Spring 2022

The
TRACTOR
FACTOR
Inside this issue:

Cartwright’s Maple Inn

celebrates 60 years!
See Page 7
Gearing up for
Maple Weekend
Does climate change See Page 10
affect maple production?
See Pages 8&9

AGRICULTURAL NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE GLOW REGION

2 • March 2022
Lawmakers approve cannabis cultivation
LEGISLATURE: Bill, awaitig governor’s signature, would allow state to begin issueing temporary licenses to hemp farmers
By Sean Teehan
syracuse.com
(TNS) – A bill that will allow
New York cannabis farmers to
start planting recreational-use
marijuana this year is headed
to Gov. Hochul’s desk, after
both houses of New York’s
state legislature approved it.
If signed, the legislation
would allow the state to im-
mediately begin issuing tem-
porary adult-use cannabis
cultivation licenses to hemp
farmers that have grown and
harvested hemp (another form
of cannabis) for at least two of
the past four years. It also au-
thorizes the state to grant tem-
porary licenses to adult-use
cannabis processors.
“This [legislation] will help
secure enough safe, regulat-
ed, and environmentally con-
scious cannabis products to
meet the demand of the adult-
use cannabis market when re-
tail dispensaries open,” state
Assembly Majority Leader
Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who
sponsored the bill, said in a
statement Feb. 16 after a 99-
43 Assembly vote passed the
measure.
According to the legislation,
the state needs to start allow-
ing some farmers and proces-
sors to start operations in or-
der to speed up establishment
of the adult-use cannabis mar-
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Sept. 21, 2021.
ket. Advocates for provisional
licensing also say it’s neces-
sary to ensure dispensaries
that open will have products
to sell.
Office of Cannabis Manage-
ment Executive Director Chris
Alexander said OCM plans on
releasing some draft regula-
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Cell: 585.721.8468
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use cannabis licenses in spring
of 2023.
If Gov. Kathy Hochul signs
the new legislation, condition-
al licenses would allow licens-
ees to immediately begin
growing cannabis outdoors
or in a greenhouse with up to
20 artificial lights. Processors
who receive temporary licens-
es could start manufacturing
and distributing adult-use
cannabis products. Provi-
sional license holders would
have to apply for full licenses
by June 1, and the temporary
licenses would expire June 30,
2024.
The bill also instructs OCM
to set requirements for pro-
visional license holders to
participate in a mentorship
program to train social equity
applicants interested in can-
nabis cultivation or process-
ing. That program has yet to be
fleshed out.
N. SCOTT TRIMBLE/SYRACUSE.COM
After the state Senate
passed the bill in a 50-13 vote
on Feb. 15, state Sen. Michelle
tions for full licensing in late Cannabis Control Board Chair Hinchey touted the legisla-
winter or early spring, and all Tremaine Wright has said CCB
See HEMP T4
proposed regulations by May. will likely begin issuing adult-
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Medina teacher nominated for Ag Educator of the Year

MEDINA — An agriculture
teacher and Future Farmers of
America advisor at Medina high
school has received a big honor.
Todd Eick is been named
a finalist for the 2021 to 2022
Ag Educator of the Year honor
through Nationwide’s Golden
Owl Award. He was present-
ed with a $500 cash prize and
plaque on Feb. 8 in front of ad-
ministrators, fellow teachers
and students.
He will then have the chance
to be crowned as New York’s Ag
Educator of the Year in May and
receive $3,000 to help fund fu-
ture educational efforts.
Eick is among 11 finalists
from dozens nominated across
the statewide.
The Golden Owl Award rec-
ognizes agriculture educators
and the critical role they play in
preparing future generations
for success. Nationwide estab-
lished the award to honor the
contributions of teachers and
support them with additional
resources to assist their contin-
ued educational efforts.
The nomination is Mr. Eick’s
second consecutive Golden
Owl award.
The New York FFA will select
one winner from all the nom-
inees statewide for the grand
prize. The winner will also re-
ceive the Golden Owl Award
Teacher Todd Eick, right, is honored by students, staff and officials after being named a finalist for
Ag Educator of the Year through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.
Trophy and be recognized as Ag
Educator of the Year.
“As a company with deep
roots in agriculture, Nation-
wide recognizes the essential
role agricultural teachers play
in their communities and for
the future of the industry,” said
Brad Liggett, President of Agri-
business at Nationwide, in a
news release. “We’re proud
to work with the state FFAs to
recognize these selfless public
servants for their many contri-
butions to help prepare the next
generation of leaders.”
Nationwide is also donating
$5,000 to the New York State
Mon.-Fri. 7am-5pm, Sat. 8am-12pm
SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPH
FFA Leadership Training Foun-
dation, in conjunction with the
Golden Owl Award, to further
support the personal and pro-
fessional growth of students,
teachers and advisors.
Ag teacher donates
hair to Wigs 4 Kids
Medina High School Agriculture
teacher/FFA advisor Todd Eick had
been rocking shoulder length hair
for quite a while this school year.
He had shaved his head for near-
ly 13 years, but that stopped when
the pandemic shut down hair sa-
lons. His last hair cut had been Feb.
4, 2020, until recently.
“My kids convinced me just to let
it grow out,” he said. “So I decided
if I was going to do that, I would see
if I could donate it to Wigs 4 Kids.”
Wigs 4 Kids serves children suf-
fering from hair loss from a health
crisis and helps to boost their
self-image and self-esteem.
Originally, FFA alum and hairstyl-
ist Tori Grimes was going to come
to school Feb. 4 and cut Eick’s hair
for his donation, allowing current
students and his leadership team
to take part. “I wanted to do this in
school with the students because
one piece of our FFA motto is ‘Liv-
ing to Serve.’ I thought this was a
great opportunity to practice what I
preach,” Eick says.
Feb. 4 was a snow day, but Eick
went through with his plan anyway,
meeting Grimes at Mera Hair Co.,
the salon where she works. Eick
was joined by his daughter, a cur-
rent member of FFA, and his son,
the incoming FFA president.

