GREENE – Farmers and ranchers from across the county gathered at the Silo Restaurant in Greene Tuesday to pay special tribute to their industry during the 39th annual celebration of Agriculture Day.
Customarily, the ceremony takes place on the first day of spring, ringing in another growing season for agriculturalists and the spotlighting the vital role they play in sustaining American life. This year’s theme: “Ag-vocating for Agriculture.”
“It’s important to show our gratitude for area farmers,” said Bradd Vickers, president of the Chenango County Farm Bureau, who spoke during the reception. He emphasized the weight farmers carry in strengthening the community while providing food, sources of renewable energy and job opportunities.
Farming is more than just growing livestock and crops, he added. “Manufacturing a local food supply is a matter of national security.”
At the gathering, Vickers accepted a proclamation from the New York State Assembly recognizing Ag Day and the ag industry as a vital component in the community.
“A state is only as great as its citizens and strong as its communities,” read the proclamation, which was presented by Rod Decker on behalf of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch. It went on to say that “farmers and ranchers are not only an integral part of the state and local economy, but they characterize what has made New York and America great.”
Vickers also received a proclamation from County Board Chairman Lawrence Wilcox on Feb. 12, presented again during yesterday’s reception by former Town of Coventry Supervisor Jan O’Shea. Another Ag Day Proclamation was granted from the City of Norwich, which was represented by Second Ward Alderman Terry Bresina.
Also recognized during the event was Walton High School senior Raymond James, recipient of the 2012 Chenango County and New York Farm Bureau Agriculture Youth Scholarships for the fifth district. James was additionally recognized for his active role as president of the FFA at Walton Central School.
According to the Chenango County Farm Bureau, approximately 290 farms are in the county, with dairy farms leading the local industry. Each U.S. farmer produces food and fiber for 155 people in the United States and abroad.
Agricultural products are still the nation’s number one export. With one-fourth of the world’s beef and nearly on-fifth of the world’s grain, milk and eggs produced in the United States, farmers are exploring new ways to be highly productive. In order for farms to keep up in a modern economy, those attending the event were presented with a message to treat agriculture as a 21st century business.
Guest speaker Matt Nelligan, manager of public affairs and associate of public policy of the New York Farm Bureau, meshed the topics of farming together with communication and technology when he spoke to farmers of the growing importance of social media in the ag industry.
“We’re farms and farmers, but we’re also businesses,” he told the crowd. “Some people seem to think that food appears in stores by magic,” he added. “We need to get our word out there ... We need to educate the community.”
Like so many other businesses, the world of agriculture is turning to print and televised media, as well as online social media to promote itself with digital marketing techniques. Sites like Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn have become a primary source for agriculturalists to advertise, noted Nelligan.
“Anyone in the agricultural industry has to become involved in the social media,” he said. “The media is changing. Are we?”
Nelligan’s presentation was followed by another from Neisa Pantalia and Autum Blood, Eat Smart New York educators from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, who beckoned people to stop “pouring on the pounds” when they addressed the health concerns associated with sugary drinks like soda and sports drinks.