New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

agriculture

Washington County Farmers In Spring, 1876

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S. Timmons farm, Walla Walla County, ca. 1892 Photo by F. Fortin, Courtesy UW Special Collections (WAS0304)If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring?

Optimism for a prosperous agricultural season.

“The weather for the past two or three days has been quite warm and spring-like, with frequent showers, and Mother Earth is fast putting on her robe of green,” the Putnam correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on May 12th, 1876. “The farmers have nearly finished their sowing, but we have not heard of much planting being done yet. Winter grain is looking finely, and the prospects are good for an abundant harvest.” [Read more…] about Washington County Farmers In Spring, 1876

Nitrogen Pollution: Too Much of a Good Thing

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Harmful algal blooms provided by DECWhen air and water meet, such as when it rains, air pollution can easily turn into water pollution. Waterways can receive a lot of pollution this way from both rain and run-off.

Air pollution can damage fragile aquatic ecosystems, with one of the most harmful pollutants being nitrogen. [Read more…] about Nitrogen Pollution: Too Much of a Good Thing

Other Important Uses for Milkweed

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Common Milkweed Follicle courtesy Wikimedia user H ZellAfter the undulating clouds of blackbird flocks have left the scene, and the broad chevrons of geese have mostly disappeared over the horizon, another momentous fall event begins.

Yes, it’s time for one more native species to take to the air. The great milkweed migration is on. [Read more…] about Other Important Uses for Milkweed

NY Farmer Named to USDA Organic Standards Board

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NOFA NYA founding member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), Brian Caldwell, was recently appointed to a five-year term on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). [Read more…] about NY Farmer Named to USDA Organic Standards Board

Farmers Markets: An Alternative to a Food System in Flux

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Sign seen during curbside pick-up at the Saranac Lake Farmers’ Park It - Adirondack HarvestIn March, when Governor Cuomo signed the New York State on PAUSE executive order, which mandated that all non-essential businesses in New York State had to close, farmer’s markets were exempted as essential retail businesses and, as such, allowed to open or remain open.

But, as concerns about the spread of COVID-19 grew, farmers market growers, gardeners, and managers, like other small business operators, found themselves rushing to come up with innovative contingency plans to modify their operations and employ solutions that would protect their livelihoods, as well as the health and well-being of their customers, market workers, and the community at large. [Read more…] about Farmers Markets: An Alternative to a Food System in Flux

Saratoga County Fair: A Short History

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The Saratoga County Fairgrounds Early 20th centuryThe Saratoga County Agricultural Society and Fair dates back to 1841 when the organization was formed under an act of the State Legislature of that year. However, before the Agricultural Society was founded, earlier fairs were held from 1819 to 1825 at the Courthouse and an adjacent lot in Ballston Spa.

Saratoga County shares the honor of the oldest county fair in New York State with Jefferson County. [Read more…] about Saratoga County Fair: A Short History