisposition. And a garden is even morerefreshing when it is wet. I often takea hose to the yard before company arrives.It controls the dust and enlivensvibrant colors.You do a lot of work withthe media including an NPRpodcast series. Why is itimportant for farmers to sharetheir stories?We all have a story to tell. Often ourstory shows the importance of combininghard work, creative thinking andappropriate action. We know that weare stewards of the land but there maybe preconceived notions to overcome.Probably the biggest preconception relatesto pesticides. I’ve observed thatthe average homeowner rarely readsthe product label and often doubles thedosage to “really” kill the target. Thosesame homeowners might assert thatfarmers over-use products to grow thatperfect apple or ear of sweet corn.I point out that most farmers arefrugal and practical. Farmers do wanta pristine result but understand there’sa cost/benefit relationship. Couple thatpracticality with a heritage of raisingan attractive delicious crop and I canassure them that we are not going to“poison” the land as we may have beenaccused. The podcast stories are aimedat an ecologically-conscious audience.To keep the stories fresh and to inspirecontinued interest, I try to infuse somehumor.Why are you a member of theNY Farm Bureau?In the soil, we are all in this together.A discovery in agriculture mighthelp us in horticulture. Neighbors whoget cranky about the noise made by afarmer combining corn might be just astesty when we are out covering greenhouseswith plastic at 6AM. So it’s veryimportant that we stand together. Asidefrom the member benefits Farm Bureauoffers, the price of membership isrepaid many times over with the informationreceived. Let’s face it, who elsewould you consider calling when youneed help with an issue? We proudlydisplay our Farm Bureau Membershipsigns in our store.Several members have recently relayedto us that regional New York StateDepartment of Transportation (DOT)offices are cracking down on signageand are enforcing strict regulationsregarding both the placement of signsand the verbiage they contain.One NYFB member had the experienceof a sign being removed and effectivelydestroyed because it was inthe way of grass mowing on propertyfor which the state was responsible formaintenance.Another NYFB member recently receiveda letter from his regional DOToffice informing him that a DOT “signpatrol” had observed a sign on his propertythey classified as “illegal” and “inviolation of outdoor advertising controlstatutes” and further identified itas being a “public nuisance.”The sign was located in a parkinglot in front of the member’s commercialbuilding. It was a blank sign boardwhen he purchased the building overfive years ago. At that time, the memberwas aware of agriculture signagearound the area, and so he contactedhis county farm bureau. A sign stating“NY Farmers – Family Tradition” andincluding a website for the Animal AgricultureCoalition was installed. Thissign existed in the parking lot for fiveyears prior to the member receiving theletter from DOT.New York State DOT regulationsstate that signs must be located onthe same premises as the activity advertisedand the sign must have as itspurpose the identification of the activityrather than the purpose of generaladvertising. Because the nature of thesign was one of general advertisingthat had no direct connection to the natureof his business, he received the letterfrom DOT.The member not only had no idea hissign was illegal, he thought he was doinggood by donating the space to promoteNew York agriculture.The letter from DOT went on to offerthe member two alternatives to removingthe sign completely within the next30 days: either register the sign underthe NYS Sign Program (fees up to $100and the letter stressed that this may bean alternative) or cover the bottom sectionof the sign that included the website.Ultimately, the member simplycovered the website at the bottom of thesign, which was the actual advertising,preserving both the graphics and thepositive statement about New York agriculture.Be sure your signage is in compliancewith New York State Departmentof transportation regulations. The Department’sNew York Signs Programwebsite includes a link to the Rules andRegulations.For more information, please go to:https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/nyssigns/laws-regulations.The information contained hereinis provided for informational purposesonly. It is not intended to be, nor shouldit be considered, a substitute for legal advicerendered by a competent attorney. Ifyou have any questions about the applicationof the issues raised herein to yourparticular situation, seek the advice of acompetent attorney.

Page 20 Grassroots October 2012Farm Bill Left To Expire What Does It MeanContinued from Page 1milk, cheddar cheese and butter willincreased significantly—the fluid milksupport price equivalent of more than$38/cwt. This means consumers wouldpay twice as much for fluid milk as theyare now, according to American FarmBureau Federation.At a time when farmers are alreadyfacing consequences from last year’sflooding and this year’s drought, theMilk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program,the primary safety net for dairies,stepped down on Sept. 1 with supportrates decreased from 45 percent to 34percent, the production cap decreasedfrom 2.985 million lbs. to 2.4 million,and the feed cost adjuster weakened.On average, New York is the third largestrecipient of MILC funding.Congress was well aware of this stepdown and the Senate and House FarmBill drafts responded to MILC’s demisein different ways. The House draft allowedMILC to expire at the end of September,but would enable farmers to retroactivelyrecoup their losses throughthe newly established margin insuranceprogram. The Senate draft allowedfor an overlap of MILC and the newlyfunctioning safety net in order to ensuresmaller producers were protectedthroughout the transition period. Oneof NYFB’s priorities for the final FarmBill is to ensure MILC or its equivalentis available to producers throughoutany implementation period for a newsafety net which could be a lengthy process.What does all this really mean fordairy farmers if no action is takenbefore Jan. 1? With so many movingparts, it’s hard to see how this will reallyplay out and what would happen ifUSDA was forced by law to announce a$38/cwt support price at the beginningof the year. If this came into effect, itwould likely cause U.S. dairy exports toplummet and imports to soar and woulddramatically increase the cost of milkto make dairy products.“There are a few caveats to keep inmind,” cautions Cornell Universityagricultural economist Andrew Novakavicin a paper on reverting to the1949 permanent dairy support law. “TheSecretary (of USDA) can announcea $38 support price for milk, but untilUSDA announces the purchase pricesfor dairy commodities and releases theInside Albanyformal invitations for offers at thosepurchase prices, nothing happens tomarkets, other than perhaps rampantspeculation.“It is USDA’s purchase of butter,cheese and nonfat dry milk at specificprices that moves market prices, nota simple declaration by the Secretaryabout the support price for milk. USDAcould take a while to get all that machineryin motion, while Congress presumablycame to its senses and retroactivelystopped it all.”More Fallout to Farm BillExpirationWhile the 2008 Farm Bill officially expiredat the end of the fiscal year, otherrepercussions may not be seen in manyareas until the end of the calendar year.Most nutrition programs, includingthe Supplemental Nutrition AssistanceProgram (SNAP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetablesnack program for schools andemergency food assistance (TEFAP),continue without pause as long as fundsare appropriated. The Farmers MarketNutrition Program for Seniors is an exceptionand does expire.Funding for the Conservation ReserveProgram (CRP) expires on Sept. 30so no new sign-up periods will occur inthe meantime, but existing agreementsstay in force so payments will continueto be made and farmers in this programwill not see impacts in the short-term.Most other conservation programs arepermanently authorized or, like EQIPand the Farmland Protection Program,don’t expire until 2014 so they are notin danger.Commodity support programs do expire,but because they are valid throughthe 2012 crop year, farmers will not seeany changes until the next crop yearbegins—essentially the first harvest ofwinter wheat next spring. If an extensionor passage of the Farm Bill doesnot happen by then, USDA will haveto deal with reverting to permanentlaw with significantly higher supportprices for a number of crops, such aswheat ($13.58/bu support price insteadof $2.94 in June this year) and corn($5.90/bu support price instead of $1.95in June this year), but soybeans andsome other crops would not have mandatorysupport, according to CRS. Thischange would be very expensive for thegovernment and this threat is expectedto ensure some action on the Farm Billoccurs by spring.Crop insurance and the Non-insuredAssistance Program (NAP) are permanentlyauthorized in law, so lack ofa Farm Bill will not impact purchasingproducts for next season. However,the delay in passing the new Farm Billmeans that the improvements to cropinsurance and NAP that were made inthe new language will not come to passfor an even longer period of time.Some trade and rural developmentprograms could be affected if action onthe Farm Bill is not taken by the end ofthe year, reports