Agriculture

(WNY News Now) Nichols Dairy Farm introduces its innovative robotic manure collector system, a revolutionary move for dairy farming that gives farmers an opportunity to experiment with farming technologies of the future. New York's South West The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program (SWNYDLFC) of Cornell Cooperative Extension is thrilled to collaborate with Nichols Dairy Farm on an educational session about robotic manure collectors. Agricultural producers are welcome to a free farm tour on Friday, January 17 at 1pm to discover more about the innovative technology used by Nichols Dairy Farm, which is situated at 220 State Route 243, Farmersville, NY 14060. On their dairy farm with 250 cows, the Nichols family installed two Lely Discovery Collectors in 2024. These...

(WNY News Now) The deadline for Chautauqua County landowners to propose the inclusion of viable agricultural land in the county's designated agricultural district is January 31, 2025. Landowners can secure the district's protections and advantages during this yearly chance. New York's Jamestown.The Chautauqua County Legislature has set January 2–31, 2025, as the annual 30-day window for landowners to request the inclusion of primarily viable agricultural land in an existing certified agricultural district, in accordance with New York State Agriculture and Markets Law 303-b. Landowners may make formal requests to be included in the Agricultural District during this time. The Agriculture and Markets Law 301, section 7 criterion of productive agricultural property must be met by parcels se...

(WNY News Now) By effectively delivering more than 200,000 pounds of locally grown, fresh produce to underprivileged regions, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County's Grow Chautauqua initiative has empowered local farmers and families.New York's Jamestown As a component of the New York Food for New York Families program, which is supported by the USDA and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is pleased to report a successful pilot season for its Grow Chautauqua initiative.The program's objectives are to increase food access for underprivileged, rural, and isolated populations, build stronger relationships within the food distribution industry, and assist local and historically underprivileged farmers and producers.F...

(WNY News Now) By combining science and useful methods to increase vineyard productivity, the Pruning School at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory provided grape producers with invaluable practical training.NEW YORK, PORTLAND (November 21, 2024) On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory's Lake Erie Regional Grape Program held pruning school on our AgriTech Campus in Portland, NY. In direct response to a few grower requests, this program was established. Dr. Terry Bates gave a quick overview and registrants had a little lunch to start the day. He discussed the decades-long pruning study conducted in our area, which has shaped our research-based pruning techniques. The importance of soil health, nutrient availability, and ...

(WNY News Now) – The Jamestown Public Market is set to expand its offerings with a $250,000 grant from the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program, aiming to make fresh, locally grown produce available to more residents, year-round.The Jamestown Public Market is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) to enhance the availability and accessibility of locally grown food for underserved communities. This grant will support the expansion of the markets to year-round programming, designed to bolster local food systems, support small-scale farmers, and promote healthier eating choices across the region. The FMPP grant, awarded for $250,000 over three years, will fund initiatives aimed at expandi...

(WNY News Now) – New York’s farms fuel the economy and food supply but face growing threats that demand urgent policy attention, according to a new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.The critical role farms play in New York cannot be overstated, both as an economic engine for their communities and an essential part of our food supply system. They employ thousands of people and contributed $2.7 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2022. Access to fresh, healthy food also adds to the quality of life in the state, but this local food supply was put to the test during the pandemic, and there are ongoing threats to this industry as outlined in a new report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.“New York’s diverse farms are an essential part of t...