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4 • March 2022
Hemp
From T2
tion’s ability to speed up the
state’s opening of New York’s
adult-use cannabis market to
consumers.
“We need New York farmers
to begin the growing process
now so that when cannabis
dispensaries open, we can fill
shelves with quality New York-
grown products,” Hinchey
said. “I’m proud to sponsor
legislation to help [hemp
growers and processors] ob-
tain conditional licenses,
which will allow New York to
implement its cannabis pro-
gram faster.”
If Hochul signs the bill into
law, about 200 of the roughly
700 licensed hemp farms in
the state would be eligible for
the provisional licenses, said
Allan Gandelman, president
of the New York State Canna-
bis Growers and Processors
Association. That group has
pushed for provisional licens-
ing.
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Gandelman said provision-
ally licensed hemp farmers
could start growing cannabis
for the adult-use market in
time for this year’s growing
season, which could allow
adult-use dispensaries to open
faster.
“What we’re doing here is
creating inventory for these
dispensaries that are going to
be opening up,” Gandelman
said. “We don’t really know
how many dispensaries will
open up in New York, but they
can’t open dispensaries with-
out product.”
The provisional licensing
bill passed New York’s legisla-
ture the week after OCM sent
dozens of letters to cannabis
operators illegally selling mar-
ijuana, some of who used “gift-
ing” language in the state’s
cannabis legalization law as
an alleged loophole. However,
Alexander said this week that
this is an inaccurate reading
of the law, and that nobody
is currently able to legally sell
adult-use cannabis.
Give us a call today!
Tractor Factor
USDA hemp survey sets benchmark in NY
The U.S Department of Agri-
culture’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service recently re-
leased the results of the first
National Hemp Survey.
The survey was sent to
20,500 producers across the
nation to gather information on
the acreage, yield, production,
price, and value of hemp.
The term “hemp” means the
plant species Cannabis sativa
L. and any part of the plant such
as the seeds, all derivatives,
and extracts, whether growing
or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydro-
cannabinol (THC) concentration
of not more than 0.3% on a dry
weight basis.
The data will be used to as-
sist producers, regulatory agen-
cies, state governments, pro-
cessors, and other key industry
entities.
Key findings for New York re-
leased in the report include:
n Industrial hemp in the
open: Planted area for New
York for all utilizations totaled
900 acres. Area harvested for
all purposes in the open totaled
310 acres.
Nationally, the planted ar-
ea for all utilizations totalled
54,200 acres, and the area
harvested for all purposed in
the open totaled 33,500 acres.
n Floral hemp in the open:
New York floral hemp produc-
tion grown in the open for 2021
was estimated at 110,000
pounds. Area harvested for
floral hemp in the open in New
York was estimated at 290
acres. The average yield for
2021 floral hemp in the open
was estimated at 380 pounds
per acre. The value of floral
hemp grown in the open totaled
$2.43 million.
Nationally, floral hemp grown
in the open was estimated at
19.7 million pounds, while the
area harvested in the open
was 16,000 acres. The aver-
age yield nationally was 1,235
pounds per acre. Nationally,
the value was $623 million.
Floral hemp is hemp used
for the extraction of essential
oils from plant resin, such as
cannabidiol (CBD), cannabig-
Main Office:
8610 Route 237
Stafford NY 14143
Ph: 585-345-4141
w w w. c e c r o c k e r. c o m
erol, (CBG), cannabinol (CBN),
or other phytocannabinoids.
Floral hemp includes smokable
hemp.
n Hemp under protection:
Hemp growers used 1.13 mil-
lion square feet under protec-
tion for production. New York
production of floral hemp grown
under protection was estimat-
ed at 12,500 pounds. The val-
ue of floral hemp grown under
protection totaled $3.22 mil-
lion.
Nationally, hemp under pro-
tection totaled 15.6 million
square feet with a value of
$112 million.
On the national level, indus-
trial hemp was valued at $824
million in 2021, while industrial
hemp in the open had a value of
$712 million. Industrial hemp
under protection was valued at
$112 million.
–––
For the complete “National
Hemp Report” report, released
Feb. 17 go to https://release.
nass.usda.gov/reports/
hempan22.pdf.
Pavilion Location:
6905 Ellicott St. Rd.
Pavilion NY 14525
Ph: 585-584-3036

