Grazing specialist on board's agenda today
NORWICH – Lawmakers could decide today whether or not to beef up the staff at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chenango County by adding a full-time grazing specialist.
The soils here are optimal for growing grasses, according to Extension Director Ken Smith. While advocating for the position at government committee meetings this fall, Smith said a grazing expert would encourage new farms, convert existing farms to rotational or other grazing systems, put idle land into pasture, and provide an economic boost for some of the more underdeveloped parts of the county.
“Every town in the county can benefit. It’s a good way to keep open land from going to scrub,” he said.
The position would complement existing services offered to beef and dairy producers, such as the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation Agency which taps into state and federal funding sources for infrastructure needs on the farm. A grazing specialist would help agribusinesses find wholesale and retail markets for their grazing-based products, recommend grasses and specific care for livestock, and crunch numbers for interested farmers to see if grazing would be profitable for them or not.
In particular, grazing is an easy entry way for farmers who want to start out in dairy because it doesn’t require as much equipment, Smith said. The new hire would create a database for people who might be interested in renting their land out to farmers.
The county would appropriate economic development reserves to help fund the estimated $67,200 position and program. The plan would be to allocate $25,000 in set-aside economic development funds each year for the next four years, contingent upon Cornell providing a matching $25,000 plus benefits.
Members of the Chenango County Finance Committee asked Smith earlier this year to identify how government could enhance the Extension’s services. The request came during a discussion of dairy farming and the rapid growth of Chobani yogurt maker, Agro Farma. Chenango County’s dairy industry represents 85 percent of the county’s ag economy and generates $100 million per year, excluding Agro Farma.
Smith estimated that a grazing specialist would assist about 200 dairy farms and also help beef production.
The Chenango County Board of Supervisors will consider this and other resolution proposals at today’s monthly meeting at the county office building on Court Street in Norwich.
The soils here are optimal for growing grasses, according to Extension Director Ken Smith. While advocating for the position at government committee meetings this fall, Smith said a grazing expert would encourage new farms, convert existing farms to rotational or other grazing systems, put idle land into pasture, and provide an economic boost for some of the more underdeveloped parts of the county.
“Every town in the county can benefit. It’s a good way to keep open land from going to scrub,” he said.
The position would complement existing services offered to beef and dairy producers, such as the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation Agency which taps into state and federal funding sources for infrastructure needs on the farm. A grazing specialist would help agribusinesses find wholesale and retail markets for their grazing-based products, recommend grasses and specific care for livestock, and crunch numbers for interested farmers to see if grazing would be profitable for them or not.
In particular, grazing is an easy entry way for farmers who want to start out in dairy because it doesn’t require as much equipment, Smith said. The new hire would create a database for people who might be interested in renting their land out to farmers.
The county would appropriate economic development reserves to help fund the estimated $67,200 position and program. The plan would be to allocate $25,000 in set-aside economic development funds each year for the next four years, contingent upon Cornell providing a matching $25,000 plus benefits.
Members of the Chenango County Finance Committee asked Smith earlier this year to identify how government could enhance the Extension’s services. The request came during a discussion of dairy farming and the rapid growth of Chobani yogurt maker, Agro Farma. Chenango County’s dairy industry represents 85 percent of the county’s ag economy and generates $100 million per year, excluding Agro Farma.
Smith estimated that a grazing specialist would assist about 200 dairy farms and also help beef production.
The Chenango County Board of Supervisors will consider this and other resolution proposals at today’s monthly meeting at the county office building on Court Street in Norwich.
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