Ag position requested; Sullivan farming sector needs boost

Posted 8/21/12

MONTICELLO, NY — Melinda Meddaugh, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Issue Leader of Cornell Cooperative Extension, painted a picture of an agricultural industry in Sullivan County that could use …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Ag position requested; Sullivan farming sector needs boost

Posted

MONTICELLO, NY — Melinda Meddaugh, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Issue Leader of Cornell Cooperative Extension, painted a picture of an agricultural industry in Sullivan County that could use a helping hand. Addressing the Sullivan County Legislature on July 8, she said that from 2007 through 2012, the agriculture sector, while still large, took a “serious hit.”

In that time the number of dairy farms dropped from 46 to 21, while the value of farm products dropped by 35%, from $42.2 million to $36.1 million.

Working through the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan and with the Agriculture Task Force, those involved determined that the best way to move forward is with the creation of an Agricultural Business Retention and Expansion Program, and a person would have to be hired to coordinate the program. The person would visit farmers and try to help boost the agricultural sector.

Meddaugh said Cornell is requesting that the county pay about $55,000 toward the position, while Cornell would kick in about $25,000 in terms of pension and benefits.

It was noted by several people that this type of position, which would have a direct connection with farmers, has existed in the county in the past.

Tom Kappner, who is co-chair of the Agriculture Task Force, also spoke at the meeting and said he is aware that the legislature is getting a lot of requests for spending that might cause lawmakers to raise taxes beyond the 2% cap mandated by Albany, but he said, “There are times when prudent investments are necessary.”

Earl Myers, a lifelong farmer and vice president of the Cornell Board, said that during the past 20 years there has been a change. He said while there are fewer dairy farms, there are more focusing on organic products, beef, horses and hay. He said farming is “transitioning over to the old style.”

He noted that even old practices such as canning are making a comeback. He said that at a recent canning course, a woman had travelled here from California because she couldn’t find a canning class anywhere else.

Legislator Gene Bensen said that he grew up on a farm, and the kind of agriculture that is growing now is “the way it was in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

After the meeting he predicted that the legislature would approve the funding of the position.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here