A plan that protects our farmland

June 13, 2013 By

As Jefferson County considers revising its Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, taxpayers may ask what this plan is and why we need it. Farmers may ask the same question. A plan can be a critical resource and blueprint for our agricultural industry, which is important to our overall economy. Jefferson County’s existing plan was completed in 2002. Agriculture was a lot different then than it is now.

Jefferson County’s population also was different. In 2002, the county’s population was in decline. As of July 2001, the population was estimated at 109,535. As of July 2012, the population estimate for Jefferson County was 120,262. This represents the ninth-largest numerical gain and the largest percentage gain for all counties in the state since 2010. Natural increases, or more births than deaths, and net migration, international and domestic, contributed to the increase. Jefferson County’s population increase leads to more vehicle traffic, more houses and, because of the influx of many soldiers who are not from agricultural areas, a lot more people who do not understand or necessarily appreciate what farming brings to a community. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Agri-Business, Columns Tagged With: , , , , ,

A much-needed boost: Energy grant helps Milk Street upgrade, expand

May 31, 2013 By

Cow 4006 gets friendly with John W. Ferry, partner at Milk Street Dairy, during a visit from National Grid Economic Development program manager Joseph E. Russo, during a press event Wednesday at the farm in Tylerville. Milk Street Dairy constructed this building and four others with the help of a $50,000 investment from National Grid's 3-Phase Power Incentive Program. Justin Sorensen/NNY Business

High-tech modern equipment at large dairy farms can’t be operated without enough electricity. But farmers often can’t afford to upgrade their electrical service to provide three-phase power — a predicament that sometimes stops them from expanding operations to boost milk production.

But when the three partners at Milk Street dairy farm in Rutland decided to expand in 2011, they found out National Grid was willing to provide a $50,000 grant from its 3-Phase Power Incentive Program. That financial assistance from the utility helped the farm to finish a $2 million expansion project last year. Five new buildings were erected on the farm at 17272 County Road 161, including a free-stall dairy barn that will allow the farm to nearly triple its herd. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Agri-Business, Columns Tagged With: , , ,

Jefferson County Committees make moves on commercial agriculture, bed tax, tourism and airport

April 17, 2013 By

Supporting commercial agriculture is a vital role of Jefferson County’s Industrial Development Agency, according to county legislators.

The Jefferson County Board of Legislators Planning and Development Committee gave its unequivocal support Tuesday night to an Assembly bill that would give IDAs throughout the state the ability “to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers that grow, harvest, or produce agricultural products in New York state.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Business, Web Exclusives Tagged With: , , , , ,

Managing our natural resources

April 9, 2013 By

During the Dust Bowl era of the early 20th century, millions of tons of soil eroded off the land into the sea. The United States saw the productivity of farms literally washing away. Farms went out of business, and many of the businesses in local communities that depended, directly and indirectly on farms, followed. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Agri-Business, Columns Tagged With: , , , ,

New Cape winery to open in April

March 12, 2013 By

Sandra L. and David B. Fralick are co-owners of Cape Winery, which is scheduled to open in April on Deerlick Road, just south of Cape Vincent. Photo by Norm Johnston/Watertown Daily Times.

CAPE VINCENT — Wine enthusiasts will have a chance to “Taste the Cape” this summer.

That’s the phrase David B. and Sandra L. Fralick use to describe the full-bodied wine they produce at Cape Winery at Deerlick Farm, 2066 Deerlick Road, where they will open a tasting room April 5. The eighth winery to be launched in the north country, the business is a featured destination on the Thousand Islands-Seaway Wine Trail. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Business, Entrepreneurs, Jefferson County, Small Biz Tagged With: , , , ,

A change for the Jefferson County ag industry

March 6, 2013 By

On Feb. 12, the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corporation’s board of directors held their last meeting, during which board members moved to dissolve the not-for-profit local development corporation. While no one desired that the corporation cease to exist, it was a direction caused by outside influences with no concern for agriculture. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Agri-Business, Columns Tagged With: ,

Online ordering of farm products is coming

February 19, 2013 By

POTSDAM — Despite his own reservations about surfing the Web, Daniel Z. Martin realized a better way of selling vegetables and other farm produce was in the smartphones and mobile devices he saw in the hands of his customers.

“I see a significant number of them with Internet access. It creates an opportunity,” Mr. Martin said. “It got me thinking we ought to do something for our stand. The other thing my mind was working on was I see a lot of people trying to make a living out of what they’re raising.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Business, Small Biz, St. Lawrence County, Web Exclusives Tagged With: , , ,

Crop Congress spotlights cutting-edge harvesting technique for dairy farmers

February 13, 2013 By

Area farmers gather at the Crop Congress and trade show held Tuesday by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County at the Ramada Inn, Watertown. Photo by Norm Johnston/Watertown Daily Times.

Corn shredlage — not silage — could be the next big innovation for dairy farmers in the north country.

The new harvesting technique was highlighted during one of several presentations for dairy farmers and agribusiness workers at the annual Crop Congress on Tuesday at the Ramada Inn in Watertown, hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Tech Tagged With: , , ,

Agri-biz future is getting brighter

February 4, 2013 By

For eight years, high school students have converged on Jefferson Community College to participate in Workforce 2020. Thanks to the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services and the Workforce Investment Board, 1,500 students from 17 high schools attended this year’s event on Jan. 9. They met with representatives from 100 businesses and government agencies to discuss career opportunities and participate in mock interviews. Agriculture was well represented by the students and the businesses and agencies present. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Agri-Business, Columns Tagged With: , ,

Lewis field crops educator leaving Extension in mid-February

January 28, 2013 By

Joseph R. Lawrence

LOWVILLE — The field crops educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County plans to leave next month for greener pastures.

Joseph R. Lawrence, who has served in the post since 2008, in mid-February plans to leave the Lowville extension office for a job with McClelland Agronomic Services helping local farmers achieve crop production goals. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agri Business, Business, People On The Move, Web Exclusives Tagged With: ,
« Older Posts