State funds to assist farms with water projects
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
GLOW region soil and water
conservation districts will as-
sist more than a dozen farms
with projects designed to both
conserve water and preserve
drinking waters.
The 14 projects were award-
ed $1,269,486 as part of a re-
cent award announcement
from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s
office allocating nearly $14
million for projects to protect
clean water. The funds will
help 91 agricultural projects
address water quality chal-
lenges in priority watersheds.
The Genesee County Soil
and Water Conservation Dis-
trict was awarded funds for
three different projects.
“Each project will also have
a significant amount of match
from the landowner,” said Jar-
ed Elliott, senior field manager
for Genesee County Soil and
Water Conservation District.
The district received
$64,040 to work with one farm
on the border of Oak Orchard
and Spring creeks to reduce
excessive nutrient loading in
impaired watersheds and sup-
port objectives listed in sev-
eral watershed management
plans. The project will im-
prove nutrient management
practices for more efficient
land application and imple-
ment preventative practices to
eliminate potential pollution
concerns. The project is locat-
ed within the Black Creek Wa-
tershed.
“The Oak Orchard Creek
project will improve nutrient
management on a dairy farm
by improving the pipelines
used to move manure from
the farm to cropland. This will
allow them to apply manure
precisely, without using tank
spreaders that can damage the
soil,” said Elliott.
Another project, award-
ed $140,640, will work with a
farm in the Tonawanda Creek
Watershed to upgrade an ex-
isting silage leachate storage
and implement runoff control
and treatment sources. The
project will foster continued
environmental stewardship in
the watershed and protect ac-
tive sources of public drinking
water.
“The Tonawanda Creek
project is going to improve the
farm’s feed storage system by
constructing a concrete stor-
age pad,” Elliott said. “Runoff
from this pad will be contained
and treated. This runoff con-
tains nutrients that could oth-
erwise impact Tonawanda
Creek, which is a public drink-
ing water source.”
The sum of $535,925 was
awarded to work with one
farm on the boundary of the
Oatka Creek and Black Creek
watersheds. The funds will
aid in implementing recom-
mended practices included
in the Genesee River Nine El-
ement Watershed Plan, which
is a plan that was written and
approved by the state De-
partment of Environmental
Tractor Factor March 2022 • 5
Conservation. drinking water for most of the source pollution identified by
“The plan identifies pollut- county’s public water system,” the Conesus Lake Watershed
ants and their sources, sets a Elliott said. Management Plan, work with
reduction goal for the pollut- “Agriculture is necessary landowners across the county
ants in the watershed, and lays for our survival and an essen- to implement Best Manage-
out an implementation plan tial part of our economy, but ment Practice Systems to re-
to achieve these goals. Specif- it requires the management duce sediments and nutrients
ic conservation practices are of nutrient sources that can into Canandaigua Lake, pro-
identified for each sub-wa- pose a threat to water quali- vide the proper storage and
tershed of the Genesee River ty,” he said. “Farm operators handling of agrichemicals, en-
Basin to reduce the pollutants understand the importance courage safe storage, and pro-
from that area,” said Elliott. of protecting water from their vide spill protection; and im-
As part of the grant-funded operations, and these finan- plement 1.5 acres of riparian
portion of the project – which, cial assistance programs make herbaceous buffer to protect
Elliott said, represents 70 to it feasible for farms to imple- surface waterbodies.
75 percent of the total project ment conservation practices “Each of the five farm oper-
– the district will collect, con- that help to preserve clean wa- ations/landowners are in the
trol and utilize nutrients from ter.” Conesus Lake watershed and
the farmstead to improve crop The Livingston County Soil will be implementing a series
production, and also prevent and water Conservation Dis- of practical yet key practices to
potential nutrient leaching trict through the Agricultural slow surface runoff onto and
through porous bedrock to Non-Point Source Pollution from cropland,” said Robert
groundwater resources Abatement and Control Pro- Stryker of the district. “This
The Genesee County Con- gram (AGNPS) was awarded will be accomplished by in-
servation projects have al- $216,250. The funds will assist stalling subsurface drainage
ready begun and are expected five farms in the Genesee River beneath the surface as well
to be completed by the end of Watershed - MT Pockets Farm, as grading and shaping of the
2023. Tri Acres Farm, Edgewood fields to temporarily detain
“I would consider these Farms, Cadyville Farm, and storm water runoff.”
projects vital to the mainte- VanZandt Farm. Funding for the projects will
nance of clean water because The funds will protect ac- help address erosion and wa-
nutrients and bacteria pose tive sources of public drinking ter quality by improving sub-
a threat to our surface water water, implement practices surface drainage and address-
quality. Surface water in Gen- to address erosion and water ing/minimizing surface runoff
esee County flows into Lake quality concerns, address po-
Ontario, which is the source of tential sources of non-profit See WATER T13
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6 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Area farmers among state’s best for corn, soybean yields

Farmers in Orleans, Living-
ston and Wyoming counties
rank among the top corn and
soybean growers in the state
based on the highest yield.
Adam Kirby of Albion had
the second greatest corn
yields in the state, and the
top yield in the west region.
He reported a yield of 294.01
bushels per acre using Pio-
neer seed P0947Q and 293.25
bushels per acre using Pio-
neer seed P09843AM, respec-
tively, according to results
from the 2021 New York Corn
and Soybean Yield Contest.
Kirby was also first in 2020
and 2019.
Dansville farmer Hen-
ry Everman was third in the
state and second in the west
region among corn growers
with a yield of 290.15 bushels
per acre using Dekalb seed
DKC61-40.
Third in the west region
was Joe Swyers of Dansville,
who produced 288.40 bush-
els per acre with Brevent seed
B07H01Q.
Local soybean growers also
produced some of the state’s
highest yield.
Ryan Swede of Pavilion was
third in the state with a yield
of 81.66 on land in Wyoming
County that was planted with
Asgrow brand seed AG26X8.
Swede was among the top
producers in the west region.
He was in group two. Other
winners include Brad Macau-
ley of Geneseo, in group zero
with a yield of 75.52 using NK
brand S09-D4X; Tom Corcor-
an of Caledonia, in group
one with a yield of 77.37 us-
ing Channel seed 1818X; and
John Macauley of Mount
Morris, who led group three
with a yield of 67.74 using LG
Seeds LG3098XF.
Winners from around the
country will be honored in
March 2022 during Com-
modity Classic in New Orle-
ans, La.