CRS. Export marketpromotion, dairy export subsidies andtechnical assistance for specialty cropswill not have funding under the trade title.While many rural development programshave permanent authorization,the Rural Microentrepreneur AssistanceProgram, Value-added ProducerGrants and Rural Energy for AmericaProgram (REAP) will not continuewithout action.Full Farm Bill Passage CrucialIt became apparent in the last days ofsession in September that even thoughthe House wouldn’t take up the FarmBill, attempts to garner support for aone-year or a three-month extension didnot have enough support. A livestockdisaster assistance-only bill passed bythe House in August also died whenthe Senate refused to entertain that option.NYFB did not support any of theseplans, instead pushing for passage of thefull, five-year Farm Bill to address bothdisaster assistance and dairy problems,and provide farmers with some certaintyheading into the next crop year.Once Congress returns after theelection, there is plenty on its plate tocomplete, including addressing the approaching“fiscal cliff,” which is deeplyrooted in the expiring tax provisionsthat are expected to be on the agenda.Even with a Dec. 31 deadline looming forwhen the country will begin to see thereal impact of Farm Bill inaction, passingeither an extension or the full bill inthe lame duck session still may not be apriority and could be at risk dependingon the outcome of the elections.While conventional wisdom—or atleast wishful thinking—says Congresswill act on the Farm Bill in some wayduring the lame duck because the fiscaland market impacts of revertingto permanent law are too dangerous,House leadership has not provided anycertainty that this will happen. SpeakerJohn Boehner has alluded to the factthat the Farm Bill will be looked at duringthe lame duck, but has committed tono clear path. A floor vote in the Houseis the only remaining hurdle to the twohouses conferencing on the bill and negotiatinga compromise final version.The problem for farmers—and ruralcommunities at large—if Congressfurther avoids Farm Bill action in thelame duck is not just the fallout of revertingto permanent law, althoughthat is serious, but delaying action untilnext year increases the likelihoodthat deeper cuts will be required in thebill. The Senate already cut $23 billionover 10 years from its bill and the HouseAgriculture Committee cut $35 billion,largely by ending direct payments andsome cuts to conservation and crop insurance.With highly controversial cutsto the nutrition program, which makesup more than 80 percent of Farm Billspending, where will lawmakers findsavings? Programs important to farmers,like crop insurance and conservation,will be at serious risk. And withnew players in Congress, the two Housesmay not reach agreement on a bill aseasily as they did this year.New York’s Senators and Representativeshave been very supportive ofour farmers and vocal on passing a fiveyearFarm Bill. Our House AgricultureCommittee members Chris Gibson (R)from Eastern New York and Bill Owens(D) in the North Country have ralliedsupport and worked closely with colleaguesto apply pressure to leadership.Gibson was even an organizer of a Septemberattempt to force the Farm Bill toa vote on the House floor, although thiswas not successful before they recessed.Other Representatives have spokenpublicly and sent letters to leadershipin support of our farmers.No one knows yet how the traditionallynon-partisan Farm Bill debate willend and how farmers will be impacted,but NYFB will continue to communicateto our membership as developmentsoccur. Please feel free to call ouroffice at 1-800-342-4143 if you have questions.Good News for New York FarmersBy Julie Suarezjsuarez@nyfb.orgMost of the time, farmers feelstrongly both ways about selling tothe state and other institutions. Onthe one hand, farmers have a sense ofpride in feeding their neighbors, byselling to local schools and other staterun institutions. On the other hand,the bureaucracies of dealing with thestate or school district’s purchasingsystem, as well as the generally lowerbids (i.e. price point) of large institutionsmake the market sometimes notworth the hassle.That’s why a law just recentlysigned by Governor Cuomo, after severalyears of advocacy by Senator VelmanetteMontgomery and AssemblywomanBarbara Lifton, may be goodnews for New York’s farmers. A littleknown State Agency that has a lot ofpower is the Office of General Services,responsible for running procurementissues and contracts for much ofthe food and other supplies purchasedfor the state and by other institutions.This Agency, headed by former Assemblywomanand longtime Circleof Friends recipient RoAnne Destito,also administers the Statewide ProcurementCouncil, an advisory groupthat by law is required to meet andprovide advice to the Office of GeneralServices on various procurementpolicies.Senator Montgomery, a member ofthe Senate Agriculture Committee,spearheaded a movement to obtainan agricultural representative on thisCouncil. “New York’s number oneindustry is agriculture yet, up untilnow, there has been no single persondesignated to represent the State’s agriculturalcommunity when purchasingdecisions are being made. FromBrooklyn to Buffalo, New York ishome to a large and diversified farmingcommunity that desires to serveup farm-fresh produce and get a sliceof the State’s economic pie,” said SenatorMontgomery.Dean Norton, President of NewYork Farm Bureau, said “New York’sfarm families are always seeking tosell more local, fresh, agriculturalproducts to schools and state institutions.NYFB supported this legislationin the belief that by having anagricultural representative on theState Procurement Council, more attentionand focus will be given to encouragingNew York institutions topurchase New York grown farm products,within the guidelines of interstatecommerce. I applaud SenatorMontgomery for her leadership andAg Trivia QuizQuestion: Is Garlic a vegetable?concern about making sure that moreNew Yorkers have access to New Yorkgrown foods.”The Procurement Council is responsiblefor the study, analysis anddevelopment of recommendations toimprove State purchasing policies andpractices, and for developing guidelinesgoverning State Agency procurement.Answers: YES… A fragrant and aromatic vegetable.Along with onions, leeks, and shallots, it is amember of the lily family commonly used for seasoningother dishes, but it is also great when put frontand-center.Although it is usually available, garlic isharvested and most flavorful and sweetest in latesummer and fall.

October 2012 Grassroots Page 21Money MattersHelp Your CollegeStudent Manage $$Kids learn the ins and outs of moneymanagement at home. Yet only 26percent of kids ages 13 to 21 say theirparents taught them about personalfinance, according to the Jump$tartCoalition for Personal Financial Literacy.If money wasn’t brought up at thedinner table before your child wentoff to college, it’s not too late. You canstill help your college-age childrenlearn about student loans, credit carddebt and managingtheir ownbank accounts.• Ensure yourchild accuratelygauges how muchincome they have every month—andthat they are tracking their expenses.• Encourage your child to compareprices when grocery shopping or buyingschool supplies.• Help your student open a savingsaccount. Setting aside a little moneyfrom each summer or part-time paycheckmight discourage him or herfrom relying on credit cards.• Warn your child about abusingcredit cards. Even though there arerestrictions on marketing to studentson college campuses, some creditcard companies still pursue them byphone and email. Discourage yourstudent from using credit to pay forbooks or tuition. If he or she mustuse a credit card in a pinch, teachhim or her to pay off the card balanceto avoid finance charges.• Consider giving your child a prepaidcard, like Nationwide Bank® Buxx,which can be loaded online or byphone. It’s a perfect tool for parentsand teens to talk about budgeting andspending. You can monitor spendingtogether while encouraging financialresponsibility.Visit http://www.nationwide.com/buxxcard.jsp.• Teach your child about debt. Studentloan debt exceeded credit card debtfor the first time in 2010. USA Todayreports that tuition is outpacing inflationand somestudents are borrowingmore thanthey had plannedfor because theirparents have lostjobs in the recession.• Help your child keep track of borrowingto decrease the chance of defaultingon a loan. This black markon your child’s credit could prohibithim or her from qualifying for a mortgageor car loan well into the future.Download forms for keeping track ofstudent loans from FinAid.org.Contact your local Nationwideagent, call 1-877-OnYourSide, or visitnationwide.com/NYFB.VisitNew York Farm Bureauany time atwww.nyfb.orgfor the latest newsand eventsGillibrand Farm DaySenator Kirsten Gillibrand (at podium) hosted her annual Farm Day receptionin Washington, D.C. featuring New York products in September. Shewas joined by Senator Chuck Schumer and Jim Trezise (left of podium) of theNew York Wine & Grape Foundation, which helped organize the event. NYFBis a sponsor of Farm Day.Wine TrailMargo Sue Bittner, Marjim Manor Winery, Wendy Oakes Wilson, from LynnOaken Winery, and Jim Trezise, the President of the New York Wine andGrape Foundation, met in Albany recently with Jackie Moody Czub, theGovernor’s Assistant Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, along with Julie Suarezof NYFB (not pictured). Ms. Czub facilitated a meeting with the Departmentof Transportation to discuss how to provide consistent and clear signage forwine trails in New York State. Wine trails, growing in consumer popularityand in the number of wineries along the route, have become a prime meansof attracting tourists and added value agricultural opportunities for farmers,and it’s important to make sure that the routes markers can be placed in appropriatelocations.Hay, Machinery, Vehicle Parts, Equine, Tractors, Vehicles,Livestock, Forestry Forest Products, Farm Market,Supplies, Specialty Products, Real Estate, Employment,Services, Miscellaneous, Hay, Vehicles, Vehicle Parts,Equine, Tractors, Machinery, Livestock, Forestry/ForestProducts, Farm Market, Supplies, Specialty Products,Real Estate, Employment, Services, Miscellaneous,Vehicles, Hay, Machinery, Vehicle Parts, Equine, Tractors,Vehicles, Livestock, Forestry Forest Products,Farm Market, Supplies, Specialty Products, Real Estate,Employment, Grassroots Services, Farmers’ Miscellaneous, MarketHay, Vehicles,Vehicle Parts, Equine, Tractors, Machinery, Livestock,Forestry/Forest Products, Farm Market, Supplies, SpecialtyProducts, Real Estate, Employment, Services,Miscellaneous, Vehicles, Hay, Machinery, VehicleParts, Equine, Tractors, Vehicles, Livestock, ForestryForest Products, Farm Market, Supplies, SpecialtyProducts, Real Estate, Employment, Services, Miscellaneous,Hay, Vehicles, Vehicle Parts, Equine, Tractors

