Organic training
ALBANY — New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker has announced the availability of nine new organic production guides for farmers. The new guides provide information on how to produce certified organic apples, blueberries, grapes, lettuce, potatoes, spinach, strawberries and cole crops, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. There is also a new guide to help control dairy cattle related pests using organic IPM methods. The information can be found at http://nysipm.cornell.edu/organic_guide/.
With limited pest-control products available for use in organic production systems, these guides offer commercial vegetable producers organic integrated pest management (IPM) techniques for both fruit and vegetable crops. IPM techniques such as keeping accurate pest history records, selecting the proper site and preventing pest outbreaks through use of crop rotation, resistant varieties and biological controls are all components of successful organic and IPM management techniques.
Depending on their expertise, professionals provide input on soil fertility recommendations, crop rotations to prevent pests and disease incidence, and specific strategies to address common crop problems.
New York State ranks among the top 10 states in the country for the number of organic farms. In 2008, the U.S. Census identified 827 organic farms in New York State with nearly 168,400 total acres in production.
Working with middleman
MALONE — Farmers with food products to sell can learn how to assess various market channels and how to connect with the "middleman" distributors who are the best fit for them at an upcoming conference. "Working with the Middleman: Selling Through or to a Local Distributor" is set for Friday, April 16, at the American Legion in Chateaugay.
Conference presenters include Agriculture Marketing Specialist Matt LeRoux with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County speaking on market channel assessment and sharing a tool for evaluating six critical factors; Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative Director Ruby Sprowls speaking on pricing for wholesale; and regional food distributors talking about what they are looking for in product, pricing, packaging and production practices.
Northern New York Local Foods Specialist Bernadette Logozar, a rural and agricultural development specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County, is organizing the conference. Pre-registration is required. The $5 registration fee for the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. program covers lunch and materials. More details will be available soon. Those interested in registering for either the April 16 or 17 event now may contact Logozar at 483-7403 or bel7@cornell.edu.
For more tips on selling food locally, visit the Regional/Local Foods section of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Web site at www.nnyagdev.org.
Farm lobbying day
ALBANY — American Farmland Trust is helping organize a No Farms No Food Rally and Lobby Day at the New York State Capitol in Albany on Monday.
Farmers, food advocates, environmentalists and local governments across the state from Buffalo to New York City are joining together to tell state legislators that protecting farmland and supporting agriculture provides food security, clean drinking water, open space, jobs and a strong economy for all New Yorkers.
Severe cuts to New York's farm, food and environmental programs have been proposed. Some include the Farmers Market Grants program and the New York Farm Viability Institute. The Farmland Protection Program, the premier state program for protecting irreplaceable farmland from development, may be shut down for at least two years.
Current funding for farms and food represent far less than one percent of the state's $130 billion budget. Farmers contribute more than $23 billion annually to New York's economy while providing salaries, purchasing and in the community and paying many dollas in property taxes.
The rally will start in Meeting Room One of the Empire State Convention Center at 9:30 a.m. where attendees will receive informational packets, hear speakers.and will then visit legislators
To register and receive additional information, e-mail American Farmland Trust's New York office at newyork@farmland.org, call 581-0078 or go to wwwfarmland.org/newyork.
Local News
Farm briefs: March 14, 2010
- Breaking News
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Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
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Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
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Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
- New Today
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Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
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Recovery Center to hold open house
- Local News
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Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
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One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
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Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
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Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO
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NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
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Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
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Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
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Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
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Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
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Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
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NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
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One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
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Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
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Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
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Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
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Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
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A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
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Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
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