Northern New York Agriculture
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program have announced two 2013 Northern New York Allium Schools – day-long programs to help garlic, onion, leek and shallot growers explore best management practices.
The CCE St. Lawrence County Learning Farm in Canton will host the 10am-2:30pm on Monday, October 21.
The program of speakers repeats 10am-2:30pm on Tuesday, October 22 at the Beekmantown Town Hall in West Chazy.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) associations of Northern New York are asking growers to report any findings of leek moth, a pest that prefers onions, garlic, chives, shallots, leeks and other Allium crops.
Cornell University and CCE researchers working with a Northern New York Agricultural Development Program grant to trap the pest to identify its range say that if leek moth becomes established in the major onion production areas of New York, the economic damage could be significant to the $54 million industry.
To help farmers, small business owners and individuals learn about the new federal health care reform law known as the Affordable Care Act, the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Associations of Northern New York will hold free workshops at six regional sites in September.
Ever wanted to cook with maple or grow mushrooms, harvest honey or stock a root cellar, make your house more energy efficient, or raise sheep, pigs, goats, cows or turkeys? The 2013 Homesteading Fair at the Lewis County Fairgrounds on Friday, September 6 from 4pm to 8pm and Saturday, September 7 from 7am to 5pm in Lowville, NY, is the place to learn from those who know how.
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Lewis County and the Mother Earth News are sponsoring the event with more than 40 educational workshops.
Admission on Friday is free to enjoy vendors, food booths, and musical entertainment..
On Saturday, 45-minute workshops throughout the day will focus on six major areas: sustainable energy, backyard poultry, livestock, maple and forestry entrepreneurship, growing your own food, and using live horsepower.
Presenters include veterinarians, a horse chiropractor, commercial scale on-farm food processors, a beekeeper, solar energy equipment provider, the Northern New York Regional Local Foods Specialist, and Jean O’Toole of the NY Beef Industry Council
Demonstrators include the Monday Morning Knitters and Safety Specialist Robert Coscomb with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Live animal exhibits include the award-winning draft horse hitch of Randy Nichols of Copenhagen, NY. Nichols will be presenting on draft horse driving.
The Homesteading Fair takes place rain or shine. Hours are Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday 7am-5pm, workshops will start at 9am; breakfast will be available at the American Maple Museum booth 7am-9am.
Parking is free. Saturday admission is $10.00/person by advance sale, $15 at the gate, children under 17 are free when accompanied by paying adult. Tickets are available at CCE Lewis County and Lewis County Chamber of Commerce in Lowville. Purchase online at http://blogs.cornell.edu/ccelewis/ and by credit card through CCE Jefferson County, 315-788-8450.
The Pratt-Northam Foundation; Countryside Veterinary Clinic; Cazenovia Equipment; Cornell Cooperative Extensions Associations of the North Country; American Maple Museum; Lewis County Maple Producers Association; New York State Beef Industry Council; Lewis County Farm Bureau; and others are co-sponsoring the event. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. #
Read this WBNG Action News 12 story about the federal Maple Tap Act and then visit the Maple information section of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website to learn more about the groundbreaking research and survey work by NNY Maple extension specialist Michael Farrell that supports the purpose of this legislation.
The story calls the North Country region the epicenter of the New York maple industry, with the potential for 70 million new maple taps and an additional $19 million in annual maple revenue in the NNY region.