Page 22 Grassroots October 2012Inside WashingtonPresidential Candidates Answer AFBF QuestionsEvery four years, American FarmBureau Federation reaches out to boththe Democratic and Republican candidatesfor the White House to get theirtake on important issues affecting farmers.What follows is a portion of thequestionnaire with topics that impactNew York farm families. This serves tobetter inform voters about both of thecandidates’ positions.Farm Bureau Federation:In the context of regulatingwater quality, the Envi-Q.Americanronmental Protection Agency (EPA)has increasingly encroached on states’authority, from nutrient loadings inFlorida to total maximum daily loads inthe Chesapeake Bay to overall regulatoryreach through proposing “guidance”that essentially gives EPA regulatorycontrol over all waters. Do you supportreaffirming the primary role of statesin regulating both non-navigable watersand non-point source runoff ?Barack Obama:Farmers are some of the best stewardsof our environment, which is whymy administration is working withmore than 500,000 farmers and rancherson more than 30 million acres of landto help conserve our lands and protectour waters. I have seen how we can bolstergrowth of our nation’s agriculturaleconomy while protecting our environment.Now there is a lot of misinformationout there about changes to cleanwater standards. We are not going to beapplying standards to waters that havenot been historically protected. And allexisting exemptions for agriculturaldischarges and waters are going to stayin place. I believe that we can work togetherto safeguard the waters Americansrely on every day for drinking,swimming, and fishing, and those thatsupport farming and economic growth.Mitt RomneyMitt Romney:Government oversight is of coursecrucial to the protection of our environment.But statutes and regulations thatwere designed to protect public healthand the environment have instead beenseized by environmentalists as tools todisrupt economic activity and the enjoymentof our nation’s environmentaltogether. President Obama’s administrationhas embraced this approach, hisEPA embarking on the most far-reachingregulatory scheme in American history.Modernizing America’s complex environmentalstatutes, regulations, andpermitting processes is crucial to ensuringthat the nation can develop itsresources safely and efficiently. Lawsshould promote a rational approach toregulation that takes cost into account.Regulations should be carefully craftedto support rather than impede development.Repetitive reviews and strategiclawsuits should not be allowed to endlesslydelay progress or force the governmentinto imposing rules behindclosed doors that it would not approve inpublic. Energy development, economicgrowth, and environmental protectioncan go hand-in-hand if the governmentfocuses on transparency and fairnessinstead of seeking to pick winners andrepay political favors.new farm bill will be enactedand implemented over the nextQ.Afour years during a time of significantevolution in agriculture. Whatpolicy and risk management tools doyou propose to ensure that agricultureis a profitable, competitive and viableindustry?I understand the need for astrong farm safety net. That’sO: why I increased the availabilityof crop insurance and emergencydisaster assistance to help over 590,000farmers and ranchers keep their farmsin business after natural disasters andcrop loss. My administration expandedfarm credit to help more than 100,000farmers struggling during the financialcrisis to keep their family farmsand provide for their families. And asfarmers continue to go through hardtimes because of this drought, we areexpanding access to low-interest loans,encouraging insurance companies toextend payment deadlines and openingnew lands for livestock farmers to grazetheir herds.And I know that any farm bill passedthis year—and there needs to be a farmbill passed this year—needs to haveadequate protections for America’sfarmers. That’s why I have called formaintaining a strong crop insuranceprogram and an extended disaster assistanceprogram. We can reduce the deficitwithout sacrificing rural Americaneconomic growth, as the Romney-Ryanbudget would do. Instead of making afarmer pay more for crop insurance, wewill do it by cutting subsidies to crop insurancecompanies and better targetingconservation funding.I support passage of a strongfarm bill that provides the ap-R: propriate risk managementtools that will work for farmers andranchers throughout the country. In thenear term, immediate priority shouldbe given to enacting disaster relieffor those not traditionally covered bycrop insurance as this year’s droughthas worsened. My running mate, PaulRyan, voted for this relief in the House.Unfortunately, the Democratic-controlledSenate went home for Augustbreak without enacting them.On the broader question of farm programs,we must be cognizant that ouragricultural producers are competingwith other nations around the world.Other nations subsidize their farmers,so we must be careful not to unilaterallychange our policies in a way that woulddisadvantage agriculture here in ourcountry. In addition, we want to makesure that we don’t ever find ourselvesin a circumstance where we depend onforeign nations for our food the way wedo with energy. Ultimately, it is in everyone’sinterest is achieve a level playingfield on which American farmers cancompete.Q.U.S. agriculture has a long historyof relying on temporaryworkers to help plant and harvestcrops, tend orchards and managelivestock. What would you do to solveagriculture’s labor shortage problem?O:To contribute to the vitality ofour agricultural economy, wemust design a system that provideslegal channels for U.S. employersto hire needed foreign workers. Thissystem must protect the wages andworking conditions of U.S. workers andonly be used when U.S. workers are notavailable. I have called on Congress topass and implement the AgJOBS Act,which allows farmers to hire the workersthey rely on, and provides a path tocitizenship for those workers.But we cannot wait for Congress toact, which is why my administrationis already taking action to improvethe existing system for temporary agriculturalworkers. We are also startingup a new Office on FarmworkerBarack ObamaOpportunities at the U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, the first office forfarmworkers in the agency’s history.These measures are helping to identifythe challenges faced by farmworkersand address the need for a reliablelabor force.understand and appreciate thecritical role that foreign tempo-R:Irary workers play in the agricultureindustry. I also understandthat our current system for issuingvisas to temporary, seasonal workersis broken. Too often, harvest or touristseason passes before temporaryworker visas are approved. Indeed,in 2006 and 2007, 43 percent of all applicationsfor temporary agriculturalworkers were not processed on time.As president, I will make the systemfor bringing in temporary agriculturalworkers and other seasonal workersfunctional for both employers andworkers. I will get rid of unnecessaryrequirements that delay issuance of avisa and will speed the processing ofapplications. A legal immigration systemthat works will provide a lawfulalternative to workers who would otherwiseenter illegally and employerswho face the choice of either reducingoperations or turning to illegal laborto address labor shortage problems.Additionally, let me add what myadministration will not do in thisarea. We will not propose heavy-handedregulations that will limit opportunitiesfor our youth to be involved inagriculture. This is a stark contrast towhat the Obama administration proposedin their regulations to prohibitthose under the age of 16 from workingon farms, in some cases even oneowned by their family. The impactsof this rule would have negatively affectedour next generation of farmers,ranchers, and rural leaders. That’swhy even the National FFA Organizationopposed this misguided regulation.While the Obama administrationhas since retreated on this ill-advisedregulation, it demonstrates how out oftouch they are with our nation’s familyfarms and their possible agenda ifgiven another four years unhinderedby reelection.To read the full questionnaire includingquestions on energy, taxes, and exports,go to our website at www.nyfb.org.

