Press Release

Publish Date: 6/26/2018

Montgomery County Farmers Recognized

Legislators Commend Farmers for their Hard Work and Community Impact

FONDA - Montgomery County Farm Bureau Field Advisor Todd Heyn said those involved in agriculture are creating income from sunlight, rain and soil.

"Whatever a farmer makes goes back to the community," he said.

Montgomery County has over 600 farms stemming over 130,000 acres, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture.

On Tuesday, the County Legislature recognized community farmers for their dedication, collaboration and work ethic. They were also commended for the impact their businesses have on the community.

Montgomery County's economy has traditionally been tied to farming and agriculturally based businesses and support services, according to the 2017 Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. The value of agricultural products sold from Montgomery County was approximately $87 million based on the 2012 Census. This was an 18 percent increase in value from 2007. Approximately 75 percent or about $65.3 million was in livestock sales with $21.5 million in crop sales, according to the Farmland Protection Plan.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau President Mike Jennings said he has beef cows and grows hay, corn and soy on his farm in the town of Florida.

"If something happens, the farm community comes together," he said.

Jennings said farming is job where you work 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

Gordon Schaufelberg, a retired dairy farmer from the town of Florida said farmers maintain the open space in Montgomery County.

"Montgomery County has such a high percentage of farmable land and about 98 to 99 percent of those farms are family owned or run," he said.

Michael Settle who has a farm in St. Johnsville said one of his most important tasks is taking care of his animals.

"I have about 100 head of dairy cattle and milk about 45," Settle said.

He explained that most farms affect at least 20 other businesses in the community. He also mentioned that "every farmer is an optimist".

Ray Dykeman of the dairy farm Dykeman and Sons Inc. in Fultonville has approximately 1300 cows which are milked between three and four times per day. The operation is family owned and run by Ray, his wife Brenda, brother Roy, sister-in-law Janine, son Kyle and daughter-in-law Jill. The farm has 33 employees, many of which live between 10 or 12 miles of the farm.

On average, Dykeman and Sons ship between 118,000 to 120,000 pounds of milk per day.

Dykeman is also a partner of Envision Dairy in Amsterdam, which has 500 cows. Envision Dairy has approximately 20 partners and was started in an effort to assist younger people who want to become involved with agriculture.

The Fultonville farm has a 60-cow rotary parlor for milking. Cows walk up and ride the machine which is described as a carousel. Dykeman said other farmers in the community have asked about the rotary parlor and said he is always willing to answers questions regarding the machine.

At Dykeman and Sons, taking care of the animals is the main priority and they will do whatever possible to ensure their cows are happy.

"The better you treat your animals, the more milk they produce," Ray Dykeman said.

He said farming impacts so many other businesses in the community by the purchasing of oil, equipment and other supplies for their operations.

"Every farm in the area generates a lot of local income," Ray Dykeman said.

He said farmers run through ups and downs and are always united in rough times.

"You have to have a love of the lifestyle and will fight for what you have," he said.

Shannon and Robby Dygert of Dygert Farms Creamery in Palatine Bridge have 180 cows. They currently distribute milk from MeadowBrook Dairy at their farm stand. Their goal is to begin processing and selling their own milk right from the farm.

"It's a way to diversify our business," Shannon Dygert said.

She mentioned how important agriculture is to the community and how they try to get the public to their farm through events such as Sundae on the Farm and by having local high school 4-H groups.

"People are becoming more removed from agriculture and we want people to stay educated," Shannon Dygert said. "We are more than willing to share or teach people a little more about agriculture."

At Dygert Farms, cows are milked twice per day. They have a double eight milking parlor, two-part time employees and a few part-time staff. Family has also been a big support at the 13th generation farm. Shannon and Robby have three children who are also involved with the farm's daily activities. Whether that be meeting Robby in the field to bring him a plate of dinner or taking turns riding in the tractor.

"It's a way of life, there are no set hours," Shannon Dygert said.

Maryellen Driscoll and Ken Fruehstorfer own Free Bird Farm in Palatine Bridge. They operate a certified organic operation and grow on 40 acres of land. They also have 800 laying hens and a few meat chickens. Free Bird has a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program with approximately 300 members. Shareholders receive vegetables or other farm items for 22 weeks at a set price. Beginning in about early June until early November. Each week a shareholder will receive an average of seven to 11 items. The program gives members access to fresh vegetables and farm items.

"We grow mixed veggies," Fruehstorfer said. "Everything from A to Z, zucchini, kale, scallions, lettuce, cabbage."

Each week members get vegetables depending on what's in season that month. A portion of Free Bird's CSA members are from the New York City area while about 30 are local members. They also have a member who hosts in Cooperstown.

"We are a source of high quality organic produce," Driscoll said. "[Our CSA] has a pretty broad spectrum of members."

Each Tuesday during the CSA season they make five stops around the New York City region to deliver their products. Local shareholders pick up their items on the farm. Free Bird also attends Kingston Farmers' Market on Saturdays and has accounts with a few small natural food stores.

Free Bird has four seasonal workers. Fruehstorfer said they usually start planting their vegetables in a greenhouse around late March and it gets busier and busier each week.

"Very few people are cut out for farming," he said. "They [farmers] are a special breed that doesn't get enough acknowledgement."

Driscoll noted how fortunate they are to have so much open, good farmland in Montgomery County.

"I hope we can preserve it, as well as see it flourish," she said.