Spring 2022

The
TRACTOR
FACTOR
Inside this issue:

Cartwright’s Maple Inn

celebrates 60 years!
See Page 7
Gearing up for
Maple Weekend
Does climate change See Page 10
affect maple production?
See Pages 8&9

AGRICULTURAL NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE GLOW REGION

2 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Lawmakers approve cannabis cultivation

LEGISLATURE: Bill, awaitig governor’s signature, would allow state to begin issueing temporary licenses to hemp farmers
By Sean Teehan use cannabis licenses in spring
syracuse.com of 2023.
(TNS) – A bill that will allow If Gov. Kathy Hochul signs
New York cannabis farmers to the new legislation, condition-
start planting recreational-use al licenses would allow licens-
marijuana this year is headed ees to immediately begin
to Gov. Hochul’s desk, after growing cannabis outdoors
both houses of New York’s or in a greenhouse with up to
state legislature approved it. 20 artificial lights. Processors
If signed, the legislation who receive temporary licens-
would allow the state to im- es could start manufacturing
mediately begin issuing tem- and distributing adult-use
porary adult-use cannabis cannabis products. Provi-
cultivation licenses to hemp sional license holders would
farmers that have grown and have to apply for full licenses
harvested hemp (another form by June 1, and the temporary
of cannabis) for at least two of licenses would expire June 30,
the past four years. It also au- 2024.
thorizes the state to grant tem- The bill also instructs OCM
porary licenses to adult-use to set requirements for pro-
cannabis processors. visional license holders to
“This [legislation] will help participate in a mentorship
secure enough safe, regulat- program to train social equity
ed, and environmentally con- applicants interested in can-
scious cannabis products to nabis cultivation or process-
meet the demand of the adult- ing. That program has yet to be
use cannabis market when re- fleshed out.
N. SCOTT TRIMBLE/SYRACUSE.COM
tail dispensaries open,” state After the state Senate
Farmworkers trim hemp plants after harvest at Main Street Farms in Cortland, Cortland County, on
Assembly Majority Leader passed the bill in a 50-13 vote
Sept. 21, 2021.
Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who on Feb. 15, state Sen. Michelle
sponsored the bill, said in a ket. Advocates for provisional tions for full licensing in late Cannabis Control Board Chair Hinchey touted the legisla-
statement Feb. 16 after a 99- licensing also say it’s neces- winter or early spring, and all Tremaine Wright has said CCB
43 Assembly vote passed the See HEMP T4
sary to ensure dispensaries proposed regulations by May. will likely begin issuing adult-
measure.
that open will have products
According to the legislation,
to sell.
the state needs to start allow-
ing some farmers and proces-
sors to start operations in or-
Office of Cannabis Manage-
ment Executive Director Chris
Time for a New Roof This Spring?
der to speed up establishment Alexander said OCM plans on
of the adult-use cannabis mar- releasing some draft regula- SNOW & ICE REMOVAL We are ready anytime!
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 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 3

Medina teacher nominated for Ag Educator of the Year

MEDINA — An agriculture
teacher and Future Farmers of Ag teacher donates
America advisor at Medina high hair to Wigs 4 Kids
school has received a big honor.
Todd Eick is been named Medina High School Agriculture
a finalist for the 2021 to 2022 teacher/FFA advisor Todd Eick had
Ag Educator of the Year honor been rocking shoulder length hair
through Nationwide’s Golden for quite a while this school year.
He had shaved his head for near-
Owl Award. He was present- ly 13 years, but that stopped when
ed with a $500 cash prize and the pandemic shut down hair sa-
plaque on Feb. 8 in front of ad- lons. His last hair cut had been Feb.
ministrators, fellow teachers 4, 2020, until recently.
“My kids convinced me just to let
and students. it grow out,” he said. “So I decided
He will then have the chance if I was going to do that, I would see
to be crowned as New York’s Ag if I could donate it to Wigs 4 Kids.”
Educator of the Year in May and Wigs 4 Kids serves children suf-
fering from hair loss from a health
receive $3,000 to help fund fu- crisis and helps to boost their
ture educational efforts. self-image and self-esteem.
Eick is among 11 finalists Originally, FFA alum and hairstyl-
from dozens nominated across ist Tori Grimes was going to come
to school Feb. 4 and cut Eick’s hair
the statewide. for his donation, allowing current
The Golden Owl Award rec- students and his leadership team
ognizes agriculture educators to take part. “I wanted to do this in
and the critical role they play in school with the students because
SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPH one piece of our FFA motto is ‘Liv-
preparing future generations Teacher Todd Eick, right, is honored by students, staff and officials after being named a finalist for ing to Serve.’ I thought this was a
for success. Nationwide estab- Ag Educator of the Year through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award. great opportunity to practice what I
lished the award to honor the preach,” Eick says.
contributions of teachers and Trophy and be recognized as Ag recognize these selfless public FFA Leadership Training Foun- Feb. 4 was a snow day, but Eick
Educator of the Year. went through with his plan anyway,
support them with additional servants for their many contri- dation, in conjunction with the meeting Grimes at Mera Hair Co.,
resources to assist their contin- “As a company with deep butions to help prepare the next Golden Owl Award, to further the salon where she works. Eick
ued educational efforts. roots in agriculture, Nation- generation of leaders.” support the personal and pro- was joined by his daughter, a cur-
wide recognizes the essential rent member of FFA, and his son,
The nomination is Mr. Eick’s Nationwide is also donating fessional growth of students, the incoming FFA president.
second consecutive Golden role agricultural teachers play $5,000 to the New York State teachers and advisors.
Owl award. in their communities and for
The New York FFA will select the future of the industry,” said Mon.-Fri. 7am-5pm, Sat. 8am-12pm
one winner from all the nom- Brad Liggett, President of Agri-
inees statewide for the grand business at Nationwide, in a
prize. The winner will also re- news release. “We’re proud
ceive the Golden Owl Award to work with the state FFAs to

