Newsletter, Adirondack North Country Association

ANCA has joined with the Adirondack Research Consortium and other interested organizations to identify immediate and long-term information needs for the Adirondack Park. The effort began with a workshop on November 29 last year at the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretative Center in Newcomb, NY, attended by over 50 local government officials, State and County staff, professional land managers, academic researchers, and not-for-profit representatives. Goals for the workshop were to bring regional and local decision-makers together to launch an ambitious, ongoing effort that will: Read more...

ANCA Director in Washington, D.C.

Pictured from right, Terry Martino, Executive Director Adirondack North Country Association with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, and Sylvie Nelson, left, Executive Director Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce

On May 10 – 11, 2007 Terry Martino, Executive Director of the Adirondack North Country Association, participated in the New York Delegation that attended the New York / North Country Day in Washington, D.C. The delegation was led by Garry Douglass, Executive Director of the North Country Chamber and included thirteen members representing North Country interests and crossborder issues. Members participated in the New York Day Legislative Breakfast Forum where Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton provided comments about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the need for the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax, and discussions for a national Energy Policy. The senators were joined by Derek Douglas, Director of the NYS Office of Federal Affairs who discussed the goals of Governor Spitzer in partnering with New York businesses and communities. Read more...

Energy and ANCA

Energy of course is a topic on most everyone’s mind these days. Not just because of rising gasoline prices, but also due to concerns over global climate change, foreign oil dependencies, and the like. So what is an appropriate ANCA response? How can ANCA help North Country communities deal with such matters, especially their impact on community growth and development? What alternative technologies (wind power, biomass conversion, etc.) and energy conservation measures make most sense for the region, and how should ANCA proceed, if at all, with respect to such options? Read more...

Adirondack Club and Resort Project

ANCA’s Board of Directors responded to the Adirondack Club and Resort Project and forwarded correspondence to the Adirondack Park Agency by the January 19, 2007 deadline date for public commentary. In the correspondence, ANCA stated, "It is our hope that the Agency will continue to conduct a thorough review of the project to ensure that the environmental, economic and community impacts and potential of the project are clearly presented." Additionally the correspondence noted, "We believe the project represents a significant opportunity for Tupper Lake residents and businesses." ANCA staff also prepared a corresponding Issue Assessment that provided information on the following: Project Description, Governmental Reviews, Position of Other Organizations, Questions about the Overall Scope and Impact of the Project, Public Meetings—Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, New York, and ANCA Staff Review. Read more...

State Plan for Snowmobiles Reviewed Again by ANCA

Following considerable public comment, a number of focus group discussions, and many months since issuance of a draft plan, the Snowmobile Plan for the Adirondack Park/Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement was released jointly in October, 2006, by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Read more...

New 2007 Scenic Byway Program Grant Funding Applications

In support of North Country towns, villages and cities ANCA has prepared and submitted 7 grant applications to the NYS Department of Transportation for a variety of byway community projects. If funded, the projects will support the local and regional economies by increasing visitation and tourism spending in communities along the thirteen Byway routes in ANCA’s fourteen country service area; contribute to community development; and help to steward the natural, recreational, historical and cultural resources that draw people to the North Country Region. Read more...

Grass Fed Dairy Conference and Workshop

"I didn’t tell my husband that I was coming here," admits one conference attendee at Stockman Grassfarmer’s 100% Grassfed Dairy Conference in Harrisburg, PA. She joined a brave group of farmers that are starting to explore other options for dairying. Over 100 farmers from all over the country attended this conference to share knowledge and explore new options in dairy farming. Four farmers from the Adirondack North Country region attended through funding from the Northern New York Farmer’s Partnership, a grass- based farmer group funded by Heifer International and facilitated by ANCA. Read more...

Dairy Value–Added Workshop

Twenty–five farmers gathered at the Dairy Value–Added Workshop on February 10, 2007 to learn more about on-farm processing of milk. ANCA and CCE of Franklin County sponsored the event. Bernard Cheney, NYC Ag & Markets Dairy Product Specialist, spoke to the group about the rules and regulations of selling raw milk on-farm and making yogurt, butter and cheese on farm. Mr. Cheney just moved back to the Potsdam area and is inspecting farms that are applying for their on-farm processing permits in Franklin, St. Lawrence and Essex counties. Read more...

Adirondack Country Association Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Adirondack North Country Association Board of Directors was held on November 30, 2006, at the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake. During the business meeting, Kenneth Parker, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the members of the Board with the Slate of Officers for re-election, re-appointment, and nominations for the coming year. The Board cast one vote to accept the entire list as presented and passed the presentation unanimously. Read more...

ANCA Attends National Craft Conference

ANCA’s Craft Programs Coordinator attended the Craft Organization Directors Association’s (CODA) annual conference in Portland, Oregon in June, 2006. Nadia Korths’ three minute Powerpoint presentation to the full room of 90+ conference attendees summarized the highlights of the Best Practices Marketing Toolkit Report ... Read more...

Regional Product Promotional Materials Now Available

The Adirondack North Country Association recognizes the economic strength in promoting regional self sustainability with the development and use of regional product promotional materials. By utilizing this theme, we can collectively create greater visibility and awareness for Adirondack North Country products than most of us could achieve individually. Read more...

Grazing Program Coordinator in Switzerland

This morning broke wet and cold. There is no electricity on the Alp and the window to our hostel is steamed up from 18 weary travelers. I fumble for my watch in the early morning light, most people are asleep, watching cows get milked is not that exciting to them. Three of us are awake and ready to brave the weather, though. As we step outside I can hear the thunder of water from across the valley but the magnificent glacier that rose above us yesterday is lost in the clouds. Read more...