PROMOTING AGRICULTURE in YOUR COUNTY a Special Report from the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming

PROMOTING AGRICULTURE IN YOUR COUNTY A Special Report from the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming

Mark Alger President

A. Douglas Berwanger Chairman

Stephen J. Acquario Executive Director

November 2013

NYSAC | 540 Broadway, Fifth Floor | Albany, New York NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State | 1 The New York State Association of Counties Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State is a group of more than 50 county officials working together to make a positive impact on farming and agriculture in New York State.

NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force members meeting at the Empire Farm Days.

The stories contributed for this report came directly from the following Blue Ribbon Task Force members. We thank them for their input and ongoing service. We also want to thank and acknowledge NYSAC’s Liai- son to the Task Force, Katy Vescio, who was instrumental in pulling this report together.

• Hon. Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive [email protected] • Hon. Alan Grattidge, Saratoga County Chairman [email protected] • Hon. Morris Sorbello, Oswego County Legislator [email protected] • Jan Blaire, Vice Chair, Westchester County Soil and Water Board [email protected] • Hon. Doug Berwanger, Wyoming County Chairman [email protected] • Hon. Jim Brick, Wyoming County Supervisor [email protected] • Hon. Thomas Ryan, Steuben County Legislator [email protected] • Hon. Rochelle Stein, Genesee County Legislator [email protected]

2 | New York State Association of Counties | Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State COUNTY AGRICULTURE SUCCESS STORIES A Special Report from the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming

ince its inception in 2010, the Blue Saratoga County. It is held on Father’s Ribbon Task Force on the Future Day weekend each year and attracts more Sof Farming has met to discuss than 3000 people. The event is open to the challenges facing New York’s farms and public, free, and designed to minimize the devise strategies for helping to promote impact on the farm. A trolley system brings agriculture in New York State. During a participants to the farm from designated recent roundtable discussion held by the parking areas. This gives the opportunity Task Force, our members shared stories of for visitors to hear a talk during the trolley successful agriculture initiatives in their ride on the history of the farm. The 2o13 county. The goal of this exercise was to tour highlighted a working horse farm help other county leaders learn about in order to bring attention to the equine new ways to help promote farming and industry and further public outreach to that agriculture locally. agricultural sector. Among the many goals From branding campaigns, to economic of “Sundae on the Farm” are to educate the development strategies, these stories from public on where their food comes from, across New York State present a cross- and highlight local products and regionally section of ideas that offer inspiration to significant agriculture ventures. More others looking for ways to support local information is available online at: farms and bolster agricultural initiatives in http://www.ccesaratoga.org/ their own communities. For more information about agricultural Many of the stories shared here include initiatives underway in Saratoga County, examples of farm tours as ways to engage contact Hon. Alan Grattidge, Chairman of the public or key policy makers. The the Saratoga Board of Supervisors. American Dairy Association and the Ad Council have developed a “Farm Tour Checklist” as a useful tool when planning for and preparing your own farm tour. This document is provided in Appendix A.

Saratoga County Sundae on the Farm Saratoga County each year, pulls together a a cooperative effort to showcase a working farm. “Sundae on the Farm” celebrated their 18th year as a project to help with education and outreach to the public in order to broaden understanding of and appreciation for local farms and agriculture industries. Saratoga County Chairman Alan Grattidge The “Sundae on the Farm” effort is overseen addresses the county’s 2013 Sundae on the Farm. by Cornell Cooperative Extension of

NYSAC | 540 Broadway, Fifth Floor | Albany, New York NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State | 3 Genesee County enterprise. In partnership with Cornell University, local economic developers, Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park the Genesee County Community College Genesee County has developed a 200 and various agricultural manufactures, acre industrial park with all the proper the business park was rated by Business infrastructure and zoning to attract Facilities magazine as “Top 3 in Metro/ agricultural businesses. The Genesee Food Processing Industry Growth’’. An Valley Agri-Business Park is dedicated important element of this project was to Agri-Business and Renewable Energy ensuring that educational institutions could and is the first of its kind in New York help fill the gaps in needed workforce skills State. Park residents enjoy low cost water so that companies who moved into the Park delivered via the local aquifer, which can were able to find the skilled workers they provide up to 6 million gallons per day. needed. More information is available at: In addition, a wastewater pretreatment http://www.gcedc.com/pdf/marketing/ facility sits on the site. The park is serviced GeneseeAg-08_06_12-low.pdf by Transmission, Sub-Transmission and Distribution level electric and up to 8” gas “Celebrate Agriculture” Dinner lines are available. Businesses located in The success of Genesee County’s “Celebrate the park are: Alpina, a Columbian-Swiss Agriculture Dinner” is largely due to the based venture producing greek style yogurt; partnership created between the county Muller, a Quaker Dairy partnership of Theo and local agriculture groups. This event Muller of Germany and UK and Pepsi brand is coordinated by Cornell Cooperative products producing greek style yogurt; Extension of Genesee County, Genesee and Martec, a local dairy industry labeling County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District and Genesee County Farm Bureau. Promotion for this even has grown and it has become a popular community tradition to bring individuals together to socialize before the beginning of the growing season. Revenue generated by this event is used to fund the Ag Decision-makers’ Forum.For more information, visit Genesee County’s Cooperative Extension website: https://genesee.shutterfly.com

