Tractor rollover protection systems...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Barbara Bayes 800-343-7527


January 20, 2009


Campaign to Save Farmers’ Lives Enters Third Year
Rebate effort surpasses 500 tractors







Cooperstown, N.Y. – The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) announces that it has fitted the 565th tractor with a rollover protection system (ROPS) through its rebate program, now entering its third year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,412 workers on farms died from tractor overturns between 1992 and 2005. NYCAMH’s efforts have saved hundreds of New York farmers from potential injury and death.

“Our campaign has increased by ten-fold the number of farmers making their tractors safe by retrofitting them with rollover protection systems,” said Dr. John May, director of NYCAMH. “This is important because a farmer’s risk of dying on the job is 800 percent higher than that of the average American worker.”

Tractor overturns are the primary cause of these fatal and permanently crippling injuries. In the event of a rollover, the use of ROPS and a seatbelt reduces the risk of injury by 99 percent. Tractors built after 1985 have built-in rollover protection, but most tractors in use today are older than that.

This month, NYCAMH began its ROPS print advertising campaign featuring New York farmer Don Tetreault of Hidden View Farm in Champlain, New York. “When my tractor flipped over, I broke all the ribs on one side,” Tetreault said in one ad. “I had tractor tracks on my back when they pulled me out. I couldn’t work for months and almost lost the family farm, and I was one of the lucky ones.” Since that time, Tetreault has retrofitted all of his tractors with ROPS.

The ads will appear in Country Folks, Grassroots, Focus on Farming and other New York newspapers. The ROPS program will also be promoted during the annual New York State Farm Show in Syracuse Feb. 26-28.

“We are grateful to the New York State Legislature for their support of this program, in particular lead proponents State Senators James L. Seward and Catharine M. Young, both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee,” Dr. May said. “It is especially important in this economic climate to continue to make this financial assistance available.” In fact, the average out-of-pocket cost to farmers is just $380 compared in many cases to nearly $1,000 before the ROPS program.

Farmers should call toll free 1-877-ROPS-R4U (or 1-877-767-7748) for more information. By calling the “ROPS-R4U” hotline, farmers can both receive information on the program and allow hotline staff to do the legwork for them. In addition to saving farmers money, the ROPS program is specifically designed to reduce the hassle of retrofitting a farm tractor with an approved rollbar and seatbelt. The rebate amounts to 70 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing rollover protection on a tractor, a savings of up to $765.



A program of Bassett Healthcare, NYCAMH has worked since 1983 to enhance agricultural and
rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury and illness.
For information, call 1-800-343-7527

GAS LEASING COALITIONS

Landowner Natural Gas Leasing Coalition Forms in Schuyler County

Many landowners in the southern tier of New York saw the natural gas industry take an increased interest in the natural gas beneath the surface of their properties in 2008. To help landowners and communities better understand the issues surrounding natural gas development, numerous grass-roots leasing coalitions have emerged throughout the region in recent months.

A coalition has recently been formed in Schuyler County. There is no fee or obligation to sign a lease if you join the Schuyler Land Owner Coalition. To learn more about natural gas development and how the coalition can help you, please attend one of the following meetings, or visit http://schuylerloc.org. Bring your parcel tax identification number to the meeting if interested in joining.

January 27, 2009—7:00 p.m.
Watkins Glen High School

February 4, 2009—7:00 p.m.
Odessa/Montour High School

February 11, 2009—7:00 p.m.
Tyrone Fire Hall

February 25, 2009– 7:00 p.m.
Mecklenburg Fire Hall

March 11, 2009—7:00 p.m.
Monterey Fire Hall

2009 AG District Enrollment

2009 Annual Agriculture District Enrollment

Authorized by New York State and administered by counties, an agricultural district can protect landowners and farmers from unreasonable local land use regulations, nuisance suits regarding legal farm practices, and some uses of eminent domain. It is not a zoning district, and does not regulate land uses or subdivisions.

Schuyler County landowners will have the opportunity to petition to enroll their land in one of three county agricultural districts from January 15 to February 15.

