Speakers
Dr. Chris Barrett:
Dr. Barrett is the Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management and International Professor of Agriculture, Department of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University (http://aem.cornell.edu/faculty_sites/cbb2/). He is also the Persistent Poverty and Upward Mobility Theme Leader for the Institute for the Social Sciences http://www.socialsciences.cornell.edu/0811/desc.html, Associate Director for Economic Development Programs, Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future (http://sustainablefuture.cornell.edu), and the Director of the Food Systems and Poverty Reduction IGERT (http://ciifad.cornell.edu/igert/). In his keynote address he will discuss the changing demand and supply conditions for world food production and the implications for US and northeastern agriculture. He will emphasize not only commercial opportunities and challenges but also the humanitarian and environmental challenges implicit in the evolving agricultural economy.
Peter McDonald: McDonald Farm (Seneca County)
(http://pasturepride.com)
McDonald Farm is a 220 acre pasture-based, multi species, multi-generational small family farming venture located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate NY. Owned and operated by the Peter McDonald family, McDonald Farm is developing into a successful model for fulfilling relationships between soil, animals and people through a farming enterprise dedicated to restorative agricultural practices for clean food production.
Doug Young: Spruce Haven Farm (Cayuga County)
(http://www.sprucehavenfarmllc.com/)
Located in Union Springs, NY in the Fingerlakes region, the farm’s main focus is fluid milk production. The business has also diversified to create additional income through Research, which is led by Dr. Jim Nocek, and Genetics which is managed by Sam Potter. Spruce Haven Farm, LLC strives to provide a reasonable living for the families it supports, while maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the land and cattle they care for.
Dale Hemminger: Hemdale Farms and Greenhouses (Ontario County)
(http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=6157)
Dale’s 2,800 acre upstate NY farm, Hemdale Farms and Greenhouses, has been managed to provide environmental benefits since the beginning. Dale credits his farming-philosophy to his late father, Ralph, a natural steward of the land. Ralph and his wife Elsie started the farm in 1953 and Dale joined in managing the operation in 1976. Hemdale Farms now consists of 700 dairy cows (milking robots), 1,500 acres of vegetables - 300 acres of which are organic, 1,300 acres of forage crops, and a greenhouse that grows vegetable seedlings for local grower use.
Bill Kilcer: Windstott Farm, Genoa NY
Windstott Farm is a 110 cow dairy with 200 tillable acres. Bill and his wife invested in two robotic milking systems that were installed in July 2009 as an investment into the future, making use of assets, buildings and land, without having to purchase additional land. The robots have cut labor hours but the farm is still able to manage health and care of additional animals. Their son is employed at a neighboring farm that puts up feed for a dairy. The neighboring farm has grown in size and now Bill hires them to harvest his haylage and corn silage and Bill helps with labor when needed. Bill participated in on-farm research studies that looked at manure application methods, drainage ditches and starter phosphorus fertilizer use and completes an annual nutrient mass balance. He uses a minimum tillage system consisting of deep till, aerway and chain harrow. Spring time manure application is done by a custom operator using a drag line. The farm is managed without P and K fertilizers; manure is used to feed the crops. Bill grows a 92 day corn hybrid so that the harvest gets done early and a cover crop of oats gets established in time. The typical rotation is 3 years alfalfa/grass and 2 years of corn. (http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/impactstatements/WindstottFarms).
Greg and Neil Rejman: Sunnyside Farm Inc., Genoa NY
The Rejmans house 3500 milking cows and crop 5000 acres. Utilizing their manure to its fullest extent has always been a priority. They also invested in a draghose manure application system. This better retains manure nutrients while eliminating odors and the chance of runoff. They have recently built a methane digester, furthering their use of manure by creating energy, and reducing manure odors where they still land spread. They have also added to their business sustainability by building a mill for corn and other grains, allowing them to guarantee feed quality and reduce feed costs. They participated in on-farm research projects including a recent manure application study and are participating in a statewide potassium study. (http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/impactstatements/Sunnyside.pdf)
Todd DuMond: DumondAg, Union Springs, NY
Du Mond Ag, LLC is a crop farm growing primarily corn and soybeans on 3000 acres. We also operate Du Mond Grain, LLC a soybean roasting enterprise providing a high quality feed for many local dairies. DuMond Ag utilizes many of the newest technologies available to the market to enhance production and efficiency. We compile production data, soil maps, EC and PH layers, site specific soil samples and application layers to develop variable rate prescription layers, for N, P, K, lime, chemicals and seed. The use of these technologies allows us to take input dollars away from areas that have a low probability of producing a high economical return and put them in areas that are very likely to produce strong profits. We are now able to manage our resources very accurately and efficiently.