Episodes
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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In the first episode of 2024 we talk with Jeff Williams, New York Farm Bureau's Director of Public Policy. Jeff outlines the key issues facing NY agriculture this year and how the Farm Bureau is working to support farmers statewide.
Through lobbying efforts, community outreach across NY, and engagement initiatives, the Farm Bureau gives farmers a voice in policymaking. Jeff provides insider expertise on the most pressing policy challenges and how all of us can get involved to drive progress.
This is a must-listen episode for anyone who cares about the future of New York agriculture!
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In this episode of News Bytes, we dive into the interactive war game that will take place at the upcoming New York Farm Bureau State Convention on December 4-6 in Tarrytown. We speak with Danielle Cummins and Ken Gilliam of Aimpoint Research about how they will lead convention attendees through this unique business strategy exercise.
The war game will present members with scenarios and challenges facing New York agriculture. Participants will work together to brainstorm solutions, think creatively, and take action through simulated decision-making. The goal is to uncover new opportunities and position farms for future success. Danielle and Ken explain how the interactive format will engage members and get them networking and collaborating.
The convention will also feature workshops, speakers, networking events, and the annual meeting. Learn more about the event and register to attend at https://staycon.nyfb.org. Join us for an unconventional convention experience!
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In this week's episode we hear directly from New York farmers on why the Farm Bill matters. Judi Whittaker, Barb Hanselman, and David Fisher share how key programs in the legislation like crop insurance, conservation funding, and nutrition assistance support agriculture and food security across America.
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Did you know that farm owners are legally responsible for providing workers' compensation insurance for all employees, even when using farm labor contractors? The Advocate for Business at the New York State Workers Compensation Board, Anthony Tomaselli, joins us to share insights on farm workplace safety and insurance requirements. Tomaselli addresses common issues like insurance coverage when using farm labor contractors and offers clear direction on legal obligations, filing timely injury claims, maintaining detailed records, and avoiding lapses in required coverage.He stresses the importance of actively engaging workers to identify and mitigate hazards and provides tips for implementing safety plans, shopping insurance rates, and more.
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In this episode, we talk with American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall during his visit to Western New York. In this episode, President Duvall shares insights from his conversations with local farmers about their issues, including natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. As a third-generation farmer, Duvall understands firsthand the challenges farmers are up against. Tune in to hear Duvall's perspective on agriculture today and what lies ahead as he continues to be a leading voice for American farmers and ranchers.
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Strategic planning is critical for any organization to thrive in an ever-changing world. To gain insight into developing an effective strategic plan, we recently sat down with Mike Carter, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Strategy at Nationwide Insurance. Carter, who helped guide the Farm Bureau through its own strategic planning process, shared his expertise at the organization's Agricultural Summit in Syracuse. In this podcast episode, Carter explains what strategic planning entails, why it's important, and how to approach the process. Tune in to hear practical tips that any organization can apply to position itself for future success.
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In this episode, we visit the Bittner Singer Orchards in western New York.This 400 acre orchard grows delicious stone fruits like cherries, peaches and nectarines. The day we toured, workers were picking regina cherries, whose sweet-tart flavor right off the tree makes them a favorite.Picking delicate fruit quickly and carefully is skilled labor. Most workers are Mexican migrants who join the farm each summer through the federal H-2A guest worker program. This involves considerable time and expense for the farm owner.These seasonal laborers are vital for getting summer fruit from orchard to market. We talk with the Jim Bittner about life on the fruit farm and what it takes to make fruit farming a reality.
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In this episode, we talk with Cristian Gilcess, a young agricultural enthusiast from Queens, New York. Despite growing up in an urban environment, Cristian developed a passion for agriculture through his high school's agricultural program and his involvement in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter. We talk about Cristian's agricultural journey, his experiences as a state FFA officer, and his aspirations to pursue a career in agriculture policy. We touch upon the growing interest among young people in agriculture and the need to expand the understanding of agriculture beyond traditional farming. The episode highlights the exciting opportunities that exist in the agriculture industry and the enthusiasm of the next generation in shaping its future.
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In this week's episode we chat about the end of the legislative session in the state of New York, specifically the bills that impact farmers across the state. Our repeat guest, Jeff Williams, the Director of Public Policy at the New York Farm Bureau, provides valuable insights into the implications of these bills and the dynamic legislative process. This episode breaks down the essential details that will shape the agricultural landscape in New York and offers perspective on the implications for the future of agriculture in the state.
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In today's episode we speak with dairy farmer and registered dietitian Abigail Copenhaver about the tasty benefits of dairy. Get ready for an insightful discussion on the benefits of chocolate milk, why lactose milk is often sweeter, and how dairy plays a crucial role in athletic recovery. Tune in and discover the secrets of this delicious and nutritious beverage during this special month dedicated to all things dairy.
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Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the Farm Bill, a significant legislation that provides essential funding for USDA programs supporting farmers and national food assistance initiatives. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Williams, the Deputy Director of Public Policy and National Affairs Director at New York Farm Bureau to better understand the crucial role the Farm Bill plays in shaping agriculture and its impact on communities, particularly in New York. Whether you're a farmer, a policymaker, or simply interested in the agricultural landscape, this episode sheds light on why the Farm Bill should matter to everyone.
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Join chef and owner of The Marshal, Charlie Marshal, as he takes us on a captivating journey through New York's thriving wine industry. Discover the exceptional flavors and varietals that have propelled New York wines to national acclaim, and gain insights into the challenges faced by a restaurant owner in New York City. Tune in and raise a glass to the vibrant promising future of New York's wine scene.
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