by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
Over 2,250 people attended Montgomery County’s 13th annual Sundae on the Farm.
Marc and Nicole Tommell’s MMT Cattle Inc., of Fonda, NY hosted this year’s event, which was sponsored by Montgomery Co. Farm Bureau, Montgomery Co. Ag Farmland & Protection Board and Montgomery Co. Soil & Water.
Many were first time attendees that had heard about the event through fliers circulated through surrounding area schools.
Displays, demonstrations and, of course, ice cream sundaes made with over 60 gallons of donated Stewart’s ice cream, were available to all who attended. A variety of farm animals were exhibited, including Puthaven Farm’s immense oxen and Eastern Regional Draft Horses, which also took folks for wagon rides.
“The wagon rides are the best thing!” said 7-year-old Donoven Melo of Tribes Hill. Many other children at the event echoed his sentiment. Continue reading
Category Archives: Eastern Edition
Morrisville State dairy judging team takes home honors
MORRISVILLE, NY — Morrisville State’s dairy judging team recently competed in the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, PA, taking home multiple honors. Continue reading
CNY 2013 Farm Progress Show ~ old friends and new technology
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
Folks attending Central New York’s Farm Progress Show have viewed farm improvements and technology updates over nearly 40 years — and this year was no different!
“I believe I have attended the CNY Farm Progress Show for 16 years,” remarked CCE CNY Dairy Specialist Dave Balbian. “Computerization and advances in technology are probably the biggest changes I’ve seen. Nobody was selling Robotic Milkers 16 years ago!”
Balbian is only one of many people who noticed new technology exhibited.
Bigger tractors with better safety features, computerized TMR mixers, waste recycling equipment and more products available for all aspects of agricultural needs were displayed at this year’s event. Continue reading
Implementing forested buffers in a rotational grazing system
by Tamara Scully
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture recently hosted a field day, designed to introduce area farmers to the use of forested riparian buffers and other conservation practices. The event was held at Forks Farm Market in Orangeville, PA, an 85 acre diverse livestock farm, located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Susan Beal, DVM, ag science advisor and interim farm based education coordinator for PASA, moderated the event, which featured pasture walks, slideshow presentations and group discussions.
Farmers John and Todd Hopkins have been grazing cows on their farm since 1985. After initially running as a cow/calf operation and selling to a sales barn, they realized that making a profit was going to require a change in business planning. Continue reading