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4 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Gandelman said provision-

Hemp ally licensed hemp farmers
could start growing cannabis USDA hemp survey sets benchmark in NY
From T2 for the adult-use market in
The U.S Department of Agri- 310 acres. erol, (CBG), cannabinol (CBN),
time for this year’s growing culture’s National Agricultural Nationally, the planted ar- or other phytocannabinoids.
tion’s ability to speed up the season, which could allow Statistics Service recently re- ea for all utilizations totalled Floral hemp includes smokable
state’s opening of New York’s adult-use dispensaries to open leased the results of the first 54,200 acres, and the area hemp.
adult-use cannabis market to faster. National Hemp Survey. harvested for all purposed in n Hemp under protection:
consumers. “What we’re doing here is The survey was sent to the open totaled 33,500 acres. Hemp growers used 1.13 mil-
“We need New York farmers 20,500 producers across the n Floral hemp in the open: lion square feet under protec-
creating inventory for these nation to gather information on New York floral hemp produc- tion for production. New York
to begin the growing process
now so that when cannabis dispensaries that are going to the acreage, yield, production, tion grown in the open for 2021 production of floral hemp grown
dispensaries open, we can fill be opening up,” Gandelman price, and value of hemp. was estimated at 110,000 under protection was estimat-
shelves with quality New York- said. “We don’t really know The term “hemp” means the pounds. Area harvested for ed at 12,500 pounds. The val-
how many dispensaries will plant species Cannabis sativa floral hemp in the open in New ue of floral hemp grown under
grown products,” Hinchey L. and any part of the plant such York was estimated at 290 protection totaled $3.22 mil-
said. “I’m proud to sponsor open up in New York, but they as the seeds, all derivatives, acres. The average yield for lion.
legislation to help [hemp can’t open dispensaries with- and extracts, whether growing 2021 floral hemp in the open Nationally, hemp under pro-
growers and processors] ob- out product.” or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydro- was estimated at 380 pounds tection totaled 15.6 million
tain conditional licenses, The provisional licensing cannabinol (THC) concentration per acre. The value of floral square feet with a value of
which will allow New York to bill passed New York’s legisla- of not more than 0.3% on a dry hemp grown in the open totaled $112 million.
implement its cannabis pro- ture the week after OCM sent weight basis. $2.43 million. On the national level, indus-
gram faster.” The data will be used to as- Nationally, floral hemp grown trial hemp was valued at $824
dozens of letters to cannabis sist producers, regulatory agen- in the open was estimated at million in 2021, while industrial
If Hochul signs the bill into operators illegally selling mar- cies, state governments, pro- 19.7 million pounds, while the hemp in the open had a value of
law, about 200 of the roughly ijuana, some of who used “gift- cessors, and other key industry area harvested in the open $712 million. Industrial hemp
700 licensed hemp farms in entities. was 16,000 acres. The aver- under protection was valued at
ing” language in the state’s
the state would be eligible for Key findings for New York re- age yield nationally was 1,235 $112 million.
the provisional licenses, said cannabis legalization law as
leased in the report include: pounds per acre. Nationally, –––
Allan Gandelman, president an alleged loophole. However, n Industrial hemp in the the value was $623 million. For the complete “National
of the New York State Canna- Alexander said this week that open: Planted area for New Floral hemp is hemp used Hemp Report” report, released
bis Growers and Processors this is an inaccurate reading York for all utilizations totaled for the extraction of essential Feb. 17 go to https://release.
Association. That group has of the law, and that nobody 900 acres. Area harvested for oils from plant resin, such as nass.usda.gov/reports/
is currently able to legally sell all purposes in the open totaled cannabidiol (CBD), cannabig- hempan22.pdf.
pushed for provisional licens-
ing. adult-use cannabis.

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 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 5

