Tour Takes Focus on Agriculture

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (June 21, 2017) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program recently organized a tour for leaders in our area and staff at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County where participants were able to learn more about agriculture in our community.

On June 13th, community stakeholders were invited to join CCE-Chautauqua staff on a tour to highlight two agricultural Business in Chautauqua County. This unique opportunity was provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agricultural Program Advisory Committee, and was a chance for guests to learn firsthand about the agricultural industry in Chautauqua County.

A beautiful day greeted participants as the tour began at Frontier Brook Farm in Conewango Valley, NY. Frontier Brook Farm is owned and operated by the Moss Family, and milks 220 dairy cattle while managing crops for their lactating dairy herd and dairy replacements. The farm recently invested in and installed a robotic milking system, utilizing the latest technology to improve the efficiency and profitability of their business. They also work with many agribusiness representatives who provide products, services, and advice to help them succeed in the dairy industry.

The second stop on the tour was Abers Acers, a family enterprise managed by the Abers Family in Kennedy, NY. The business operates on over 100 acres of prime agricultural land that is devoted to the production of pick-your-own and ready-picked fruits and vegetables. Abers Acres is one the region’s favorite locations to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, and several area institutions and grocery stores depend on Abers Acres to provide fresh homegrown produce in season.

Chautauqua County is home to over 1,500 farms that operate on 235,546 acres with a total market value of $161 million for agricultural products sold in the county. Agriculture is important to our economy as $2.29 is generated in the community for every dollar of income created by the agricultural industry. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program Staff work hard to provide educational opportunities, reliable research based resources and information, and production related technical assistance and consultations. For more information, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County at 716-664-9502 or www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua.

The promotion of local agriculture is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua) in line with the County’s 20/20 Comprehensive Plan. CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated June 21, 2017