Farm Credit East Salutes
Congratulations to Sang Lee Farms, 2020 New York AEM-Leopold Conversation Award recipient
Sang Lee Farms, located in Peconic, New York, recently earned New York's inaugural AEM-Leopold Conservation Award. This award was presented by the Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, to recognize farmers, foresters and other landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on working land. Sang Lee Farms, along with the Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District, earned this award for their efforts to protect the environment through the preservation of soil and water quality while ensuring farm viability for future generations. Watch this video to learn more about Sang Lee Farms' growing
A Love for Farm and Family
Congratulations to Donald Blew and Centerton Nursery in Bridgeton, New Jersey, for its recent recognition as one of Greenhouse & Nursery Management's Horticultural Industry Leaders. Learn more about this third-generation farm .
Small Local Farm gets a Big-Time Award
Thunder View Farms was one of six in contention to win the cattlemen’s association’s Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The farm was a regional honoree of the Association’s stewardship award program and took home the win, becoming the first farm in New York and the Northeast to achieve the honor. Congratulations to the Coombes family!
Hundreds of Christmas trees on Their Way to Soldiers Overseas
The holidays for soldiers serving overseas were a lot brighter this Christmas. 500 Christmas trees , donated by Dees' Nursery in Oceanside, New York, were delivered to Northeast soldiers stationed in the Middle East. Joe DiDominica, one of the owners of Dees' Nursery, started the collaboration with DHL in 2004 to support the men and women who serve. Along with the trees, soldiers will also be receiving Christmas decorations, menorahs and letters from local children. The trees and other items arrived to the soldiers on December 5. Here's the ABC video .Thank you for spreading the holiday spirit!
Ocean Spray Harvested Hope by Picking Pink Cranberries for a Purpose
In collaboration with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®, Ocean Spray offered a harvest of hope as its first foray into supporting breast cancer awareness. On September 13, Ocean Spray supported breast cancer awareness by Picking Pink Cranberries for a Purpose during the first harvest of the season. This first-ever pink cranberry harvest, in support of raising breast cancer awareness, featured:
- Approximately 79 million cranberries, including real pink cranberries, at the event.
- A National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.(R) ribbon made up of approximately 15.5 million pink cranberries.
Interview with Blake Gendebien: Twin Mill Farms Focus on Producing a Reliable, Safe Product
Currently, 98% of the milk marketed in the United States goes through a set of benchmark standards with dairy farmers, cooperatives and processors before consumers even see it on grocery store shelves. The benchmark is called the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, or FARM Animal Care Program, developed by the National Milk Producers Federation with support from Dairy Management Inc. The program is made of three silos: animal care, environmental stewardship and antibiotic stewardship. The dairy industry wanted to create a uniform program the dairy system can follow to ensure a safe, reliable product with a way to merit success. In this video, Betsy Jibben, national reporter for AgDay and U.S. Farm Report, takes a look at how the program is working. She speaks to Blake Gendebien, a dairy farmer who owns Twin Mill Farms in Ogdensburg, New York, and others in the ag industry.
Watch Video Here
Celebrating Horticultural Heroes
Pierre Bennerup, CEO and co-owner of Sunny Border Nurseries in Kensington, Connecticut, received the 2018 Liberty Hyde Bailey Award. This award is given to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to at least three of the following horticultural fields: teaching, research, communications, plant exploration, administration, art, business and leadership. Named after Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858–1954) – horticulturist, educator and author – this was first awarded in 1958. Congratulations, Pierre!
Mapleview Dairy, Madrid, NY Receives the 2017 PRO-DAIRY Agriservice Award
NYS Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball and PRO-DAIRY Director Thomas Overton presented one of the PRO-DAIRY Agriservice Awards to David Fisher and LouAnne King at the New York State (NYS) Fair on August 31. These awards were given in appreciation and recognition of outstanding contributions to NYS agriculture through support of the PRO-DAIRY program. The Mapleview Dairy partners have been exceptionally involved in dairy industry leadership at the local, regional and statewide levels in New York. They were also recognized for their pro-active approaches to business management, environmental and herd management practices, and issues including employee health and safety. Congratulations to you both!
