Dear Broome SWCD:
I am writing to show my support for the Graze NY program. I am a Beef cow/calf producer in Broome County and currently use intensive rotational grazing to run about 35 head on our 110-acre farm. We currently have 20 paddocks dividing our 32 acres of improved pasture and rotate the cows through this system on a daily basis. With the assistance of the entire Broome County Staff and with various funding assistance we have been able to install over 12,000 feet of high tensile fence and have adopted improved watering methods including limited stream access points, nose pumps, and frost free pasture hydrants. In addition to the fencing and watering improvements we have also installed drainage systems and various laneways to access the pastures from the barnyard. All of these improvements have greatly increased the carry capacity of the pasture and have added to overall productivity of the farm. Since implementing the Grazing plan we have noticed not only more viable forage but higher quality grasses and clovers. The Plan has also greatly improved the water quality and virtually eliminated erosion caused by the animals.
We are thankful for your support of these programs and continue to strive to be good stewards of the land that we are entrusted with.
Sincerely,
Carol De Young
C and J Farms
Chenango Forks, NY
McCall Mountain Farm
499 Rte. 222
Cortland, NY 13045
I am the owner of McCall Mountain Farm, a diversified agricultural business that encompasses dairy, beef and hay production. I have worked with the Graze NY program on both my beef and diary operations. The Graze NY program is very beneficial for both the farmers and the public. My cattle are doing well. They are healthy and perform to my standards. Working together we (SWCD and I) have been able to maximize the pasture performance and minimize any contamination getting into the water. We were able to brainstorm together and design a system that makes it user friendly, protects our water and environment, and is cost effective. The cost-share programs allowed me to put in a system that otherwise would not be affordable. The system is very low maintenance and safe. It makes it easier for the public and farmer to coexist together.
Tom McCall, Owner
McCall Mountain Farm
Mead Farm, LLC
Milton, Spencer & Cheryl Mead
24 Mead Road
Owego, NY 13827
January 9, 2009
Congressman Michael Arcuri
24th Congressional District
327 Cannon HOB
Washington, DCC 20515
To the Honorable Michael Arcuri;
As owners of a large dairy farm in Tioga County we have been fortunate enough to receive technical assistance from GRAZE NY staff in the upgrading of fencing, watering systems and pasture management on our farm. Although we operate a 300-cow dairy we still recognize the importance of pasturing our mature dairy cows. Through the assistance from Tioga County Soil & Water Conservation District and neighboring County’s we have recently updated our pasture management systems allowing us to better manage our livestock. Grazing has given us the ability to prevent water quality degradation from livestock access to streams as well as allowed us to maintain a balanced diet for our animals.
Please continue to support the local Soil and Water Conservation District’s technical assistance in the grazing arena and help support our farm in maintaining healthy livestock, improving water quality and achieving economic stability through otherwise uncertain times.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Mead, Owner
Mead Farm LLC
High Lonesome Farm
2272 Stafford Road
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
I am the owner of High Lonesome Farm, a NOFA-NY Certified Organic farm in Cincinnatus, New York, and a living, working example of what GRAZE NY can do to support farmers interested in developing a successful livestock grazing operation. When I began to pursue my dream of raising purebred Angus cattle in a 100% grass fed regime there seemed to be few resources to guide and support my aspirations. Through contacts in the Natural Resources Conservation Service I was introduced to Jean Foley, a grazing technician for GRAZE NY in the Cortland County Soil and Water District office.
Jean made several visits to the farm to observe first hand what the farm’s resources were as they existed then. She took photographs, measured acreages, examined water resources, considered topography, assessed environmental issues, and soil and forage quality. Between each visit she returned to her office to develop a grazing plan custom designed to complement the farm’s ecology, geography and intended use. Utilizing aerial photographs, soil work sheets, computer models, experience and expertise she developed a “Prescribed Grazing Management Plan” uniquely suited to the specific needs of High Lonesome Farm. The plan was put into effect immediately, and the results are pictured here.
This would not have happened without GRAZE NY. There simply isn’t another resource this paradigm specific that could accomplish these results as efficiently and effectively. As interest in healthy local foods increases, as concern for the environment and animal welfare grows, and as fuel and feed prices soar, more and more farmers are pursuing the natural sustainability of grass based livestock production. GRAZE NY is their partner in establishing well-planned, efficient, workable, low input (i.e. profitable) models upon which to build.