October 2012 Grassroots Page 23Grassroots Farmers’ MarketClassified Ads FREE to NYFB members,and darn cheap for everybody else!HayIDAHO’S FINEST ALFALFA. Larsen Farms 607-865-8844. rbishop@larsenfarms.comQUALITY HAY for sale. Alfalfa-Grass mix. 45pound bales. $2.75 per bale. 315-866-3348HAY FOR SALE. 4x5- 1000lb. Round silagebales, mixed grass, no chemicals, can load 18-wheelers. 1st cut and 2nd cut available. Cashupon loading. Schaghticoke, NY 518-796-2344A.G. EMERICH & SONS. Hay, straw and baggedshavings. Serving NY and NE since 1935. Vantrailer loads dropped or picked up by the bale.518-399-1893 or 518-399-7444HAY FOR SALE. 1st cutting $5.00 – highquality mixed grass – delivery and stackinganywhere in the Capital Region. Call KlausBusch 518-928-1593HAY FOR SALE. O’Mara Family Farms –Premium quality hay. Top quality timothybrome-orchardgrass mix. Feed hay andmulch hay offered year round. Delivery orpickup available. Brewster, NY 845-423-3995BARLEY STRAW for sale. Small squares. Clean,bright and tight. Use as a pond treatment foralgae, for bedding and feed. Cazenovia, NY.315-662-3861HAY FOR SALE. Timothy, brome, alfalfa,orchard grass mix. Square bales. Some 2011or first cut 2012 and on thru season. Call forpricing. 518-793-4507. No chemicals. NearSaratoga.HAY FOR SALE. Large round bales 4x4. Qualitymixed grasses/timothy. Stored inside. $35/baleWill load. Cash upon loading. Brockport area.585-637-9632 evenings.HAY FOR SALE. 4x4 dry round bales, grass hay,stored inside. 1st cut $30/each. Boonville.315-942-4475HAY FOR SALE: high quality mixed grass,alfalfa, timothy-alfalfa in 40lb bales. OrangeCounty NY. Limited local delivery; pickuppreferred. Jeff Soons 845-374-5471 info@soonsorchards.com.HAY FOR SALE. NOFA NY Certified OrganicGrass Hay. 40lb squares. Timothy,bromegrass and reed canary grass mix.Sydney Center, NY. Kirk 607-865-6278.Prices based on quantity.HAY WANTED. 300-400 square bales oftimothy/grass mix, small amount of alfalfamixed in OK. Delivered is best. MonroeCounty. 585-352-4511Tractors, MachineryJOHN DEERE 158 Front End Loader with 96”bucket and quick attach. $3000. CompleteJohn Deere hydraulic front assist axle includinglines and fittings. $2500. 518-642-1697John Deere Tractor 2240, Woods OrchardRotary Mower 0121 (offset), Vicon SpreaderPS603, Utility trailer 5x8, Honda WP20X waterpump. New chain saws Echo 12”, Homelite14”. 716-523-8972.1990 JOHN DEERE Mdl 950. PTO & 3 cyl.Yanmar Diesel. Like new, 1065 hrs $5500.Rome, NY. 315-271-44901060 NEWFIELD. 65hp diesel. ExcellentCondition. New rubber. $4500. 315-831-5132or 315-368-8286MCCORMICK INT Farmall Type M, NH mowerattached. Excellent condition. $4000. 518-284-2433CLENTRAC OC-3tracks and parts. Transmission,sprockets etc. 716-532-3766Combine for sale. $500. 518-768-20868600 WHITE Combine, diesel. 15’ quik cuthead, 4-6 row corn head, good rubber, turretunloading auger, lots of spare parts. Goodcondition. 315-945-1814Reach 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 12205or fax to: 518-431-5656For more information call: 518-436-8495Tractors, Machinery931B Cat Trak Loader. For repair or parts.845-292-7618.IHC 2 row corn picker. Shed kept. Best offer.Western NY. 585-547-9573CAT Skidsteer Model 246B with bucket$16,000 obo; 10’ brush hog with chisel plow,7- 4x8” chisels $1800; Vicon 3pt hitch fertilizer/spreader $450; 5’ berry disc 3pt hitch $500and 2 row JD corn planter 3pt hitch $300.716-337-3162HEAVY DUTY firewood trailer built on two 10’steel I-beams. 10’ long x 4’ wide with 18”ground clearance. Draw tongue with drop pinhole. 22.5” tires. $1000. Dave. 518-966-8130evenings.DEMCO 500 gallon sprayer w/ 45’ hydraulicfolding boom, good condition $5000. CaseIH 1660 both sets of concaves and grates,good condition $26000. Chevy 370 diesel,single axle dump truck $6500. 315-789-0882PARTS for H.G. Cletvac. Axels, Drive gears, FarmHand 2 row potato harvester with m table dirtremover. Farmall Cub. 315-573-2365FARM HELPERS. 60” snowplow for YamahaRhino $400. Trailer cart 60”x37” Load HogRed Devil $50. 18 gallon metal gas tank36X18X7.5. Wayne County. 315-483-4443MOSQUITO MAGNET. Large 20 lb tank.Everything intact. Make offer. 518-641-9661or 518-374-9107BROCK BULK grain bin with motor and auger.$1000. Binghamton area. 607-723-8707FORKS for John Deere tractor. Fits front orback, 3 pt hitch. $800. 845-795-5175END OF SEASON SALE. New Equipment. 10’tedder $2350, 17’ tedder $5800 (hydraulicfold), 60” rotary tiller $2850, 84” rear blade$850. Hustler and Grasshopper mowers. 607-529-3294All credit cards accepted.Advertisers in this section support the missionof 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.Advertiserof the month:Hartland MorgansMORGAN HORSES- We offer the finestin trained mares, geldings and outstanding young stock. Terrific quality, sane,and sound. Hartland Morgans, www.hartlandmorgans.com Windsor, NY,607-655-2604.Tractors, Machinery2 HAY WAGONS $1500 each obo; potatograter, used. $150; Iron hog kettle $200;platform scales $100 obo. 315-673-3485OEM Massey, Gleaner, New Idea, White, Agco,& Challenger parts. 0% financing on Hesstonand Massey Ferguson round balers, mowers& most hay tools. . www.mabiebros.com or315-687-7891CALL US for KRONE hay tools and parts.Tedders and Rakes in stock. www.mabiebros.com or 315-687-7891TANKS. Above ground used fuel tanks. 250gal, 500 gal, 1000 gal and 2000 gal. Contactpaul@ontariorecycling.com for pictures.FREE: 2 concrete silos, 65x20 and 75x25. Youtake down and remove one or both. 518-287-1870WANTED: Old Brockway truck for lawnornament or possible restoration. 585-229-5992Vehicles and Vehicle Parts1 TON LIVESTOCK Truck. Older GMC. Goodcondition, good box. Rubber 90%, 4 speed.Call for details. 607-546-40551995 INT. Box truck with lift. 160k miles; 7.6liter diesel. Recent overhaul and in perfectrunning condition. $11,000 obo. Just too largefor us. 607-742-63771986 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4wd. ¾ ton. Callfor info. 315-691-48781993 FLAIR 25FT MOTORHOME 93k miles. 10.4mpg (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. 518-692-20352007 Breckenridge Park style mobile home.12x40, furnished, gas heat, central air, allappliances, great for guest cottage, excellentcondition. Long Island. $39,000. 631-722-3414Vehicles and Vehicle PartsMILITARY All Wheel Drive 2.5 and 5 tontrucks: M927a1 with 20’ bed 6x6 trucks withCummins NHC250 diesel, Allison 5 speed AT,2 sp transfer case. Road/Field ready: Greatfield trucks with their all wheel drive. M927a1:$15000. M35A2 $4500 and up, M35A3with Cat 3116 diesel and Allison AT: $8500.Altamont NY. Call/text 518-542-0899. Picsavailable.EquineEQUINE DENTAL SERVICES accepting newclients 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 importedLusitano Stallion – Voluntario Interagro. QualityIberian warmblood young stock available. 607-693-5091.FOUNDATION QUARTER HORSES.Temperament and Conformation. At stud“How Blue Are You.” Sale horses, suitablefor ranch disciplines, hunter, trail and more.Raycliff Farm. 315-823-4321 visit www.rhultenquarterhorses.com.LAND’S END WHIPPORWILL. Reg. Section BLiver chestnut Welsh pony stallion! By #1ranked Hunter Pony Stallion Caroline’s Red Fox!$500 private treaty. Foxtale Farm. foxtalefrm@aol.com or 607-215-5594MORGAN HORSES- We offer the finest intrained mares, geldings and outstanding youngstock. Terrific quality, sane, and sound. HartlandMorgans, www.hartlandmorgans.com Windsor,NY, 607-655-2604.HORSES TRAINED – Youngsters started/problem horses. Registered Morgans forsale – sweet tempered and beautiful. www.blackwillowmorgans.com.FINGER LAKES THOROUGHBRED AdoptionProgram has new horses available for showand pleasure. These horses are looking for agreat home. For information and pictures visitwww.fingerlakestap.org. 585-905-7457STALLS AVAILABLE FOR LEASE. State of theart 72x180 indoor arena, bull pen, round pen,1/8 mile track, outdoor arena, turnout, miles oftrail riding. Karen 607-222-4447 Binghamtonarea.C.B. WALKER STABLES. Brewster NY. Horsesboarded, leased, bought and sold. Lessons inall disciplines. Training in dressage, jumpingand eventing. 845-278-1731 or info@cbwalkerstables.com.CHESTNUT RIDGE Stable in Cambridge, NY.Boarding, Lessons and Training. Indoor andOutdoor Riding Arenas, Cross Country Courseand Trails. Indoor and Outdoor Board. 518-677-3545.DUTCH MANOR STABLE – Since 1967. Wherequality board, training & instruction are aCapital District tradition. Large heated indoorand outdoor riding arenas. USHJA certifiedinstruction. 518-456-5010 www.dmstable.comDIAMOND DERBY Ranch. Horse boarding, dailyturnout, trails and lessons. Western, English.845-638-0271AFTER HOURS FARM, Clifton Park NY.Specializing in “TLC” horse boarding, superiorEnglish riding lessons and training. Indoorand outdoor rings. Horse shows, clinics andsummer camp. (518)384-6441.ADIRONDAK FOOTHILLS EQUINE in Comstock,NY offers horse boarding, lessons, indoor arenaand much more. Brand new 120x280 outdoorprovides the perfect venue for ranch sorting,team penning, barrel racing and gymkhanas.Visit www.adkfoothillsequine.com for a listingof events. Call 518-642-3755 or e-mailadkfoothillsequine@roadrunner.com.