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Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn celebrating 60 years
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
In 1963, the late Ronald
Cartwright and his wife, Vir-
ginia Cartwright, opened Cart-
wright’s Maple Tree Inn at
4321 County Road 15A, Angel-
ica, with the intent to sell their
maple syrup produced from
the family farm.
With the help of Ronald’s
brother, Clarence Cartwright,
the restaurant was built, while
Clarence’s wife, Mary Cart-
wright, helped Virginia in
the kitchen for the next two
years until Clarence and Mary
moved away.
Ronald and Virginia had
six children together – La-
Vergne Cartwright, Rhon-
da Cartwright Amidon, Dale
Cartwright, Brenda Ferrell,
Dewight Cartwright, and Ken-
neth Cartwright – who each
helped gather sap, work the
dairy farm, and helped out in
the restaurant.
Cartwright’s Maple Tree
Inn, which is an extension of
the farm Ronald and Clarence
inherited from their grandfa-
ther, Austin Cartwright, was
originally designed to seat 14
people. It can now accommo-
date 200 guests and this ma-
ple season, the restaurant will
commemorate 60 years.
Grace Cartwright,
great-grandmother to the
Cartwright children, created
the original Buckwheat Pan-
By the numbers:
NY maple production
Some data from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture about maple syrup
production in New York State:
n New York maple syrup production
in 2021 was 647,000 gallons, 20%
below the 2020 production.
n The number of maple taps was
estimated at 2.9 million in 2021, up
4% from the year before.
n Yield per tap decreased to
0.223 gallons per tap, down from
0.287 in 2020.
n New York producers had a short
season in 2021, on the average, the
season lasted 29 days, compared
with 37 days in 2020.
n New York’s 2020 value of pro-
duction totaled $27.7 million, up 5%
from 2019.
n The 2020 average price per gal-
lon in New York was $34.40, up from
$32.20 in 2019.
n Sap flow began Jan. 1, 2021,
in New York, the earliest in the nation.
LaVergne Cartwright of Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn .
cakes recipe that is still served
at the restaurant today.
“… People drive from all
over the United States to have
them [Buckwheat Pancakes],”
said Rhonda who helps run the
restaurant with family.
The restaurant was initially
opened to the public for two
months per year during maple
season, which is also a slow
time for dairy farming.
Now, all family members
who work at Cartwright’s have
a full-time job and help out at
the restaurant for nine weeks
throughout the year helping
to serve a delicious menu with
homemade, real maple syrup.
LaVergne makes maple can-
dy and maple cream while his
wife, Deneise Cartwright, will
Lamb Farms, Inc
585-948-5777
lambfarms@hotmail.com
A New York leader in quality
milk production and ag innovation
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greet you at the restaurant
door. Grandson Will Emmons
boils the syrup and Virginia’s
son, Dale, also helps out in the
restaurant. Siblings Brenda,
Dewight and Kenny have also
worked for the family business
in the past.
“The sap is gathered from
trees on our farm and boiled
into maple syrup in the base-
ment of the restaurant. All the
grandchildren and now some
of the great-grandchildren
work in the restaurant during
the season,” said Rhonda.
When COVID-19 first made
an impact in March 2020, the
restaurant had only been open
for four weeks prior to the New
York State shut down. Nine
months later, Gov. Andrew
lambfarmsinc.net
March 2022 • 7
‘ All the grandchildren and now some of the
great-grandchildren work in the restaurant
during the season.
RHONDA CARTWRIGHT AMIDON
’
of Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn
Cuomo had permitted restau- during both Maple Weekend
rants to open at 50 percent ca- events – March 19, 20 and 26,
pacity and Cartwright’s elect- 27.
ed to open for four weeks with “We will have a teepee set
just takeout orders. Soon after up and will be cooking maple
they were operating at 50 per- syrup the old-fashioned way
cent capacity. in a kettle over an open fire. If
They are now operating at the weather permits, we will
100 percent capacity and are be processing maple syrup as
happy to be reopened as they
well,” said Rhonda.
celebrate 60 years of service in
–––
the community. For more information about Cart-
Cartwright’s will be open wright’s Maple Tree Inn or restau-
from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays rant hours, visit cartwrightsmaple-
and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays treeinn.com.
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8 • March 2022
Climate science says change is coming.
How are New York’s maple producers taking the news?
By Jules Struck
syracuse.com
(TNS) – Barb Hamlin’s job
isn’t usually disgusting, but last
summer was an exception.
Parts of Hamlin’s trees on her
maple farm in Preble were in-
fested with gypsy moths. It fell
to her to pull on an elbow-length
pair of black mad scientist
gloves and plod through the
woods to scrape the invasive egg
sacs off her trees.
“Oh, it was gross and disgust-
ing,” she said on while waiting
for her maple coffee to reheat in
the microwave in her barn.
Still, “don’t laugh too hard,”
she said, finding some grue-
some humor in the retelling.
Hamlin’s maple farm is one
of several in New York that have
dealt with infestations of gypsy
moths in the past few years. For
some, it’s just another sign of
climate change and its creeping
effects on the maple industry.
The affects of climate change
on maple tapping are diverse:
higher average temperatures
mean more pests, a shifting tap-
ping season and less sugar in the
sap, while increasingly erratic
stretches of weather — warm or
cold — mean gummed up lines,
bacteria and dry taps.
But those threats can be
slow-moving and dispersed,
experts say, which means some
maple producers believe they’re
on the front foot in a standoff
between climate change and
scientific adaptation.
Helen Thomas, executive
director of the New York State
Maple Producers Association,
said she’s happy with the indus-
try’s projections — New York is
second only to Vermont in U.S.
gallons of maple produced,
and production is trending up
despite a bad last year, when
unusually warm weather de-
creased New York’s production
from the year before by 157,000
gallons.
But she’s worried about the
bugs that eat her trees and are
finding it easier and easier to
survive New York winters. Her
friend in Gouverneur isn’t too
jazzed about the windstorms
that are bringing the dead limbs
from trees hit by drought down
Barb Hamlin, owner of Pied Piper Maple Products in Preble, Cortland County, looks at a sample of
maple syrup on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.
on some of his lines. Another
farm in Attica needs steady tem-
peratures this winter to make up
for last year.
Not all of nature’s variabili-
ties are directly linked to climate
change, but a growing body of
research spells out the warming
climate’s persistent effects that
will impact maple producers in
a myriad of ways.
NEW INVASIVES
Thomas sat at a folding ta-
ble in the conference hall of
the New York State Maple
Mid-Winter Classic conference
on Jan. 8, next to Doug Thomp-
son, a fellow maple farmer from
Gouverneur.
He has gypsy moths on his
trees, and has been squishing
the egg sacs whenever he sees
them. But he’s not sure that’s
working.
“Part of my problem is, I’m
not familiar with them,” he said.
“I started looking at ‘hey Goo-
gle.’ ”
A farmer friend wandered
over to the table to chat with
Thompson about the bugs. “I
didn’t say this, but I’ve been
thinking about spraying a little
bit of diesel fuel on ’em,” said
Tractor Factor
spread and all the farms in one
area need to be sprayed quickly,
there might not be enough to go
around.
The moths ate up about 90%
of the leaves on his trees a few
years ago, he said. It would take
about three years of defoliation
in a row for the bugs to com-
pletely kill a tree, but some of
Thompson’s were stressed from
a few years of drought, which
made them more vulnerable.
Bad news on bad news:
Thompson lost 10% of his crop.
Sugar Maple trees, which are
the primary producers of good
quality sap, are native to this
area and resilient, said Thomas.
But they also grow slowly and
can’t be replaced in a pinch. And
there are other pests, like the
Asian longhorned beetle, that
pose a threat to maples.
There’s precedent for Thom-
SYRACUSE.COM VIA TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE as’ fears, said Adam Wild, di-
rector of Cornell University’s
Uihlein Maple Research Forest
the friend, leaning in conspira- pathogen, Bt, but the spray is in Lake Placid. Fungus or bugs
torially. only effective during a one-week like chestnut blight, Dutch elm
There is a solution, sort of. An window when the caterpillar is disease and emerald ash bor-
infestation can be cleaned up still small. Thompson said that if
by spraying USDA-approved a gypsy moth outbreak is wide- See CLIMATE T9
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Climate
From T8
er have wiped out or hurt other
tree species in the past.
“Any producer worth their
salt is keeping their trees
healthy,” said Thomas, but in
the face of infestations, it’s not
always clear how to do that.
STRIDES IN TECHNOLOGY
On paper, New York’s maple
syrup industry is doing great
despite last year’s dip in produc-
tion. Technology has improved
rapidly over the past two de-
cades, and at the same time the
number of taps in the U.S. has
more than doubled. New York
produced $27.7 million worth of
maple syrup in 2020, a 5% jump
from the year before, according
to the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture.
What has helped immense-
ly is that technology has gotten
better — that was clear from the
middle of the showroom at ma-
ple conference at the New York
State Fairgrounds, where sell-
ers displayed the latest in vacu-
um pumps, tubing, containers,
thermometers, boiler plates and
a parade of other gleaming ma-
chinery.
No one’s lugging buckets
to the sugar shack anymore. A
standard maple forest is rigged
with tubing that uses gravity
and vacuum pumps to draw sap
downhill to a collection vat. The
sap is then concentrated in a re-
verse osmosis machine, which
forces the water out and leaves
the sap with a higher sugar con-
tent. It’s then boiled into syrup,
bottled and sold.
There are a thousand small
moving pieces to the process,
many of which are exposed to
the harsh elements. New, in-
8276 Park Rd., Batavia NY 14020 • (585) 343-7440 • www.GeneseeNY.com • www.VisitGeneseeNY.com
novative designs that keep the
whole system clean and pro-
tected, and easy to unhitch or
replace, makes farmers’ lives
easier and keep the farm pro-
ductive during increasingly un-
predictable seasons.
But variable weather pat-
