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2007 Annual Report
Working Landscapes
ANCA focuses on using the wealth of the region’s "green infrastructure" for the economic and environmental benefits it provides. The region’s working landscapes are the heart of the regional economy, whether it is the agriculture or forest products industries, or the wilderness landscape and its draw of tourism for recreation. ANCA’s program highlights in Agriculture and Natural Resources are as follows:
Agriculture:
- ANCA staff provided follow-up and technical assistance support to the twenty-five producers who received grazing plans during the 2005/2006 GLCI/ANCA contract period.
- ANCA staff implemented an outreach plan that resulted in the development of nineteen grazing plans during the 2006/2007 contract period with GLCI. Nineteen grazing plans have been completed to date.
- ANCA received a 2007/08 funding award from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service for $53,150 toward year-nine of a funding partnership with GLCI. $10,000 in funding has been targeted toward a Memorandum of Agreement with the Oneida County Soil Water Conservation District for contracted services in the counties of Oneida, Herkimer, Oswego, and Jefferson.
- ANCA staff prepared a Gearing up for Spring 2007 newsletter that was distributed to 55 producers who have benefited from grazing plans and/or involvement with Heifer International.
- Staff participated in the Weston A. Price Foundation Adirondack Chapter Meeting with attendance at monthly meetings in Lake Clear. The Foundation is dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism. ANCA’s involvement in the local chapter has resulted in increased communication between producers and interested consumers.
- ANCA hosted a Value-Added Grass Based Dairy Products Workshop in Malone on February 10 with 25 attendees in partnership with the Franklin County Cooperative Extension. The program addressed the interests of local producers in selling raw milk on farm as well as producing and selling cheese, butter and yogurt. The program included a presentation from Bernard Cheney, Ag and Markets Dairy Specialist, and Tom and Denise Warren of Stone and Thistle Farm.
- ANCA continued a working partnership with Heifer International and hosted a Northern New York Farmer’s Partnership Project Self-Review and Fundraiser on March 3, 2007 in Canton. The full-day meeting was led by Heifer Project representative, Aley Kent, to assess the progress of the group and reevaluate project goals for the future. The partnership consists of a core group of small to medium-scale farmers working together to create opportunities for small farmers.
- ANCA, the Farmer’s Partnership and Gardenshare will partner in the development of a local food guide that will include information from ANCA’s North Country Meat Directory. The information will be posted at Gardenshare’s website. The website will support ANCA’s goal to develop producer/buyer networks to encourage local purchases of food.
- ANCA staff presented at the Agriculture Council of Chenango County on March 30 and provided an overview of Swiss dairy operations.
- ANCA staff worked with the Northern New York Farmers Partnership and provided funding to the SUNY-Potsdam GRUB Event featuring Anne Lappe and Bryant Terry, authors of Grub, on April 18.
- ANCA staff presented at the Watershed Coalition in Westport on April 19 and discussed ANCA’s Agriculture Program.
- ANCA coordinated a Pasturewalk and Heifer Project quarterly business meeting on April 28 that was attended by fourteen producers.
- ANCA hosted a Farm to Table Luncheon on May 17 following the Board of Directors’ meeting at The Lodge at Lake Clear. The afternoon Rebuilding of the Farming Community Forum: An Overview of Heifer Project International featured Aley Kent, Field Coordinator from Heifer Project International. The luncheon included commentary from Cathy Hohmeyer, co-owner and chef of The Lodge about the local food preparation and the goals of The Lodge to offer a monthly dinner showcasing local foods.
- Staff met with Susan Fuller on April 24 to discuss the potential involvement of ANCA in regional agriculture planning through ANCA hosting a series of forums.
- ANCA staff attended a May 24 pasture walk that was hosted by the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension.
- ANCA provided a Board of Directors’ resolution in support of increased funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative to representatives of our federal legislative delegation.
- ANCA hosted a pasture walk on June 3 in Heuvelton that was attended by thirty participants.
- ANCA staff worked with staff from the Adirondack Sustainable Communities in the development of a proposal for a working educational and research farm at the Heaven Hill Farm that is owned by the Uihlein Foundation in Lake Placid.
- ANCA staff attended a September 14 Harvest Dinner that was hosted by Garden Share. The agenda focused on the Vermont Fresh network and the goal to start a similar campaign in the Adirondack North Country.
- ANCA staff attended a September 19 pasture walk hosted by the Oneida County Soil Water and Conservation District. Staff had the opportunity to meet with the contractor who will be implementing the Memorandum of Agreement with ANCA during 2007/08.
- ANCA staff discussed agricultural planning needs with Susan Fuller and scheduled a Sustainable Agriculture session for December 11.
- ANCA staff attended a Heifer International Meeting on October 13 in Brasher Falls to discuss the organizational structure of the Northern New York Farmers’ Partnership.
- ANCA staff spoke on November 3 at the Beginner Farmer Course hosted by Cooperative Extension at Paul Smith’s College.
- ANCA staff spoke on November 6 at the Franklin County Beef Group.
Wood Products Industry Development Project:
- Staff provided support to the Black River/St. Lawrence RC & D through involvement with their Forestry Committee.
- ANCA participated as a project partner with the NYSDEC in their successful application for $64,000 in funding for a Woody Biomass Alternative Energy Education and Technical Assistance for Public Facilities in the Fourteen County Adirondack North Country Region of New York State project. Funding was awarded by the USDA Forest Service. ANCA staff attended a meeting that DEC hosted at ANCA on September 13. The project will involve outreach to large institutions and facilities in the ANCA region and workshops. Ten facilities will be identified to participate in prefeasibility analyses to further the potential of biomass development in the region.
- ANCA staff and Holmes and Associates finalized work on a $99,017 competitive grant through the USDA Forest Service in the rewrite of a national marketing publication that will highlight trends in internet marketing, networking and best practices. ANCA staff worked on the research of national case studies calling upon individual marketing specialists from companies, utilization and marketing foresters, and trade associations to secure marketing case studies that were either successful or unsuccessful for illustrations in the marketing manual.
- ANCA staff addressed company planning needs in the areas of internet marketing opportunities, training, and production analysis. The resource information will be a valuable component to the new marketing guide.
- ANCA staff worked with Lewis County in the development of an economic analysis and business plan for the production of green fuel.
- Staff continued involvement in the Woodsmen Field Days Corporation in Boonville and provided assistance with monthly meetings, technical seminars and the inside exhibits. Staff participated in the August event.
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