The Peru Gazette

Source: Meet David Haight the New York State’s director of American Farmland Trust. | Edible Capital District

Employees at a Clinton County orchard install hail netting to a row of apple trees. Photo: A. Galimberti, CCE Clinton County, NY Plattsburgh, N.Y.; September 3, 2019. Real-time, regional, in-orchard research funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is helping apple growers quickly respond to pests with the latest management practices. It […]

Source: How the H2A program brings migrant farmworkers to the Adirondacks | NCPR News

By John T. Ryan Peru – Bob Rulfs sat quietly watching from his pickup truck this morning as his original farm stand was being torn down. He said he wasn’t sad to see it go. The first of its three sections was constructed in 1958. Rulfs actually opened in 1952 when Bob placed a sign […]

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension are sponsoring a public trip to the Botanical Gardens in Montreal on Tuesday, September 10. We will leave Plattsburgh at 9:15am for a 10:30am arrival in Montreal, and depart the Gardens at 9:00pm for a 10:30pm arrival in Plattsburgh. Your $65 prepaid reservation includes round-trip transportation via […]

Source: Congresswoman tours local farms – Sun Community News & Printing

By John T. Ryan Peru – The average person probably didn’t notice, but last winter’s thaw-freeze weather ruined many farmers’ alfalfa crop costing them millions of dollars. Acre after acre of alfalfa hay was devastated by what farmers call “winter kill.” Farmers in Clinton County, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties experienced significant crop losses. Dr. […]

By John T. Ryan We live at a time when the vast majority of Americans have little direct connection to agriculture. Nevertheless, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program is thriving at Northern Adirondack Central School (NAC) with almost 150 students participating in the FFA program. Students are learning that agriculture doesn’t necessarily mean working […]

By John T. Ryan Peru –  A mowing machine was cutting forage this morning along the Barney Downs Road. The operator, Eric Babbie of Adirondack Farms, said the Pottinger NOVACAT ST12 can cut about 300 acres of hay daily. The machine cuts a 36-foot swath and operates at 10 to 12 miles an hour. Babbie […]

Source: New York becomes first state to ban declawing of cats – syracuse.com

Source: Cuomo signs bill giving NY farm workers overtime pay, other labor rights | Eye on NY | auburnpub.com

By John T. Ryan July 11th update: Jeff Luck of Luck Brothers Inc. told the Peru Gazette that it will be a few weeks before actual construction begins. Precast concrete will form the base of the bridge and delivery is several weeks away. Removing the existing pavement and bridge is on hold until the exact […]

Source: Why NY employers rely on migrant workers

A great chance to recall times past for both adults and kids. Woodcarving demonstrations by Champlain Valley Wood Carvers. Ongoing demos of antique chain saws, shingle mill and hit & miss engines running a planer and buzz saw. Watch as flax is spun into linen. Try your hand using a washboard or vintage wringer washer. […]

Source: New York agriculture wrestles with farmworker rights | NCPR News

Source: Census shows fewer family farms in New York state – newyorkupstate.com

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that the 2019-20 state budget invests in critical funding that will help North Country farmers grow their businesses. This year’s plan includes $33.2 million for agriculture across the state. “North Country folks know better than anyone that our farms are the lifeblood of […]

Our March 16 workshop, Gardening in a Changing Climate, will cover ways to cope with weather events by planning in advance. Last year we had a period of drought that forced many of us to choose what to water and what to let fend for itself. This is one example of conditions that make gardening […]

Source: Farm Belt bankruptcies are soaring

Source: Watertown Daily Times | New yogurt line will bring 20 new jobs to North Lawrence dairy plant

Source: Watertown Daily Times | New military procurement plan threatens local dairies’ direct sales to Drum

Source: Property tax exemption on farms extended another 10 years – Times Union

By John T. Ryan Peru – Adirondack Farms’ owner Jon Rulfs has good news for Peru residents. A few days ago he began using what is known as a dragline/draghose manure application system. Rulfs explained, “There will be less road travel by spreaders and trucks and there will be less odor.” Rulfs believes the system […]

Source: North Country, Canadian officials bet on farmers