State funds to assist farms with water projects

By KORI SCIANDRA “The Oak Orchard Creek Conservation. drinking water for most of the source pollution identified by
ksciandra@batavianews.com project will improve nutrient “The plan identifies pollut- county’s public water system,” the Conesus Lake Watershed
GLOW region soil and water management on a dairy farm ants and their sources, sets a Elliott said. Management Plan, work with
conservation districts will as- by improving the pipelines reduction goal for the pollut- “Agriculture is necessary landowners across the county
sist more than a dozen farms used to move manure from ants in the watershed, and lays for our survival and an essen- to implement Best Manage-
with projects designed to both the farm to cropland. This will out an implementation plan tial part of our economy, but ment Practice Systems to re-
conserve water and preserve allow them to apply manure to achieve these goals. Specif- it requires the management duce sediments and nutrients
drinking waters. precisely, without using tank ic conservation practices are of nutrient sources that can into Canandaigua Lake, pro-
The 14 projects were award- spreaders that can damage the identified for each sub-wa- pose a threat to water quali- vide the proper storage and
ed $1,269,486 as part of a re- soil,” said Elliott. tershed of the Genesee River ty,” he said. “Farm operators handling of agrichemicals, en-
cent award announcement Another project, award- Basin to reduce the pollutants understand the importance courage safe storage, and pro-
from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s ed $140,640, will work with a from that area,” said Elliott. of protecting water from their vide spill protection; and im-
office allocating nearly $14 farm in the Tonawanda Creek As part of the grant-funded operations, and these finan- plement 1.5 acres of riparian
million for projects to protect Watershed to upgrade an ex- portion of the project – which, cial assistance programs make herbaceous buffer to protect
clean water. The funds will isting silage leachate storage Elliott said, represents 70 to it feasible for farms to imple- surface waterbodies.
help 91 agricultural projects and implement runoff control 75 percent of the total project ment conservation practices “Each of the five farm oper-
address water quality chal- and treatment sources. The – the district will collect, con- that help to preserve clean wa- ations/landowners are in the
lenges in priority watersheds. project will foster continued trol and utilize nutrients from ter.” Conesus Lake watershed and
The Genesee County Soil environmental stewardship in the farmstead to improve crop The Livingston County Soil will be implementing a series
and Water Conservation Dis- the watershed and protect ac- production, and also prevent and water Conservation Dis- of practical yet key practices to
trict was awarded funds for tive sources of public drinking potential nutrient leaching trict through the Agricultural slow surface runoff onto and
three different projects. water. through porous bedrock to Non-Point Source Pollution from cropland,” said Robert
“Each project will also have “The Tonawanda Creek groundwater resources Abatement and Control Pro- Stryker of the district. “This
a significant amount of match project is going to improve the The Genesee County Con- gram (AGNPS) was awarded will be accomplished by in-
from the landowner,” said Jar- farm’s feed storage system by servation projects have al- $216,250. The funds will assist stalling subsurface drainage
ed Elliott, senior field manager constructing a concrete stor- ready begun and are expected five farms in the Genesee River beneath the surface as well
for Genesee County Soil and age pad,” Elliott said. “Runoff to be completed by the end of Watershed - MT Pockets Farm, as grading and shaping of the
Water Conservation District. from this pad will be contained 2023. Tri Acres Farm, Edgewood fields to temporarily detain
The district received and treated. This runoff con- “I would consider these Farms, Cadyville Farm, and storm water runoff.”
$64,040 to work with one farm tains nutrients that could oth- projects vital to the mainte- VanZandt Farm. Funding for the projects will
on the border of Oak Orchard erwise impact Tonawanda nance of clean water because The funds will protect ac- help address erosion and wa-
and Spring creeks to reduce Creek, which is a public drink- nutrients and bacteria pose tive sources of public drinking ter quality by improving sub-
excessive nutrient loading in ing water source.” a threat to our surface water water, implement practices surface drainage and address-
impaired watersheds and sup- The sum of $535,925 was quality. Surface water in Gen- to address erosion and water ing/minimizing surface runoff
port objectives listed in sev- awarded to work with one esee County flows into Lake quality concerns, address po-
Ontario, which is the source of tential sources of non-profit See WATER T13
eral watershed management farm on the boundary of the
plans. The project will im- Oatka Creek and Black Creek
prove nutrient management watersheds. The funds will
st
practices for more efficient
land application and imple-
aid in implementing recom-
mended practices included Lee Shuknecht Simply The Be In
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6 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Area farmers among state’s best for corn, soybean yields

Farmers in Orleans, Living- neer seed P09843AM, respec- Third in the west region Swede was among the top John Macauley of Mount
ston and Wyoming counties tively, according to results was Joe Swyers of Dansville, producers in the west region. Morris, who led group three
rank among the top corn and from the 2021 New York Corn who produced 288.40 bush- He was in group two. Other with a yield of 67.74 using LG
soybean growers in the state and Soybean Yield Contest. els per acre with Brevent seed winners include Brad Macau- Seeds LG3098XF.
based on the highest yield. Kirby was also first in 2020 B07H01Q. ley of Geneseo, in group zero
Adam Kirby of Albion had and 2019. Local soybean growers also Winners from around the
with a yield of 75.52 using NK
the second greatest corn Dansville farmer Hen- produced some of the state’s brand S09-D4X; Tom Corcor- country will be honored in
yields in the state, and the ry Everman was third in the highest yield. an of Caledonia, in group March 2022 during Com-
top yield in the west region. state and second in the west Ryan Swede of Pavilion was one with a yield of 77.37 us- modity Classic in New Orle-
He reported a yield of 294.01 region among corn growers third in the state with a yield ing Channel seed 1818X; and ans, La.
bushels per acre using Pio- with a yield of 290.15 bushels of 81.66 on land in Wyoming
neer seed P0947Q and 293.25 per acre using Dekalb seed County that was planted with
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 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 7

Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn celebrating 60 years

By KORI SCIANDRA

‘ All the grandchildren and now some of the

ksciandra@batavianews.com
In 1963, the late Ronald
Cartwright and his wife, Vir- great-grandchildren work in the restaurant
ginia Cartwright, opened Cart-
wright’s Maple Tree Inn at
4321 County Road 15A, Angel-
ica, with the intent to sell their
during the season.

RHONDA CARTWRIGHT AMIDON

’
maple syrup produced from of Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn
the family farm.
With the help of Ronald’s Cuomo had permitted restau- during both Maple Weekend
brother, Clarence Cartwright, rants to open at 50 percent ca- events – March 19, 20 and 26,
the restaurant was built, while pacity and Cartwright’s elect- 27.
Clarence’s wife, Mary Cart- ed to open for four weeks with “We will have a teepee set
wright, helped Virginia in just takeout orders. Soon after up and will be cooking maple
the kitchen for the next two they were operating at 50 per- syrup the old-fashioned way
years until Clarence and Mary cent capacity. in a kettle over an open fire. If
moved away. They are now operating at the weather permits, we will
Ronald and Virginia had LaVergne Cartwright of Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn . 100 percent capacity and are be processing maple syrup as
six children together – La- happy to be reopened as they
Vergne Cartwright, Rhon- well,” said Rhonda.
cakes recipe that is still served greet you at the restaurant celebrate 60 years of service in
da Cartwright Amidon, Dale at the restaurant today. door. Grandson Will Emmons –––
the community. For more information about Cart-
Cartwright, Brenda Ferrell, “… People drive from all boils the syrup and Virginia’s Cartwright’s will be open wright’s Maple Tree Inn or restau-
Dewight Cartwright, and Ken- over the United States to have son, Dale, also helps out in the from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays rant hours, visit cartwrightsmaple-
neth Cartwright – who each them [Buckwheat Pancakes],” restaurant. Siblings Brenda, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays treeinn.com.
helped gather sap, work the said Rhonda who helps run the Dewight and Kenny have also
dairy farm, and helped out in restaurant with family. worked for the family business
the restaurant. The restaurant was initially in the past.
Cartwright’s Maple Tree opened to the public for two “The sap is gathered from
Inn, which is an extension of months per year during maple trees on our farm and boiled AGRICULTURAL NEWS

the farm Ronald and Clarence season, which is also a slow into maple syrup in the base- Real Estate Services AR
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inherited from their grandfa- time for dairy farming. ment of the restaurant. All the