Each parcel submitted must consist of substantially viable agricultural land, which can be measured by current or recent past usage and soil types, and the request to include the land must be made in writing.

To request that your land be added to an agriculture district in Schuyler County, please send the request to:

Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schuyler County
323 Owego Street, Unit 5, Montour Falls, NY 14865.

For more information regarding agricultural districts, please see our website at http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/schuyler/ or call (607) 535-7161.

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets also provides information on the agriculture districts program at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/agservices/agdistricts.html.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us at (607) 535-7161 and ask for Danielle, Rocky or Brett. We can also be reached at dah35@cornell.edu, rrk45@cornell.edu or bjc226@cornell.edu, respectively.

Bishop Sheen

HOMEOWNERS
In Chemung, Schuyler and Yates Counties
Access to Home is a NYS program that provides grants to make modifications to the homes of those with disabilities. Modifications will be made to enable persons with disabilities or frail elderly to remain or return to their homes. This could include ramps, doorways, bathroom showers, grab bars, etc..

Qualifications include the following:
1. A deed to the single family home.
2. Or a bill of sale for mobile homes.
3. Property taxes paid.
4. Homeowners insurance.
5. A referral from your service provider or doctor.
6. Be income eligible as indicated below.

#Persons Income

1- $22,140
2- $25,320
3- $28,440
4- $31,620
5- $34,140
6- $36,660
7- $39,180
8- $41,760

Funded by: Access to Home and Rural Development

For application or information contact Bishop Sheen Housing Foundation- 585-657-4114
Or Sheen2@rochesters.rr.com

Hearing and speech impaired customers can call NY State Relay number at 1-800-662-1220

Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Upcoming Events in Agriculture January

Upcoming events in the Agriculture, Natural Resources
and Horticulture in the South Central New York Region


AGRICULTURE

January 17th 2009, 10:00 am to Noon- Getting the Most from Grazing
Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension Human Services Complex Auditorium
323 Owego Street, Unit #5 Montour Falls, NY
If you are looking to increase the benefits that you and your animals receive from grazing, then this meeting is for you! Fay Benson, Grazing Educator with Graze NY will cover the basics of a well-managed grazing system and share other information that will help you raise healthier animals. Fay will also discuss the multiple health benefits of pastured raised products. John Wickham of the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District will also be on hand to go over the services they provide to grazers.
Please pre-register (in case of bad weather cancellation) by contacting:
Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cathy Barnes 607-535-7161 - cab377@cornell.edu

January 31, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm - Profits from Pastures: Genetic Selection, Management and Marketing for Grass-fed Beef in the Northeast - The Century House, Latham, NY (Albany County) - Speakers include Bill Hodge, Georgia cattleman, grazier, and University of Georgia Extension Beef Specialist, and Kathleen Harris, Director of the Northeast Livestock Processing Service. Also Kit Pharo and Dr. Allen Williams. Mark your calendar now - cost is $40.00 per person for early registration up to December 20th, after December 20th, $60.00 per person. Includes light morning fare, lunch and handouts. For more information, contact Tom Gallagher, Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County at 518-765-3500 or Morgan Hartman at blackqueenangus@yahoo.com. Sponsored in part by NYS GLCI and others.

February 7 and 14 – Beginning Farmer Series – How to get started in farming or move your young operation to the next level. Human Services Complex; 323 Owego St; Montour Falls. Email bjc226@cornell.edu for more information.

February 10-12, 2009- Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo Syracuse, New York Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse NY • February 11 & 12, 2009
Becker Forum • February 10, 2009 • Holiday Inn Liverpool. Visit
www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/expo/ for more details or call Please contact NYSVGA
Phone/fax: 315-687-5734 info@nysvga.org

HORTICULTURE

January 7-9th 2009 Empire State Green Industry Show- Welcome to the 2009 Emprie State Green Industry Show which combines the conference and trade shows of the NYS Turfgrass Association, NYS Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc., and NYS Arborists-ISA Chapter, Inc. This year the theme is “Go Green, Grown Green”! For details please call 1-800-873-8873 or visit www.nysta.org.

