Aug 12, 2005 — A massive sewage spill from a dairy farm near Lowville, on the Black River, forced Watertown to shut off its main water supply yesterday afternoon. The city is operating on reserves of stored water. State officials have increased the flow of water from the Stillwater Reservoir, hoping to flush the liquid manure out into Lake Ontario. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jul 01, 2004 — Governor Pataki yesterday signed a bill into law that allows agricultural cooperatives to take advantage of New York's Empire Zones. Dairy farmers sell their milk to coops, like Allied and Dairylea. Those coops sometimes invest in factories. But previously they weren't eligible for the tax breaks and cheap power available to other plants under the Empire Zone program. The St. Lawrence County Farm Bureau says the new law may help find tenants for places like the soon-to-be-vacant Kraft plant in Canton.  Go to full article

May 20, 2004 — On Wednesday, a group of farmers and local leaders from the Adirondacks traveled to Quebec. They made the trip to learn about strategies for developing and marketing local produce, everything from organic wheat to apple wine. Tom Both is supervisor in the town of Keene and heads a group called Adirondack Harvest. He spoke with Brian Mann about what he describes as a renaissance for the region's farms and orchards.  Go to full article

Mar 26, 2004 — There's a big change underway in North Country agriculture. The number of dairy farms has plummeted since the 1990s. Most of the victims are mid-size family operations. Large farms are on the rise, but so are small ones. According to the latest agricultural census, there are more 10 to 50 acre farms in New York now than any year since 1974. And most of those don't milk cows. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Feb 16, 2004 — On the heels of the discovery of mad cow disease in the U.S., North Country Congressman John McHugh is among lawmakers calling for a national animal ID program to track meat. As David Sommerstein reports, similar technology may be the future in helping consumers know more about the food they eat.  Go to full article

Oct 06, 2003 — For the second straight year, SUNY Potsdam is helping promote the work of North Country farmers by using locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables at the school. The Farm-to-School Program helps boost local businesses, while cutting down on the environmental impacts associated with the packaging and shipping of such goods from across the state and nation. Jody Tosti reports.  Go to full article

Apr 29, 2003 — Each spring, the seasonal rains and melting snow lead to millions of gallons of water entering rivers and streams around the Midwest. While that water is important for the rivers' health, it brings with it soil, herbicides, and insecticides from farms. Programs designed to help keep soil and chemicals on the farm and out of the watershed are growing in popularity around the region. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl has more.  Go to full article

Jan 29, 2003 — A convergence of news stories about big hamburgers and small farms got Station Manager Ellen Rocco thinking about connections and scale.  Go to full article

Jan 09, 2003 — Farmers will have an easier time getting their lands included in agricultural districts under a new state law. Jody Tosti reports.  Go to full article

Oct 15, 2002 — A new study shows prime farmland in the Great Lakes region is being lost to development. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Natalie Walston reports.  Go to full article