terns, insects and soil health all
impact tree health and produc-
tivity, and tech isn’t infallible,
especially when exposed to
the elements. Hamlin is often
patching up holes in her tubes
with electrical tape, and she
can’t boil sap right now because
a part to her reverse osmosis
machine is held up at the facto-
ry.
Improvements in technology
have helped to increase produc-
tion hugely, said Thomas. But
whether good tech can keep up
with climate change — “I think
that’s a subject for debate.”
TIME AND MONEY
However much maple farm-
ers care about their trees, they’re
still running a business, and
they have to weigh the price of
the solution against the produc-
tion value added.
When a stretch of warm
weather means a tree heals up
its holes, reopening those taps
cost money in labor. Spraying
for pests costs money. Cleaning
gummed up tubes, replacing
downed lines from freak storms,
boiling for longer when an un-
healthy tree produces less sug-
ars — all that costs money.
Tech and innovation help in
a lot of these cases, said Jamie
Schuler, associate professor of
silviculture at West Virginia Uni-
versity and program coordina-
tor for the school’s research for-
ests. Schuler traveled up from
warmer climes to share research
at the maple conference at the
fairgrounds.
Farmers can do things like
Salutes Agriculture
The #1 Industry in Genesee County!
Tractor Factor
Barb Hamlin, owner of Pied Piper Maple Products in Preble, reads
a chart that lists the optimal cooking temperatures for making
sugar forms. Her binder looks like pages of chemistry formulas.
‘
...most people,
they’re used to this up
and down variability
of the season. That’s
just part of the
business.
JAMIE SCHULER ’
West Virginia University
leave their vacuum pumps run-
ning to keep the lines from get-
ting gummed up or use the lat-
est spouts that prevent bacteria
from building up and closing
over the holes, said Schuler. But
it requires calculation.
“If I can invest 10 cents and
safeguard myself, well, that
seems to make good sense,” he
said. But the steeper the price,
the less likely it is that a farmer
will slap down their credit card.
And not every obstacle is
avoidable with new tools.
SYRACUSE.COM VIA TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Lyle and Dottie Merle set up
lines for their taps every winter,
a process that takes about three
weeks. Maple trees produce
the most sap when the weather
drops below freezing at night
and rises again during the day.
An unexpected stretch of
weather above 65 degrees would
dry up the taps for a while.
“One day wouldn’t hurt too
bad, but by the time you hit
three, you’re pretty well done,”
said Lyle. He would have to head
back out to open up all the holes
again and clear out the tubes —
not so easy with 20,000 taps.
There’s not a lot of chatter
about climate change at the
maple conference — producers
aren’t frantic about warming
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climes, and there’s widespread
trust in the innovative tools at
their disposal.
On top of that, said Schuler,
“When we say ‘climate change’
… to a lot of folks, that’s kind of a
dirty word.”
The thing is, “most people,
they’re used to this up and down
variability of the season. That’s
just part of the business,” said
Schuler.
PROJECTIONS
At this point, said Wild, maple
producers are “not equipped to
handle” the threats from pests
especially. Those bugs are com-
ing, and a really bad one could
theoretically wipe out the state’s
maples.
Hamlin, the maple produc-
er in Preble, pondered her own
predictions for the future of her
farm and the maple industry.
She’s a former science teacher,
and her binder of recipes for the
creams, sugar forms and infu-
sions that are popular in her
store looks a lot like pages and
pages of chemistry formulas.
“There’s no question in
my mind that there is climate
change happening,” she said,
but “I think people will find
ways to adapt and make things
work.”
She took a bite out of a scone
slathered in her homemade ma-
ple cream.
“Well, I’m also an optimist.”
–––
Jules Struck writes about life and
culture in and around Syracuse.
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10 • March 2022
Sugarmakers must brave elements for successful season
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
After two years of event can-
cellations, “Maple Weekend”
is back in New York State.
New York Maple Producers
will once again welcome con-
sumers back to explore their
maple houses, sugar shanties,
and enjoy maple-flavored
sweets as they experience the
ins-and-outs of maple pro-
ductions. Events are sched-
uled March 19, 20, 26 and 27.
Traditional maple syrup
producers such as Arcade Cen-
ter Farm, Kirch’s Maple Farm,
Merle Maple LLC, Whispering
Brook Farms, and more will
have open doors for patrons to
visit and learn more about the
sugaring process. For a com-
plete list of maple producers
and events, visit nysmaple.
com.
Sugarmakers across the
state have to follow a strict
timeline to achieve the best
possible outcome each sea-
son. Typically, Maple season
begins on Valentine’s Day,
Feb. 14, and ends in early April.
Though some sugarmakers
start tapping trees a bit earlier
than the start of a typical sea-
son.
“If we have warm weather,
we can make a lot of syrup in
January,” said Greg Zimpfer,
Western New York Delegate
for the New York State Maple
Association.
This year, cold tempera-
tures in January did not allow
for early tapping.
With the start of the sea-
son, sugarmakers through-
out the state have begun tap-
ping trees, collecting sap and
boiling their product. Some
sugarmakers may have better
luck due to their geographic
location. Maple enthusiasts
have endured freezing cold
Tractor Factor
you can keep the sap cold – 28
to 34 degrees or there about –
you can keep it a little longer
before you boil, but generally
when you have enough sap to
boil you need to get it boiled,”
said Zimpfer.
Though veteran sugarmak-
ers have perfected their craft,
nature is still the leading ob-
stacle maple producers may
encounter.
“The biggest one [obsta-
cle] is Mother Nature. Wind
PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
knocking tubing down, ice
Merle Maple, LLC, an Attica-based maple producer, makes a variety of maple and maple sugar
storms damaging everything,
products. Merle Maple will be open during Maple Weekend.
deer and squirrels chewing
holes in tubing. Trying to get
temperatures as they’ve timeline is watch- ple syrup is often explained
trucks through the deep snow
begun tapping maple ing the weather and taught in person during
or mud to pick up sap,” Zimp-
trees in preparation for forecast daily and Maple Weekend by maple
the season, which can of- trying to figure out fer said. “The power going out
producers. Each sugarmaker
ten be a time-consuming when to tap. If you follows a step-by-step pro- and not being able to boil sap,
task leading into the dark have a tubing sys- there are lot of obstacles.”
cess that can be both time and
of the night with snow tem in the woods weather sensitive. –––
and ice as obstacles. you definitely want For more information and a com-
Zimpfer “As soon as you have plete list of maple producers and
“Lewis and Clinton to have it checked
enough sap you want to boil events to help plan a “Maple Week-
counties, along with Wy- over and make any
oming County, make a lot of repairs necessary before the it. Sap has a short shelf life. If end” trip, visit nysmaple.com.
syrup. The main reason, not snow gets here in the fall. Once
wright
The Cart y’s
a lot of development so there winter gets here you definitely
are lots of trees,” said Zimp- want things in place, the snow
fer, of Attica. “You certainly slows everything you do in the
Famil
need to be ready and tapped woods down.”
when the season starts, the The process of making ma-
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First time maple producers prevail through trial and error
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
Ashlee L. Edbauer and her husband, Dave, owners of
Gray Moose Farm, in Corfu, made their first attempt at
maple syrup production last year. The decision made
for a family adventure.
“I have a degree in environmental science, so I have
always found interest in anything nature related, and
while my 8-year-old, Graycee, was at home remote
learning for most of second grade I decided to try and
do a lot of STEM projects with her. Making maple syrup
came to me one morning when I was making her her
usual breakfast request – pancakes – and watching her
smother them in store bought syrup. After explaining
to her the difference in what real maple syrup is versus
what the syrup we are buying from the store is made of, I
was determined to have it be our next project,” said Ash-
lee.
“We had some hiccups when it came time to boil the
sap, not knowing the best set up to do so,” she said. “We
tried an old wood burning stove with a pot of sap on
top but had no luck getting it to boil. So then we tried a
turkey fryer set up and it worked great. But man, what a
labor of love! I spent an entire day each time we would
boil, running outside to check the pot and add more sap
as needed. And then most of the next day finishing it in-
to syrup on the stove in the kitchen.”
As honey producers, the Edbauers have created a
Tractor Factor March 2022 • 11
LABOR OF LOVE
profitable business from honey sales. During their first
attempt at making maple syrup, the couple encoun-
tered a bit more than initially expected.
When asked about the differences between maple
production versus honey production, Ashlee replied:
“Oh, my goodness...everything!
“The bees literally do all the work for you when it
comes to honey. And when they are done they even
‘cap it’ to let you know it’s ready! All we have to do is
extract it into a large bucket, filter it and bottle it up,”
she said. “When it comes to making maple syrup, we
are the worker bees! Every day the buckets need to be
checked, sap collected and refrigerated and when there
is enough, the boiling process starts, we filter it and bot-
tle it up. It’s much more labor intensive I feel, but yet
beekeeping has a whole different set of challenges.”
Gray Moose Farm tapped one large tree last year. This
produced 60 ounces of syrup, which is a little less than a
half gallon.
“…Doesn’t sound like much but considering it takes
about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, we
were very happy with what we ended up with,” said Ash-
lee.
“Bees are a huge investment. Maple syrup was re-
freshing because being so small we were able to do PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
things on a very small budget. I honestly don’t think we Graycee, 8, foreground, taps a maple tree at Gray
Moose Farm, Corfu, while her sister, Gabby, 2,
See MOOSE T13 observes.
12 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

