February 4, 2008
Contact Rosalind, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, 315-788-8450

20-Year Organic Grower to Speak at �Going Organic in the North Country� Workshop February 27

Dick deGraff is celebrating his 20th official year as an organic grower in 2008. On February 27 in Watertown, deGraff will share his experiences as a certified organic grower as part of a 1-4 pm �Going Organic in the North Country� workshop at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.

deGraff started Grindstone Farm near Pulaski, NY, in 1981 and was certified by the Northeast Organic Farming Association in 1988. The mission he shares with wife Victoria Ladd-deGraff and son Lucas is that �Grindstone Farm is committed to a policy of stewardship of the earth: raising produce organically, responsibility to the people who eat what we produce, dedication to the longevity and prosperity of our farm, allowing future generations to inherit a better piece of the earth to enjoy and nurture as we have.�

The deGraffs operate a Community Supported Agriculture farm business, selling locally in Oswego and Jefferson counties, to about 160 families in the Syracuse, and through an 11,000-member co-op in Brooklyn. They sell organic fruits, vegetables and flowers direct from the farm and at farmers markets, and they offer special days for u-pick blueberries on their 150-acre farm.

State Organic Agriculture Specialist Sarah Johnston, who will keynote the program in Watertown and at similar programs in Westport and Malone, reports there are approximately 736 certified organic farms in New York, an increase from 374 in 2004.

Crop and dairy farms and handlers that have more than $5,000 in annual gross organic sales and are marketing their products as �Organic� are required to become certified as compliant with the USDA�s National Organic Produce rules. The NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC website states that �the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited in certified organic production.�

Workshop co-organizer Rosalind Cook of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, says, �Farmers relating their experience to other farmers is a great way to share information. Dick deGraff has built a thriving business through his family�s hard work. He will offer his unique perspective on how organic production has changed over the past 20 years at the February 27 workshop.�

Call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County at 315-788-8450 to register for this free 1-4 pm workshop in Watertown. The workshop, organized by Extension with support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, is also being offered with Johnston and other local producers February 25 in Westport and February 26 in Malone.

Quick Facts on Going Organic in NNY
Provided by Northern New York Agricultural Development Program
Almost 15% (76) of the 528 farms certified organic by NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC at the end of August 2007 were in Northern New York. Those farms were in:
Clinton County � 2
Essex County � 9
Franklin County - 8
Jefferson County � 22
Lewis County � 6
St. Lawrence County - 29

State Organic Agriculture Specialist Sarah Johnston reports there are now 736 certified organic farms in New York State; an increase from 374 in 2004.