The Next Generation
“FITZWILLIAM”
a certified organic
100% grass fed
purebred Angus bull calf
born on High Lonesome pasture
May 14, 2008
Thank You
GRAZE NY
Fred Griffen
January 9, 2009
Congressman Michael Arcuri
24th Congressional District
327 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
To the Honorable Michael Arcuri;
This letter is to express our support and appreciation for Graze NY, and our sincere hope that this valuable program will continue to serve farmers in our region. Over the years we've been fortunate to receive assistance with the implementation of grazing infrastructure through technicians funded by Graze NY. The fencing and cattle laneways we installed enabled us better management of nutrients and soil fertility on our farm, increasing the quality and quantity of our forages, while reducing compaction in our fields and stress on our cattle and ourselves. Our dairy's environmental and economic viability has been enhanced through grazing, but it's important to recognize that many of these improvements would not have been possible without the cost-sharing assistance facilitated by the expertise Graze NY made available to us in Tioga County.
Our 8th generation farm's transition to grazing represents a growing trend in New York. The utilization of grazing has expanded significantly in Tioga County and with it our need for additional technical assistance in grazing. These new grazers include both professional and beginning farmers eager to realize production efficiencies, cost-savings and organic markets through grass. These shifting uses of land and local resources require changes in conservation strategies and planning on our farms and in our community. For example, pasturing keeps hills and more marginal farmland in agricultural production. While well-managed grass sods have the capacity to stabilize sediment and nutrients on this land, the learning curve or inadequate infrastructure can also result in erosion that might impact water quality. Graze NY technicians are needed to help meet these planning and infrastructure needs for grazers, along with the broader resource concerns in our watersheds.
Please understand the important needs Graze NY fulfills in our county, and how this assistance better allows farmers to meet environmental objectives throughout the region.
Sincerely,
Pam & Rob Moore
2083 Moore Hill Road
Nichols, NY 13812
Keith Ramsden, Nedsmar Farm, Onondaga County – “ After the first 3 years of grazing my only regret is that I did not start 10 years earlier. There may be some difficulties transitioning to grazing but we more than made up for it in better herd health and lower capital inputs which improved our bottom line overall. Grazing is not a silver bullet, one has to want it to work and it can certainly be a viable option. ”
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter in support of the Graze NY Program.
We purchased our 100-acre farm in 1990. We both held full time jobs and were looking for a place to start a family. The farm had been out of service for approximately 7 years. We worked for 5 years and continue to get the buildings and land back into a workable productive farm. We started by raising products for family members and ourselves. Soon word began spreading regarding our local farm raised meat and eggs.
Last year, I was approached by Troy Bishopp, regarding Grass-fed Beef production. He told me how he could assist me in protecting my topsoil, water resources, and enhance the wildlife on our property. I told him he was crazy. I went and attended pasture walks and conferences all sponsored by Graze-NY. I learned what could be done and the results would be healthy meats and a healthy environment. So when grazing season started. I put to use all that I had learned. I was amazed at the results. I burned less fuel, spent fewer hours in the field and watched my cattle grow. The rotational grazing system that I had never believed would work was amazing. Troy stopped by several times throughout the year to check on my progress and offer valuable advice. He also steered me towards other programs I was unaware of to help protect our environment.
Graze-NY has totally changed the way I farmed and my outlook. We hope you continue to support New York State’s number one industry – FARMING.
Sincerely,
Allen & Carol Riley
Purple Tie Farm
Earlville, NY 13332 (Madison County)
To whom it may concern,
My family has recently purchased 200 acres in Cazenovia from a family of dairy and sheep farmers who have been farming it since 1941. As much as I love land and farming, I do not have a farming background and know relatively little about the logistics of it.
Essentially I have gotten free, professional expert consulting (through my taxes of course) on haying, grazing, fencing, and water through Graze-NY. The farm is in need of repairs and attention: fences, water, electricity, etc. My local Grazing Specialist, Troy Bishopp has worked with me and answered my never ending questions for months, and I still need a lot of guidance this next year, as I get my feet wet. Troy has also given me advice on how to make this old farm attractive to local farmers for grazing their animals. He told me how I can approach them and what to expect. Within weeks, I found a local farmer who will be bringing his Dairy Cows over for grazing. This will help until we have a chance to have our own animals (sheep, cows). I have a lot of work to do, and Troy pointed me in the right direction and is helping me along the way, thanks to the Graze-NY program funding.
Scott Phillips
Cazenovia, NY (Madison County)
To Whom It May Concern:
Our names are Brian Musician and Amy Yahna and we are organic farmers. This important letter is in support of the Graze-NY program sponsored by Congressman Michael Arcuri. This program is administered through our local county SWCD, The Natural Resources Conservation Service, and our local grazing advocate: Troy Bishopp.
