Jefferson County, New York will host a two-day "Farming For The Future"
study tour on November 1 in Watertown, NY, featuring community leaders and
innovative farmers who have worked together successfully to strengthen
agriculture in the county.
The study tour is designed for agricultural and community leaders including
Extension and other USDA staff, Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
members, local and regional planners, economic and community development
professionals and others with an interest in the future of local
agriculture.
Below is detailed program information and a registration form. Thanks for
your interest.
Judy Green, Cornell Farming Alternatives Program
LINKING AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR COUNTY: A STUDY TOUR
OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK
Friday November 1, 1996 Watertown, NY
(Watertown is located approximately 70 miles north of Syracuse on Route 81)
A Study Tour of Community Agriculture Development for:
* Economic Development Leaders
* Tourism Personnel
* Ag & Farmland Protection Boards
* Extension Educators
* USDA Agency Staff
* Community Development Leaders
* Local Planners
* Local Government
* Agriculture & Business Lenders
GOALS FOR PARTICIPANTS:
* To examine the importance and understand the potential that agriculture
has in local economic development
* To observe and learn from a county that has been successful in linking
agriculture and economic development initiatives
* To observe and begin to develop local initiatives that will link
agriculture and economic development in your county
* To develop local partnerships that will enhance the future of local
agriculture
Workshop begins at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County,
Empsall Plaza, 223 JB Wise Place, Watertown. Tour bus returns to
Cooperative Extension building at 4:30 PM.
PROGRAM:
9:15 am - Registration begins
10:00 am - Morning Workshop
A Team Approach in Jefferson County
Dave Bruce and Craig Trowbridge, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson
County
Economic & Community Impacts of Agriculture in NYS and Jefferson County
Tom Thacher, Yellow Wood Associates
Jefferson County's Approach to Linking Agriculture and Economic Development
Tracy Ferry, Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency (JCIDA)
12:00 - 4:00 Study Tour
Bus transportation & lunch provided (for preregistrants)
Video Tour of North Country Dairy Service, Inc.
North Country Dairy Service began business as an independent Alfa Laval
Agri dealer in November of 1993 with two employees, including the owner,
Edward Graham. Today their 5 full time employees service a four County area
which includes approximately 350 dairy farms. In addition to selling Alfa
Laval, North Country Dairy Service, Inc. installs, maintains and services
all lines of dairy equipment including feeding systems, milking equipment
and animal health products.
Agribusiness Retention and Enhancement: Michael Northrop & Sons.
Milking 75 cows three times a day, and raising crops on 120 acres, this is
a highly productive family business. In June of 1995, fire destroyed the
dairy barn and JCIDA financed the construction of a new tie-stall barn.
Economic development money coupled with commercial lending made this an
affordable and attractive financing package for this dairy farm.
Value-Added Processing and Agritourism: Robbins Farm & Old MacDonald's
Childrens Farm.
Mr. Robbins milks 90 cows and works about 1,400 acres, growing corn,
soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and beans. JCIDA assisting in financing a soybean
roaster to add value to the raw product . Mrs. Robbins operates "Old
MacDonald's Childrens Farm," an educational tour farm which includes over
100 animals. JCIDA also helped to provide financing for this successful
agritourism enterprise.
Return to Extension Building at 4:30 PM
STUDY TOUR SPONSORS:
Cornell Farming Alternatives Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County
Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency
Farming For The Future Leadership Initiative
NY FarmNet
NY Rural Development Council
Seaway Trail, Inc.
Yellow Wood Associates, Inc.
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Northeast SARE Program
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Please print and fill out the following registration form, and mail to the
address below with your check. Registration fee of $20.00 per person
includes bus transportation and lunch, if postmarked on or before October
26.
NOTE: Registrations postmarked after October 26 DO NOT include lunch or bus
transportation
For further information contact Joan Padula at the Farming Alternatives
Program, 607-255-9832, or email jmp32@cornell.edu
********************************************************************
REGISTRATION FOR NOV. 1 JEFFERSON COUNTY STUDY TOUR
Name(s)
Farm/Organiz/Business
Address
City State ZIP
Phone ( )
Email
Primary role:
[ ] Farmer [ ] Educator [ ] Government [ ] Tourism
[ ] Planner [ ] Lender [ ] Extension/USDA
[ ] Other:
Total Amount enclosed:
Please make check payable to:
Cornell University
Mail check to:
Farming Alternatives Program
17 Warren Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Or, give your Cornell Cooperative Extension account number:
********************************************************************
Judy Green Phone: 607-255-9832
Coordinator Fax: 254-2896
Farming Alternatives Program Email: jg16@cornell.edu
Dept. of Rural Sociology
B17 Warren Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-7801