BERNE, N.Y. — Close to 1,000 people joined Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County at CN Tommell Cattle Company for the Second Annual Family Farm Day on September 9, 2018. Although the focus of the day was beef education, there was also an emphasis on highlighting the diversity of agriculture in Albany County and New York State. Farmer vendors included Helderherdwyck Farm (a diversified livestock operation), Mountain Winds Farm (a maple producer), and Black Sheep Honey (a local beekeeper).
The event was also supported by other agencies and businesses who provided interactive and educational experiences for the whole family. These include Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program Team (CCE), the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Honest Weight Food Co-op, Altamont Country Values (Agway), New York State Grown and Certified, Albany County Farm Bureau, Jack Miller’s Tractor and Equipment, the Albany Institute of History and Art, Berne-Knox-Westerlo FFA, Albany County 4-H, Cargill, Meadowbrook Dairy, NYS Veterinarians, NYS Beef Producers, NYS Beef Industry Council, and the Rock Road Chapel.
Participants sampled and purchased local food, enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers from Knox and Berne Fire Departments, and appreciated free samples of locally sourced yogurt, cheese, apples, and milk. With attendance close to 1,000, we reached over 200 more community members than the first annual Family Farm Day, which was held in September of 2017. Live music was provided by the Lum Brothers Band and door prizes courtesy of the Rock Road Chapel were awarded every half hour. Senator George Amedore and Congressman Paul Tonko joined us for Family Farm Day, as well as other local politicians.
Family Farm Day’s mission is to educate consumers and area residents on the importance of agriculture in maintaining beautiful, healthy landscapes and supporting vibrant economies, as well as helping them to better understand the day to day activities happening on a modern farm. By providing experiences for the whole family where they can touch, see, smell, and hear what it is like to be on a working farm, we were able to create lasting positive memories. We are looking forward to continued improvement and growth of the event and have set our sights on 2019!
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County
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