Ag Tour gives legislators insight into Chenango farming
(Submitted photo)
CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board held its ninth annual Chenango County Ag Tour last week, with local supervisors and state legislators attending to learn more about the importance of agriculture in their community.
The tour took place on July 26, and according to Chenango County Planning and Development Planner Corey Katusha, its purpose was to give area representatives a first-hand look at agriculture in Chenango County.
Katusha said the tour focuses on different farms each year. It allows local producers to connect and share their successes and struggles with federal, state, and local representatives who could offer help and support.
One of this year's attendees, New York Senator James L. Seward, said “The Chenango County Planning Department’s Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board did a great job organizing a tour of unique farms in the county."
"I have always supported our local farmers and advocated in favor of state programs and laws to help enhance our state’s number one industry – agriculture. Spending time talking to those who work the land and learning about the challenges they face is a vital part of my job.”
Katusha said the first stop on the tour was SOVA Organic Farms located in Norwich. He said SOVA, which stands for "Stewards of Vast Abundance," has certified organic soy-free eggs, pastured hens, pigs and goats.
"The property also has a 19th century home that was part of the Underground Railroad, which acts as a bed and breakfast," he added. "The group was able to see how SOVA Farms processes their chickens for sale and look at their cold storage system."
While touring SOVA Farms in Norwich, Senator Seward spent time meeting with farm owners Ed and Rose McNamara.
“Ed and Rose McNamara are combining traditional and new farming methods at SOVA Farms, blending organic farming with agri-tourism and a unique marketing strategy," said Seward. "I appreciated the chance to discuss with them what is working in New York State and what changes we can implement to better develop our farming economy.”
The second stop on the tour was Kutik’s Everything Bees located in Oxford.
"We visited the newly constructed facility that processes the honey. The building was constructed to house larger extruders for honey processing," said Katusha. "An addition to the old facility now houses a gift shop."
He said Kutik’s new construction not only increases production, but can also be used for education on bees and beekeepers.
"Kutik’s had been visited on a tour two years prior, but it was nice to compare the changes and continued success Kutik’s has had," he added. "Kutik’s was nice enough to provide lunch on this year’s tour and provide samples of ice cream from Gilligan’s made with Kutik’s honey."
The third and final stop was Peila View Farms located in Oxford.
Katusha said Peila View Farms recently started offering a corn maze experience, and last year was the first year of the maze drawing in between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors.
"This year’s maze encompasses 9 acres and a theme that pays homage to the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz," he said. "In addition to the corn maze is a petting zoo, hay bale climb and other activities for kids."
He added that there were 34 attendees including four representatives from New York State including NYS Senator James L Seward and NYS Assemblywomen Donna Lupardo, six town supervisors, one from the Future Farmers of America in Otselic Valley, Paton Graham, among other local and regional representatives from agriculture and farm related agencies.
“We want legislators to see how important farming is in Chenango County and New York State,” said Katusha. “We want them to be aware of the difficulties farmers are facing in agriculture today."
He said the Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board helped make the tour possible.
The tour took place on July 26, and according to Chenango County Planning and Development Planner Corey Katusha, its purpose was to give area representatives a first-hand look at agriculture in Chenango County.
Katusha said the tour focuses on different farms each year. It allows local producers to connect and share their successes and struggles with federal, state, and local representatives who could offer help and support.
One of this year's attendees, New York Senator James L. Seward, said “The Chenango County Planning Department’s Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board did a great job organizing a tour of unique farms in the county."
"I have always supported our local farmers and advocated in favor of state programs and laws to help enhance our state’s number one industry – agriculture. Spending time talking to those who work the land and learning about the challenges they face is a vital part of my job.”
Katusha said the first stop on the tour was SOVA Organic Farms located in Norwich. He said SOVA, which stands for "Stewards of Vast Abundance," has certified organic soy-free eggs, pastured hens, pigs and goats.
"The property also has a 19th century home that was part of the Underground Railroad, which acts as a bed and breakfast," he added. "The group was able to see how SOVA Farms processes their chickens for sale and look at their cold storage system."
While touring SOVA Farms in Norwich, Senator Seward spent time meeting with farm owners Ed and Rose McNamara.
“Ed and Rose McNamara are combining traditional and new farming methods at SOVA Farms, blending organic farming with agri-tourism and a unique marketing strategy," said Seward. "I appreciated the chance to discuss with them what is working in New York State and what changes we can implement to better develop our farming economy.”
The second stop on the tour was Kutik’s Everything Bees located in Oxford.
"We visited the newly constructed facility that processes the honey. The building was constructed to house larger extruders for honey processing," said Katusha. "An addition to the old facility now houses a gift shop."
He said Kutik’s new construction not only increases production, but can also be used for education on bees and beekeepers.
"Kutik’s had been visited on a tour two years prior, but it was nice to compare the changes and continued success Kutik’s has had," he added. "Kutik’s was nice enough to provide lunch on this year’s tour and provide samples of ice cream from Gilligan’s made with Kutik’s honey."
The third and final stop was Peila View Farms located in Oxford.
Katusha said Peila View Farms recently started offering a corn maze experience, and last year was the first year of the maze drawing in between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors.
"This year’s maze encompasses 9 acres and a theme that pays homage to the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz," he said. "In addition to the corn maze is a petting zoo, hay bale climb and other activities for kids."
He added that there were 34 attendees including four representatives from New York State including NYS Senator James L Seward and NYS Assemblywomen Donna Lupardo, six town supervisors, one from the Future Farmers of America in Otselic Valley, Paton Graham, among other local and regional representatives from agriculture and farm related agencies.
“We want legislators to see how important farming is in Chenango County and New York State,” said Katusha. “We want them to be aware of the difficulties farmers are facing in agriculture today."
He said the Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board helped make the tour possible.
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