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ther, Austin Cartwright, was Now, all family members grandchildren and now some TAMMY LEE KAVNEY ROSE
Branch Manager
originally designed to seat 14 who work at Cartwright’s have of the great-grandchildren Licensed Assoc. RE Broker
people. It can now accommo- a full-time job and help out at work in the restaurant during 570 East Main St., Batavia, NY 14020
date 200 guests and this ma- the restaurant for nine weeks the season,” said Rhonda. Office: 585.343.6750
ple season, the restaurant will throughout the year helping When COVID-19 first made Cell: 716-392-3520
commemorate 60 years. to serve a delicious menu with an impact in March 2020, the HowardHanna.com
tammykavneyrose@howardhanna.com
Grace Cartwright, homemade, real maple syrup. restaurant had only been open
great-grandmother to the LaVergne makes maple can- for four weeks prior to the New
Cartwright children, created dy and maple cream while his York State shut down. Nine
the original Buckwheat Pan- wife, Deneise Cartwright, will months later, Gov. Andrew

By the numbers:
NY maple production
Some data from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture about maple syrup
production in New York State:
Lamb Farms, Inc
n New York maple syrup production
in 2021 was 647,000 gallons, 20%
below the 2020 production.
n The number of maple taps was
585-948-5777
estimated at 2.9 million in 2021, up lambfarmsinc.net
4% from the year before. lambfarms@hotmail.com
n Yield per tap decreased to
0.223 gallons per tap, down from
0.287 in 2020.
n New York producers had a short
season in 2021, on the average, the
season lasted 29 days, compared
with 37 days in 2020.
n New York’s 2020 value of pro-
duction totaled $27.7 million, up 5%
from 2019.
n The 2020 average price per gal-
lon in New York was $34.40, up from
$32.20 in 2019. A New York leader in quality
n Sap flow began Jan. 1, 2021,
in New York, the earliest in the nation. milk production and ag innovation
8 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Climate science says change is coming.

How are New York’s maple producers taking the news?
By Jules Struck spread and all the farms in one
syracuse.com area need to be sprayed quickly,
(TNS) – Barb Hamlin’s job there might not be enough to go
isn’t usually disgusting, but last around.
summer was an exception. The moths ate up about 90%
Parts of Hamlin’s trees on her of the leaves on his trees a few
maple farm in Preble were in- years ago, he said. It would take
fested with gypsy moths. It fell about three years of defoliation
to her to pull on an elbow-length in a row for the bugs to com-
pair of black mad scientist pletely kill a tree, but some of
gloves and plod through the Thompson’s were stressed from
woods to scrape the invasive egg a few years of drought, which
sacs off her trees. made them more vulnerable.
“Oh, it was gross and disgust- Bad news on bad news:
ing,” she said on while waiting Thompson lost 10% of his crop.
for her maple coffee to reheat in Sugar Maple trees, which are
the microwave in her barn. the primary producers of good
Still, “don’t laugh too hard,” quality sap, are native to this
she said, finding some grue- area and resilient, said Thomas.
some humor in the retelling. But they also grow slowly and
Hamlin’s maple farm is one can’t be replaced in a pinch. And
of several in New York that have there are other pests, like the
dealt with infestations of gypsy Asian longhorned beetle, that
moths in the past few years. For pose a threat to maples.
some, it’s just another sign of There’s precedent for Thom-
SYRACUSE.COM VIA TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE as’ fears, said Adam Wild, di-
climate change and its creeping
effects on the maple industry. Barb Hamlin, owner of Pied Piper Maple Products in Preble, Cortland County, looks at a sample of rector of Cornell University’s
The affects of climate change maple syrup on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Uihlein Maple Research Forest
on maple tapping are diverse: on some of his lines. Another the friend, leaning in conspira- pathogen, Bt, but the spray is in Lake Placid. Fungus or bugs
higher average temperatures farm in Attica needs steady tem- torially. only effective during a one-week like chestnut blight, Dutch elm
mean more pests, a shifting tap- peratures this winter to make up There is a solution, sort of. An window when the caterpillar is disease and emerald ash bor-
ping season and less sugar in the for last year. infestation can be cleaned up still small. Thompson said that if
sap, while increasingly erratic Not all of nature’s variabili- by spraying USDA-approved a gypsy moth outbreak is wide- See CLIMATE T9
stretches of weather — warm or ties are directly linked to climate
cold — mean gummed up lines, change, but a growing body of
bacteria and dry taps.
But those threats can be
research spells out the warming
climate’s persistent effects that
75th
slow-moving and dispersed, will impact maple producers in
REFRIGERATION CO. ANNIVERSARY
1947-2022
experts say, which means some
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a myriad of ways. OF BATAVIA, INC.
on the front foot in a standoff
between climate change and NEW INVASIVES 26 Cedar St. • Batavia • (585) 343-2678
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Helen Thomas, executive ble in the conference hall of
the New York State Maple
Owned & operated by the Mager family since 1947.
director of the New York State
Maple Producers Association, Mid-Winter Classic conference
said she’s happy with the indus- on Jan. 8, next to Doug Thomp-
son, a fellow maple farmer from
EXPERTS IN CUSTOM
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He has gypsy moths on his CROP-STORAGE SOLUTIONS!
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gallons. not familiar with them,” he said.
But she’s worried about the “I started looking at ‘hey Goo-
bugs that eat her trees and are
finding it easier and easier to
gle.’ ”
A farmer friend wandered
COMMERICAL REFRIGERATION
over to the table to chat with
survive New York winters. Her
friend in Gouverneur isn’t too Thompson about the bugs. “I FOR ALL YOUR STORAGE NEEDS!
jazzed about the windstorms didn’t say this, but I’ve been
that are bringing the dead limbs thinking about spraying a little
from trees hit by drought down bit of diesel fuel on ’em,” said Call for a Free Consultation!
 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 9

