Agriculture

Looking for healthy food choices at farmers markets

WRVO News — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:42:00 +0000

As more and more people become interested in trying to eat locally produced foods, New York state's farmers markets are also becoming more popular. But how can you make sure what you buy at the farmers market is really healthier than what you might get at the supermarket? Linda Lowen and Lorraine Rapp, hosts of WRVO's health and wellness show "Take Care" asked Ben Vitale, who oversees the Central New York Regional Market Authority, a year-round farmers market in Syracuse. Vitale is also a farmer himself.

Vermont grants driver's licenses to migrant workers

Sarah Harris — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:16:05 +0000

Dairy farms in northern New York and Vermont have faced a major labor shortage, which means that migrant laborers from Mexico and Guatemala are now milking many of the region's cows. But farm country here is not an easy place to be a migrant worker: It's rural, hard to get around, and there's not a big Latino population. But a new law means that migrant workers in Vermont will soon be able to drive legally.

National Grid power upgrade grant helps Jefferson County dairy farm expand

Joanna Richards — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:11:36 +0000

A Tylerville dairy farm, in Jefferson County, is growing, in part thanks to help from National Grid. The company awarded the farm a grant of $50,000 to increase its access to electricity.

Ammonium nitrate storage closely regulated in New York

Ashley Hassett — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:10:00 +0000

The chemical responsible for the death of 14 people and injury of over 200 in West, Texas, is in wide use. Leaving many upstate New Yorkers wondering how ammonium nitrate is regulated in New York state.

State approves funding for upstate food and agriculture projects

Ashley Hassett — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:48:00 +0000

Empire State Development approved funding for two upstate food and agriculture related measures in their meeting Friday.

Once the dominant grower, New York is rediscovering hops

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:54:47 +0000

Dave Pasick moved back to his family’s farm just north of Utica a few years ago, naming it Szaro Farms, after an old family name.

Small businesses push for further reform in New York state, including immigration

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:50:09 +0000

Small businesses from around the state took their concerns to legislators in Albany Wednesday. The message from leaders in the agricultural industry particularly highlighted the need for reforms to support small farms, and boost local economies upstate.

Taste-NY program dropped from state budget

Kate O'Connell — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:28:00 +0000

Funding for a program to promote locally grown produce through a network of duty-free stores across New York has been axed from the final version of the state's budget.

Is it worth doing the leg work to track 'food miles'?

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:15:30 +0000

Here's a catchphrase someone who's been to a farmer's market is probably familiar with: "buy local." And for those who try and follow the mantra closely, you may also be familiar with "food miles," the notion of counting how far your strawberries traveled to land on top of your bowl of Cheerios.

Demand for community gardens growing

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:01:11 +0000

The organization that supports community gardens in the city of Syracuse is growing, particularly in the city's immigrant community. Syracuse Grows is going into it's sixth year with an eye on the Northside.

Finger Lakes wines faring well in competitions

Sidsel Overgaard — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:16:35 +0000

It’s wine competition season, a time of year when judges offer their opinions at dozens of events around the world. New York Wine and Grape Foundation’s Jim Trezise was at an event in Sonoma to see how Finger Lakes wines have been faring.

NY's wine industry looking for a few good sommeliers

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:22:27 +0000

Despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent zest for upstate beer and wine, some industry leaders think his plan has a missing link. Thy say the lack of wine experts known as Master Sommeliers in the upstate region could be a road-block to the sector reaching its full potential and bringing with it growth in tourism.

NY Farm Bureau hopeful on immigration reform

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:09:33 +0000

The New York Farm Bureau is optimistic following news that Congress is working to pass new immigration reforms. The bureau, a lobbying group, says it was very excited to hear the proposals made by a bipartisan group of senators and by President Barack Obama this week.

Hanna in favor of immigration reform

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:39:00 +0000

Utica-area Cong. Richard Hanna is one Republican who expects to be on board with any immigration reform that is being proposed in Washington currently. The 22nd district representative says it's an important issue in a region where agriculture is key.

State budget puts more focus on agriculture

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:45:08 +0000

The state budget proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo calls for new efforts to boost sales of New York produce, a change from previous administrations, says a pro-farming group.