Page 24 Grassroots October 2012Grassroots Farmers’ MarketEquineJP RHOADES FARM. Reg. Morgan horses.All ages. Trained and young stock. Bred forsoundness, athleticism, sensibility. Pine City,NY 607-732-8485 Prhoades@stny.rr.com.RENEGADE FARM in Schenectady NY.Reasonable rates with experienced qualityservice since 1996. Boarding, training, English& western lessons by Lynn Bakos. ARIA certifiedinstructor. Monthly Adult Horsemanship course,summer camp. Indoor & outdoor rings, trails,over 40 acres of pastures. 518-864-5518 orlgbrenegade@yahoo.com.IVES FARM – Brewster/North Salem NY. Familyowned horse boarding farm. Exceptional,personal care for horse and rider. Uniquewelcoming peaceful atmosphere in countrysidesetting. Roomy matted stalls with window.Grass turnout with sheds. Large outdoor arena,round pen, cross country field, miles of NSBTAtrails. Stalls or rough board. 845-489-4940LisaITASKA SHOW Stables, Whitney Point, NY.Specializing in Hunters, Jumpers, Eventing.Boarding/training (stalls currently available),Lessons and Showing. Home of BinghamtonUniversity Equestrian Team! 607-760-5735HORSE BOARDING- Sullivan County. New barn.Lots of turnout with run-ins. Endless trails,tireless care. www.HighRoadHorseFarm.com or845-482-4706HORSE BOARDING - Private family horse farm,Abundant secure pastures. Unending quietwoodland trails. Very large indoor arena. Largebox stalls. Individual care. Resident veterinarian.Otego, NY 607-988-7779HORSE BOARDING – includes personal care,bi-monthly worming, use of outdoor arenaand access to gravel road and trails. Separatepaddock and roomy stall. $200/315-314-1932labowgirl@yahoo.com. References available.QUALITY STABLES. Quality care for boardingand training horses. Large lesson program forall ages. Visitors welcome. Oneonta, NY 607-432-8977. www.qualitystables.com.BOARDING,TRAINING & SALES: Pastureand rough board. Natural training methodsin dressage, trail riding and westernhorsemanship. Lusitano crosses and quarterhorses for sale. Clinton Corners, NY 845-594-9915HORSES BOARDED. Southern DutchessEquestrian Center has 3 stalls available aswe’re nearing winter. Our rates are veryreasonable and our care is top notch!. Checkus out at www.southerndutchess.com. 845-226-1256BAR JMC RANCH offers full boarding,training programs, and lessons –english andwestern. Family run facility in Greene County.Reasonable rates with quality service. 845-820-4072CORNERSTONE 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 forProblem Horses. 32 acres of heaven justoutside of Saratoga. Natural HorsemanshipApproach (PNH). Learn with your horse! CallSue Knight at Round Table Training. 518-885-0402SUGAR HILL FARM of Victor, NY offers ridinglessons for all levels. A safe environment buildsconfidence and teaches compassion whileworking 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, GiftCertificates. www.pleasanthillstable.com or607-648-4979HORSES – Sales, training, lessons, breeding,boarding. Morgans, Paints and Quarter Horses.www.northstarfarm.com or 716-532-3390BOARDING, TRAINING (foals to seniors),Lessons, and Sales. Natural Horsemanship.WWW.hoofstepstrainingLLC.com (845) 820-0339 “Hoof Steps Training LLC, Doing thingsright one step at a time”.Equinehe can understand what a farmis, what a country is, who shall‘Onlyhave sacrificedpart of himself to his farmor country, fought to saveit, struggled to make itbeautiful. Only then willthe love of farm or countryfill his heart.’Antoine de Saint-ExuperyRETIRED HORSE BOARDING. Custom diets, 12x12stalls with windows, turnouts – individual/group,indoor arena. Specializing in nutritional problems.Equine nutritionist-owner/manager. Afton, NY.www.equine-retirement.com 607-639-2409HORSE BOARDING & Riding Lessons.Brunswick NY. Oversized indoor arena, heatedstables with all amenities. Board $525. Lessonsfor beginners-intermediate on seasoned horses$35. PlacidHillsStables.com 518-279-9717HORSE BOARDING at Stillwater IslandFarm. 20 min from Saratoga or Clifton Park.Spectacular views from the 50 acre privateisland. We have room for 2 boarders. Indoorarena, large box stalls, turnout in grass pastureswith run-in sheds. Individual care. Maintainedtrails. Resident Veterinarian. FoundationTraining available with natural horsemanshipmethods (PHN). $650 518-281-6383HORSE BOARD. Full care. Beautiful propertyand barn in Fredonia. Indoor arena. Trainer onsite. Heather at 716-785-2535HORSE BOARDING at Mid MeadowsFarm. Small, private, adult barn in Mayville/DeWittville area. Max of 10 horses. 60x120indoor/outdoor, round pen, 100 acres. 12x12matted stalls, heated tackroom, feedroom andbathroom with laundry facility. Run-in shedsin pastures. Bring own vet,farrier,trainers ifdesired. Visit Facebook page – Mid MeadowFarm or call Larry at 716-499-7101FOUR SEASONS Therapeutic Riding Center.Where people speak through horses.Therapeutic riding instruction, EAAT andHippotherapy for people of all abilities. NARHAmember center. 845-434-5912REG. TENNESSEE WALKING Horses. Bred fortrail riding. All have been used in my trail ridingbusiness and all do the original running walk.Why bounce when you can float in the Cadillacglide ride? $2800 to $4800. Will finance at 0%interest with a deposit. Happy Trails WalkingHorses, LLC. 607-330-1198 or come trail ridingwith us by the Fingerlakes National Forest.REGISTERED Thoroughbred mare. 16.1, 8yrs old, bay. Hunter/Jumper type mare. Broke.Sound, pretty and UTD on shots. $2200 585-300-7898LUKENS HORSE Transportation. Providingthe 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 Ridinglessons, Pony Parties. Shadow Brook Farm,Middletown, NY Call Betty 845-692-5046.1990 Circle J 2-Horse trailer, straight loadw/ramp, storm doors, 2 escape doors, tackcompartment. 4 new tires. Very good condition.607-225-4909TWO HORSE Kingston trailer with ramp. Verygood condition, white. $3500. Clifton Park.518-371-5739HORSE & TACK Auction. Oct. 6, 2012. Tack9am – Horses 1pm. Loomis Quarter Horses.Waddington, NY 13694. 315-388-7736 www.loomisquarterhorses.com.EquineCROSBY Prix des Nations English Close Contactsaddle, 17.5 inches, Havana brown, has holesfor name plate and used stirrup leathers. $350.518-791-2533CON-TACK CONSIGNS and sells any horserelated items including tack, riding apparel,antiques, etc.845-757-4442 or visit www.con-tack.com.STOP ARENA DUST Now you can have adust free indoor! MAG Flakes eliminateswatering, saves money. Proven and safe. www.StopArenaDust.com Emerson Supply 716-434-5371PREMIUM QUALITY THRIVE horse feed;complete feed, highest quality ingredients.Great for all ages/breeds of horses. Aids withnormalizing weight, build healthy hooves,improves coat, aids with establishing a calmtemperament. Feed as nature intended. Seewebsite: prayroadstables.com or call 315-393-3433TRAIL RIDES: Join us for a fun ride on our trailsand fields. 585-638-5042.SHOW HORSE Appraiser. Maple Row Farm.716-435-0114 (cell) or 716-741-6900ASEA certified appraiser available toappraise your horse for insurance, litigation,sale or whatever your needs. Writtenappraisal complete with photos done inmost cases. Lynn Gorman-Bakos 518-269-0480 or lynn@renegadefarm.com or www.horseappraisalsbylynn.com.EQUINE CONNECTIONS © MASSAGETHERAPY. Enhance Performance. Safeguardagainst injury. Give your horses the bestpossible care. CJ Mathewson. CertifiedEquissage © Therapist. Info@ www.equitouch.webs.com 518-848-4599COGGINS TESTING – AGID and ELISA.Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Fecal andSerology too. Have your veterinarian contact usat Mohawk Valley Vet Labs (MVVL) located inWestmoreland, NY 1-877-853-4930A HORSE DRAWN AFFAIR/BROE FARM homeof Rosevale Leggo. 16.2 black morganstallion standing at stud. Boarding ,lessons,training, dressage, driving ,hunters, Sales518-329-5249Livestock100% PUREBRED WAGYU BREEDING BULLavailable for sale or lease. Semen available,will deliver. Forever Hopeful Farm. 518-369-6874REGISTERED POLLED Hereford Heifer and Bullcalves; high weaning weights, good bloodlines.Berne, NY 518-872-0256HOLSTEIN STEER 1200lbs, butcher ready $1100or $1.90 hanging weight. 4 holstein/jerseysteers, 600lbs, $500 finish off this summer!All fed certified organic feed, pasture raised.585-554-4468DEXTER BREEDING STOCK: A traditional herdoffering a young service age bull, 2012 calves,and hot ox prospects. Call for details. 518-993-2823, rolinsmith@yahoo.com.Livestock3 COMMERCIAL 4 year old cows, red angus,Simmental and Hereford. Used as recipients.Confirmed safe in calf for spring calving,available October. $1500 each obo. www.jkwpolledherefords.com or 518-469-3777LAKE EFFECT HOOF TRIMMING. Serving allNew York State. 12 yrs experience, modern,safe equipment, insured. Contact our teamJohn & Nicholas Anderson 315-408-6030 ormscoolcows@aol.com.DAIRY GOATS – ADGA registered OberhasliNational 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 andBuckling. Nice markings. Easy to handle.Excellent milkers. Milk is very good for you andmakes great cheese. Great for a small familyor 4H project. 518-854-9702 or Alanna@starlitridge.com.REGISTERED NIGERIAN Dwarf dairy goats –small and easy to handle. breeding stock, idealfor personal milk supply, 4-H projects, Can pullcarts of be a pack animal. Does and bucksavailable. Shots-wormed- Downsizing herd.Binghamton area, call evenings 607-693-2682ANGORA GOATS. Reg. breeding stock fromsuper fine Texas bloodlines. Breeding agebucks, does and starter flocks available, alsoraw or washed mohair fleece. Some pet qualitystock also available. 518-537-4487ROLL-n-HILLS Ranch purebred Kiko bucks. Ihave several excellent purebred Kiko bucks,18-24 months of age for sale. Visit our websiteat Roll-n-HillsRanch.com and/or call 607-760-5660 $600-$800 each.AKBASH Livestock Guardian dogs. Takingreservations for puppies in late spring.Experienced dogs also available, guardingsheep, alpacas and goats. We sleep at night,because they don’t! Springside Farm. 315-683-5860SHETLAND SHEEP BREEDING stock for sale.For information or photos, 716-244-0290 orwildgeesefarm@gmail.com.MINIATURE Donkeys, Nigerian dwarf goats,Muscovy Ducks, Serama Bantams. Friendly,healthy babies, adults available this spring.Questions welcome! 