SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Christmas Tree Farmers Association of NY has announced that their 2018 Winter Convention will be held Jan. 18-20, at the Holiday Inn Liverpool in Syracuse, NY. The program kicks off on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. with an informal reception in the exhibit hall. More than 20 vendors are expected to be present.

The Convention program includes two days of educational programming – with a total of 16 workshop sessions, several of which are geared towards meeting the needs of new and beginning growers.

People thinking of getting into Christmas tree farming and experienced growers are also encouraged to attend. This will be an excellent opportunity to network with other growers, have one-on-one interactions with the industry’s leading suppliers, and learn from experts in the field.

Both days, there will be several opportunities to receive NYS-DEC Pesticide Applicator Credits including at a special session on Friday afternoon on what’s new in the marketplace and how to become certified.

Dr John Frampton from North Carolina State University is scheduled to speak about Fraser fir root disease including the outcomes of research that is underway in North Carolina related to disease resistant Fraser seed sources; and about other fir varieties that may be more promising.  There will also be a session presented by Jill O’Donnell, a Senior Extension Educator from Michigan State University Extension, on fertilizer management including the critical role that soil analysis plays in a successful nutrient management program. Topics to be covered in this session include: understanding your soil test, choosing the right fertilizers, and developing a program for optimum plant growth on your farm.

The Friday luncheon keynote will be delivered by Jessica Brooks from NYS Dept of Ag and Markets. She will provide an update on the new NYS Grown and Certified Program that is now opened for the first time to Christmas tree farms for participation. NYS Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball will also speak during the Friday luncheon; and a person from his office or from NY Farm Bureau has been invited share information about signage and other requirements for farms that are open to the public. This is as a result of the newly authorized inherent risk legislation that limits farms’ liability for visitors’ accidents and injuries.

On Friday evening, the banquet entertainment will be something the whole family can enjoy – an easy-listening, musical performance group from Syracuse University.

The program will also include the annual Association awards presentation, an update from the national Christmas Tree Promotion Board, a wrap-up on the 2017 Trees for Troops program activities, drawings for prizes to benefit the CTFANY scholarship program, and a trade show with industry vendors.

When finalized, the full schedule of events will be available for download from the CTFANY website – www.christmastreesny.org . A registration form is available now on-line or by phoning the CTFANY office on 518-854-7386. Deadline for early bird registration is December 28; and deadline for room block at Holiday Inn at the special group rate is December 24 (call the Holiday Inn on 315-457-1122, mention Christmas Trees).

—Christmas Tree Farmers Association of NY

Grab your pencil, some paper, and your hiking shoes to join local nature writer Chris Kenyon on a Trail Works adventure writing in nature! Suitable for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

Date: June 1, 2019

Location: Williamson Town Park, 3773 Eddy Rd, Williamson, New York 14589

Time: 10:00 A.M.
For more information visit

https://www.facebook.com/events/855817911447723/

Join the Montezuma Audubon for a guided 3-mile hike at Howland’s Island. Step back in time as we discuss the historical uses of the island while looking for migratory songbirds. Most of the route will be on old gravel roads but some lesser-used grassy trails will be utilized as well. Wear sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting a little muddy, dress for the weather, bring your binoculars, and a bottle of water if you like. This tour is funded in part through the generous support of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Space is limited.

Howland’s Island Parking Lot
Saturday, May 22, 2021
10 AM EDT – 12:30 PM EDT
Registration Required: act.audubon.org/a/guided-hike-howlands-island-52221
Fee: $5/child, $10/adult, $25/family.

Please note: This hike will depart from the Howland’s Island parking area which is accessible via Carncross Road, Savannah, NY (43°04’43.6″N 76°41’23.1″W). The parking area is on the island itself.-Fee: $5/child, $10/adult, $25/family.
-Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to get checked in.
-Space is limited and pre-paid online reservations are required.
-Call 315.365.3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions.

Jean Soprano, of Kindred Kingdoms Wildlife Rehabilitation will have live owls on display during her presentation about the silent hunters of the night. Then, join the Montezuma Audubon Center staff for a hike through the forest and grassland to explore the night sights and sounds. Fee: $5/child, $10/adult, $25/family. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 315-365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org

WHEREAS, Drumlin View Farms, operated by the Hill Family on High Street Road in the Town of Galen consist of 275 acres of property, the majority utilized for rotational grazing of their milking cows and growing of corn and hay to feed their herd; and

 WHEREAS, Drumlin View Farms milks approximately 80 cows and grow their own replacement stock while consistently working to minimize their impact on Black Brook and limit damage to the aquatic life and recreational uses of this stream and the waterways it flows into; and

WHEREAS, the Hill Family has participated in the implementation of several farm management plans to keep their dairy farm on the forefront of conservation in working with neighboring farms to carry out crop rotation, crop cover, manure sharing, natural resource sharing and best management practices implementation; and

 WHEREAS, both Daniel ad Donna Hill and their children Jeff and Jenna have worked to update their Certified Nutrient Management Plan in an effort to help guide the farm for management of rotation of crops, effective manure application for crop production and management of other natural resource issues; and

 WHEREAS, the Hill Family has worked in partnership with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency and the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District to further the benefits of land stewardship and conservation implementation, while managing their farm and providing a higher quality herd and looking out for the health of the environment; now, therefore, be it

 RESOLVED, that the Wayne County Board of Supervisors acknowledges and congratulates the Hill Family as the 2017 Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation Farm of the Year because of their dedication and commitment to protect and conserve the quality of our agricultural community. 

