by Stephen Wagner
“For some years now, Penn State has been focused on growing labor shortages,” said Sara Gligora, a special assistant in workforce development and central regional director at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. “PDA has been looking at addressing issues at all levels, from youth all the way up to adult and dislocated workers, and workers looking for a career change.” (more…)
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin
The pick-and-roll is a classic offensive play used in basketball. First comes the pick – player A has the ball and a teammate, player B, will put their body in front of the defender who is guarding playing A. Player B then rolls to the basket. Player A then passes to player B for an easy shot. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
Many New York farmers and landowners can get excited about gaining financial incentives and cost-share assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) this year. However, knowing a few “rules of the road” before you go to an FSA office to make an offer may lead to a better outcome, instead of frustration in not knowing the farm-centric practical details. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
During this year’s Grains Week, a lot of attention was paid to the plants that go into making beer and brown liquors, but there are myriad market channels for grains. Discussing some of the ones tackled at her farm was Mary-Howell Martens of Lakeview Organic Grain, in Penn Yan, NY, where she and her husband Klaas have been rotating grains for more than 30 years. (more…)
This past year has been a difficult one for our 17-year-old mare, Morgan. Back on May 22, 2020, we lost our 36-year-old mare, Sabrina. For the very first time in the seven years since she’s been here, Morgan was suddenly the only horse. I was concerned about how she’d fare; even though she had been the food-dominant horse, she would definitely depend on Sabrina for her guidance, such as what to do in a thunderstorm or how to handle new situations. She was much larger (heavier) than Sabrina and so it would be comical at times to see her jump behind Sabrina for comfort and protection in what she deemed a stressful situation. (more…)
by Judi Whittaker
Farm medic training for local EMS responders used to be held yearly by most fire departments. In Broome County, they had not provided this training in 15 years. No one thought anything about it. (more…)
History of New York labor laws and initial legislation
by Sally Colby
Dr. Richard Stup, agricultural workforce specialist at Cornell University, said a lot has happened with New York State labor laws over the past few years. Resulting legislation has led to changes in the traditional farm workplace. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
It seems everyone is “bundling” these days, from insurance companies and internet providers to auctioneers and flea market pickers. Bundling is generally used to consolidate and lower prices. It’s also used to get what you want by taking a few lesser items you don’t necessarily prefer. Farmers know this art and science of haggling and bundling very well – and most farmers are wary of the bundle, especially from politicians. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Feeding nutritious forage is a vital part of promoting animal health and welfare. Dr. Amanda Grev, forage specialist with University of Maryland Extension, recommends forage sampling and testing to ensure forage is meeting animals’ nutritional needs. She presented “Forage Sampling and Forage Analysis Interpretation” as a recent webinar hosted by MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture and UME. (more…)
by Aubree Domagala, 4-H Pratt Northam Intern
The Lewis County Enhancement Calf Award has been the Nobel Prize to the youth in Lewis County for many years. Applicants must submit a well-written response essay answering the following questions: What would a registered calf mean to you? What would be your plans for raising and showing the calf? Where would you keep the calf? Applicants are also asked to give a brief explanation of their experiences with farming and showing animals. The two well-earned recipients for the 2021 award this year are Aliya Parker and Sam Beyer. (more…)
Greenwich High School Agricultural Science teacher Betsy Foote was recently named the New York Ag Educator of the Year. The NYS Farm Bureau, Nationwide Insurance and the NYS FFA Association sponsored this award. There were more than 350 NYS ag teachers eligible for this award. Foote was one of the 11 regional winners across the state and was selected to receive the inaugural Golden Owl trophy and a $3,000 cash award. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
The Brookfield Competitive Trail Ride/Drive Clinic and Competition returned this June to Chenango County, bringing in riders old and new.
The ride is hosted by Pure Country Campground in New Berlin and led by ride co-managers Joanna Lasher and Lynn Dunn. There are 15- and 25-mile rides and drives both days of the weekend, and the format allows entrants to enter one horse in either one or two 25-mile events (with two creating a 50-mile ride). It also allows one rider to ride a different horse each day, if they so choose. (more…)
