Ag Board Report January 2017
Cornell Processing Plant Tour- Rachel Moody Since the closing of the Elmhurst Plant in Queens and the crash in milk prices, we (CCE staff along with Orange County government representatives and Chamber of Commerce members) have been looking at other ways to sustain dairy farming in Orange County. Because of this task, Maire and Rachel took several dairy farmers and a county executive representative to Cornell University for an up-close tour of their upgraded milk processing plant. We were greeted by Dairy Foods Extension Program Coordinator, Louise Felker and the Milk Plant Manager, Tim Barnard. Louise went over the food science programs and extension outreach and then we proceeded to the plant where we got to put on booties and hair nets. Tim talked about space issues, dollar figures and what works and what to do different. He really gave the nitty gritty on running a milk plant and what his years of experience has taught him in this industry. He was brutally honest and extremely helpful. Not to mention, sending us off with the ice cream of our choice! Maire plans on inviting him to Orange County to go over needs for a successful plant in the future.
Teaching About Foods at BOCES-Maire Ullrich The students in Culinary Arts program at OU BOCES had a lesson in GMOs and organic in December. Students were taught what crops were likely to be transgenic versus those which have not had any genes removed/changed/added. The talk included discussion of the science of recombinant DNA technology and where it is found elsewhere in our lives. We also discussed marketing and legislative issues around this topic. Students participated in a sensory test of organic grass-fed butter versus store-brand butter.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact our office if you have any special needs.
GAPS-Erik Schellenberg The process of Food Safety Modernization Act education is underway. FSMA trainings require a lead trainer, certified through the Produce Safety Alliance training program. Having met all the requirements and attended all the trainings, my application for lead trainer is being reviewed and anticipated to be granted at the end of March. FSMA/GAPS trainings have been planned so far for Beekmantown at the end of January, and subsequently in Sullivan, Dutchess, and Orange counties for late March into early April. Dates are still being set. As part of the NY grown and certified program, interest in GAPS audits are on the rise. There are a greater number of first-time farms contacting our office wanting to get certified and this is likely a result of the governor and commissioner of NYSDAM advocating for the NY grown and certified program at various agricultural venues. We are prepared to meet the increased demand in food safety education needs.
Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project- Rose Baglia On December 6, 2016, twenty five individuals attended a seminar on how dams and culverts are disconnecting our streams and what communities are doing to reconnect. This program, presented by Andrew Meyer, Conservation Specialist for NYSDEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program. The program was sponsored by the Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project in collaboration with SUNY-Orange. For more information regarding the Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project and this seminar, visit: www.hudsonestuaryresilience.net. Gleaning- Stiles Najac The Dyson Foundation has granted CCEOC $120,000 for the Gleaning Program for 2017 and 2018. This is $15,000 more than requested. The additional funds are earmarked as seed money for a new GleanMobile. A Regional Gleaning proposal has been submitted to NYSDOH Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program. The proposal will provide funding and direction for a multiagency and multi-county gleaning effort, led by CCEOC. The full amount requested is $220,000 per year for five years. We should know if we will receive this funding by May 2017. Smaller amounts continue to be requested from local foundations and through partnerships/ subcontracting with other local agencies. This year we gleaned 318,000 pounds of local produce and lean meats. This is on par with our average annual increase of 15-20%! We added seven new donating producers and four new agencies. We also held nine field gleanings. Individuals with disabilities from Inspire volunteered their time to harvest at three of these events.
Calendar of Events for February 2017 4 Backyard Maple Syrup. 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $10/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Any questions, contact Debbie Lester at 845-344-1234 or [email protected]. 10&11 A.I. Training Seminar. 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (both days) at Cornell Cooperative Extension (followed by Fort Hill Farm Services). $150 for beginners and $50 for refreshers. Contact Rachel Moody at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information. 18 Botanical Drawing: Orchids. 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $20/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Any questions, contact Debbie Lester at 845-344-1234 or [email protected]. 18 Marmalade. 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $27/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Any questions, contact Debbie Lester at 845-344-1234 or [email protected]. 21 Stormwater Management Series: When It Rains. 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $250/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Contact Rose Baglia at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information. 23 Manure Managers’ Forum: Proper Handling, Value and Dangers! 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $10/person. Pre-registration is required. Contact Rachel Moody at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information. 28 Onion School. 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $50/enrollee (before Feb. 10th) After Feb. 10th $65/enrollee. $80/non-enrollee (before Feb. 10th) After Feb. 10th $95/non-enrollee. Pre-registration is required. Contact Ethan Grundberg at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information.