January 23-25th- Organic Farming and Gardening Conference- “Meals Without Wheels”. More than 80 workshops to choose from, addressing all aspects of a regional organic food system. We all play a role in creating this system, and the conference is a great chance to come together and share out knowledge and experiences. For more information please contact Kate Mendenhall NOFA-NY Projects Coordinator
585-271-1979 eMail Event Organizer or web www.nofany.org.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Monday, January 12, 2009- 6:30pm - 8:30pm Two Presentations on the Impacts of Gas Exploration
Tioga Central High School Auditorium (click here for directions)
27 5th Avenue
Tioga, NY 13845
"Surface Impact Considerations for Forest and Farmland"-Brett Chedzoy
"Economic and Social impacts from Natural Gas Development"-Jeffrey Jacquet

Wednesday, January 28, 6:30-8:30 pm Beginner Maple Producer Workshop
Ontario County Cooperative Extension Center, 480 N. Main Street, Canandaigua NY Stephen Childs, NYS Maple Extension Specialist at Cornell University; will present a workshop covering a variety of aspects of maple syrup production including: why make maple syrup, tree identification, tree health, tapping, sap collection and handling, boiling, energy efficiency, finishing and grading syrup, canning, marketing and regulations. This workshop is aimed at the small or beginning maple producer and would be useful to the homeowner looking to tap a few trees in the backyard. Fee: $10.00 per family. To register or for additional information, contact Ontario County Cooperative Extension at 585-394-3977 x 427 or x436 or email: nea8@cornell.edu. This workshop also will be offered on February 28 at Hamley's Maple, 1242 Oak Hill Rd, Barton, NY. Contact: Brett Chedzoy at Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension, bjc226@cornell.edu, or 607-535-7161 for more information

February 21, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – Winter Meeting of the NY Forest Owners Association, Southern Finger Lakes Chapter – Presentations on the latest topics related to wildlife and forests. Spencer-Van Etten High School Auditorium, Rt 34. Contact Brett Chedzoy at bjc226@cornell.edu for more information.

February 26, 27, and 28-NY FARM SHOW - Helping Farmers Produce More from Their Woodlots Got Trees? The New York Forest Owners Association, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will present a series of free forestry programs. The New York Farm Show is annually held at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The Farm Show has many exhibits displaying information, equipment, and items of interest to landowners as well as farmers. Landowners who own woodland as part of their property can get information on many subjects that will help them enhance the value of their woodlots for timber, wildlife, and recreation. For further information contact: James Christensen 315-472-5323, or Charley Porter 315-298-7467 ckporter@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or John Druke 315-656-2313 jcdruke@twcny.rr.com.

Gas Leasing Coalitions in Schuyler

“Throughout this past fall, a dedicated grass-roots group of Schuyler landowners, with support from Schuyler Farm Bureau and Schuyler CCE, has diligently worked towards forming our first Gas Leasing Coalition. Empire Energy Consultants, which also represents the Steuben County Landowner Coalition, was chosen by the group to represent Schuyler’s initial coalition. The Schuyler Coalition will allow landowners to pool their land into units that can be competitively bid out to legitimate companies. If you choose to sign a lease that is negotiated Empire Energy Consultants, they will receive a fee of $20 per acre for their services, paid directly by the company that you sign with. The collective bargaining power of Schuyler’s coalitions will likely allow landowners to obtain compensations and lease terms that would not otherwise be made available to individuals. However, leasing through a coalition is not a quick process, and consequently may not be an option for some. You can even join the coalition if your land is currently leased, though a new lease generally cannot be signed until the previous one expires.



Starting in late January, there will be a series of five public meetings around the county to present the coalition to interested landowners. For locations and dates, please visit http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/schuyler or http://empireenergyconsultantsllc.org”





Brett Chedzoy
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Schuyler County
Agriculture and Natural Resources
bjc226@cornell.edu
office: 607-535-7161
cell: 607-742-3657