Upstate tourism industry welcomes promotional funding in proposed state budget

Kate O'Connell — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:18:20 +0000

Tourism professionals in upstate New York are applauding Gov. Andrews Cuomo’s commitment to the region. In order to augment upstate economic growth, the governor has set aside $7 million in the budget for promotion and marketing initiatives.

Madison County recycling agriculture plastics

Ellen Abbott — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:19:00 +0000

Madison County hopes to become a hub for the recycling of agricultural plastics. It's a waste that's created on farms that's been a problem for years.

Byrne Dairy to join growing NY yogurt industry

Matt Richmond — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:51:00 +0000

The yogurt industry in upstate New York is getting attention as a bright spot in the region's lackluster economy. Now, Byrne Dairy is will be joining other companies in this growing agribusiness.

Buerkle hopes for a farm bill extension

Catherine Loper — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:55:39 +0000

Central New York Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle is concerned that the House of Representatives has not yet passed a farm bill. The current one is scheduled to expire September 30, but Congress is scheduled to finish its work this week and passage of a farm bill does not look likely.

Agriculture still big business in New York state

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:38:52 +0000

Farms still drive New York state's economy, according to a report from the New York State Comptroller's office, which outlines just how important agriculture is to the state's economy.

Local food economy overcomes obstacles

Joanna Richards — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:00:01 +0000

Recently, local food has been turning up on more grocery store shelves and restaurants in upstate New York. But the local food economy still faces challenges to bringing agricultural products from farm to table.

New pavilion part of downtown Watertown's revitalization

Joanna Richards — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:08:27 +0000

The city of Watertown has built a new pavilion as part of its downtown revitalization project. It's meant to house outdoor activities, including the Saturday farmers market. The farmers market held an appreciation ceremony to thank the city on Saturday.

State assemblymen push for legislation to help apple growers

Dave Lucas — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:55:45 +0000

The cherished autumn tradition of apple picking is off to an early start in the Northeast as growers deal with aftershocks from bizarre spring weather that took a toll on fruit crops.

Restaurants are serving up more fresh, local ingredients

Joanna Richards — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:37:40 +0000

It's a busy Sunday morning at Empire Brewing Company in Syracuse. Behind the line, cooks shout brunch orders and the dining area is filling up with customers. A blues band is setting up for a set, a weekly tradition here.

Company president David Katleski sits in a big booth near the kitchen. The sounds are like any other busy restaurant, but there's something different going on here.

Retail stores offering more food from local producers

Joanna Richards — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:00:59 +0000

As fast as veggies are popping up in the garden, local foods are showing up on grocery store shelves throughout northern New York.

A new food co-op recently opened in Clayton, in Jefferson County, that showcases locally-sourced vegetables and other products, but big grocery chains like Hannaford and Wegman's are getting in on the trend, too, adding more of the region's products to store shelves.

Yogurt summit results in regulation change

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:30:06 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is loosening some environmental regulations so that dairy farmers can more easily own more cows. The news came at the first ever yogurt summit convened by Cuomo at the state Capitol.

Dry weather threatens hay, corn crops

Joanna Richards — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:21:13 +0000

The hot, dry weather is taking a toll on crops in the region. Scattered heavy rains have brought some relief to some areas, but overall, production of field crops like hay and corn is suffering. In the North Country, it's been decades since the area experienced a summer so dry.

Central NY farmers worry about dry weather

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:17:36 +0000

New York isn't officially in a drought, but it's certainly been a dry summer so far in upstate New York. Farmers aren't pushing the panic button just yet, but they are watching the skies.

Army worms invade Jefferson County farms

Joanna Richards — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 11:00:00 +0000

A pest has invaded farm fields throughout Jefferson County. Army worms – actually caterpillars that transform into moths – migrate up from the south every year to Northern New York. But this year a major outbreak of the worms is causing a widespread threat to crops, and big financial losses to some farmers.

On Hayfields... Past, Present and Future

John Weeks — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:38:44 +0000

John Weeks reflects on how hayfields have changed since his youth on the family farm. While the technology of haying has evolved dramatically, hayfields still serve as a home for a wide variety of wildlife.

Originally aired on June 17, 1988.