GREENE – If current legislative trends affecting farmers continue, the Chenango County Farm Bureau has its plate full.
The Farm Bureau brought a number of political issues into the spotlight during its 60th annual meeting at the Silo Restaurant in Coventry on Wednesday. The meeting was a chance for local leaders in the ag industry to recognize achievements of the Farm Bureau over the last year, and discuss the challenges that many farmer face ahead.
It was also a chance for members to tout the organization as a valuable resource for farmers, legislators, representatives and educators who hope to promote the well-being of agriculture.
According to CCFB President Bradd Vickers, the Farm Bureau plays a pivotal role in the continuing viability of Chenango County’s number one industry.
“We’re a grassroots organization. Policies start here and go to the top,” Vickers said. “The Farm Bureau office continues to be a local focal point for meetings with legislators, reps from the Attorney General’s Office, as well as serving as an education center for students and adults that have an interest in CCFB programs.”
Despite political challenges of the last year – including a proposed labor law that would drastically increase wages for farmhands, and EPA proposals that could impact the way farms operate by placing virtually all waterways under EPA authority – the Farm Bureau still has a lot to celebrate, Vickers pointed out. The organization received all seven Silver Keys and the distinguished President’s Award at a meeting of the New York Farm Bureau this year. Those awards are given for meeting specific criteria in different program areas.
What’s more, the Chenango Farm Bureau was represented at a national conference in San Diego, Calif. this year. CCFB was applauded for its efforts to educate farmers about the importance of emergency preparedness.
But even with all its accomplishments, Vickers said the Farm Bureau couldn’t effectively do what it does if not for collaboration with other community organizations like Commerce Chenango, the American Legion, and most notably the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
“We work together. It’s a team effort,” said Ken Smith, Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango executive director. “It’s farmers with a huge amount of experience and expertise working with university researchers to advance the quality of life, wether that’s better preserving food or preserving educational opportunities like 4-H and FFA ... The whole point of Farm Bureau when it was started 100 years ago was to help farms and farm families thrive, and then spread that success into the entire community.”
The Cornell Cooperative Extension is celebrating its centennial in Chenango County this year. Started as the Chenango Farm Bureau in 1915, CCE’s role was to advocate for the needs of the local ag industry while also providing the latest educational resources. Soon after it was formed, the institution split into two separate entities in order to accommodate a two-fold purpose. Education continued to be the focus of the Cooperative Extension while legislative advocacy at the state and federal levels was handled by the Farm Bureau.
Tuesday’s meeting also featured a number of guest speakers, including Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, Farm Bureau Field Advisor Lindsay Wickham, the Chenango County dairy princess, and members of local chapters of the FFA.