The Montezuma Muckrace is a “Big Day” birding competition within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. This will be the 23rd Annual Muckrace on September 6-7 and there is still time to register. Teams of some of the best birders, as well as novice birders from across New York State and beyond, compete in the 24-hour event to see how many species they can identify. In addition to providing some good fun and excitement, the Montezuma Muckrace raises money to support avian research and conservation at this Audubon New York Important Bird Area.

Please do your part for the birds! Register for the Montezuma Muckrace or sponsor a team at https://friendsofmontezuma.org/projects-programs/muckrace/.

The fundraising goal for this year’s event is $10,000. Proceeds will be used to support the goals of the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex focusing on habitat restoration, environmental education, scientific research and outdoor recreation in cooperation with the USFWS, NYSDEC, and Montezuma Audubon Center.

Seneca Falls, NY. On August 7-9, 2018, Rodman Lott and Son Farms at 2973 Route 414 in Seneca Falls, NY, becomes a showcase of shiny new agricultural equipment for test driving and in demonstrations, fields with new cover crop mixes to beat the summer heat and attract pollinators, Dairy Profit Seminars, beef cattle and horses, farm youth showing their tractor driving and welding skills, and much, much more.

Empire Farm Days show hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am to 5 pm, and Thursday 9 am to 4 pm. Admission is free, parking is $10/vehicle. Directions to reach the showgrounds by automobile and airplane, and programming details and schedules are posted at www.empirefarmdays.com. For more information, call 877-697-7837.

New activities and highlights for the 2018 Empire Farm Days event that is the largest outdoor agricultural trade show of its kind include the following:

• Field Demonstrations Add Manure Application Options for Less Odor
The demo will highlight methods that reduce odor and runoff and retain nutrient value. Side-by-side demos include dribble bars, grassland tool, disks, shanks.

• Stone Grinder and Forestry Mulcher demonstrations

• Test Drive Applicators, Tractors, Trucks, Heavy Equipment, UTVs

• Cover Crop Demos: Options for Summer Stress Tolerance, Pollinators, Compaction
Side-by-side plots with options for dairy, crop and vegetable farmers with single cover crop species as well as mixes of stress-tolerant summer annuals, good combinations for dealing with compaction and adding organic matter, 3 pollinator-friendly mixes, and 4 blends for use after small grain or vegetable crops. Daily plot tour at 10:30 am.

• Soil Health Speakers:
. Tuesday: Dr. Sally A. Flis, Director of Agronomy, The Fertilizer Institute, Washington, DC
. Wednesday: Cornell Soil Science Professor Dr. Harold M. van Es, Building Soils for Better Crops co-author
. Thursday: Cornell University Cooperative Extension Regional Field Crops
Specialist Michael E. Hunter, a Resistance Management Specialty-certified Certified Crop Advisor.

• Tuesday-Only: “New Alfalfa Genetics for Forage Quality and Tips for On-Farm Forage Program Consistency” with Alfalfa & Forage Expert Tom Kilcer of Advanced Ag Systems: Registration preferred to www.FGIFieldDays.com; walks-in welcome.

• One Free DEC Credit Available: Daily 9:30 am Worker Protection and Pesticide Training

• Falcon Automated Soil Sampler Demonstrations

• Get a Bird’s Eye View: Quadcopter Demonstrations
• Dairy Profit Seminars:
. Three Dairy Herd Management Strategies for Challenging Times
. Data to Dollars: Making More Money from DHI Records and Milk Samples; and
. Changing Times, Changing Consumers: Telling Dairy’s Story.

• Beef Up Your Farm Enterprise
Daily programs on cattle handling system design, animal evaluation, preconditioning, and safe cattle handling. Tuesday-only: Beef Quality Assurance training, 4-7 pm, must pre-register with NY Beef Council, 315-339-6922.
• Equine Programs Will Inspire You to Adopt A Horse
. Tuesday: Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program
. Wednesday: From Wild to Mild with Jack and Emma Minter and their American Mustangs of Rose Hill Ranch
. Thursday: Begin Again Horse Rescue with miniature horses.
• New Programming for Livestock Producers
Feeding for Top Line and Body Condition, Safe Handling of Cattle, Simple Solutions for Electric Fencing, and Worry-Free, Frost-Free Watering.
• New Invasive Species, Grapes & Hops Program
Daily at 10:30 am at Craft Beverage Center with Patty Wakefield Brown of the Finger Lakes Institute and Finger Lakes PRISM, includes how to identify and report Spotted Lanternfly.
• Instagram stars, the NY Farm Girls
• Announcement of 4R Nutrient Stewardship Management Initiative
by NYSABA, The Fertilizer Institute, and The Nature Conservancy. Commercial fertilizer dealers and agricultural applicators will be invited to voluntarily participate in a 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification program
• Farm Family Safety and Fun
Visit Farm Bureau Family Education Center, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) Safety Center, NYS Grange, and the Empire Farm Days pond for farm family fun activities and safety education. Try a pedal- drive kayak or standup paddleboard on the water!
More details on all of these programs, directions, daily schedules, and more are posted online on Facebook, Instagram, and www.empirefarmdays.com.

The Empire State Potato Growers started this event as the Potato Field Days in 1931 and have steadily grown it into an agricultural extravaganza with more than 65,000 farmers, agriculturists, and rural living enthusiasts attending each year. Admission is free, $10 per vehicle parking.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
. Empire Farm Days Show Manager Melanie Wickham, 585-526-5356
. EFD Publicist Kara Lynn Dunn, 315-465-7578, karalynn@gisco.net