An arial view of the Genesee Valley agribusiness park

4 | New York State Association of Counties | Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State Agriculture Decision Makers’ Forum Wyoming County The goal of this event is to bring about a Agri-palooza broader understanding of farming and This event is held on a Sunday from agriculture by elected officials representing 12-4pm. It attracts 2000-3000 people, Genesee County. The event is geared to and is cosponsored by Cornell Cooperative all elected local officials that levy taxes on Extension and the Chamber of Commerce. property, including school board members, county legislators, town board, village, Wyoming County has also closely worked fire district commissioners and library with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic boards. The forum involves a free tour and Development Council (FLREDC) to interaction with young entrepreneurs. promote their agricultural industries and farms. Executives from Wegmans (co-chair of the council) worked with John Nobel and The forum tackles global agriculture the Governor’s office to do local site visits issues as well as local issues, such as on a dairy farm to give members of the immigration, cost of services studies, FLREDC an “on-farm” perspective of what career opportunities, hydro-fracking, public the agriculture industry means to that area. water access, GIS and GPS propelled farm Agri-palooza celebrates Wyoming County’s equipment. By bringing policy-makers onto #1 industry: agriculture. The event, held a working farm, or into an agribusiness annually is free, family-friendly and has operation, the tour organizers are able activities for participants of all ages. The to explain the impacts of specific policy event includes guided farm tours, children’s decisions on working farmers. The tour educational activities including a hay changes every year - 2014 will be the 25th maze, a corn dig, animal exhibits and year of this forum. From animal care to soil farm equipment displays. A special focus dynamics, this tour has worked to educate is placed on Wyoming County products, the public about the salient issues facing highlighted through the farmer’s market. agriculture in the county. More information is available by contacting the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee. www.geneseeny.com/. For more information on any of the initiatives underway in Genesee County, contact Hon. Shelly Stein, Genesee County Legislator.

NYSAC | 540 Broadway, Fifth Floor | Albany, New York NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State | 5 The event is organized by the Wyoming Farmland Preservation Plan and County Chamber of Commerce and Cornell Economic Development Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County. In the 2011 Steuben County Economic More information is available online at Development Plan, the Steuben County www.agripalooza.com. Industrial Development Agency identified For additional details on this and other Value Added Agriculture as a growth initiatives in Wyoming County, contact engine for the Steuben County economy. In Hon. Doug Berwanger, Chair of the Board, 2013, the Industrial Development Agency Wyoming County or Hon. Jim Brick, took steps to advance their efforts to grow Wyoming County Supervisor. the agricultural base of the economy by partnering with Steuben County to Steuben County support an updated Farmland Preservation Steuben County Farm-City Day Plan with the goal of focusing on the development of new agricultural markets. Farm-City Day is an educational, fun filled The effort will identify opportunities in day on the farm where the public can get a agriculture with the focus of advancing firsthand, behind the scenes look at how a projects through the Southern Tier modern dairy farm operates. This event is Regional Economic Development Council public, held on a Saturday and is designed and the Consolidated Funding Application.

Farm-to-Table and Local Markets Discussions are underway between the Steuben County Planning Department, Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Southern Tier Central A cheese tasting at the 2011 Steuben County Farm Days. Regional Planning Board, and IDA staff to advance a local specifically for children to gain further farm to table and local markets imitative appreciation for farming. Visitors can pet as part of the work being done with the baby calves, pick a pumpkin, take a wagon Farmland Preservation Plan. The work ride, get lost in a corn maze, milk a cow proposed would expand on the original by hand, hold a baby chick, and play in a plan’s efforts to identify new markets giant pile of corn. The event also has local outside the county. The additional effort farmers and farm business owners on hand would focus on existing production to answer questions. Local growers feature and would seek to look at local needs fresh farm products to sample and sell. For to establish a farm to table distribution more information visit the Farm-City Day website at www.steubencountyfarmday.com.