Teaching About Foods at BOCES-Maire Ullrich The students in Culinary Arts program at OU BOCES had a lesson in GMOs and organic in December. Students were taught what crops were likely to be transgenic versus those which have not had any genes removed/changed/added. The talk included discussion of the science of recombinant DNA technology and where it is found elsewhere in our lives. We also discussed marketing and legislative issues around this topic. Students participated in a sensory test of organic grass-fed butter versus store-brand butter.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact our office if you have any special needs.
GAPS-Erik Schellenberg The process of Food Safety Modernization Act education is underway. FSMA trainings require a lead trainer, certified through the Produce Safety Alliance training program. Having met all the requirements and attended all the trainings, my application for lead trainer is being reviewed and anticipated to be granted at the end of March. FSMA/GAPS trainings have been planned so far for Beekmantown at the end of January, and subsequently in Sullivan, Dutchess, and Orange counties for late March into early April. Dates are still being set. As part of the NY grown and certified program, interest in GAPS audits are on the rise. There are a greater number of first-time farms contacting our office wanting to get certified and this is likely a result of the governor and commissioner of NYSDAM advocating for the NY grown and certified program at various agricultural venues. We are prepared to meet the increased demand in food safety education needs.
Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project- Rose Baglia On December 6, 2016, twenty five individuals attended a seminar on how dams and culverts are disconnecting our streams and what communities are doing to reconnect. This program, presented by Andrew Meyer, Conservation Specialist for NYSDEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program. The program was sponsored by the Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project in collaboration with SUNY-Orange. For more information regarding the Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project and this seminar, visit: www.hudsonestuaryresilience.net. Gleaning- Stiles Najac The Dyson Foundation has granted CCEOC $120,000 for the Gleaning Program for 2017 and 2018. This is $15,000 more than requested. The additional funds are earmarked as seed money for a new GleanMobile. A Regional Gleaning proposal has been submitted to NYSDOH Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program. The proposal will provide funding and direction for a multiagency and multi-county gleaning effort, led by CCEOC. The full amount requested is $220,000 per year for five years. We should know if we will receive this funding by May 2017. Smaller amounts continue to be requested from local foundations and through partnerships/ subcontracting with other local agencies. This year we gleaned 318,000 pounds of local produce and lean meats. This is on par with our average annual increase of 15-20%! We added seven new donating producers and four new agencies. We also held nine field gleanings. Individuals with disabilities from Inspire volunteered their time to harvest at three of these events.
Calendar of Events for February 2017 4 Backyard Maple Syrup. 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $10/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Any questions, contact Debbie Lester at 845-344-1234 or [email protected]. 10&11 A.I. Training Seminar. 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (both days) at Cornell Cooperative Extension (followed by Fort Hill Farm Services). $150 for beginners and $50 for refreshers. Contact Rachel Moody at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information. 18 Botanical Drawing: Orchids. 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $20/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Any questions, contact Debbie Lester at 845-344-1234 or [email protected]. 18 Marmalade. 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $27/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Any questions, contact Debbie Lester at 845-344-1234 or [email protected]. 21 Stormwater Management Series: When It Rains. 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $250/person; limited spaces available. Pre-registration is required. Contact Rose Baglia at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information. 23 Manure Managers’ Forum: Proper Handling, Value and Dangers! 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $10/person. Pre-registration is required. Contact Rachel Moody at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information. 28 Onion School. 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, Middletown, NY. $50/enrollee (before Feb. 10th) After Feb. 10th $65/enrollee. $80/non-enrollee (before Feb. 10th) After Feb. 10th $95/non-enrollee. Pre-registration is required. Contact Ethan Grundberg at 845-344-1234 or [email protected] for more information.
