Progress Report #4 for April 2013: Bill Gibson
4/3- Presented CCE initiatives / collaborations to the Otsego County Board of Reps. Handed out copies
of my three progress reports & copy of my description of our goals for 2013 CCE.
I attended B&B/ local farm coordination meeting at the Farmer’s Museum sponsored by a grant through
local Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations. Several regional B&B owners and local farmers were in
attendance. Discussions held regarding their needs and opportunities to work together. Thoughts were
expressed of farmers’ involvement with guests via activities such as tours, hayrides, animal observation
or petting, hiking, fishing, hunting---- whatever the farm might accommodate. Of course liability issues
are a concern, but not insurmountable. There was somewhat limited attendance. More outreach will be
needed.
4/4- Met w/Dairy & Field Crop team members regarding my assistance with them of the Precision
Feeding program 2013 alfalfa monitoring. I will visit farms be able to stop by and make other CCE
contacts. The Team’s grant will pay for my travel for these Tuesday alfalfa tours.
I stopped by the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce to get listing of local B&B’s. Got somewhat cool
reception--- told CCE should join the Chamber. I did get Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism Guide,
however, with pretty good listing.
4/5 Travelled with young Otsego beef producer to Herkimer Co beef producer to observe his multipurpose (hay storage for sale and Beef cow and calf housing) facilities and discuss aspects of beef herd
management.
4/8- Attended NYCAMH outreach meeting to share update on my farm plotting and visits relative to the
EM data posting for First Responder access.
4/9- Call from dairy farmer asking about feasibility of growing hydroponic forage for dairy cattle--- I will
research and calculate productive capability. Also, call from a lady desiring someone who could
artificially inseminate hogs--- again, I will research.
I called Town of Middlefield B&B owner about her thoughts regarding the local farm/B&B program held
4/3. She saw possibilities. One of the aspects identified was the difficulty for B&B owners to go to
Farmer’s Markets on Saturday mornings--- delivery of product would be helpful. Bridgette itemized
products that she could utilize: eggs, flour, greens, onions, soaps, sausage, bacon, butter, cheeses,
broccoli, maple products and honey.
4/10- Contacted Madelyn at CCE Office--- my CCE e-mail doesn’t seem to be working. She will put in help
ticket. Fixed same afternoon—I resent several e-mails that I had not heard back from over last week.
Visited Westford farm couple relative to SWCD/ Ag Enviro. Management (AEM) planning role. Asked
about the two persons raising hogs over there if they thought they’d inseminate hogs. They mentioned
one person, who I understood no longer had pigs, but also mentioned the Amish slaughter house on my
home farm with whom I have a relationship—so I called there when I got home. He mentioned a hog
grower in Warren towards Richfield Springs --- I know him, so called him and he explained how he could
help. I called original questioner back and shared this info. She was pleased.
Two people I’d responded to by e-mail over a week ago whom I’d not heard back from did
respond after my e-mail was repaired: one needed guidance on leasing cropland/ what pitfalls and
concerns. I’d given him his soils types; mentioned USDA conservation plans which the grower, if
accessing USDA programs would be required to follow, and that should have commitment to leaving
conservation cover/ hay on fields when terminating lease. He respond sent lease they’d worked up
based on my input. It looked satisfactory. They wanted to keep “as close to handshake agreement as
possible”. We spoke on phone that evening. We discussed their other future personal farming
enterprise goals--- crops, grains, possible distillery. We plan to talk more.
The second needed guidance on small livestock (probably sheep), and other specific issues
relating to property they are buying on Southside Drive, Oneonta. I directed her to Sue Smith, past
President of the Leatherstocking Shepherd’s Association. Sue, also mentioned a shepherd on Southside
Drive, Oneonta who operates gift shop and sells retail and freezer mutton. I needed to research
management of the property: soils and pond weed elimination. Contacted DEC was given guidance.
Looked up soils info, and called back the questioner with outcome of my research.
4/11Road trip:






Visited Town Hartwick organic dairy farm couple. I learned they are selling their herd on the 3rd
of May--- a very large and emotional decision. We talked some about their future plans. I will
follow-up to visit about things they may transition toward. Also, will schedule Farm Safety
Training with their grandson who will be helping with cropping this summer.
Met with Town of Hartwick Highway Superintendent and plotted 23 Hartwick farm enterprises.
Met with Hartwick beef and hay farm couple and their son. Discussed many things. I will
research Murray Grey beef breeders in the state from whom they might buy a bull to increase
their Murray Grey herd. Also, discussed hay storage and loan opportunities to improve that
aspect of their business. Discussed EM data placement on their farm. I will get them example
data sheets--- did not have with me, yet.
Stopped by Larry’s Custom Meat, Inc. introduced myself to his daughter and shared concept of
my CCE visits. Discussed her vegetable plans. When I got home I e-mailed her soil testing
laboratory information.
Had lunch at “The Hartwick”. The owner and waitress pumped me for info on livestock fencing
and grazing. Offered that I could set up office hours there to meet producers--- probably won’t
do that! But, will stop by periodically.
Travelled over hill toward Milford. Stopped by Milford producer’s home. Met with he and his
daughter discussed several enterprise ideas they are considering. Daughter is a recent Cornell
Uni. graduate. We will follow-up on some of those ideas.



