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by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SYRACUSE, NY — Showing his cows at the New York State Fair recently offered 16-year-old Vince Pascarella a chance to represent the best of Pascaralla Family Farm. A senior at Cattaraugus-Little Valley High School this year, it’s obvious that Pascarella enjoys the experience. Each time he entered the ring, he alternated between expressions of concentration and excitement. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Invasive insect species can cause havoc on a farm because in many instances the pests have no natural predators. That’s why Patricia Wakefield-Brown, invasive species outreach for Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva and volunteer coordinator with Finger Lakes Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management, presented on invasive species at the recent Empire Farm Days. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY — A standing-room only crowd gathered at Empire Farm Days to hear Larry Smart, professor, plant geneticist and breeder for Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section. The size of the group demonstrated their apparent interest in getting in on the ground floor of the growing and profitable hemp industry in New York. But before operators rush to sow their acres in hemp, Smart offered a few caveats. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY – Cattle handling for vet appointments and routine procedures is “an extremely important part of raising cattle and it’s part of the Beef Quality Assurance program,” said Mike Baker, Ph.D., beef cattle Extension specialist with Cornell University. Baker led a presentation on beef cattle chutes at the recent Empire Farm Days. The presentation highlighted several features of various chutes in a live cattle demonstration. Presenters showed how beef producers can effectively use them to improve handling cattle to reduce stress in cattle and make cattlemen’s tasks easier. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
CANANDAIGUA, NY — For Blue Heaven Farm in Stanley, showing at regional livestock events is a family affair. Mom Brooke Smithling took her daughter Samantha, 5, son Emmett, 8, nieces Amy, 16 and Morgan 18, plus Megan Castano, 9, a 4-H friend, to the Ontario County Fair recently. Showing at events such as this provides a bonding experience for the family, as well as promotes the growing farm. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Farms employing H-2A workers are required to provide housing for them; however, the Division of Immigrant Policies and Affairs (DIPA), a part of the New York State Department of Labor (NYS-DOL), inspects and approves the housing. Caylin Gwise with the New York spoke on H-2A housing for a recent webinar hosted by the NY-DOL. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Whether you have an H-2A program or are interested in becoming involved, it’s a great time to refresh your knowledge of compliance. Caylin Gwise with the New York Department of Labor’s (NY-DOL) Division of Immigrant Policies and Affairs (DIPA) spoke on the topic for a recent webinar hosted by the DOL. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY — Virginia Gardner grew up showing animals at the Steuben County Fair in Bath, NY. Helping her daughter Natalie Capluzzi, 12, show at the Seneca County Fair in Seneca Falls picks up right where she left off. Virginia and her husband, Zachary Gardner, moved their family to Interlaken in Seneca County a year ago. Natalie did particularly well showing her animals considering it was her first time exhibiting at a different county’s fair. Between the Open Show and 4-H Show, Natalie won Showmanship for her rabbit and for her dairy heifer; and Junior Champion, Reserve Junior Champion and Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion with her two Holsteins. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
HEMLOCK, NY — Meredith Swarts didn’t let a lack of animals stop her from competing in the Hemlock Fair. The 13-year-old 8th grader at Livonia Central School borrowed a cow from Cadyville Farm in Livonia to participate. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
How can your farm better manage drought years? By improving soil health. A recent eOrganics webinar, “Preparing for Drought: The Role of Soil Health in Water Management in Organic Production,” addressed the topic. (more…)
