Agriculture
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There’s been a media hub-bub since yesterday about the so-called dark side of NY’s Greek yogurt boom. A report by Justin Elliott in Modern Farmer explains that making one ounce of smooth, creamy, protein-packed yogurt, like Fage and...
We wrote about Potsdam grower Daniel Martin’s plans for a new style of farmstand a few months ago, and now it’s up and a running. Martin’s market isn’t at the village square; it’s in the gathering place of the future – online. I...
Yes, a Washington hog farmer is feeding weed to his animals. According to NPR’s The Salt, no, the prosciutto he’s producing doesn’t smell like the kind; and no, you don’t get high from eating it. But the story highlights two...
It was a newsy week in the world of agriculture, so here are seven good reads to keep you busy this weekend: The Farm Bill passed both the House and Senate Agriculture committees this week, and are likely to get hearings on the floors of their...
Today we’re excited to have a new regular contributor join us on The Dirt. Lucy Martin lives south of urban Ottawa and writes regularly for NCPR’s other blogs. A couple times a month, she’ll share the view of food and farm issues...
Agriculture
May 22, 2013 — Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.
May 13, 2013 — The high court ruled unanimously that when farmers use patented seed for more than one planting in violation of their licensing agreements, they are liable for damages.
Apr 30, 2013 — Many farmers are cheering government proposals to give thousands of seasonal farmworkers a path to legal status. But even if the bill passes, it won't solve the long-term trend of fewer migrants coming north to work on U.S. farms. Farmers will instead have to learn how to do more with less immigrant labor.
Apr 10, 2013 — Cities are finding beneficial and lucrative ways to dispose of solid waste, while also helping farmers. But a lot of sewage still ends up in landfills or being processed at big, industrial incinerators.
Apr 9, 2013 — Vermont tops the nation when it comes to locally produced food, according to a new ranking from the nonprofit Strolling of the Heifers. Having farmers markets, CSA programs and distribution systems all helps.
Special Reports
Audio SeriesFarm to Farm, Family to Family: David Sommerstein travels with NC dairy farmers to a Mexican village many of their migrant workers call home.
Audio SeriesA Year on the Farm
In this monthly feature series, David Sommerstein follows life in the barn, on the fields, and in the farmhouse through the changing seasons on the Andrews dairy farm near Gouverneur NY. This series won the 2006 "Cap" Creal Journalism Award from the New York Agricultural Society.
Audio SeriesHispanic Workers on North Country Farms
Five years ago, just a handful of farmers in the North Country employed Hispanic workers. Now many use workers from Latin America. The transition can be a bumpy one, for farmers and for the people they hire. David Sommerstein tells their stories in this ongoing series.
Audio Slideshow:Beekeepers facing new challenges
Lucy Martin visits with Ontario beekeeper Terry McEvoy and talks about colony collapse disorder and other apiary ailments that raise concerns about the food supply.
Audio SlideshowSights & Sounds of the Dairy Princess Parade
We go to the sidelines of one of the big events on the annual dairy calendar, the St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Parade in Canton. Fire engines, tractors, and floats rolled down Main Street on Saturday.
Audio SeriesDiversifying North Country Farms
NCPR reporter David Sommestein's series on diversifying North Country farming won the 2003 “Cap” Creal Journalism Award from the New York State Agricultural Society.
Photo Audio EssayDairy Farming in the North Country
The time seemed right to look at the challenges facing dairy in the North Country. In part 1 we look at the price of milk, as seen through the eyes of one mid-size dairy farmer. In part 2 we visit a cheese manufacturer proposing drastic changes in the way North Country farmers do business. David Sommerstein reports.
Audio SlideshowA Barn-Raising in Upper Jay (Real 6:23)
These days, most new barns are built quickly with steel frames and sheet-metal siding. But some landowners are taking a little more time, using methods and materials passed down over hundreds of years.
Photo Audio EssaySaving New York's Historic Barns
Some of New York's oldest barns are getting facelifts. Todd Moe visited a Canton family's 1820 English threshing barn slated for restoration.
U.S. Rep. Bill Owens.
Owens: most people will feel pain of sequester
Washington, DC, Mar 01, 2013 — North Country Congressman Bill Owens says the impact of cuts at the federal prison in Ray Brook is on his mind. He says officials there will have some discretion as far as where to cut. "I'm counting on management in those circumstances," says Owens, "to make sure that they do their furloughing in such a way that they do manage this for the safety of the officers and obviously the prisoners."