novative designs that keep the climes, and there’s widespread

Climate whole system clean and pro-
tected, and easy to unhitch or
trust in the innovative tools at
their disposal.
From T8 replace, makes farmers’ lives On top of that, said Schuler,
easier and keep the farm pro- “When we say ‘climate change’
er have wiped out or hurt other ductive during increasingly un- … to a lot of folks, that’s kind of a
tree species in the past. predictable seasons. dirty word.”
“Any producer worth their But variable weather pat- The thing is, “most people,
salt is keeping their trees terns, insects and soil health all they’re used to this up and down
healthy,” said Thomas, but in impact tree health and produc- variability of the season. That’s
the face of infestations, it’s not tivity, and tech isn’t infallible, just part of the business,” said
always clear how to do that. especially when exposed to Schuler.
the elements. Hamlin is often
STRIDES IN TECHNOLOGY patching up holes in her tubes PROJECTIONS
with electrical tape, and she At this point, said Wild, maple
On paper, New York’s maple can’t boil sap right now because
syrup industry is doing great producers are “not equipped to
a part to her reverse osmosis handle” the threats from pests
despite last year’s dip in produc- machine is held up at the facto-
tion. Technology has improved especially. Those bugs are com-
ry. SYRACUSE.COM VIA TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE ing, and a really bad one could
rapidly over the past two de- Improvements in technology
cades, and at the same time the Barb Hamlin, owner of Pied Piper Maple Products in Preble, reads theoretically wipe out the state’s
have helped to increase produc- a chart that lists the optimal cooking temperatures for making maples.
number of taps in the U.S. has tion hugely, said Thomas. But
more than doubled. New York sugar forms. Her binder looks like pages of chemistry formulas. Hamlin, the maple produc-
whether good tech can keep up er in Preble, pondered her own
produced $27.7 million worth of Lyle and Dottie Merle set up
with climate change — “I think predictions for the future of her
maple syrup in 2020, a 5% jump lines for their taps every winter,
that’s a subject for debate.”

‘
from the year before, according ...most people, a process that takes about three farm and the maple industry.
to the U.S. Department of Agri- weeks. Maple trees produce She’s a former science teacher,
culture. TIME AND MONEY they’re used to this up the most sap when the weather and her binder of recipes for the
What has helped immense- However much maple farm- and down variability drops below freezing at night creams, sugar forms and infu-
ly is that technology has gotten ers care about their trees, they’re and rises again during the day. sions that are popular in her
better — that was clear from the still running a business, and of the season. That’s An unexpected stretch of store looks a lot like pages and
middle of the showroom at ma- they have to weigh the price of pages of chemistry formulas.
the solution against the produc-
just part of the weather above 65 degrees would
“There’s no question in
ple conference at the New York dry up the taps for a while.
State Fairgrounds, where sell-
ers displayed the latest in vacu-
um pumps, tubing, containers,
thermometers, boiler plates and
tion value added.
When a stretch of warm
weather means a tree heals up
its holes, reopening those taps
business.
JAMIE SCHULER ’
West Virginia University
“One day wouldn’t hurt too
bad, but by the time you hit
three, you’re pretty well done,”
said Lyle. He would have to head
my mind that there is climate
change happening,” she said,
but “I think people will find
ways to adapt and make things
a parade of other gleaming ma- cost money in labor. Spraying work.”
back out to open up all the holes She took a bite out of a scone
chinery. for pests costs money. Cleaning
again and clear out the tubes — slathered in her homemade ma-
No one’s lugging buckets gummed up tubes, replacing
leave their vacuum pumps run- not so easy with 20,000 taps. ple cream.
to the sugar shack anymore. A downed lines from freak storms,
boiling for longer when an un- ning to keep the lines from get- There’s not a lot of chatter “Well, I’m also an optimist.”
standard maple forest is rigged
healthy tree produces less sug- ting gummed up or use the lat- about climate change at the –––
with tubing that uses gravity
ars — all that costs money. est spouts that prevent bacteria maple conference — producers Jules Struck writes about life and
and vacuum pumps to draw sap
downhill to a collection vat. The Tech and innovation help in from building up and closing aren’t frantic about warming culture in and around Syracuse.
sap is then concentrated in a re- a lot of these cases, said Jamie over the holes, said Schuler. But
verse osmosis machine, which Schuler, associate professor of it requires calculation.
forces the water out and leaves silviculture at West Virginia Uni- “If I can invest 10 cents and
the sap with a higher sugar con- versity and program coordina- safeguard myself, well, that
tent. It’s then boiled into syrup, tor for the school’s research for- seems to make good sense,” he
bottled and sold. ests. Schuler traveled up from said. But the steeper the price, Neil Mohler
There are a thousand small warmer climes to share research the less likely it is that a farmer
moving pieces to the process, at the maple conference at the will slap down their credit card.

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the harsh elements. New, in- Farmers can do things like avoidable with new tools.

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10 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Sugarmakers must brave elements for successful season