607-843-5584thornghyll@frontiernet.net or visit http://braethorn.tripod.com.GOATS, DONKEYS, TURKEYS, spring chick, fresheggs, live and dressed. NPIP certified 518-733-9332.CONSIDERING ALPACAS... At Spirit Wind Farmand Fiber Studio we take pride in offeringquality alpacas with competitive prices andguarantees. Providing education in alpacahusbandry and fiber w/ ongoing supportbefore, during and after the sale. Contact usw/ questions or to schedule a visit to our farmand studio. 315-926-5427 email: kyoung8@rochester.rr.comALPACAS FOR SALE. ALL must go! Pet &quality animals, males & females. Shearingtable, cute and other misc. items. Allnegotiable. Call after 7pm or leave a massage607-589-4888 or 607-589-7590ALPACAS! High quality reg. alpacas. Sales andBreeds. Farm visits always welcome. See thealpacas and the farm store with alpaca millspun yarn and roving, homespun yarn fromour alpacas fiber and many other alpaca items.Call today as the summer calendar is filling up.607-397-8051. Worcester, NY.INTETRESTED In the alpaca business? Wouldyou like to own some of these curious, loving,luxurious animals? Located in Upstate NY.518-497-6009ALPACA HERD Dispersal! Alianza, Snowmaster,Accoyo Brutus, Caligula bloodlines. Ownerwants to travel and not be tied down with farmchores. No reasonable offer refused. 716-496-7225 please leave message.LAMBS - Old English Babydolls. Reg.Flock.2011 rams and ewes. 845-469-4462PUREBRED Romney sheep. White and naturalcolors. Breeders flock, lambs ready to go.Norma Jean. 518-638-8132

October 2012 Grassroots Page 25Grassroots Farmers’ MarketLivestockTravelSuppliesSpecialty ProductsSTARTED Cornish X broilers, Guineas, Turkeysall year long. Pigs and piglets as well.Schoharie, NY 518-295-7662BABYDOLL LAMBS. 2012 lambs, yearlings,rams. Registered NABSSAR, www.cabincreekacres.com or 518-587-6008ICELANDIC SHEEP: Meat, breeding stock,fleece, roving, yarn, felt, pelts. High qualityproducts. Shepherd’s Falls Farm. 315-683-9408 or visit our website at www.shepherdsfallsfarm.comSheep Herding Trial, Saturday, October 13from 9 AM to 3 PM. German Shepherd Dogstending 200 sheep. Admission-free, spectatorswelcome. 683 Bagley Road, Rushville. FMI:ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com or 585-554-3313.Forestry/Forest ProductsSUSAN KEISTER Consulting Forester.Specialties: grade harvests (maple, oak, cherry),low grade harvests (beech, aspen, pine, etc.),valuations/appraisals (ROW, utility easements,estates, trespass), Management Plans andreal property tax savings. Approved NRCSTechnical Service Provider. 585-728-3044 orvisit www.susanjkeisterllc.com.CONSULTING FORESTRY : Timber sales,480A, Gas Line and other appraisals,Firewood/improvement marking, ect. RoyD. Hopke, CF, 607-648-4573 Info Google“Roy Hopke”.NEW LEAF ENVIRONMENTAL LLC. NorthEastern 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 processorsand other products to choose from. Viewvideos at www.windancerfarm.com. 607-656-4551FREE WOODWORKING KNIVES SELF-SET:Joiner and planer knives, buy any start-up kitand receive a FREE set of HSS replacementblades. Retail orders only. www.dispozablade.com or call Dispoz-A-Blade 800-557-8092SAW MILL on Long Island. Custom Cut lumberBoards, Planks, Beams. 631-727-5920 EdThompson.SAWMILL American #2 50” blade. $1000.Also 52” left handed blade $600. 716-307-3175SEEDLINGS – Colorado Blue and WhiteSpruce 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 585-657-7167APPLE WOOD & FIREWOOD available inColumbia & northern Dutchess counties and alladjacent areas. Delivery available, call for freequote. 845-876-5999TIMBER & LOG BUYERS. “The WagnerCompany” purchase standing timber,hardwood logs and timberland throughoutNew York and the Northern Tier of PA. 607-687-5362 or www.wagnerlumber.com.CUSTOM SAWING of logs, rough-cut hardand soft wood lumber available. Mill BladesHammered. Call Ken. 585-547-9269 or 585-591-0180NOW BUYING TIMBER: any kind. Aspen,poplar, cotton wood, willow, soft maple.Pole wood, fire wood stock. Standing orharvested. Picked up or delivered. CoveyTree Inc. 716-484-6183FIREWOOD. Cut, split and delivered for$175/cord (within 30 miles). Serving UpstateNY. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Call RMBacon 518-686-5996 or rmbaconllc@yahoo.com.LOCUST POSTS, poles, split rails, 4x4’s, 6x6,locust lumber. 1x6’s, 2x6’s, 2x4’s etc. Alsobuying standing locust lots, groves and truckloads of log length locus. Tom 518-883-8284or 518-369-5187BARN BOARDS (new): Large inventory ofrough lumber. Spaulding Sawmill in OrangeCounty. 845-534-8038COME VISIT OUR FARMS! New York Deer &Elk Farmers Association invites you to comevisit a deer or elk farm near you! There areover 540 farms in New York State! ContactNYDEFA at 716-685-4019 or NYDEFA@NYDEFA.org to locate a farm near you!EASTON VIEW OUTFITTERS are specialistsin putting together just the kind of outdooradventure you have in mind! From once-in-alifetimetrophy hunt to wilderness photographyto using our lodge for your gathering oras your source of quality cervid stock for anew or existing farm, we promise you anunforgettable outdoor wilderness experience.Call 518-692-9999 for more information.www.EastonViewOutfitters.com.LLAMA TREKS. Take a guided nature hike withour pack llamas, through forested ravines witha stream and waterfalls, while they carry drinksand snacks. Spring, summer and fall. www.woodmanseellamas.com 315-696-8997SEASONAL AGRI-TOURISM business opensin Lodi, NY, Seneca County! Amazeing Acresfeatures a 7000 sg.ft Hedge Maze, a classicalstone Labyrinth, Medicine Wheel Garden,pond w/paddle boats and walking pathsto the Finger Lakes National Forest. Roughcamping and Hostel. Open May1 – Oct 31. Funoutdoor field trip for families and classrooms.Coming soon: A hopscotch pavilion and PedalCart Track! Available for Birthday parties,celebrations and Fundraiser Events too. www.amazeingacres.org or 607-592-5493 to booka reservation.Farm Market“THE MAPLE LADY” visit her at www.MapleLady.com for unique maple products,gifts and recipes.GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD TASTE that lasts allyear long! Jam of the month subscriptionsfrom Knapp Farm. Locally grown andprocessed by 8th generation. www.knappfarm.net. 607-733-5269FRONTENAC POINT VINEYARD – Estate Wineryis open for the season. We participate in NYFBMarketplace giving 10% discount on winepurchases at the tasting room. Hours anddirections: www.frontenacpoint.com.30+ VARIETIES of fresh grape juice Sept 6- Oct21. Free Wine Making lessons every Saturdayor video on our website www.Fulkersonwinery.com. Fulkersonwinery@stny.rr.com.SuppliesDISCOUNT PESTICIDES. We ship daily. info@thompsonag.com 716-934-3808.GENERIC PESTICIDES – Springwater AgProducts. 8663 Strutt St. Wayland ,NY Open7 days a week! Farmer friendly prices. Call forearly savings and prices. Serving the FingerLakes area since 2003. We sell brand names aswell. 585-728-2386WOODWORKERS: Planer/jointer knives anyonecan change! Free shipping for NYFB members.www.dispozablade.com 800-557-8092.VERMONT CASTINGS Encore Noncatalystwood stove, 8” flue collar, 2009 modelyear. Good stove for large home. Includesthermostatic blower system, firebox screenand 8”doublewall piping sections. $2100 obo.607-369-4206 or 516-449-1282LISTER LASER Shearing Machine with extracombard culler, with plastic carrying case.Never used. Paid $320, asking $300. Firm.716-992-3806PRECISION GPS Guidance Equipment. We sellunits that Guide operators, auto steer tractors,map spraying and systems that guide within1-2 inches. Outback Guidance center. Geneva,NY 14456 315-789-0037SULLIVAN COUNTY FARM has compostfor sale. Buyer responsible for trucking. Drymanure available. 845-295-0063.TEXAS REFINERY LUBRICANTS Since 1922.Top quality oils and greases. TIRESEAL neverequaled. Leading fuel conditioner for wear anddeposit reduction in diesel. 716-581-0570Made in USA.PURCHASE AMSOIL Synthetic lubricants.Reduce engine wear, lower your operating costand help Farm Bureau. Visit www.lubedealer.com/ve Use dealer number ZO 1664563TARPAULINS: 1000 denier heavy duty weave,white, silver, green/silver, 26 sizes 8’ x 10’ thru 50’x 100’ Rubber/nylon tiedowns. 845-266-5537.HONEYBEES – Start Beekeeping today, weoffer Italian, Carniolan and Russian Honeybeesin Packages, Queens and Nuc Hives. ContactBetterbee, Inc at 1-800-632-3379 or online atwww.betterbee.com and order today. Pleasemention code FARMB2008HONEYBEES 3lb package with queen. Aprildelivery. Beehives, equipment, clothing andsupplies. 845-445-2137 or 845-427-2809Elwill40@yahoo.comHONEYBEE COLONIES wintered over andwashed empty 55 gallon open head barrels.Available after May 1st. 585-964-3121WASHED BEDDING SAND, STONE, GRAVEL,LIMESTONE CRUSHER-RUN prompt servicefully insured since 1949. Van trucking 315-263-2647EQUIPMENT- 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.888-589-7033Specialty ProductsFISH HATCHERY at Falconwood Farms. Live fishfor ponds, restaurants and farm markets. Grownin ponds and tanks supplied by water from wellsand springs of Sherman, CT and Wingdale, NY.845-832-6086 www.fishfarmz.com.SEW WHAT? Fabric Shoppe. Fabrics, classes andmachine quilting. Addison, NY 607-359-4308EMU OIL. Helps arthritis, psoriasis, skinrashes, poison ivy, etc. Works for any dry skin,excellent for wrinkles. At the Windmill onSaturdays in Penn Yan. Mail order available.Young Hill Ostrich & Emu Farm. 8489Lattimier Hill Road. Arkport, NY 14807emufarm@linkyny.com.VITAZYME BIOSTIMULANT improvesfertilizer efficiency, boost crop yields andquality. Call 585-455-0331 or visit www.agbioinc.comCATTLE FREE STALL SAND. Inorganic beddingsand, delivered by the yard. Provided byAshcroft Construction Company. Greenwich,NY. 518-692-2014STANDING CORN for sale. Southern Madisonco. 