Owens held a telephone press conference yesterday afternoon to discuss the impacts of the across-the-board federal cuts known as the sequester. The Democrat says the standoff in Washington may only change if the public feels some pain. Go to full article
Owens held a telephone press conference yesterday afternoon to discuss the impacts of the across-the-board federal cuts known as the sequester. The Democrat says the standoff in Washington may only change if the public feels some pain. Go to full article
What North Country wineries are doing right
Rochester, NY, Feb 18, 2013 — When you hear New York wines, you probably think about the Finger Lakes. Wineries in that region have become world famous for their Rieslings and other white and red wines.
There are four other official wine regions in New York - the Hudson Valley, the shore of Lake Erie, the Niagara Escarpment, and Long Island.
There are also almost 30 wineries in the North Country, and wine aficionados are starting to take notice. Go to full article
There are four other official wine regions in New York - the Hudson Valley, the shore of Lake Erie, the Niagara Escarpment, and Long Island.
There are also almost 30 wineries in the North Country, and wine aficionados are starting to take notice. Go to full article
How "food hubs" could create jobs in the North Country
Canton, NY, Feb 14, 2013 — According to the USDA, there are more than 200 regional "Food Hubs" in the US. The USDA says it believes the hubs "offer strong and sound infrastructure support to producers across the country which will also help build a stronger regional food system."
New York recently announced funding for four more across the state, including one in Canton, through its Regional Economic Development Councils. Canton's grant is for $350,000. The details are still in flux, but David Sommerstein spoke with one of the project's organizers, United Helpers CEO Steve Knight, to get a sense of the food hub's vision.
United Helpers is a non-for-profit organization known more for health care than for work on food issues, but it's bought the old Community Bank building, on Main Street in Canton, to house its new for-profit business incubator, Sparx Corp. Sparx, says Knight, is a partner in the food hub project. Go to full article
New York recently announced funding for four more across the state, including one in Canton, through its Regional Economic Development Councils. Canton's grant is for $350,000. The details are still in flux, but David Sommerstein spoke with one of the project's organizers, United Helpers CEO Steve Knight, to get a sense of the food hub's vision.
United Helpers is a non-for-profit organization known more for health care than for work on food issues, but it's bought the old Community Bank building, on Main Street in Canton, to house its new for-profit business incubator, Sparx Corp. Sparx, says Knight, is a partner in the food hub project. Go to full article
Canton moves toward chickens, vegetable farms
Canton, NY, Feb 12, 2013 — The town of Canton is moving forward with zoning changes that would allow chickens and community gardens in residential areas. The Town Council decided Monday to draft two... Go to full article
NY wine industry needs "masters"
Rensselaer, NY, Feb 05, 2013 — In October Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a summit in Albany to promote New York's wine, beer and spirits industry. In his 2013 state budget proposal, he also made provision for... Go to full article
Two new programs New York hopes will help dairy farmers
Rensselaer, NY, Feb 05, 2013 — Governor Cuomo announced two new programs to help dairy farmers grow alongside the booming Greek yogurt business in New York. Go to full article
What "sustainability" means for the North Country
Jan 28, 2013 — The North Country Sustainability Plan was unveiled last week. The plan tackles energy, land use, transportation and water and waste management across seven counties. Go to full article
Biomass deal a step in taking the corn out of ethanol
Rochester, NY, Jan 21, 2013 — Sweetwater Energy, based in Rochester, has made their second $100-million biomass deal in as many months.
It's a step in replacing corn in ethanol production, and... Go to full article
It's a step in replacing corn in ethanol production, and... Go to full article
Cuomo proposes his "most ambitious agenda"
Rensselaer, NY, Jan 10, 2013 — Gov. Cuomo laid out a challenging year for New York in his State of the State speech Wednesday.
The bullet points are many and varied, from raising the minimum... Go to full article
The bullet points are many and varied, from raising the minimum... Go to full article
Owens a reluctant "yes" on Farm Bill extension
Washington, DC, Jan 02, 2013 — Tucked into the fiscal package passed by Congress last night is a nine-month extension of the farm bill. The massive five-year farm bill expired last fall when the House... Go to full article
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