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Water
From T5
from farmland, which significantly de-
creases the likelihood of erosion.
Following Best Management Prac-
tice Systems, Conesus Lake Watershed
projects are in good hands as these
practices have been in used for de-
cades, according to district officials.
“BMPs are simply sound, time prov-
en, economically practices that ad-
dress resource concerns, primarily
erosion and runoff impacting sensi-
tive areas such as wells, streams, lakes.
The planting of a green or living cover
crop to protect the grounds surface
after the main crops is harvested is al-
so a good example of a BMP. Many of
these BMP’s not only protect the envi-
ronment but increase the soils ability
to grow better crops the following year.
A win/win,” said Stryker.
Projects are slated to begin as soon
as the weather permits.
The changes within each project are
considered vital for maintained and
preserving clean water.
“Each practice(s) to be implemented
is the result of identifying a ‘resource
concern.’ Districts across New York
State utilize agricultural environmen-
tal management,” Stryker said. “Re-
sults are pretty much instantly. For
example, visiting a field after a sudden
thunderstorm and seeing a temporary
lake in a field is a pretty good visual.
The water slowly enters the ground and
exists via an underground outlet versus
rushing across and washing away the
topsoil.”
Other projects are slated for Orleans
and Wyoming counties.
In Orleans County, $276,271 was
awarded to Orleans County Soil and
Water Conservation District to work
with five farms in the Oak Orchard
River, Sandy Creek and Johnson Creek
Watersheds. The project will focus on
building healthy soils and promoting
reduced tillage practices, implement
more than 3,600 acres of cover crops
throughout the watersheds, and re-
duce excessive runoff of nutrients and
soil erosion.
In Wyoming County, $36,360 was
award to the Wyoming County Soil and
Water Conservation District to work
with one farm in the Oatka Creek Wa-
tershed. The project will support water
quality in the greater Genesee River
watershed, decrease nutrients from a
concentrated area, and implement a
riparian herbaceous buffer to protect
surface water resources.
Residents can also do their part to
help preserve and maintain water
quality.
“There are several things that the
community can do to preserve clean
water. It is important to note every-
thing that flows from the public sew-
er systems, yards, parking lots, and
roadside ditches in Genesee County
flows to Lake Ontario, which is also the
source of most of our public drinking
water,” Elliott said.
“Don’t flush medications and chem-
icals, these things are difficult to treat
and should be disposed of properly.
Don’t throw trash out of your car win-
dow. Clean up oil and gas spills with an
absorbent material instead of allow-
ing these chemicals to run into storm
drains. Limit or eliminate the fertiliz-
ers used on lawns,” he said. “These are
some of the things that can preserve
our fresh water, which is an essential
but finite resource.”

