February 2011
Dear Fruit Grower:
One hundred fifty six years ago fruit farmers in New York State collected to organize the New York State Horticultural Society. The year was 1855. The American Civil War was in full force. It would be an entire year later in a small Virginia town, Appomattox, that the war would be completed. In spite of the turbulent times, farmers realized that individually they needed to support a collective effort to accomplish three mission goals of the society.
- Supporting educational opportunities for the members.
- Promoting the industry.
- Representing the industry in matters of public policy.
Today I think it only fitting that we pause and ask ourselves have we lost our way or have the 156 years so changed the face of agriculture that we no longer need the NYSHS? Is the Society holding to these three basic mission statements?
Supporting Educational Opportunities for the Members
Education will never become obsolete. The difference today is that research and technology are advancing so fast, and not only on our farms, that it is difficult to know what to focus upon. In years past, fruit farmers learned century old and tried cultural practices to increase the quality and yields on their farms. Often there were very little operational differences between generations. Today we see shifts in almost every area of fruit production. Orchard designs and varietal selections are reshaping what an orchard looks like.
By supporting research initiatives the NYSHS has helped fund research projects that have helped us increase yields and quality at the same time. Funding for these research programs has helped to define profitable practices. Sometimes equally important, it illustrates poor production trends so we do not have to suffer economic setbacks by learning through costly trial and error. The encouragement of those dedicated to research by the NYSHS cannot be understated. Individually, as farmers, we could not afford to fund these projects. Collectively we have spread the financial costs as we moved ahead. It is often said it takes an organization to get the work done for the individual.
Promoting the Industry
In the late 1950’s progressive NYS fruit farmers worked long hours to organize to form the marketing order that today is primarily responsible for the generic promotion of our apple crop. The NYAA does a fantastic job of keeping apples in front of the consumer and in their diet. We work very closely with the NYAA to promote such programs as nutritional information, school lunch programs and increased awareness of the positive healthy benefits associated with the daily consumption of apples and other fruits.
Representing the Industry in Matters of Public Policy
In my tenure representing the NYSHS this area seems to be the one that is in the most critical need of support. Unlike the times in 1855, the average American no longer lives neither in a rural setting nor on a farm. In fact, most have very little if any practical knowledge of where or how their daily caloric intake is produced. While this fact may be true most seem to feel they should have a strong voice in how we should culturally operate upon our farms. This gap, in reality and perception, often leaves us on the defensive as we attempt to explain the harsh realities of coping with Mother Nature to deliver a 100% flawless piece of fruit to their tables.
The delicate balance of perception and reality is never more evident than when we talk about the use of pesticides on our farms. Like the consumers we wish we could operate in such a way as to not use any pesticides. Unfortunately, this reality is not an option today. It may become closer as our researchers are actually mapping the genetic maps of the fruit so to better unlock many of the natural positive protective qualities locked in certain varieties. The average consumer is not at ease with this new form of research and often delays application of these genetic improvements.
Yet, with the shrinking of the globe and more and more trade flowing onto our shores from abroad, we are seeing the invasion of invasive species that attack our plants and fruit. NYSHS, working in Congress and in concert with US Apple, has tried to protect the industry from many of these pests by our work with APHIS. In spite of this pests do slide by and become enormous economic threats. Currently, directly to the south of us in both Virginia and Pennsylvania we are seeing this first hand with the uncontrolled explosion of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs. Growers in Virginia suffered huge losses in their fruit crops this past season as this pest seems un-phased to our traditional forms of control. There were stories on the news stations of populations so large that people were literally sweeping them out of their homes. In 2009 this bug was an unknown pest. We have written letters in cooperation with Cornell University to step up research on this pest so we will be ready when the eventual invasion migrates north into our orchards. As Chairman of the focus groups at the USDA research facility in Kearneysville, West Virginia, we are directing this program to take top priority. Dr. Tracy Lesky, top research entomologist at the station, says this pest currently fails to conform to any of the traditional insects now under study.
Of course, when the topic of public policy comes up in NYS we must recognize the importance of solving the void in domestic employees for our farms. A guest worker program that legally and effectively allows importation of willing employees is critical if our specialty type farms will be able to survive in the future. The Board of Directors has consistently deemed this mission number one during my tenure with this group. Investments in time and travel to lobby in both Albany, NY and Washington, DC are approved and conducted on your behalf. At the last Board Meeting of your NYSHS the current board felt that the time was right to collectively travel to DC to meet the 112th Congress with the 5 new upstate members to impress upon them the critical need to promote a sound guest worker program for agriculture. I am very proud to announce that the entire board will be on the Hill on February 10, 2011 to take this discussion first hand to the New York Congressional offices. I encourage each of you to call members of the board and stress your opinions on this topic prior to February 10.
So, in a few paragraphs, I have attempted to remind you of the wisdom of 1855. The times have changed but the need for collective action is as great, if not more so, today. This is your 2011 NYSHS and you need to be involved. You need to be both critical and supportive in an effort to drive our three key mission statements. I know there are many bills that come across your desk. I want you to ask yourself, however, “where would I be if even one of these areas we have discussed today were not being advocated for me and my farming family?”
Sincerely,
Paul Bake
Executive Director
NYSHS
Tom DeMarree
President
NYS Horticultural Society
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