We own a 270 acre mixed produce and animal farm in Lebanon, NY, Madison County. In our desire to live more sustainable, we built an off-grid, timber-framed straw house and we have work horses to assist with the farm work, and goats for meat and milk. With the knowledge gained from the Graze-NY program, we plan to raise grass-fed beef in the future.
Prior to meeting with our local grazing specialist; Troy Bishopp from SWCD, we were experiencing severe mud and erosion problems and the threat of animal excrement contaminating our water resources that are part of the Susquehanna water shed. Some areas of our farm were overgrazed while others were experiencing overgrowth of goldenrod, bedstraw, knapweed and others that were choking out more valuable perennial grasses.
We acquired necessary information from the Graze-NY programs, i.e.: on farm meetings, fencing workshops, pasture walks, conferences, and a custom designed grazing plan to enable us to build a 9 paddock rotational grazing system for our animals. The impact of this grazing plan has been astounding. We no longer have mud/erosion problems, we eliminated the threat of contamination of our water resources, and our noxious weed problem is transitioning to pastures rich with clover, timothy, orchard grass, and other valuable legumes. We now have 60 beautiful acres of pastureland. The transition was accomplished by our animals and the knowledge gained by the Graze-NY program.
This program offers a viable and sustainable alternative to the highly expensive industrial style production of meat and milk products. As I see it, we can continue the industrial model, subsidized at the level of billions of dollars to maintain our “Roman Legions” in far flung lands to keep the fossil fuels flowing. Or we can continue to support a more viable alternative as the Graze-NY program. There is a huge gamble being played out currently- the outcome of which is still very much uncertain. At present the most technologically advanced Army to ever exist, still cannot secure the resources that we need and will continue to need in greater quantities to maintain the industrial model.
Compare this with the alternative that Congressman Arcuri has presented us. The Graze-NY program is sustainable, local, and less energy dependant, and can easily be implemented with proper training by all. The Graze-NY program leads to true freedom and a greatly reduced dependence on foreign energy sources. The significance of this fact grows when we consider the new demands on corn as an alternative energy source.
In light of the increased demand on corn to produce ethanol, grazing programs such as this take on an even greater importance. It would certainly be very short sighted to allow the Graze-NY program to disappear, when economical food production is so critical. In addition, it has been shown that grass-fed meat/milk has higher quantities of healthy constituents as compared to feed-lot/corn-fed products.
The impact of grass-fed meat/milk on our population’s health has yet to be fully determined. However, we do know that the quality of our food has decreased at the same time the quantity has increased. We now know, and more information is forthcoming regularly, that the quality of our food has a direct correlation to our health. At a time when healthcare and its associated costs are sky-rocketing, it would be a tragedy to short change a “grass-roots” program that offers us healthier foods by better utilizing our lands.
The efficient and sustainable use of our lands is critical in our long term effort to supply food to an ever increasing population. The Graze-NY program provides local farmers with the knowledge to do just that! The ramifications, of miscalculation in this area are self evident by examining our rival on the world stage: China!
Please find a way to continue the Graze-NY program for the betterment of our local communities and the long term health of our country and its citizens. Thank you for your diligent contemplation of this matter.
Sincerely,
Alambria Springs farm
Brian Musician & Amy Yahna
Earlville, NY (Madison County)
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is KC Mangine and I live with my wife and two children in Madison County, NY. We moved up here last year with the dream of starting a small family farm. My wife and I do not have a farming background. We learn as we go. We reach out to others for advice and make lots of mistakes. My first trip to the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District was to find maps. I found the maps, but also found an abundance of other resources. The secretary asked me “Are you interested in Grazing?” I replied that we were. One of the ways I felt we could keep our small farm viable was through grazing. The combination of financial benefits, along with a healthier and potentially more valuable end product intrigued me. The next day the Madison County Graze-NY representative, Troy Bishopp, arrived at our farm. We talked and walked. We walked the whole farm talking about the possibilities and potential improvements. Just having someone who sincerely wanted to help, made a significant difference to two people who needed it at the beginning of our farming adventure. Troy continues to stop by and offer advice. He showed us how to build fence. Then he actually brought over a post pounder and helped us build our own fence. He has developed grazing plans and encouraged attendance at numerous local conferences and pasture walks that bring together like-minded individuals from all over the county. The information we have gained through these individuals has been invaluable. It has made a practical difference in our farm and farming methods.