“I have big plans in my head normally be taken for granted.

Moose for our little funny farm,” said
Ashlee, who enjoyed showing
And the process of maple syrup
was one more of those things.”
From T11 her daughter another example She hopes to continue tap-
of how amazing nature is while ping trees as their hobby farm,
had to spend any money last learning to make maple syrup. and their family, continue to
year besides the propane to boil “…She used to think the ma- grow.
the sap. My husband even made ple colored corn syrup in the “The girls love having a rea-
spiles to tap the tree.” plastic bottle from the grocery son to go hike through the snow
Ashlee said she thought mak- store was maple syrup, and we into the woods after my oldest
ing maple syrup would be a re- got to show her, hands on, from gets home from school each day
laxing break from beekeeping. start-to-finish what maple syr- to collect sap. And then to be
“There are so many things up really is and exactly how it’s able to ride on the four-wheeler
that can go wrong in beekeeping made,” said Ashlee. “We have with their dad to bring the sap
and I assumed maple syrup has learned a lot of things having our back home,” Ashleee said. “ And
to be a breeze in comparison,” own little farm, we raise animals on top of that, it gives me an ex-
she said. “I mean, I just have for meat for our family as well, so cuse to make more waffle and
to let a decades-old tree do its my daughters have learned to pancake breakfasts on week-
thing, no suit to wear or thou- appreciate so much that would ends.”
sands of little creatures to keep
alive.
“But it is just as complicated
in its own way,” she said. “All of
it is based on the weather, the
sap won’t run if the conditions
aren’t exactly right, so you have
no control over how much suc-
cess you will have in a year.”
Ashlee said she gained a lot of
respect for maple producers.
“You think of the places that
tap hundreds of trees each year,
the labor and time they put into
it, and it’s all up to Mother Na-
ture whether they will be suc-
cessful that season or not,” Ash-
lee said. “That is a true labor of
love.”
This year, Grey Moose Farm
tapped five trees.
“We figure we will try to take
on a little more each year and
see how it goes,” sad Ashlee.
Gray Moose Farm is optimis-
tic about its future endeavors.
14 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Dairy Princess program USDA conducting its