6 | New York State Association of Counties | Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State system and target additional opportunities found that barge transport was suitable for local growers to provide products for heavier, hardier foods such as cabbage, currently imported from outside the local potatoes, and apples, and that there was economic development area. a threshold quantity above which energy For additional details on Farm City Day and cost savings and emissions reductions and Steuben County initiatives, contact accrue. Significant factors affecting the Hon. Tom Ryan, Steuben County Legislator. viability of barge transport include location of the origin port in relation to producers, backhaul, and operational structure. Westchester County The study is informing decision-makers Feasibility Study – Using a Food Barge throughout the stat and heightening to Transport Upstate Food Products awareness of New York State products. Lower Hudson-Long Island Resource More information is available at http:// Conservation & Development Council, lhlircd.net/. whose board includes Westchester County, conducted a feasibility study on use of a Agri-tourism and Farm Mapping barge to transport agricultural products Westchester County is an agricultural to the New York City market as a way to county also known for being densely create new market opportunities for upstate populated and conveniently located in close producers without adding truck traffic to proximity to New York City. To capitalize on the region. The study, funded through a these features, the county’s Agriculture and partnership with NYSERDA, looked at Farmland Protection Board, in partnership transporting food from Central New York with Westchester County Tourism & Film, to Hunts Point Terminal Market in the is creating a Farm & Orchards tour route Bronx via the Hudson River. The study and itineraries. The goal is to increase visibility and promote Westchester County farms as agro-tourism destinations, and to bring information on local farms into the densely populated areas. The initiative gives visitors an opportunity to appreciate first-hand Westchester County’s working farms and orchards. For more information, contact Jan Blaire of the Westchester County Agriculture and A barge on the Hudson River shows viable means Farmland Protection Board. of food transportation.

NYSAC | 540 Broadway, Fifth Floor | Albany, New York NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State | 7 Oswego County Creating a County Brand Oswego County has realized success by using branding to highlight their locally grown onions. This effort has helped to promote the unique qualities of onions grown in Oswego County, as well as create a cooperative to help onion farmers collectively market their onions and onion products. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County helped develop a logo, brand name, and marketing strategy to engage retail sellers and wholesalers. The result was the “New York Bold” For more information on the NY Bold campaign. For more details on the Onion campaign and brand development, New York Bold Onion brand, visit: contact Hon. Morris Sorbello, Oswego http://www.newyorkbold.com/ County Legislator.

Rensselaer County farm business owners. The first tour, held in May 2011, brought State Lawmakers to Raising Awareness among Herrington Dairy Farm, Gould Orchards State Lawmakers (apples, cider and wine), and Duncan Farms, Rensselaer County has been instrumental a small dairy operation. The Rensselaer in broadening the awareness about farming County Farm Tour stops at Duncan Farm. among members of the New York State For more information on the Rensselaer Legislature. Due to the proximity between County Farm Tour for State Lawmakers, the New York State Capitol Building in contact Hon. Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer Albany, and many vibrant local farms, County Executive. Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino partnered with State Senator Roy McDonald to bring a group of State Senators and Assembly members to three Rensselaer County farms. The farm tour was held during the legislative session on a day when lawmakers were already in Albany. By organizing brief site visits on three farms only a short distance drive from the Capitol, lawmakers (mostly from down- state regions) were able to see firsthand the impacts of statewide policy decision on local The Rensselaer County Farm Tour stops at Duncan Farm.

8 | New York State Association of Counties | Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State APPENDIX A