Bringing the animals to their food instead of harvesting their food at great financial cost, is a return to the way livestock is originally raised. This practice can have obvious financial advantages to the farmer. It has on our farm. We kept pigs and sheep with the new fence Troy helped us build. The simple fact that pigs spent their lives out on pasture created a demand above what we could provide. What makes this practice so intriguing is that grazing can create a financial boon for the farmer but it also has great benefits to the public. Environmental benefits to the local watershed through reduced runoff, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, as well as a healthier end product for consumers have all been documented. It makes me feel good to be able to provide a good life for my family and give back to the environment and society at the same time. There are so many ways to take from our world, it would be terrible to end a program that gives back on so many levels. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
KC and Kristi Mangine (Madison County)
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter in support of the Graze-NY program and the county grazing specialists. The opportunities for grazing to improve the health of the land, the profitability of the farms, and the lifestyle of those involved is enormous. The primary reason for my wife and I moving our family and grass based dairy to the United States, and in particular, Central New York, was for the quality of grass that can be grown here. I have studied grazing in seven countries on three continents and believe this area can compete with anywhere in the world. Now is not the time to be cutting back support for a program that has the potential to revitalize the agricultural economy of upstate New York and be aesthetically pleasing to the urban population at the same time.
Yours truly,
Bruce Rivington, grass dairyman (Madison County)
To Whom It May Concern:
My wife and I began farming in 2002. We own 192 acres in Broome County, NY. We both came from an engineering background with no farming experience, just a desire to produce healthy food and leave the land better than we found it. We currently run a small (25 animals) cow/calf operation, and we raise about 50-70 pigs per year plus 12 or so sheep.
When we started out, we soon became acquainted with the Broome County Soil and Water Conservation District. Through the Graze-NY program, they have assisted us in many ways, such as education through pasture walks, fencing seminars, grazing seminars. We received a plan for fencing for rotational grazing and a water system. We have learned best management practices – environmental and financial – to raise healthy animals, produce healthy food, and improve our pastures. The grants we have received have allowed us to fence animals out of the water that leads to the Susquehanna River. This is one program that benefits everyone in the Susquehanna watershed, not just NY and the small farmer.
Cordially Yours,
Peter Reynolds and Caroline McGee
MCREY Farm
Glen Aubrey, NY
Dear Federal and State Representatives,
The Upper Susquehanna Coalition is extremely supportive of the Graze-NY Initiative sponsored by Congressman Michael Arcuri in particular and grass based agriculture in general. We have recently completed a Tributary Strategy for NY in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to meet load allocations set by the EPA for our portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Prescribed Grazing is a key element in the strategy to voluntarily meet our goals. Agriculture is the largest “active” land use in our Basin. Grass based agriculture is the best approach for good water quality but also for sustainable agriculture.
There is a looming TMDL Regulation in 2010 that will greatly affect our Basin’s communities. Supporting the Graze-NY initiative, especially now is imperative for us to reach our nutrient reduction needs. Hopefully Congress will understand that grazing is not just an optional approach, but THE approach to support agriculture, local communities and quality of life issues well beyond the grass that is the basis for this initiative.
Please pass this letter of support on and thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
James Curatolo, Watershed Coordinator
Upper Susquehanna Coalition
Burdett, NY
To Whom It May Concern:
Our farm, Guptill Family Farms in South Onondaga is a mixed grazing operation. We graze around 100 head of dairy cows and beef cattle, additionally we are beginning to incorporate sheep, goats, and mixed pasture raised poultry and fowl. There is a growing demand for pasture and meadow raised meat and dairy, and our farm’s sustainability is greatly improved by having adopted grazing practices. Graze-NY has been instrumental in allowing us to develop our grazing operation. We currently have 100 acres fenced on our farm. All of this fencing began with the cost share program implemented by Graze-NY conservation employees. Without this program we wouldn’t likely have had the resources to pursue grazing on our farm. Without grazing, our farms economic and environmental sustainability would be in question. We truly feel that grazing is the future of our farm and farms like ours in New York State.
The Graze-NY Program is an extremely important program for many reasons including:
- Provides important educational and economic resources for family farms in New York State that are exploring and developing grazing operations.
- Grazing helps to improve the economic viability of family farms
- Grazing improves animal health and subsequently carcass and/or milk quality
- Grazing reduces environmental impacts associated with air and water pollution by reducing fossil fuel consumption and improving soil nutrient management thereby improving and protecting local watersheds
- Improves public awareness, appreciation, and neighbor relations within the farm and residential community
As a last comment, we are deeply satisfied with the health and vitality of our animals on pasture. Our customers are deeply satisfied with the health and vitality of our animals on pasture. And our neighbors and fellow community members are deeply satisfied with the health and vitality of our animals on pasture. There isn’t a community event that goes by where we don’t receive praises from folks that mention “We LOVE seeing your animals grazing!!”
Sincerely,
Bill Guptill
Guptill Family Farm (Onondaga County)
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