By KORI SCIANDRA you can keep the sap cold – 28
ksciandra@batavianews.com to 34 degrees or there about –
After two years of event can- you can keep it a little longer
cellations, “Maple Weekend” before you boil, but generally
is back in New York State. when you have enough sap to
New York Maple Producers boil you need to get it boiled,”
will once again welcome con- said Zimpfer.
sumers back to explore their Though veteran sugarmak-
maple houses, sugar shanties, ers have perfected their craft,
and enjoy maple-flavored nature is still the leading ob-
sweets as they experience the stacle maple producers may
ins-and-outs of maple pro- encounter.
ductions. Events are sched- “The biggest one [obsta-
uled March 19, 20, 26 and 27. cle] is Mother Nature. Wind
Traditional maple syrup PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
knocking tubing down, ice
producers such as Arcade Cen- Merle Maple, LLC, an Attica-based maple producer, makes a variety of maple and maple sugar
storms damaging everything,
ter Farm, Kirch’s Maple Farm, products. Merle Maple will be open during Maple Weekend.
deer and squirrels chewing
Merle Maple LLC, Whispering holes in tubing. Trying to get
temperatures as they’ve timeline is watch- ple syrup is often explained
Brook Farms, and more will trucks through the deep snow
begun tapping maple ing the weather and taught in person during
have open doors for patrons to or mud to pick up sap,” Zimp-
trees in preparation for forecast daily and Maple Weekend by maple
visit and learn more about the the season, which can of- trying to figure out fer said. “The power going out
sugaring process. For a com- producers. Each sugarmaker
ten be a time-consuming when to tap. If you follows a step-by-step pro- and not being able to boil sap,
plete list of maple producers task leading into the dark have a tubing sys- there are lot of obstacles.”
and events, visit nysmaple. cess that can be both time and
of the night with snow tem in the woods weather sensitive. –––
com. and ice as obstacles. you definitely want For more information and a com-
Sugarmakers across the Zimpfer “As soon as you have plete list of maple producers and
“Lewis and Clinton to have it checked
state have to follow a strict enough sap you want to boil events to help plan a “Maple Week-
counties, along with Wy- over and make any
timeline to achieve the best oming County, make a lot of repairs necessary before the it. Sap has a short shelf life. If end” trip, visit nysmaple.com.
possible outcome each sea- syrup. The main reason, not snow gets here in the fall. Once
son. Typically, Maple season wright
The Cart y’s
a lot of development so there winter gets here you definitely
begins on Valentine’s Day, are lots of trees,” said Zimp- want things in place, the snow
Feb. 14, and ends in early April. fer, of Attica. “You certainly slows everything you do in the
Famil
Though some sugarmakers need to be ready and tapped woods down.”
start tapping trees a bit earlier when the season starts, the The process of making ma-
than the start of a typical sea-
son. Maple
“If we have warm weather, 60th Season Syrup
at
we can make a lot of syrup in Of Pancakes Available
Thei r B es t!
January,” said Greg Zimpfer,
Western New York Delegate
All Year
for the New York State Maple
Association. Open Now thru Sunday, April 10th
This year, cold tempera-
tures in January did not allow Come Have Our Original Buckwheat
for early tapping.
With the start of the sea-
Pancakes With Real Maple Syrup!
son, sugarmakers through- Tours on Maple Weekend
out the state have begun tap- (585) 567-8181
ping trees, collecting sap and
boiling their product. Some
4321 County Rd. 15A, Angelica, NY 14709
sugarmakers may have better 2 Miles from Short Tract
luck due to their geographic Tues-Fri 9am-8pm ~ Sat.8am-8pm ~ Sun. 8am-6pm
location. Maple enthusiasts www.cartwrightsmapletreeinn.com
have endured freezing cold Sorry we do not accept credit cards.
 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 11

LABOR OF LOVE
First time maple producers prevail through trial and error
By KORI SCIANDRA profitable business from honey sales. During their first
ksciandra@batavianews.com attempt at making maple syrup, the couple encoun-
Ashlee L. Edbauer and her husband, Dave, owners of tered a bit more than initially expected.
Gray Moose Farm, in Corfu, made their first attempt at When asked about the differences between maple
maple syrup production last year. The decision made production versus honey production, Ashlee replied:
for a family adventure. “Oh, my goodness...everything!
“I have a degree in environmental science, so I have “The bees literally do all the work for you when it
always found interest in anything nature related, and comes to honey. And when they are done they even
while my 8-year-old, Graycee, was at home remote ‘cap it’ to let you know it’s ready! All we have to do is
learning for most of second grade I decided to try and extract it into a large bucket, filter it and bottle it up,”
do a lot of STEM projects with her. Making maple syrup she said. “When it comes to making maple syrup, we
came to me one morning when I was making her her are the worker bees! Every day the buckets need to be
usual breakfast request – pancakes – and watching her checked, sap collected and refrigerated and when there
smother them in store bought syrup. After explaining is enough, the boiling process starts, we filter it and bot-
to her the difference in what real maple syrup is versus tle it up. It’s much more labor intensive I feel, but yet
what the syrup we are buying from the store is made of, I beekeeping has a whole different set of challenges.”
was determined to have it be our next project,” said Ash- Gray Moose Farm tapped one large tree last year. This
lee. produced 60 ounces of syrup, which is a little less than a
“We had some hiccups when it came time to boil the half gallon.
sap, not knowing the best set up to do so,” she said. “We “…Doesn’t sound like much but considering it takes
tried an old wood burning stove with a pot of sap on about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, we
top but had no luck getting it to boil. So then we tried a were very happy with what we ended up with,” said Ash-
turkey fryer set up and it worked great. But man, what a lee.
labor of love! I spent an entire day each time we would “Bees are a huge investment. Maple syrup was re-
boil, running outside to check the pot and add more sap freshing because being so small we were able to do PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
as needed. And then most of the next day finishing it in- things on a very small budget. I honestly don’t think we Graycee, 8, foreground, taps a maple tree at Gray
to syrup on the stove in the kitchen.” Moose Farm, Corfu, while her sister, Gabby, 2,
As honey producers, the Edbauers have created a See MOOSE T13 observes.
12 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

