Make Sure Your Farm or Ranch Counts! Sign-up before the end of June to receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture survey later this year.
Your agricultural operation, large or small, is important to U.S. agriculture. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts a census of all agricultural operations every five years as well as other agricultural surveys. They need to know about all types of agricultural operations of all sizes.
Farm Credit East announced that it is currently taking applications for farm worker housing construction and improvement loans from the New York State Farm Worker Housing (FWH) Loan Program. These loans are available to New York agricultural producers, including fruit, vegetable and dairy operations. Agricultural producers may apply to borrow up to $100,000 per year for farm worker housing projects. An upfront, one-time fee is applied to cover administrative costs. There are no other fees or interest applied for the term of the loan.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced that eligible applicants can now apply for the $5 million New York State Grown & Certified Agricultural Producers’ Grant Program. Funded through the 2017-18 New York State Budget, the program is part of the Regional Economic Development Councils process. It was created to assist New York State agricultural producers meet food safety standards and join the New York State Grown & Certified program.
Farm operators in Cattaraugus County are encouraged to make sure they will receive a 2017 Agricultural Census report form before the end of this year. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the Agricultural Census every five years, which is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation.
BE COUNTED - THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!
Western New York Beginning Farmers and Homesteaders Discussion Group
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program created the Western New York Beginning Farmers and Homesteaders group. This Group has continued to be successful and has created an online learning community which you may join by visiting www.facebook.com/groups/wnybfah.
New York farms can cut energy use and energy costs with the Agriculture Energy Audit Program.
In consideration of the number of Northeast farmers selling their beef product directly to the public, and those consumers being especially interested in local sourcing of their food, the national beef checkoff has just launched the Northeast Beef Directory through a partnership with the Virginia Beef Industry Council. This new website, includes robust educational resources that inform consumers about their options for choosing beef.
Maple Weekends will be on March 18-19 and March 25-26, 2017 from 10am-4pm each day presented by the New York State Maple Producers Association. About 110 maple producers across New York will be hosting open houses for the public to see how maple syrup and other related products are made. Maple weekends take place regardless of the weather, so please dress accordingly for your visit.
Admission is FREE! Come have fun and do some tasting at this family-oriented event.
The first place winner of the 2017 New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship is Carolyn Wright of Franklinville, NY. She is a member of Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau in District 1 and will receive a $1,500 scholarship from New York Farm Bureau. Wright grew up on her family’s dairy farm and maple operation. Recently, she was the Western New York Maple Ambassador where she spent the year promoting maple syrup. She has also been very active in FFA.
The Cornell University Institute for Climate Smart Solutions has developed a new Apple Freeze Risk decision tool to help growers assess precarious temperatures in turbulent springs.
Resources for Starting a Farm in Cattaraugus County
Profile of Cattaraugus County soils
Agriculture Career Exploration
Questions about farming? Find out Who to Call
