 What Does NY Farms! Do?
- Supports a Buy NY! Campaign.
- Promotes the Pride of NY and regional branding projects.
- Directs consumers to local farms, farmers markets, CSAs, retailers and restaurants.
- Highlights seasonal products and compiles farm listings where products can be found.
- Provides leadership in Farm to School efforts.
- Provides resources for food service directors and farmers, helping to bring local, fresh fruits and vegetables into k-12 school cafeterias.
- Suggests activities to bring into the school that connect teachers and students to NY agriculture during NY Harvest for NY Kids Week.
- Coordinates efforts around the state by acting as a clearinghouse of information.
- Publishes a bi-weekly electronic News to Share, a compilation of current events in the farm and food industry.
- Educates NY law-makers and the public about NY's farm and food system via press releases and exhibits.
- Promotes agricultural events and conferences via an extensive electronic calendar.
- Coordinates the Taste, Face & Place of NY Farms! Photo Contest and Photo Exhibit.
- Encourages consumer involvement in supporting NY farms and farmers.
What's Happening at NY Farms?
NY Farms! 2007 Annual Meeting
March 30, 2007 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, Cortland, NY. For more details click here
Read the 10th Anniversary Celebration Address given by Patrick Hooker, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets here.
A Resource Guide to Direct Marketing Livestock and Poultry
Intended for producers, this directory will help individuals navigate the complicated rules for direct marketing meat and poultry. Read the Guide
TCARG Resource Directory
Intended for producers in the Southern Tier, this directory will help both beginning and experienced farmers identify those who can help with business planning, technical assistance, financial assistance and the local services available Preview the Guide
NY Farms! Promotes the Role of a Local Currency in Agricultural Sustainability
Want more information?
The E. F. Schumacher Society: Widely used in the United States in the early 1900s, local currencies are a legal, but underutilized tool for citizens to support local economies. Local currencies function on a regional scale the same way that national currencies have functioned on a national scale-building the regional economy by creating a protective "membrane" that is defined by the currency itself. Local businesses that accept the currency are distinguished from chain stores that do not, building greater affinity between citizens of the region and their local merchants. Individuals choosing to use the currency make a conscious commitment to buy locally first, taking personal responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their community, laying the foundation of a truly vibrant, thriving local economy. www.SmallisBeautiful.org
Ithaca Hours:Ithaca Hours is a local currency system that promotes local economic strength and community self-reliance in ways which will support economic and social justice, ecology, community participation and human aspirations in and around Ithaca, New York. Ithaca Hours help to keep money local, building the Ithaca economy. It also builds community pride and connections. Over 900 participants publicly accept Ithaca HOURS for goods and services. Additionally some local employers and employees have agreed to pay or receive partial wages in Ithaca Hours, further continuing our goal of keeping money local. www.ithacahours.org
Bullthistle Bounty: The need for a better working relationship between the various sectors of the food system has been obvious to many in Chenango County for some time. We watch with dismay as local producers of fruits and vegetables drive long distances to sell in farmers' markets in cities. We notice that the local supermarkets sell produce grown far away. Those who work to feed the hungry report, that fresh produce is not usually available to them. We hear school nutrition administrator's express the desire to buy more local fresh produce, in the necessary quantities. A group of representatives of Chenango County have met to discuss ways to connect the dots and make "locally produced fresh" available to all. We have created "Bullthistle Bounty", a local cooperative program that is open to consumers and to all participating county producers of food products. Share books are being sold with a map of participating producers and an explanation of the program. We believe that this very simple program will benefit a broad cross section of local farmers/agricultural producers, local markets, local consumers and visitors to Chenango County. www.norwich.net
A Year in Review
Just What Did NY Farms! Do in 2006? To read all about it click here
Just What Did NY Farms! Do in 2005? To read all about it click here
Just What Did NY Farms! Do in 2004? To read all about it click here
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