518- 837-4134BULK PINE SHAVINGS Available for Pick-upTruck to Tractor Trailer Loads Priced by CubicYard Mike Smith Logging 877-658-3250 ormikesmithlogging@msn.comSAWDUST and bark Mulch. Also wood cutsoffs-ends from sawmill. Ideal for outdoorfurnaces. Will deliver to Sussex, NJ, Orange-Chenango-Sullivan-Delaware, Putnam, WayneCounties. All calls returned. 845-986-2946BULK PINE Shavings loaded on your pick-upor dump truck. Mike 607-859-2394 or www.sawdustguy.com.MULCH. All natural barks and coloredmulches, bulk stone and boulders, Rinoxbrick and block products, Aquascapes, pondsupplies. GreenScapes Inc. 315-469-0007 orwww.greenscapesonline.com.KILN DRIED SAWDUST and wood shavings,green sawdust available. Quality, clean horseand dairy bedding. 20 to 120 yard loadsavailable. Prompt Service. 315-729-1499BAREFOOT WOOD PELLETS. $275/ton.Worcester Valley Lumber Rte 7 West,Worcester, NY 12197. 607-397-8002LAMB for your freezer (legs, chops, burger, 3flavors sausage, etc.) Registered Cotswoldbreeding stock, natural colored sheep too.Exceptional handspinning fleeces, preparedfiber and sheepskins, all from our flock. www.nistockfarms.com or 607-522-4374. Locatedin Prattsburgh.GIANT VARIETY Vegetable Seeds – grow giantpumpkins, corn, sunflowers, etc. and make ashow for your farm market. Start a contest andinvolve the kids! Set world records! www.bigseeds.com.GARLIC FOR SALE: German White $7/lb,Spanish Roja $8/lb. Picked up (shipping extra).Please call 518-568-5322 before you comeover.NORTHERN WHITETAIL SCENTS sells premiumscents direct from our deer to your door! Weare a family owned and operated white-taileddeer farm right here in New York. Our scentsare collected and bottled fresh daily! 100%natural, the way nature intended! We nowhave antlers and mounts for sale. Call 1-800-683-3002 or visit www.NorthernWhitetail.com.ARMSTRONG’S ELK FARM has ARMSTRONG’SVELVET ANTLER CAPSULES for sale. Velvetantler provides nutritional support for jointstructure and function. This natural dietarysupplement is 100% natural – 100% WholeVelvet Antler from Armstrong’s Elk Farm inCornwallville, NY. Call 518-622-8452 ore-mail elkfarmerd@aol.com.Real EstateCLEAN LICENSED & FENCED SALVAGE/REPAIR YARD with new house 50% done.Great location, next to I-88. Some inventory100 plus engines/transmissions, completeshop – lift – tools, waste oil furnace, bodycrusher – loaders – picker. Roll back, backhoe and lots more.DANA’s AUTO PARTS. Bainbridge, NY. Visitwww.danasautoparts.web.com. $275,000.$85,000 down, EX Terms. 607-624-8370 or352-308-4746FURNISHED ROOM private bath one personshare home. Quiet countryside, security,references, $390.00 monthly 518-854-7862.FSBO; efficient country home! Ranch on 25acres. Solar electric! Off the grid! Independentliving! You can farm goats, deer. Ideal homefor larger family. Current price $150,000.Harrisville 315-543-2919FARM LAND FOR LEASE: Approx 80acresof pasture/crop land in Southern DutchessCounty. Near Taconic and 84. Excellent soils,3 ponds. Could qualify for organic. 845-221-6152 or 1doconnor@frontiernet.net.COUNTRY HAVEN on 32 acres, beautifulmodern 3 bdrm home, pool, garage, privatesetting 518-922-6301186 ACRE FARM – Otsego Co. Edmeston NY.Close to Cooperstown. 4 bedroom home,barn, machine shed, good pasture, fenced, hayfields, woods. Great for horses and livestock.Excellent hunting. 607-965-2174RANCH HOUSE. 11 acre field backed bywoods, warren township, Southern HerkimerCounty., Knotty pine open design, 3 BR,2B,attached double garage with heated shop/hobby rooms; full dry basement,$195,000includes mineral rights. 732-449-5499.65 ACRE farm between Albany/Saratoga/Clifton Park. 5 minutes from I87 exit 8A.Excellent for horses. Abundant Deer, turkey,geese. Mohawk river, 2 golf courses near by.Low taxes. Will sell with or without machinery.$400,000. 518-371-573946 ACRES in Eden NY. vacant land with roadfrontage. 15 acres wooded, tillable land. Manyamenities. Country living with city connection.City water, lake views. Call for appt to see.716-207-302210 BEAUTIFUL acres overlooking Seneca Lake,Yates County. Very nice 3 bedroom colonialhome with stone fireplace, nice set of barns.40x80 Morton building with shop. 315-536-2717. Please leave message.SELLING YOUR FARM? Want to buy a farm?We can help. Go to Fingerlakesrealestate.comthen click on FARMS. We cover all of New YorkState. We have buyers ready to buy and theyhave been Pre-approved. Want to buy, we havefarms for sale. Call Richard Schmidt at 315-729-3672 or email richardschmidt@realtor.com total sales commission 7.95%.

Page 26 Grassroots October 2012Grassroots Farmers’ MarketReal EstateServicesServicesServicesFARMLAND. Recreational land. Residentialcommercial development potential. Roadfrontage on Seaway Trail. 139 acres for$169,900, 172 acres for $199,900. NearVillage of Red Creek. Call NY Land Quest 877-257-0617. www.nylandquest.comBUY LAND. 40 years experience in Farm andLand sales in Orange County. D.L. Hawkins &Assoc. 845-629-6896DISNEY AREA ORLANDO MAGIC Kissimmee,Florida 4 bdrm, 3 bath fully equipped withprivate heated pool in Emerald Island Resort.Free phone and internet-free tennis $900 perweek. 516-333-9596 ztea@aol.comEmploymentSHOW HORSE FARM needs experienced help.Heated indoor facility. Housing plus salary. Call518-756-9755.WOULD YOU like to have your own dairy butneed help starting it? I may be able to help.607-776-1711FARMER WANTED. Operate your own organicvegetable farm. We are looking for a farmer tooperate their own vegetable business on outfarm to compliment out fruit farm. ContactTabor at tabor2@nycap.rr.com or 518-893-2547ServicesHORSE BLANKETS: Cleaned, waterproofed andrepaired. Over 30 yrs experience. 845-677-6906 Serving Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess,Columbia Counties and Long Island.AUCTIONS. Reynolds Auction Co. can helpwith all asset liquidation including farm,horticulture, commercial, restaurant, vehicles,estates, antiques and real estate. www.reynoldsauction.com for upcoming auctions.315-597-8815BRANDT’S CUSTOM MEAT CUTTING andmobile processing offers on site slaughteringfor all types of farm animals as well as poultry.Now taking appointments. For those orderingchicks, we offer on site slaughtering of allpoultry. Also selling quarter’s and halves aswell as whole beef, butcher hogs and pastureraised poultry. Jordan or Rachel Brandt 315-493-9120AUBIN’S BUTCHERING & PROCESSING.Slaughtering beef, pork, veal, lamb, goats.Smoking hams, bacons, beef jerky, slim jims. 40years experience. Gary and Bert Aubin 315-688-2964POULTRY PROCESSING AVAILABLE. CascunFarm in Greene, NY just opened our brand newNYS inspected facility. We do Chicken, Turkey,Pheasants and Rabbits. We can do all of theabove whole or parted. 607-875-4149DIRECT MARKETING LIVESTOCK SERVICE.B.K.Transfer. 5324 County Rd 14 in Odessa,NY is accepting all types of livestock. Mondays9-4 and Thursday 9-3. 607-703-0052 and607-227-5282HUNTING GUIDE SERVICE – Long Island FowlOutfitters.com Hunting at its best on the twinforks. Now booking field and pond hunts for2011-12. 631-965-9251HUNTING LEASE NETWORK (HLN)provides professional managed huntingleases 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!! Weprovide a warm home environment on a 70acre 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, immunesystem, show placing and rescue animals.Appointments for the 4 & 2 legged.Itoocare@aol.com or 607-862-9536CUSTOM CARDING & SPINNING. Processingall fiber types. Batting, roving or yarn fromyour own fleece – no minimums. Visit On-Linewww.battenkillfibers.com or come for a tour.518-692-2700HOME IMPROVEMENTS: Erie & NiagaraCounties. Interior & Exterior Renovationsand Repairs. Kitchens and baths. Familyowned business for over 30 years. Referencesand estimates. 716-695-1414 or emaildirhomemaintinc@aol.com.AUNT LULU’s Embroidery specializes inlivestock embroidery on garments andaccessories. Denim shirts, award chairs,hats, logo business apparel, awards forshows and much more. Check out www.StitchesByAuntLulu.com for breed specificembroidery. Laura 585-765-2280EMBROIDERED APPAREL. Your logo or text on awide selection of caps, shirts, jackets and more.631-929-2800, www.omnibusinessproducts.com and email omnibp@optonline.net.SAMPLERFARM CUSTOM QUILTS made to yourorder. Pieced, appliquéd, art and T-shirt quiltsare professionally created and quilted. LongarmMachine Quilting services available. Nancy atsamplerfarm@aol.com or 518-885-8427FENCING. Serving Western New York for over14 years. We install livestock, horse, deer andmany other types of fence. All designed to firyour specific needs. Call R&R Fencing. 585-599-3489FENCING: we install agricultural andresidential fencing to meet your needs. Postpounding, woven wire, board, split rail, chainlink, vinyl. 25 years experience. ServingWestern and Central NY. Stable fences &Vineyards, LLC. 585-349-4119 www.StableFences.com.TREE SERVICE. Serving all of WNY.Specializing in dangerous tree removal. Fullyinsured. 