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 Farmer Flood, Forage & Feed Meeting
 TOMORROW
Wednesday, September 141:00 pm at Grand Gorge Civic Center (formerly the school) State Route 30, Grand Gorge
7:30 pm at Delhi Fire Hall
140 Delview Terrace Extension, Delhi
This multi-agency meeting targets the needs of farmers affected by the recent flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Staff from the Watershed Agricultural Council, CCE Delaware County (CCE-DC), Delaware County Soil & Water, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the financial and technical assistance available to landowners.
Among the items to be covered:
-- Completing the Emergency Forage Assessment form-- Planning Feed Needs for your farm -- Lining up emergency forage -- Exploring other resources, troubleshooting and making site visit appointments.
These multi-agency meetings are free and open to the public, but will focus on the needs of local farmers and how federal, state, regional and local agencies and partners can provide technical and financial assistance. Call (607) 865-6531 for more information or to make accommodations for special needs.
Impacts of the Flood
Visible structural damage, road closures and pasture invasion are the obvious aftermath. But how flooding impacts a farm's operations, cash flow and long-term feed needs also demands immediate attention. CCE-DC estimates over $1-million in crop loss (see below). That means hay, silage and baleage too -- the primary foodstuffs of livestock -- is in tight supply for farms wintering livestock: dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats and others. You can help in two ways:
1) CCE-DC is collecting information about forage available in the area. Many farms lost significant amounts of hay and feed and will need to find additional sources for feeding their animals this winter. These farmers will need to connect with farms with surplus forage, or who have late cuttings of hay that could be harvested. Farms with forage resources who are willing to sell surplus should submit the Emergency Forage Assessment form. CCE will compile a list of local forage sources for farmers in need that will be posted to the WAC and CCE-DC websites.
2) USDA FSA is asking farmers to report their crop losses, regardless if they have crop insurance. Your numbers will be added in to figure the extent of crop damage and to help draw attention to the regional need for feed and financial assistance. Delaware County Preliminary Estimate for Flood Damage Crop Loss Summary compiled by CCE Delaware County
Field Crops: 1073.5 acres worth approximately $685,900
Other Crops: 93.2 acres worth approximately $220,200
Stored Feed: 46 tons worth approximately $9,200
Grand Total: $915,300
as of 5:00 pm 9/2/2011
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Raising the Roof for Farmers in Need
 As the waters rose, people asked, "What can I do?" Several got busy and scheduled fundraisers to benefit our neighbor farmers in their time of need. The Catskills Farmer Flood Relief Fund is the caring synergy of people, organizations and agencies, coming together to raise money for farmers impacted by two back-to-back floods. Serving as the clearing house for fundraising, the Watershed Agricultural Council provides fiscal support to those motivated by the disaster; we assist by funneling funds raised, to those farmers in need.
On Sunday, September 18, Sherman Hill Farmstead, Lucky Dog Organic Farm and the Council are Raising the Roof from 4:30p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hamden Inn, 35769 State Highway 10, Hamden. Admission is by donation, large or small. Local musicians and writers will provide entertainment. All proceeds, including the event's silent auction featuring local artwork and products, benefit farmers directly. If you'd like to donate an item to the silent auction, contact Morgan George of Sherman Hill Farmstead at (607) 829-6886.
On Sunday, September 25, the Council will be trading vintage Taste of the Catskills posters and premium Pure Catskills schwag for donations to the Catskills Farmer Flood Relief Fund at the New Amsterdam Market, Fulton Street Fish Market at South Street Seaport in downtown NYC from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From October 1 through 10, participants inLark in the Park -- a celebration of the Catskills Park featuring biking and hiking events -- can donate through the Catskill Center.
On the weekend of October 8-9, join us at Taste of the Catskills at Maple Shade Farm in Delhi from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds from various activities will benefit the local fire department and riverside farmers.
All donations, big or small, go directly to Catskills farmers, to help them rebuild and recover from the 2011 water disaster. Can't make it to one of these fundraising event? Give online or mail your tax-deductible check to 33195 State Highway 10, Walton, NY 13856 (note in the memo line: Farmer Flood Relief).
Come Raise the Roof with us!
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Don't Miss: 2011 Sustainability Conference
 2011 Green Chimneys Sustainability Conference
Planet Green: Sustainable Education for the Next Generation
October 27 & 28, 2011
8:30am - 1:30pm
Register early as space is limited!
Hosted by Clearpool Education Center in Carmel, this conference is free, open to the public and sponsored by Green Chimneys, the Council, Clearwater, Swiss Re and others.
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Of Interest
Kudos to These Participants in the News:
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UPCOMING EVENTS
September 10
Gary Mead Gallery Open House
Margaretville
September 14
Farmer Flood & Feed Meeting
Grand Gorge (1-3p)
Delhi (7:30-9:30p)
September 15
Sheep & Goat Producer Group Road Trip & Farm Tour
Old Chatham
September 15
Lucky Dog Film Series: What's On Your Plate?
Hamden
September 17
Deer & Habitat Field Day
Clearpool Education Center
Carmel
September 18
Raise the Roof at the Hamden Inn: A Benefit for Catskills Farmer Flood Relief Fund
Hamden
September 22
WAC Environmental Film Series:The Greenhorns
SUNY-Sullivan
September 25
The Chefs' Taster: A Benefit for Catskills Farmer Flood Relief Fund
New Amsterdam Market, NYC
September 27
Invasives in the Hudson Valley
Somer
October 1
Advanced Logger Rescue
TBA
October 1-10
Lark in the Park:A Benefit for Catskills Farmer Flood Relief Fund
Various locations in Catskill Park
October 5
New Green City 2011
Union Square Plaza, NYC
October 6
Lucky Dog Film Series: Vanishing of the Bees
Hamden
October 8-9
Taste of the Catskills: A Benefit for Catskills Farmer Flood Relief Fund at Maple Shade Farm
Delhi
October 21
Harvest Moon Evening at Hilltop Hanover Farm
Yorktown Heights
October 21
Game of Logging: Level 1TBA
October 27-28
2011 Green Chimneys Sustainability Conference at Clearpool Education Center
Carmel
NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR EVENT?
We can provide a speaker to present on topics related to agriculture, forestry, conservation easements, water quality, farm to market, communications and the Council's community impact. To learn more, contact Tara Collins at (607) 865-7090, ext. 226.
BLOGS
Pure Catskills
You & Your Watershed
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