4/16researched hydroponic forage production—found specifications on seed and production per
square foot of capacity. Our preliminary calculations determined this was not a practical means
of providing forage for a 50 cow milking herd. IT would seem according to the manufacturer’s
spec that 1500 feet of trough would be needed to meet the production goals. We will follow-up
further with the hydroponic venders.
Spoke to lady living in Milford, works full-time in Oneonta and owns 55 acres of prime farmland
in the Town of Richfield. She was seeking some means of better utilizing her farmland. We spoke
of various enterprises, but due to her career, she did not feel she could manage that. Livestock
was unlikely, and crops have more risk than she’d be comfortable with, and more capital /labor
than she would want to invest. We also spoke of USDA wildlife initiatives, and the possibility of
renting to one of the large dairy operations who have been looking for additional land in the
Richfield area. I gave her three names, and offered a sample lease, if desired. She contacted
one, and I learned the next week she has leased the land for a “good” price.
I made follow-up call to dairy goat family I’d met with at the end of March. I asked about
progress with business plan forms I’d left. We discussed their financial needs for building repairs
and expansion and purchase of additional goats. The price of the goat herd he had in mind has
dropped $50 each, but he is not excited about those goats even at the reduced price due to
their age. Presently, his market is suffering. His large potential buyer is not up to speed, yet.
Other buyers have been inconsistent. He will get his costs together and work on “the plan” and
get back to me.
4/18- Made following farm visits:




Milford woman: discussed grazing issues: fence electrical problems and productivity of her
pastures. I will gather soil samples and submit. She paid analysis fee. I will consult individual who
built her electric fence regarding options to improve the fence charge.
Met with grain and hay producer. Discussed several aspects of his business: soil testing, grain
marketing—we’ve discussed before. He did agree to have his property mapped for emergency
response data. He has multiple hazards that he agreed would be well to give first responders
early notice.
Stopped by farm with several beef cows. I learned they belong to young man and are kept on his
grandparents’ property. I was given his phone number to follow-up with regarding needs he
might have.
Stopped by farm of Town of Milford Supervisor. He was not home. His wife gave me his cell
phone number. I called. We made appointment for Monday 4/22 at 3 PM to meet to plot the
Town’s farms and discuss his personal farm’s needs.
4/22
Had call from young couple wanting to start an organic dairy on farm they presently own. Have
questions about sanitation requirements. I called NY Ag & Markets spoke to Christine Davidson.
She explained procedures, and that a vender with whom they might set up their facility would



more than likely file the required plan. She also gave me name of the Regional certified milk
inspector who would have to sign off on the set-up. I shared this with the original caller.
I called John Kosmer back about his invitation to participate on Glimmerglass Radio. After asking
some details, I agreed that a interview format would probably work, although I do not have a
“smart phone” or I-pad with which to interview and submit--- I’ll have to work on that.
Called back lady with hog to breed, and gave her another name of person who would be able to
artificially inseminate hogs.
I called lady with whom I I’d discussed renting land in Richfield--- she informed me of her
success. I asked if she would still appreciate soil type data--- she thought it would be helpful. I
swung by USDA /SWCD Office for soils data, and mailed it to her. I, also, learned how to access
web soil survey at home.
Road trip:



Met with several Milford farmers: discussed Conservation Reserve program with one where
animals are accessing creek; got (3) names and addresses to include in Precision Feeding reports
of hay readiness; got agreement from same three to be mapped and post emergency data on
farmstead for first responders. Discussed cost and sources of lime for lady with pasture
productivity question. I left my list of farm subjects with two producers who were too busy with
fieldwork to pause long—I will check back with them.
Collected soil samples from pasture of lady with productivity concerns. On way home took to
Cornell Cooperative Extension office; performed office pH analysis, and prepared info sheet and
prepared for mailing to Agro-one soils lab.
Went to Milford Town Supervisor’s farm--- he had change in plans with family, and asked that
we might meet next day.
4/23- Met with Chris Harmon at Milford Town Hall. We plotted (20) Milford farm enterprises, and
discussed his operation’s unique aspects. He appreciated the emergency data project and agreed to
participate.
4/24


I assisted at the SWCD hosted Envirothon at Gilbert Lake by judging oral presentations.
Afterwards, I had an appointment with the Laurens Highway Superintendent, Wayne Shulgay,
based on conversations with him and Town Supervisor Oscar Oberkircher--- we expected it to be
raining--- it had not. He was not there--- I went out to three local farms left my letter and
assessment sheet with one farmer not at home; visited with two briefly, I was well received but,
due to their busy-ness I left my discussion points and agreed to come back. These two did like
the emergency data process and agreed to participate.
Went back to Laurens Town Barn---Wayne Shulgay had just pulled in. We met and plotted 18
Laurens farms.
Swung by one more farm on way home. I had networked with her about hops and goat
purchase opportunities--- good discussion about multiple enterprises underway there. Agreed
to follow-up on grain storage possibilities--- she will send me size and capacity requirements.
She liked and agreed to emergency data project.
4/26- Met for 1 ½ hours with local Cooperstown dairy producer, as per an appointment we’d made.
Covered many subjects on my analysis listing. She appreciates the Dairy and Field Crop team,
particularly the Corn Stalk Nitrogen Test (CNST) study, which she had three-ring binder right on her desk.
Major issue we focused on is neighbor relationship challenges she has—the family has worked hard on
that over the years. Some misunderstandings exist presently. We discussed possible news story--- I
stopped by Freeman’s Journal on way home. Mr. Kevlin agreed to importance of such a story. He is also
interested in our Cornell Extension project and would like to follow-up on that. The above farmer, also
liked and agreed to emergency data project.
I met or talked with some 28 or more producers in April.