Lawmakers move to ban pesticide-treated seeds amid declining bee population in New York
The New York State Legislature is set to vote on a bill banning the sale of seeds pre-treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been linked to a decline in the bee population, despite strong opposition ... more
$50 million available for farmland protection across New York: How will it be spent?
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that nearly $50 million in funding is available through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program. The program, which celebrated a significant milestone of reaching 100,000 acres of farmland protected across the state in ... more
From frost to dry weather: Finger Lakes vineyards hopeful that weather will normalize soon
The Finger Lakes region was struck by a devastating frost just a couple weeks ago causing extensive damage to vineyards and orchards in the area. Mark Karasz, owner of Rock Stream Vineyards, told WETM-TV that ... more
State and local leaders tour frost damage at Finger Lakes vineyards
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, along with representatives from various state and federal agencies, toured vineyards in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions on Friday to assess the impact of a recent freeze. The ... more
Farm leaders across New York oppose pesticide ban
Several agricultural organizations and business leaders across New York are objecting to a legislative move aimed at prohibiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (commonly known as "neonics"). These chemicals are frequently applied on treated corn, ... more
Federal lawmakers call for emergency funding to support frost ravaged Finger Lakes farms
Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have made an urgent appeal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid Finger Lakes farms, vineyards, and orchards, which suffered significant crop losses due to a recent ... more
Frost, freeze puts major stress on grapes across Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region, a critical area for vineyards, has experienced significant damage following freezing temperatures on Thursday morning that caused about 50% crop loss at Lakewood Vineyards and an estimated 35% at Fox Run ... more
Hochul admin projecting major expansion of sewage sludge spreading as fertilizer on farmland
The Hochul Administration’s new plan to recycle 85 percent of the state’s entire solid waste stream by 2050 relies on spreading more — much more — municipal sewage sludge on fields as a crop fertilizer ... more
How do farms become exempt from NYS burn ban?
As New York State approaches the midpoint of its annual two-month burn ban, questions have arisen regarding the exemption of certain groups from the ban. The ban, enforced by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), ... more
NY farmers urge budget support amid rising labor costs and minimum wage concerns
New York farmers are urging state leaders to consider their priorities in the ongoing state budget negotiations, with concerns focused on the potential impact of higher labor costs due to proposed minimum wage increases. Jeff ... more
After decades of work, grape breeder creates white wine grape that is resistant to rot
Cornell University’s grape breeder, Bruce Reisch, has spent over four decades creating a new hybrid white wine grape Aravelle. The grape was developed by crossing Cayuga white and Riesling grapes back in 1981, and it ... more
Breeder pheasant flock at game farm in Tompkins de-populated due to bird flu outbreak
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has de-populated a breeder flock of 6,600 pheasants at a game farm in Tompkins County due to a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. The DEC ... more
DEC confirms bird flu at Tompkins County game farm
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus affecting the Reynolds Game Farm pheasant population. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary ... more
Tompkins County dairy farm offering virtual tours for students (video)
Beck Farms in Tompkins County has been offering virtual tours through American Dairy Association North East. The live virtual tours teach students about life on a dairy farm as well as the technology involved in ... more
Leonard’s Express fleet safety director recognized within industry
One of Leonard's Express' longtime employees has received new recognition. Katie Griffin, who serves as the company's director of fleet safety, was named a Top Woman to Watch in Transportation by the Women in Trucking ... more
Grow NY Farms Coalition calls for Hochul to reject minimum wage increase proposals
The Grow NY Farms Coalition delivered a letter to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie today, urging them to reject proposals to increase the minimum wage. The coalition argues that New York's family ... more
Farmworkers are among the lowest wage workers in NY
Advocates have been pushing for an increase in wages for agricultural workers in New York, after experts found they are among the lowest paid workers in the state. Cornell University recently published a wage atlas ... more
Grape and apple crops in New York may take a hit due to mild winter
New York State's grape and apple crops may take a hit due to the mild winter, according to a Cornell professor. Jason Londo, an associate professor of fruit crop physiology and climate adaptation at Cornell ... more
What’s up with beef labels in the grocery store? What do they mean?
For consumers browsing the meat aisle at the grocery store, the variety of labels on beef can be confusing. To help consumers better understand the differences between labels, the New York Beef Producers Association hosted ... more
