Farms across New York that have been permanently protected through the state’s Farmland Protection Program in the last year will be recognized at the Harvesting Opportunities in New York: Growing Local Food Economies and Protecting Farmland conference, designed to inspire and educate New Yorkers to support agriculture, strengthen local farm and food economies, and get involved in protecting [...]
This summer the Town of Clarence, in Erie County, voted to extend the bond that funds its Greenprint Preservation Program another 10 years. The program, adopted in 2002, has put a $12.5 million bond to work conserving farmland and open space. To date just over half of the funds have been spent protecting a total of 1,236 acres, [...]
Last month Governor Cuomo held a Yogurt Summit in Albany to discuss the rapid expansion of the yogurt industry in New York and the vital role the state’s dairy farms play in this fast-growing market. “Dairy farming has long been the backbone of New York’s farm economy and provides scenic working landscapes,” said David Haight, New York State Director [...]
A series of listening sessions are being held in the Hudson Valley this spring as part of the Hudson Valley Food Hubs Initiative, a project of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress. At the listening sessions, being held in May and June, farmers, food distributors, restaurant owners and others will discuss challenges and opportunities surrounding local [...]
Eastern New York farmers are still reeling in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene which destroyed the long-awaited crops of late summer, washed away barns and drowned livestock. “We are a resilient bunch and we’ll figure out a way to get through this.” Richard Ball, Schoharie Valley farmer who spoke at our No Farms No [...]
