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Organic farming is growing in New York State. There were less than 100 such farms ten years ago, now the Northeast Organic Farming Association (web link - nofany.org) certifies over 300 such farms. Certified organic growers run farms with an average size of 100-200 acres and they use no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. |
Organic produce and grains were on display at the April 14, 2003 meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee. (l-r)Sarah Johnston, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association; Senator Hoffmann holds a salad plate with spinach, carrots, and cheese; Organic Farmer Alton Earnhart of Lightening Tree Farm in Millbrook, NY holding bread made from organic grain; and Rachel Schneider of Hawthorne Valley Farm in Ghent, NY. |
Alton Earnhart, Lightening Tree Farm, explained to the Agriculture Committee Members how organic farmers control pests. One method is to plant a row of crops they are willing to sacrifice to the pests around the crops they want to harvest. |
Dr. Susan Henry, Dean of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was the special guest at the April 14th meeting of the Agriculture Committee. She told Committee Members she is very concerned about the financial plight fruit and dairy industries in New York. She said Cornell is stepping up research efforts to help insure their future profitablity and she said the Senate's continued funding of Cornell's agriculture programs is critical. |