Farmers Discuss Energy
Farmers Discuss Energy Saving Practices
December 19, 2008 – The Adirondack North Country Association hosted its Ag Energy Workshop and Annual Meeting on October 30, 2008 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Chateaugay, NY. The Ag Energy Workshop featured Commissioner Patrick Hooker, NYS Department of Ag and Markets as keynote speaker. The ANCA Board of Directors’ Meeting took place after the Ag Workshop, and in the annual reappointment of officers and appointment of new directors, Howard Lowe of Clinton County was appointed to the Board. Don Caldera of Lake Placid will continue as President of the Board.
ANCA’s Executive Director, Terry Martino, opened the workshop meeting and thanked the Franklin County Legislature for their support of the Ag Energy Workshop in recognition of the county’s bicentennial. She said the program was timely in that energy is a big factor in whether farm operations are profitable and there are increasing concerns about the cost and availability of energy and fuel. She said the program continues ANCA’s partnership with the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Heifer Project International and the Cooperative Extensions while making it possible for North Country farmers to hear from Commissioner Patrick Hooker.
The morning program began with a presentation about Your Energy Dollars—Where Have They Gone? provided by Richard Gast, Ag Program Assistant, Franklin County Cooperative Extension. Following the discussion about the main areas of energy waste on farm operations, the workshop included three panel discussions: Improve Energy Efficiency, Reduce Use, Save Money moderated by Kirby Selkirk co-owner of Kirbside Gardens in Chateaugay and manager of the Chateaugay Farmers Market; Farm to Save Energy, Curb Pollution, moderated by Martha Pickard, ANCA Grazing Program Coordinator; and Tomorrow—Generate Energy You Can Use on Your Farm, moderated by Bernadette Logazar, Ag Team Coordinator/Rural and Ag Economic Development for Franklin County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Panel presenters included Scott Shipley who spoke of farm energy audits, net metering and a new law that makes commercial net metering possible. Bob Zufall, an organic dairy farm owner in Lisbon, NY explained how an energy audit prompted him to update barn lighting for energy efficiency and cost savings and also discussed rotational grazing. Ralph Child, owner of Childstock Farms in Malone, a large-scale vegetable and potato farm, told how upgrading machinery and equipment enabled him to reduce diesel and electric costs. Don Tetreault, a dairy farmer from Champlain, discussed how he was able to utilize design to improve efficiency to increase milk production. Jo Ellen Saumier from Adirondack Farmers Market and Chateaugay Farmers Market advocated direct marketing as a means to significant cost savings. Tom Both of Adirondack Harvest described high quality food choices that Farmers Markets provide to the consumer and the value in making local food purchases.
Kimberly Richey of White Stone Farm in Chateaugay discussed her energy efficiency savings in the operation of a 230 acre farm on which she raises sheep, grass-fed beef and lamb. Fred Tuttle, an organic dairy farmer discussed no-till seeding and drilling in undisturbed soil which saves fuel by 1/3 and reduces carbon release. Bill LaPoint, Forest Manager, stressed that forest management must be practiced in order to bring about good growth, continued harvests and carbon sequestration. Mike Farrell of Cornell Sugar Maple Research and Extension Program said that syrup production is a very energy intensive production and that processes such as reverse osmosis can make operations more economical.
Bill McKently, owner of St. Lawrence Nurseries in Potsdam, operator of a large home windmill, said the three best alternatives to the inconsistencies of wind power are solar hot water, photo voltaic cells and cooling using outside air. Bruce Bonesteel, owner and operator of Bonesteel’s Gardening Center in North Bangor discussed the use of solar energy and design in his greenhouses. Jon Greenwood, owner of Greenwoods Dairy Farm in Potsdam and co-chair of the northern NY Agricultural Development, discussed methane digesters. Michelle Ledoux, Executive Director of Lewis County Cornell Co-op Extension and an ANCA Director, spoke about a Community Digester Project taking place in Lowville. John Lawrence, operator of a 50-cow family-run dairy farm in Jefferson County, discussed the use of biofuels and how he uses a hay burning stove.
The presenters told of their own experiences and provided information on how to improve energy efficiency, the benefits of on-farm energy site assessments, how to reduce energy usage, curb pollution, upgrade machinery and equipment, save money, and the pros of generating energy on the farm using wind, solar, fuel from animal and plant waste, geothermal and bio-fuels. Crop diversification, net metering, forest management and locally grown foods were also topics of discussion. In combination the speakers provided a farmer-to-farmer network that is increasingly important in ensuring the development of effective energy saving strategies.
During his keynote address Commissioner Patrick Hooker emphasized the importance of an aggressive agriculture program in New York State especially in the North Country. He commended ANCA for addressing energy which he said is an overwhelmingly important topic for farmers. Hooker emphasized it will be important to cut costs for producers with renewable energy and energy efficiency. He recommended on-farm energy audits and discussed the need to maintain the Upstate Ag Development Fund with a component for energy. He reviewed renewable energy options and said there is evaluation of the cellulosic uses of grasses, fast growing willow and low grade wood. He emphasized sustainable technologies while engaging research from New York’s schools, research centers and organizations.
Commissioner Hooker’s commentary was strong evidence of his commitment to the agricultural industry in New York State. His remarks were well received and generated considerable discussion. The audience was particularly interested in his view of how local food production is a vital component of national security. He said that a decade ago no one was talking about local food, and now there is an increased emphasis on “Buy Local.”
Following the workshop, the Adirondack North Country Association Board of Directors convened for the Annual Meeting and election of officers. The following slate of officers was presented to the Board of Directors for the vote: Donald L. Caldera, President; Paul M. Cantwell, Jr. Vice President; Dale G. Brown, Treasurer; Ross Whaley, Secretary; Richard R. Bird, Central Region Vice President; Stephen M. Erman, Northern Region Vice President; Kenneth W. Parker, Southeastern Region Vice President; John Bartow, Western Region Vice President. The following directors were re-appointed to the Board: Richard Burns, St. Lawrence County; Bruce Ferguson, Washington County; Jonathan MacAbee, Franklin County; Ronald Ofner, Essex County; Arnie Talgo, Oneida County.
Howard Lowe was elected to the ANCA Board representing Clinton County. Mr. Lowe is the Director of Economic Development at Plattsburgh State University, Plattsburgh, New York, where he has headed the Technical Assistance Center (TAC), since June 2002. In the broadcasting industry for over 30 years, with positions at the CBS and PBS affiliates in Boston, Mr. Lowe served as a senior manager with public television and radio stations in Sacramento, Long Island, Omaha, and finally Plattsburgh, New York, where he was president of the PBS station. Mr. Lowe’s expertise in project management, telecommunications including CBN (Community Broadband Network), fund raising, media content production, marketing, and economic development makes him a valuable addition to the ANCA Board of Directors.
ANCA is committed to economically viable communities and a rural quality of life. For more information about ANCA visit www.adirondack.org or call 518-891-6200.