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 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 13

ronment but increase the soils ability In Orleans County, $276,271 was help preserve and maintain water
Water to grow better crops the following year.
A win/win,” said Stryker.
awarded to Orleans County Soil and
Water Conservation District to work
quality.
“There are several things that the
From T5 Projects are slated to begin as soon with five farms in the Oak Orchard community can do to preserve clean
as the weather permits. River, Sandy Creek and Johnson Creek water. It is important to note every-
from farmland, which significantly de- The changes within each project are Watersheds. The project will focus on thing that flows from the public sew-
creases the likelihood of erosion. considered vital for maintained and building healthy soils and promoting er systems, yards, parking lots, and
Following Best Management Prac- preserving clean water. reduced tillage practices, implement roadside ditches in Genesee County
tice Systems, Conesus Lake Watershed “Each practice(s) to be implemented more than 3,600 acres of cover crops flows to Lake Ontario, which is also the
projects are in good hands as these is the result of identifying a ‘resource throughout the watersheds, and re- source of most of our public drinking
concern.’ Districts across New York duce excessive runoff of nutrients and water,” Elliott said.
practices have been in used for de-
State utilize agricultural environmen- soil erosion. “Don’t flush medications and chem-
cades, according to district officials.
tal management,” Stryker said. “Re- In Wyoming County, $36,360 was icals, these things are difficult to treat
“BMPs are simply sound, time prov- sults are pretty much instantly. For award to the Wyoming County Soil and and should be disposed of properly.
en, economically practices that ad- example, visiting a field after a sudden Water Conservation District to work Don’t throw trash out of your car win-
dress resource concerns, primarily thunderstorm and seeing a temporary with one farm in the Oatka Creek Wa- dow. Clean up oil and gas spills with an
erosion and runoff impacting sensi- lake in a field is a pretty good visual. tershed. The project will support water absorbent material instead of allow-
tive areas such as wells, streams, lakes. The water slowly enters the ground and quality in the greater Genesee River ing these chemicals to run into storm
The planting of a green or living cover exists via an underground outlet versus watershed, decrease nutrients from a drains. Limit or eliminate the fertiliz-
crop to protect the grounds surface rushing across and washing away the concentrated area, and implement a ers used on lawns,” he said. “These are
after the main crops is harvested is al- topsoil.” riparian herbaceous buffer to protect some of the things that can preserve
so a good example of a BMP. Many of Other projects are slated for Orleans surface water resources. our fresh water, which is an essential
these BMP’s not only protect the envi- and Wyoming counties. Residents can also do their part to but finite resource.”

“I have big plans in my head normally be taken for granted.

Moose for our little funny farm,” said
Ashlee, who enjoyed showing
And the process of maple syrup
was one more of those things.”
From T11 her daughter another example She hopes to continue tap-
of how amazing nature is while ping trees as their hobby farm,
had to spend any money last learning to make maple syrup. and their family, continue to
year besides the propane to boil “…She used to think the ma- grow.
the sap. My husband even made ple colored corn syrup in the “The girls love having a rea-
spiles to tap the tree.” plastic bottle from the grocery son to go hike through the snow
Ashlee said she thought mak- store was maple syrup, and we into the woods after my oldest
ing maple syrup would be a re- got to show her, hands on, from gets home from school each day
laxing break from beekeeping. start-to-finish what maple syr- to collect sap. And then to be
“There are so many things up really is and exactly how it’s able to ride on the four-wheeler
that can go wrong in beekeeping made,” said Ashlee. “We have with their dad to bring the sap
and I assumed maple syrup has learned a lot of things having our back home,” Ashleee said. “ And
to be a breeze in comparison,” own little farm, we raise animals on top of that, it gives me an ex-
she said. “I mean, I just have for meat for our family as well, so cuse to make more waffle and
to let a decades-old tree do its my daughters have learned to pancake breakfasts on week-
thing, no suit to wear or thou- appreciate so much that would ends.”
sands of little creatures to keep
alive.
“But it is just as complicated
in its own way,” she said. “All of
it is based on the weather, the
sap won’t run if the conditions
aren’t exactly right, so you have
no control over how much suc-
cess you will have in a year.”
Ashlee said she gained a lot of
respect for maple producers.
“You think of the places that
tap hundreds of trees each year,
the labor and time they put into
it, and it’s all up to Mother Na-
ture whether they will be suc-
cessful that season or not,” Ash-
lee said. “That is a true labor of
love.”
This year, Grey Moose Farm
tapped five trees.
“We figure we will try to take
on a little more each year and
see how it goes,” sad Ashlee.
Gray Moose Farm is optimis-
tic about its future endeavors.
14 • March 2022 Tractor Factor