Farm Tour Checklist ❏ Decide where to host the group when they (provided by the American Dairy arrive to give a farm overview Association and the Ad Council) ❏ If other family members or staff will be assisting with the tour, meet with them 1 Month Before Tour: to review the outline and share your key ❏ Contact teacher/school/community leader messages to communicate during the tour to confirm details: ❏ Do a farm tour walk-through  Number of children in group  Pick up wires, tires, etc. that the visitors  Number of adults in group could trip or fall over  What is their role?  Age range 2 Weeks Before Tour:  What time will the students arrive? ❏ Practice your presentation Depart? (practice what you will say at each section during your normal chores)  Group’s interests/special requests to cover during the tour ❏ Continue farm clean-up  Are members of the media (school ❏ Consider your hand washing plan newsletter) participating in the tour? If yes, (sink, water, and soap easily accessible or determine spokesperson for your farm hand sanitizer and wipes)  Provide directions to your dairy farm and ❏ Develop signs stating what is restricted parking information (don’t count on GPS) 2 Days Before Tour:  Will the group bring food to eat at the farm? ❏ Finalize tour (presentation and route traveled)  Review appropriate clothing choices for tour participants (i.e., play clothes) ❏ Check in with teacher/school/community leader to confirm details  Do they need boot covers? Notify appropriate family members and  Rain plan ❏ staff of when tour participants will arrive ❏ Contact American Dairy Association and Dairy Council (ADADC) to receive Day of Tour: promotional items for the tour (315) 472-9143 ❏ Conduct final walk through to confirm cleanliness and safety–make sure paths Prepare a bathroom for the group ❏ are clear, animals are fed/watered and ❏ Send confirmation letter looking healthy ❏ Set up hand washing station 3 Weeks Before Tour: ❏ Change into clean clothes–perhaps ❏ Draft an outline for the tour and identify a shirt with the farm name YOUR goals (e.g., educate children about (no manure or blood stains) milk production; strengthen relationships Smile and have fun! You are the best person with community leaders; etc.) ❏ to tell your story! ❏ Determine which areas of the farm will/will not be included in the tour

NYSAC | 540 Broadway, Fifth Floor | Albany, New York NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State | 9 HON. CRYSTAL ABERS HON. ROBERT COLBY 2013 CATTARAUGUS COUNTY MONROE COUNTY Members HON. LUCILLE MCKNIGHT SHINO TANIKAWA ALBANY COUNTY NEW YORK CITY HON. TED HOPKINS HON. WILLIAM ROSS ALLEGANY COUNTY NIAGARA COUNTY HON. SCOTT BAKER HON. PATRICK BRENNAN BROOME COUNTY ONEIDA COUNTY HON. CRYSTAL ABERS HON. SAMUEL CASELLA CATTARAUGUS COUNTY ONTARIO COUNTY HON. FRED CROSCUT HON. JOHN CHAMPLIN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY ONTARIO COUNTY HON. GREG EDWARDS HON. ALBERT BUCKBEE III CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY ORANGE COUNTY HON. LAWRENCE WILCOX HON. AMY TRESIDDER CHENANGO COUNTY OSWEGO COUNTY HON. ROY BROWN HON. TERRY WILBUR COLUMBIA COUNTY OSWEGO COUNTY HON. KATHIE ARNOLD HON. KATHLEEN JIMINO CORTLAND COUNTY RENSSELAER COUNTY HON. JAMES EISEL HON. ALAN GRATTIDGE DELAWARE COUNTY SARATOGA COUNTY HON. MARY PAT HANCOCK HON. GLENN LARISON GENESEE COUNTY SCHUYLER COUNTY HON. ESTHER LEADLEY HON. FREDERICK MORRILL GENESEE COUNTY ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY HON. ROCHELLE STEIN HON. ROBERT NICHOLS GENESEE COUNTY STEUBEN COUNTY CHRISTIAN YUNKER HON. THOMAS RYAN GENESEE COUNTY STUEBEN COUNTY HON. STEPHEN KEBLISH HON. IRA COHEN HERKIMER COUNTY SULLIVAN COUNTY HON. BERNARD PEPLINSKI, SR HON. CINDY GIEGER HERKIMER COUNTY SULLIVAN COUNTY HON. FREDERICK SHAW HON. FRANK P. PROTO HERKIMER COUNTY TOMPKINS COUNTY MR. JAY MATTESON HON. MIKE HEIN JEFFERSON COUNTY ULSTER COUNTY HON. MICHAEL TABOLT JAN BLAIRE LEWIS COUNTY WESTCHESTER COUNTY ANGELA L. ELLIS HON. DOUG BERWANGER LIVINGSTON COUNTY WYOMING COUNTY HON. MARK SCHUSTER HON. JIM BRICK LIVINGSTON COUNTY WYOMING COUNTY HON. DANIEL S. DEGEAR HON. TIMOTHY DENNIS MADISON COUNTY YATES COUNTY HON. JOHN BECKER MADISON COUNTY HON. JOHN SALKA MADISON COUNTY ROBERT KING, PH.D. MONROE COUNTY