In this episode of New York Farm Bureau News Bytes, we sit down with Deanna Fox, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the organization. Deanna shares her personal connection to agriculture and discusses her vision for leading the New York Farm Bureau. With a background in journalism, public affairs, and communications, Deanna brings a unique perspective to the role. She emphasizes the importance of listening to members, advocating for policies that support New York agriculture, and inspiring the next generation of farmers. Deanna also highlights the value of Farm Bureau membership, which extends beyond advocacy to include networking opportunities and resources. She encourages members to engage with the organization and share their ideas and concerns.

In this episode, we talk with Phillip Grant, CEO of the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx. Hunts Point is one of the largest produce distribution hubs in the world, feeding millions of people daily in New York City and the surrounding region.

Phillip discusses the inner workings of this massive market, including how produce comes from farmers across New York state, the U.S., and 49 other countries. He shares details about the market's $600 million redevelopment plan to expand capacity by 30% and make it easier for local farmers to get their products into the New York metro area.

The conversation highlights the importance of the relationship between the market and New York's agricultural community. Phillip emphasizes his efforts to strengthen ties with farmers and NY Farm Bureau as the revitalized Hunts Point aims to increase its share of locally-grown produce from the current 10% level.

In this episode of the News Bytes podcast, Kristen Almer, from the Ride Safe Foundation, shares her nephew Logan's heartbreaking story - how in just 3 minutes, the 11-year-old's life was tragically cut short in an ATV accident.

She has worked in motorsports industry for three decades and understands why safety is paramount. Her emotional recounting, paired with staggering statistics on child fatalities, will make you re-think where you keep your ATV's key.

Kristen reveals the common hazards that lead to these preventable tragedies and simple steps ALL parents and farmers must take to keep loved ones safe around these vehicles.

0:00 - Intro and overview of ATV safety issue

2:15 - Kristen Ulmer's background in motorsports industry

4:40 - The tragic story of Kristen's nephew Logan's fatal ATV accident

11:20 - Sobering statistics on child ATV fatalities and injuries

15:50 - Common factors in child ATV accidents (no helmets, improper machine size, rollovers, etc.)

22:15 - Safety precautions - securing keys, safety gear, training, not riding alone

27:40 - The mission of the Ride Safe Foundation

31:05 - Partnering with Nationwide Insurance to promote ATV safety education

33:20 - How listeners can get involved and access safety resources

36:00 - Kristen's passionate call-to-action to prioritize ATV safety

38:20 - Concluding thoughts and outro

In this episode of the NYFB News Bytes Podcast we explore the highly successful Taste New York program. We sit down with Jessica Henesy from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to discuss how Taste NY has grown over its 10 years to promote New York's diverse agricultural products.

Learn about the program's $100 million economic impact by connecting consumers to local farms and food businesses. Jessica shares inspiring success stories and highlights plans for Taste NY to further support producers through resources like product development and marketing.

In this episode, we, talk with Jared Buono, Director of the Hudson Valley Research Lab and the critical role that agricultural research plays in helping farmers adopt new technologies, methods, and practices to improve sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.

Buono provides insights into the lab's work on addressing issues like invasive species, plant diseases, and the impacts of climate change. He also highlights exciting projects like integrating solar panels into apple orchards and developing new crop varieties suited for the region's conditions.

This fascinating conversation underscores the importance of continued investment in agricultural research to drive innovation and ensure a viable food system for New York and beyond.

In this episode we interview Kymara Lonergan, owner of Thunder Horse Hollow Farm in Ulster County, New York. Kymara shares her unique story of raising emu, the large flightless birds that are cousins of the ostrich. She discusses how she got started farming emu, inspired by her family's agricultural roots in Connecticut. Kamara provides insights into emu behaviors, their diet, housing needs, challenges of raising them in New York's climate, and the growing market for emu meat and oil products. She highlights the benefits of emu oil for skin care and how farms can diversify into emu farming. Kamara also talks about the role of New York Farm Bureau in supporting her farm, lobbying efforts, and promoting education around niche livestock farming. It's a fascinating look at a lesser-known but promising aspect of New York agriculture.

Outline:

On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamps to jump to that time.

(00:00) - Intro to Thunder Horse Hollow Farm

(01:13) - Kamara's Agricultural Roots

(02:59) - The Allure of Emu Farming

(04:39) - Getting Started with Emus

(07:32) - Emu Behavior & Care

(12:46) - The Benefits of Emu Products

(16:36) - Challenges of Emu Farming

(23:23) - The Importance of Agricultural Education

(28:37) - Farm Bureau's Support

(33:48) - Advice for Prospective Emu Farmers

(35:55) - Outro & Contact Info

In this episode we talk with Eileen Jensen about her experience participating in the American Farm Bureau Federation's Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) program.

Jensen shares how the intensive two-year program challenged and equipped her to be a more confident communicator and advocate for agriculture. From hands-on media training in New York City to learning about policy development in Washington D.C. and stakeholder engagement in Missouri, the PAL program provided Jensen a national network of agriculture advocates while strengthening her skills in public speaking, writing, and telling her personal story.

Jensen enthusiastically recommends the program to others looking to elevate their advocacy efforts and highlights the upcoming March 25th application deadline for the next PAL class.

https://www.fb.org/initiative/pal-partners-in-advocacy-leadership - Learn more about PAL

In this candid interview, Olivia Fuller, a fourth-generation farmer from Washington County, New York, shares her personal experience of transitioning Fuller Acres, a diversified beef and maple farm, from her father to herself. Olivia discusses the emotional and logistical challenges she and her family faced during the multi-year process, including navigating conversations around the farm's future, diversifying operations, and ultimately transferring ownership. She highlights the importance of open communication, trust, and respecting the legacy of the senior generation while also honoring their vision. Olivia's story provides valuable insights and lessons for farm families considering generational transitions, emphasizing the need for patience, perseverance, and a shared commitment to keeping the farm in operation.