Dairy Princess program USDA conducting its

first agroforestry survey
to undergo changes in ’22 Data collection began Feb.
1 for the first National Agro-
different ways they manage
valuable agroforestry re-
DAIRY PROMOTION PROGRAM: Removes gender specific titles, welcomes all forestry Survey, which will sources. The data will inform
conclude on April 5. programs and policy to ben-
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
Agroforesty is a kind of ag- efit both the landowners and
riculture that incorporates farmers as well as the envi-
The Wyoming County Dairy the cultivation and conserva-
Princess Program has a new ronment.
tion of trees. The survey is conducted
name for 2022, and has intro- The U.S. Department of
duced other changes designed cooperatively with the USDA
Agriculture describes agro- National Agroforestry Cen-
to make it a more inclusive and
forestry as the intentional in- ter, which is a partnership
welcoming program open to all
individuals who wish to partici- tegration of trees and shrubs between USDA’s Forest Ser-
pate in the pgoram. into crop and animal farming vice and Natural Resources
The Wyoming County Dairy systems to create environ-
Conservation Service.
Promotion Program will be mental, economic, and social
The NAC will release the
open to both young men and benefits.
summarized data in studies,
women who may wish to partic- The survey was mailed
PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
to 1,842 farmers in the 11 press releases, and publi-
ipate. The new Wyoming County Dairy Promotion Program is open cations such as highlights.
“All gender specific titles to both young men and young women who wish to be Dairy Northeastern states to gath-
er information on the five Highlights will give an over-
have been removed,” said Jo- Ambassadors.
agroforestry practices used view of how agroforestry
anne P. Schrieber, a committee
member and treasurer for the any males that decide to com- Dairy Ambassador should con- for climate, conservation and practices are used in regions
Wyoming County Dairy Promo- pete,” said Schrieber. tact the committee at (585) 472- production benefits, includ- across the United States.
tion Program as the program is Dairy Ambassadors have al- 5110. Area school districts will ing windbreaks, silvopas- For more information, vis-
now called. ways been expected to adhere be notified of the competition ture, riparian forest buffers, it www.nass.usda.gov/go/
The program’s leaders an- to a specific dress code. Busi- and changes in the near future. alley cropping as well as for- Agroforestry.
nounced in December 2021 ness casual dress and profes- “We look forward to working est farming and multi-story Subscribe to Agroforestry
that there would changes to the sional attire is expected. A polo with many new members to our cropping. Connection for new agrofor-
program. with the county program em- program,” said Schrieber. “In Ag producers will have estry-related publications
The changes were addressed blem will be provided for young the long run, I do feel this will the opportunity to share the and other items of interest.
after the Board received a letter males. have a positive impact on the
from a dairy family stating their “Other than becoming a program. This change will allow
son wanted the chance to have gender-inclusive program, the for many more opportunities
more participation in the pro- structure of the program re- for our young men and women
gram. mains unchanged. Candidates to enhance and develop their
“We [Wyoming County Dairy that choose to compete wheth- leadership and communication
Promotion Program] fully sup- er they are male, or female, will skills and will allow us [the com-
port this change and not only continue to be judged in sev- mittee members] the opportu-
encourage but welcome all in- eral categories, including per- nity to work with a larger popu-
dividuals who are interested formance on dairy knowledge, lation of eager promoters.
in joining our program,” said personal interviews and pub- “In the end, it all comes down
Schrieber. lic speaking capabilities,” said to promoting the dairy industry
Individuals who choose to Schrieber. and we hope this change will
compete in the future will be The 2022 Wyoming County appeal to a much broader au-
be referred to as Dairy Ambas- Dairy Promotion Program has dience both inside and outside
sadors, rather than Dairy Prin- started planning for the Dairy of the dairy industry,” she said.
cesses. The Ambassadors’ op- Promotion Competition, slated “With that being said, our ex-
portunities and responsibilities for May 15. Any young men or pectation is the security of the
remain the same. women who are interested in program will only get stronger
the competition and running and the program itself will grow
Additional changes, made
for the title of Wyoming County much, much larger.”
at the state level by American
Dairy Association North East,
will remove the crown and sash
associated with the program
when an Ambassador reaches AGRICULTURAL NEWS

the state level of competition. Real Estate Services

“…However [the State] has Ask me about the 100% Money Back Guarantee!
left the decision of carrying on
MICHELLE DILLS
D HA
AR
W

the tradition of a crown and

NA
HO

Licensed Associate RE Broker

TEE
100

sash to the local county pro-

AN
%

M
R

ON A

570 East Main Street • Batavia, NY 14020 EY B CK GU

A

grams. Wyoming County has Cell: 585.314.7269

decided to keep the crowns Office: 585.343.6750
and sashes and have also estab- Fax: 585.343.8502
michelledills@howardhanna.com
lished a specific dress code for HowardHanna.com
 Tractor Factor March 2022 • 15

Farmland protection applications underway

LIVINGSTON COUNTY: Program is voluntary and available to eligible farmers
GENESEO – Livingston development rights on their vancy at (585) 243-2190, or Markets has not yet been an- or the Livingston Coun-
County and the Genesee land. the Livingston County Plan- nounced. ty Planning Department at
Valley Conservancy have an- The process of choosing ning Department at (585) For more information, (585) 243-7550.
nounced that the Livingston the Livingston County farms 243-7550. contact Matt Halladay at the –––
County Agricultural & Farm- to be submitted to New The pre-application dead- Genesee Valley Conservancy For more information on
land Protection Board will be York State will begin with a line is March 23. at (585) 243-2190; the Liv- the New York State Farmland
accepting pre-applications pre-application. All farmers The full application dead- ingston County Soil and Wa- Protection program, visit
from landowners interested wishing to apply to the State line to the New York State ter Conservation District in https://tinyurl.com/mr39an-
in being considered for the PDR program must complete
Department of Agriculture & Geneseo at (585) 243-0043; rv.
next New York State Depart- the pre-application. These
ment of Agriculture & Mar- will be scored based on a
kets Farmland Protection number of criteria, includ-
program. The applications ing amount of development
will also assist in the appli- pressure, quality of soils to
cation of other state and be protected, and farm via-
federal farmland protection bility.
initiatives that may become The highest scoring
available in the future. pre-applications will be in-
The Farmland Protection vited to have full applica-
program buys conservation tions submitted to the pro-
easements on the state’s gram. The pre-applications
most productive farmland. may be used to select eligible
The program is voluntary, farms for other future state
and the seller retains title and federal farmland protec-
to the land and can contin- tion programs.
ue farming the property. The Livingston County
However, the land will have Planning Department, the
permanent restrictions on Genesee Valley Conservan-
commercial, residential and cy, and the Livingston Coun-
industrial uses in perpetuity. ty Soil and Water Conserva-
To date in Livingston tion District in Geneseo work
County, 30 conservation cooperatively to manage the
easements have been com- pre-application phase.
pleted protecting more than Prior to submitting the
12,000 acres through the pre-application, farmers
State Purchase of Develop- must meet all eligibility re-
ment Rights program. quirements as specified on
All interested landowners the pre-application. Eligi-
must meet with the Genesee bility requirements include
Valley Conservancy remote- having at least 50% USDA
ly prior to submitting an ap- Prime Soils, Prime if drained,
plication. or Soils of Statewide Impor-
The pre-application is tance; being in good stand-
available on the Livingston ing with local tax authorities;
County website at https:// attending a mandatory virtu-
tinyurl.com/3ss7d43n. al pre-application workshop,
The State PDR program and other requirements.
is a competitive application To obtain paper copies of
that reimburses farmers up the pre-application, contact
to 87.5% of the value of the the Genesee Valley Conser-

585-548-7407
fax: 585-548-2743 • e-mail: dew99@juno.com
5966 Griswold Road, Byron, NY 14422
16 • March 2022 Tractor Factor