to undergo changes in ’22
DAIRY PROMOTION PROGRAM: Removes gender specific titles, welcomes all
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
The Wyoming County Dairy
Princess Program has a new
name for 2022, and has intro-
duced other changes designed
to make it a more inclusive and
welcoming program open to all
individuals who wish to partici-
pate in the pgoram.
The Wyoming County Dairy
Promotion Program will be
open to both young men and
women who may wish to partic-
ipate.
“All gender specific titles
have been removed,” said Jo-
anne P. Schrieber, a committee
member and treasurer for the
Wyoming County Dairy Promo-
tion Program as the program is
now called.
The program’s leaders an-
nounced in December 2021
that there would changes to the
program.
The changes were addressed
after the Board received a letter
from a dairy family stating their
son wanted the chance to have
more participation in the pro-
gram.
“We [Wyoming County Dairy
Promotion Program] fully sup-
port this change and not only
encourage but welcome all in-
dividuals who are interested
in joining our program,” said
Schrieber.
Individuals who choose to
compete in the future will be
be referred to as Dairy Ambas-
sadors, rather than Dairy Prin-
cesses. The Ambassadors’ op-
portunities and responsibilities
remain the same.
Additional changes, made
at the state level by American
Dairy Association North East,
will remove the crown and sash
associated with the program
when an Ambassador reaches
The new Wyoming County Dairy Promotion Program is open
to both young men and young women who wish to be Dairy
Ambassadors.
any males that decide to com-
pete,” said Schrieber.
Dairy Ambassadors have al-
ways been expected to adhere
to a specific dress code. Busi-
ness casual dress and profes-
sional attire is expected. A polo
with the county program em-
blem will be provided for young
males.
“Other than becoming a
gender-inclusive program, the
structure of the program re-
mains unchanged. Candidates
that choose to compete wheth-
er they are male, or female, will
continue to be judged in sev-
eral categories, including per-
formance on dairy knowledge,
personal interviews and pub-
lic speaking capabilities,” said
Schrieber.
The 2022 Wyoming County
Dairy Promotion Program has
started planning for the Dairy
Promotion Competition, slated
for May 15. Any young men or
women who are interested in
the competition and running
for the title of Wyoming County
first agroforestry survey
Data collection began Feb.
1 for the first National Agro-
different ways they manage
valuable agroforestry re-
forestry Survey, which will sources. The data will inform
conclude on April 5. programs and policy to ben-
Agroforesty is a kind of ag- efit both the landowners and
riculture that incorporates farmers as well as the envi-
the cultivation and conserva-
ronment.
tion of trees. The survey is conducted
The U.S. Department of
cooperatively with the USDA
Agriculture describes agro- National Agroforestry Cen-
forestry as the intentional in- ter, which is a partnership
tegration of trees and shrubs between USDA’s Forest Ser-
into crop and animal farming vice and Natural Resources
systems to create environ-
Conservation Service.
mental, economic, and social
The NAC will release the
benefits.
summarized data in studies,
The survey was mailed
PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
to 1,842 farmers in the 11 press releases, and publi-
cations such as highlights.
Northeastern states to gath-
er information on the five Highlights will give an over-
agroforestry practices used view of how agroforestry
Dairy Ambassador should con- for climate, conservation and practices are used in regions
tact the committee at (585) 472- production benefits, includ- across the United States.
5110. Area school districts will ing windbreaks, silvopas- For more information, vis-
be notified of the competition ture, riparian forest buffers, it www.nass.usda.gov/go/
and changes in the near future. alley cropping as well as for- Agroforestry.
“We look forward to working est farming and multi-story Subscribe to Agroforestry
with many new members to our cropping. Connection for new agrofor-
program,” said Schrieber. “In Ag producers will have estry-related publications
the long run, I do feel this will the opportunity to share the and other items of interest.
have a positive impact on the
program. This change will allow
for many more opportunities
for our young men and women
to enhance and develop their
leadership and communication
skills and will allow us [the com-
mittee members] the opportu-
nity to work with a larger popu-
lation of eager promoters.
“In the end, it all comes down
to promoting the dairy industry
and we hope this change will
appeal to a much broader au-
dience both inside and outside
of the dairy industry,” she said.
“With that being said, our ex-
pectation is the security of the
program will only get stronger
and the program itself will grow
much, much larger.”
AGRICULTURAL NEWS

the state level of competition. Real Estate Services

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grams. Wyoming County has Cell: 585.314.7269

decided to keep the crowns Office: 585.343.6750
and sashes and have also estab- Fax: 585.343.8502
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lished a specific dress code for HowardHanna.com

Farmland protection applications underway
LIVINGSTON COUNTY: Program is voluntary and available to eligible farmers
GENESEO – Livingston
County and the Genesee
Valley Conservancy have an-
nounced that the Livingston
County Agricultural & Farm-
land Protection Board will be
accepting pre-applications
from landowners interested
in being considered for the
next New York State Depart-
ment of Agriculture & Mar-
kets Farmland Protection
program. The applications
will also assist in the appli-
cation of other state and
federal farmland protection
initiatives that may become
available in the future.
The Farmland Protection
program buys conservation
easements on the state’s
most productive farmland.
The program is voluntary,
and the seller retains title
to the land and can contin-
ue farming the property.
However, the land will have
permanent restrictions on
commercial, residential and
industrial uses in perpetuity.
To date in Livingston
County, 30 conservation
easements have been com-
pleted protecting more than
12,000 acres through the
State Purchase of Develop-
ment Rights program.
All interested landowners
must meet with the Genesee
Valley Conservancy remote-
ly prior to submitting an ap-
plication.
The pre-application is
available on the Livingston
County website at https://
tinyurl.com/3ss7d43n.
The State PDR program
is a competitive application
that reimburses farmers up
to 87.5% of the value of the
585-548-7407
fax: 585-548-2743 • e-mail: dew99@juno.com
5966 Griswold Road, Byron, NY 14422
Tractor Factor March 2022 • 15
development rights on their vancy at (585) 243-2190, or Markets has not yet been an- or the Livingston Coun-
land. the Livingston County Plan- nounced. ty Planning Department at
The process of choosing ning Department at (585) For more information, (585) 243-7550.
the Livingston County farms 243-7550. contact Matt Halladay at the –––
to be submitted to New The pre-application dead- Genesee Valley Conservancy For more information on
York State will begin with a line is March 23. at (585) 243-2190; the Liv- the New York State Farmland
pre-application. All farmers The full application dead- ingston County Soil and Wa- Protection program, visit
wishing to apply to the State line to the New York State ter Conservation District in https://tinyurl.com/mr39an-
PDR program must complete
Department of Agriculture & Geneseo at (585) 243-0043; rv.
the pre-application. These
will be scored based on a
number of criteria, includ-
ing amount of development
pressure, quality of soils to
be protected, and farm via-
bility.
The highest scoring
pre-applications will be in-
vited to have full applica-
tions submitted to the pro-
gram. The pre-applications
may be used to select eligible
farms for other future state
and federal farmland protec-
tion programs.
The Livingston County
Planning Department, the
Genesee Valley Conservan-
cy, and the Livingston Coun-
ty Soil and Water Conserva-
tion District in Geneseo work
cooperatively to manage the
pre-application phase.
Prior to submitting the
pre-application, farmers
must meet all eligibility re-
quirements as specified on
the pre-application. Eligi-
bility requirements include
having at least 50% USDA
Prime Soils, Prime if drained,
or Soils of Statewide Impor-
tance; being in good stand-
ing with local tax authorities;
attending a mandatory virtu-
al pre-application workshop,
and other requirements.
To obtain paper copies of
the pre-application, contact
the Genesee Valley Conser-
16 • March 2022 Tractor Factor