LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A new law protects landowners from frivolous lawsuits by people engaging in potentially dangerous outdoor recreation on private property. The New York Farm Bureau announced the passage of the new law, which 'establishes limited liability protections for the inherent risks of inviting the public onto a farming operation.' "Agricultural tourism and outdoor recreation activities that include horseback riding, u-pick … [Read more...]
Worsening Drought Burns Livingston County Farmers
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Some of Livingston County's hardest workers are hurting badly in this summer's drought. For those who irrigate, or have natural springs on their property, the drought is a hiccup, even a boon. But just as the United States Drought Monitor updated Livingston County's status from 'moderate' to 'severe' drought, some local growers are starting to consider this dry spell a real problem. "It's bad. The corn gets shriveled up … [Read more...]
Livingston County Farmers Smile in Dreary Rain
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Persistent rain throughout Monday is providing some relief from the current statewide drought watch and putting smiles on farmers' faces. According to our news partner News10NBC, showers and thunderstorms are likely throughout the day, making it mostly cloudy and muggy. Monday night is expected to have a few passing clouds, but otherwise be generally clear. Nighttime lows are expected to be around 60 degrees. The … [Read more...]
Fight Back Livingston County’s Potato-Killing Blight with Specific Fungicide
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Though all tomatoes and potatoes in Western NY and the Finger Lakes Region are at high risk of infection by late blight following the summer's heavy rains, our local strain of the fungus is especially weak to a specific type of fungicide. According to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program, last week late blight was confirmed in potatoes in Livingston and Wyoming Counties, but the Livingston County strain, … [Read more...]
New Bill Extends Notice Requirements for Public Service Commission
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A bill is headed for Governor Cuomo's desk that will require that landowners, especially farmers, receive due and proper notice of the installation of gas or electric utilities that could affect their property, establishing specific guidelines that the Public Service Commission must consider when planning to build. According to a press release from Senator Patrick Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) and Assemblymember Harry Bronson … [Read more...]
Bean Hill Farm Plows Forward with Horsepower
GROVELAND — A pair of lovely Percheron horses are teaming up with farmers at Bean Hill Farm. The three farmers at Bean Hill have a lot of ideas when it comes to making their operation more efficient, more cost effective, and more ecologically sustainable. Bean Hill Farm, which according to the farmers was originally called Squash Blossom Farm, is locally renowned for vegetables that they grow for a number of different restaurants and farmers … [Read more...]
Free Seminar to Help Farmers Manage Crop Disease and Weeds
LIVINGSTON COUNTY– Open minded farmers are invited to come out and hear about disease and weed management at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Bellmont Office on Monday, September 29, from 8:30a.m. to noon. The Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties are teaming up with Cornell University Vegetable Program staff to host the Southern Tier Disease and Weed Management Workshop. The seminar will be led … [Read more...]