Rod Farrow, Co-Owner of Fish Creek Orchards
Rod Farrow, a first-generation apple grower from Waterport, New York, has been named the 2017 Apple Grower of the Year by American Fruit Grower and Western Fruit Grower magazines. This award honors apple growers who have gone beyond the confines of the orchard and have, through their involvement and leadership, made a real impact on the apple industry. Congratulations, Rod!
Dairy Good Video with the Lamb Family
Northeast dairy farmers Matt and Kendra Lamb, of Lamb Farms in Oakfield, N.Y., were highlighted in a recent video , asking viewers to "Meet a dairy family who helps bring your favorite treats from their farm to your table." This Dairy Good video clip is being aired on The Food Network during National Dairy Month, June 2017.
Jan and Michelle Eckhart Recipients of Eastern States Exposition Agricultural Adventures Award
The New England Fellowship of Agricultural Adventurers presented Jan and Michelle Eckhart, owners of Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, Rhode Island, with the 2017 Agricultural Adventurers Award at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Eastern States Exposition. Jan and Michelle began growing strawberries in the 1980s, and their business has now grown to include a farm-to-table agricultural destination, pick-your-own fruits, market café, menus, concert series and more. The Fellowship of Agricultural Adventurers has honored outstanding leaders in New England agriculture since 1953. A special committee, appointed by the trustees of Eastern States Exposition, selects its annual fellow on the basis of innovation, pioneering and lifetime dedication to the betterment of agriculture.
Penn Vet Receives $5 Million Gift to Establish the Dr. Harry Werner Professorship in Equine Medicine
This gift by the estate of Seth and Lucy Holcombe will establish the Dr. Harry Werner Professorship in Equine Medicine at New Bolton Center, the large animal hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet). Holcombe’s veterinarian and life-long friend Dr. Harry Werner cared for the Holcombe’s Morgan horses since the early days of his career, working as a veterinarian in Granby, Connecticut. Werner is a 1974 Penn Vet graduate and dedicated his life and career to the care and welfare of animals.
Eastern States Exposition Celebrating a Century of Greatness
ESE is taking time to honor the monumental achievements of their founder, Joshua L. Brooks, and the leaders who successfully propelled the Exposition through the decades despite trying times, natural disasters, two world wars and the ever-changing landscape and culture since 1916. They are celebrating 100 years of innovation, achievement, agriculture, industry and entertainment with two commemorative books, two television documentaries, an opening night celebration and an exhibit that will be featured in the Youth Building. Congratulations on 100 Years!
One Hundred Years for State University of New York at Cobleskill
SUNY Cobleskill was chartered in 1911 and opened in 1916 as the Schoharie State School of Agriculture with one building, five faculty members and eight students, all young men desiring post-secondary education in agriculture. Today, SUNY Cobleskill has grown to include 902 acres and more than 40 buildings, 100 faculty members and 2,600 students. As the college approaches 100 years, it does so with a clear sense of purpose. SUNY Cobleskill prides itself on giving individual attention to students, on programs that marry theory with practice, and on commitment to preparing students for a lifetime of learning and accomplishment. Highlights of the centennial include their commemorative book, 100-day countdown, $100 for 100 years and a 100 gallery designed by students.
Family-owned Lyman Orchards to Celebrate 275 Years:
Through a history spanning 10 generations, the Lyman family heritage was founded upon a commitment to preserve their land for future generations, using a combination of determination, innovation and adaptation – attributes that hold true today. Lyman Orchards continues to evolve while maintaining its steadfast commitment to preserving the land for future generations. Today, members of the eighth and nineth generations of the family are directly involved in the business. Learn more about the Lyman family .
North Harbor Dairy – DFA Northeast Member of Distinction:
The Robbins family milks 1,000 cows in addition to operating a milk and grain hauling business. In 1986, they began an agritourism business called Old McDonald's Farm. Starting as a small petting zoo, Old McDonald's Farm now attracts 50,000 visitors each year.