716-257-5591NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL Services. Let aprofessional trapper harvest muskrats from yourproperty this season. Licensed and Insured. Abeaver control specialist serving CNY. Call Scott315-200-0777DEER NUISANCE control free services.Suffolk Archers Deer Management Programspecializing in helping farms reduce crop losesto zero. Guaranteed deer harvest. Permits,licensed and insured. Andy 631-521-1471CHEMICAL 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 Growingavailable. Billsplants@optonline.net or 631-924-1513HEDGE TRIMMING by Peter Vorkman. We trimhedgerows up to 16+ feet. We will trim them backto the original hedgerow. Call 607-319-4960DESIGN-BUILD-CONCEPTS for ALL your Equine/Ag building plans as well as Residential andCommercial. Give us your information at ourwebsite www.design-build-concepts.com for afree quote. 607-292-3690SPANISH/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.TAX SERVICES – year round. Individuals, Farms,Businesses, Payroll. Elma Phillips, EA, MBA.Pattersonville, NY. 518-887-5740 or taxlady@ptcconnect.net. www.elmastax.com.FULL SERVICE YEAR around tax accounting& payroll service in Marion, NY. New clientsreceive 20% off the tax return fee. New payrollclients receive 20% off their current monthlypayroll fee. Call Boerman Tax Accounting &Payroll. 315-926-0203FULL SERVICE YEAR ROUND Tax accounting/payroll/bookkeeping services. New customerdiscount of $50 on your 2011 returns. $20 perclient 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. Calltoday about getting a refund of taxes paidon qualified farm fuel. Contact Melissa forinformation. Peachin&Associates. www.peachincpas.biz. Or 607-432-5314CAPITAL SAWMILL SERVICE. Bucket truck treeremoval and portable sawmill service. Servingthe greater capital region and will travel.Landscape design and installation. www.capitalsawmill.com 518-479-0729CONSULTING REAL ESTATE APPRAISER:Specializing in conservation easements for PDRand or IRS donations; MAI, Associate member,ASFMRA, 30 yrs experience: R. Peters Hubbell,Jr. – R.P. Hubbell and Company, Inc. 845-454-6525 or 518-846-3322H2A, H2B Consulting service. Help withpaperwork all levels and locating workers.Micosta. H@Express 518-755-4102,h2express@yahoo.com.Join us onlineNow there are more ways than everto stay connected to the importantissues facing New York farmers.Visit the New York FarmBureau any time at www.nyfb.orgfor the latest on news and events,legislation and more.Get in on the dialogue withyour fellow farmers. Friend theNew York Farm Bureau on Facebookat facebook.com/NYFarmBureau.Call us toll-free at 1-800-342-4143

October 2012 Grassroots Page 27Grassroots Farmers’ MarketServicesH2-A and H2-B work visas. Call U.S. Americansfor free consultation at 516-997-1065SHEARING SERVICES: Llamas and Sheep.Baitsholts Farm. 518-797-5201.IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY (H-2A/H-2B):Experienced attorney to handle all aspects ofvisa processing, including advertising, formspreparation, consular processing, legal consulting.L.J.D’Arrigo, Esq., Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna,LLP. 518-487-7642 or ldarrigo@woh.com.FARM INSURANCE: Need comprehensivecoverage for your farm, livestock, or produce?We offer the most competitive farm insuranceproducts available. Call today for a quote onyour most valuable asset. Beth Rogers Agency(Nationwide Insurance) 585-427-7260BARBEQUE CATERING. Let us cater your nextevent. LaJeunesse Cuisine. 518-673-2453. Emaillajeunessecuisinellc@yahoo.com.THE PICKERING PUB 170 South Main StreetCanandaigua. Warm friendly atmosphere. Pickthe Pub for Wednesday: drafts and tacos $1.00,Tuesday: Wing Night. 585-396-9060SEAWAY RENTAL CORP: A Honda dealer for sales &service of generators and pumps. We stock Hondaparts and rent equipment for general maintenance.315-788-4700 or www.seawayrentalcorp.com.GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT: Call AGRI-FAB &REPAIR for your grain handling needs from facilitydesign, fabrication and installation, general facilitymaintenance, dryer service, rigging, millwrighting,crane and electrical services. 585-584-9210AG & SMALL ENGINE PARTS: If you need any partsfor tractors, bedding choppers, lawn mowers & more,visit us on the web at www.wnyparts.com or www.nyparts.com. 315-347-1755REPAIR-vs-REPLACE. Electronic Dairy BoardService. Specializing in repair of WestfaliaSurge,BouMatic, Germania, DeLaval and Muellar Milktank control Repair. 406-590-7764ServicesTRUCK BODIES, CUSTOM BUILT TO YOURNEEDS. Dump bodies, rollbacks, stake racks,flat beds, round bail wagons, dump trailers,equipment trailers. Western Fabrication(315)827-4008ENGINE & Cylinder head rebuilding. Completeengine balancing, line honing, decking,resurfacing, boring, sleeve repair, big bore,pin boring, performance valve jobs, cast ironwelding, guides and seat boring & installationetc. Call Steve Dannible’s Engine & Machine in St.Johnsville. 518-568-7794FARM AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT BODY REPAIR.Heavy Equipment, Truck, Trailer and TractorBody Repair; Aluminum and Stainless SteelWelding; Steel for sale. Visit our website at www.MapleGroveEnterprises.com or call Maple GroveEnterprises 585-492-3340LIME-LAKE PERFORMANCE. Servicing Sleds- JetSkis- ATV’s. Ask for Mike. 716-353-8262 or 716-560-6018AQUASCAPE RAIN Xchange rainwaterharvesting systems/Water gardens. Installations,consultations, products. Chips Landscaping.518-339-4869/Fax 518-893-2064 www.chipslandscaping.net.FUEL SERVICE: Call for Special Fuel Pricing.Mohawk Home Comfort Services a full serviceHeating & Cooling installation company deliveringOil,Kerosene,Diesel,Gasoline and Propaneproducts. Ed @ 1-800-432-8669WIND TURBINES – Solar Panels: Representing ninedifferent wind turbine manufacturers and solar pvinsures you receive the best option for your siteand your energy requirements. Call Pyrus Energy315-834-6406SOLAR ENERGY. Serving Western NY. We offersolar electricity and solar hot water. JohnGriffin – Sales Rep. 585-309-0804 www.simplysolarsystems.com.ServicesCORPORATE ATTORNEY: Experienced attorneyon Long Island handling business formation,contracts and transactions. Vicki S. Gruber, P.C.,516-845-8088 vgruber@vsgpc.com or www.vsgpc.com.OIL & GAS ATTORNEY: Richard Gerard, Practicelimited to Oil and Gas. Exclusively representingLandowners in NY and PA. Visit www.ny.gaslaw.com Call 607-732-3793GAS LEASE ATTORNEY: Chenango Countyarea, attorney Ed Downey, review andconsulting on gas leases and right of ways,607-316-5601 or edowneylaw@nycap.rr.comMiscellaneousBOOK OF NEW YORK’S Agricultural history isrich and fascinating! “Four Hundred Years ofAgricultural Change in the Empire State” byRobert Bitz. Purchase on-line from both Amazonor Barnes & Noble.MiscellaneousSPORTSMENS CLUB. Year round family fun. Fish,hunt, canoe, ATV, snowmobile. 5000 acres.Kempshallmountainclub.com or Dennis at 518-624-2399TIOGA GAS LEASE. The Tioga County LandownersGroup is now accepting members. Membershipinformation and educational resources on gasleasing can be found at: www.TiogaGasLease.org.“DISCOUNT ELECTRIC SUPPLY guaranteedsavings from your utility bill. NO CONTRACT, NOFEE, NO PENALTY. Call Sherret at 877-884-1753or go directly to www.sherretchase.joinambit.comfor your electricity from AMBIT ENERGY.”DISCLAIMER: New York Farm Bureau reserves theright to refuse to accept any classified ad, paid orunpaid, at its sole discretion.WINCO and WINPOWER GENERATORSS T A N D B Y G E N E R A T O R S A N D P O W E R S Y S T E M SEfficient & ReliableM A D E I N U S ASPECIALTY TECHNOLOGY, INC.Melrose, NY 518-663-5563 www.specialtytechnologyinc.comINDUSTRIAL • AGRICULTURAL • MUNICIPAL • CONTRACT MAINTENANCE & REPAIRINDUSTRIAL • AGRICULTURAL • MUNICIPAL • CONTRACT MAINTENANCE & REPAIRYour New York FarmBureau® membershipsaves you cashNew York Farm Bureau Member Serviceshas teamed up with Nationwide Insurance.Now you can take advantage of member-onlysavings on ATV, motorcycle, RV, boat andsnowmobile insurance.Contact your Nationwide agent,call 1-877-OnYourSide or visitwww.nationwide.com/nyfb.Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states.Nationwide, Nationwide Insurance and the Nationwide framemark are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. FARM BUREAU,” “FB” and the FB National Logo, NEW YORK FARM BUREAU, State Farm Bureau Logo (black and whiteand color) are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation used under license by Nationwide. © 2012 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. FBO-0131AO (0312)

CLOSETO OURROOTSNationwideInsurance®was founded by the farmerleadersof the Ohio FarmBureau Federation® in 1926— and we’ve been helpingmembers protect what’simportant ever since.Today, we’re New York FarmBureau Member Services’trusted insurer. As a NewYork Farm Bureau® member,you can take advantage ofmember-only savings oninsurance productsand more.Contact your localNationwide agent, call1-877-OnYourSide or visitwww.nationwide.com/nyfb.Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company andAffiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Subject tounderwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discountsnot available to all persons in all states. Nationwide, NationwideInsurance and the Nationwide framemark are service marks ofNationwide Mutual Insurance Company. “FARM BUREAU,” “FB” andthe FB National Logo, NEW YORK FARM BUREAU, State Farm BureauLogo (black and white and color) are registered service marks of theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation used under license by Nationwide.© 2012 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.FBO-0132AO.1 (0812)