October 24, 2018
5
The Reporter
Agriculture... continued from front page Film Festival... continued from front page “It seems most logical to re- eral business community cannot build the new facility with a smaller footprint on property the county already owns,” he said. “The current supervisors and their predecessors have kicked the can down the road and now it’s a time of reckoning. We all agree something has to be done. It’s a matter of where and how much it’s going to cost. What the supervisors are now proposing,” Martin said, “It’s just too much.” “When you throw eminent domain at farmers, you hear a huge and loud ‘no’ in response,” Martin said. “We believe property rights are (similar to) human rights.” Farmers, Martin said, are also concerned about Delaware County building a new facility on what little farmland or developable land is left in the county. New York State Farm Bureau has also opposed the use of eminent domain. Delaware County farmers are joining the state’s Farm Bureau in requesting funding from the Department of Agriculture and Markets to build slaughterhouses which would assist in the growth of livestock agriculture in New York. Delaware County farmers also aligned themselves with New York State Farm Bureau in advocating for the permitting of all farms, regardless of size, to grow marijuana if, or when, it becomes legalized for recreational use. Farmers also took a stand on invasive plants, asking that funding be directed to the development and implementation of educational and eradication programs. Invasives such as wild parsnip and Japanese knotweed, which flourish along Delaware County roadways and streams, are continuing to spread and choke established ecosystems. Local farmers urged municipal road crews to brush-hog along roadways earlier in the season before the plants have had time to form seeds and spread. Cutting in June for the first time, rather than August, may help stop the spread of invasives, Martin suggested. Locally, Farm Bureau also supported the efforts of law enforcement, emergency services responders and social services in dealing with the ongoing opioid crises. Eighty-five percent of Farm Bureau’s 30,000 members at its national meeting this year reported being directly impacted by addiction, Martin said. Delaware County Farm Bureau members supported a national resolution to address climate change, though no specific path to do so was formalized. Local farmers also called for the passage of a new federal Farm Bill, which Martin said he expects to pass after mid-term elections. There are modifications to the dairy margin protection plan and farm income insurance written into the proposed Farm Bill that would help dairy farmers, Martin said. However, he elaborated, “The federal government is never going back to subsidies to bail us out. The federal government is broke and the gen-
keep asking for bail outs. We have to open up our own markets.” Addressing low commodity prices for all products - not just dairy - is a priority, Martin continued. With tariffs in place earlier this year and exports to Canada and Mexico - some of the largest importers of fluid milk - domestic markets had become saturated with an overabundance of product, driving already low prices lower. On Sept. 30 a rebalanced trade agreement was entered into between the three countries. In that agreement, all foods that were previously tariff-free will remain tariff-free and there are now opportunities for exports of dairy, poultry and eggs. In exchange, the United States will open up its import market to Canadian peanuts, processed peanut products and a limited amount of sugar and sugar containing products. Canada and Mexico are the first and third largest food and agricultural product export markets for the United States and accounted for 28 percent of food and agricultural exports in 2017. Those exports alone support more than 325,000 jobs in the United States. As in years past, local farmers continue to advocate for the rewriting and clarification of “Waters of the US” as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act oversight. In a resolution, Farm Bureau asks that clarified definitions protect private property rights against frivolous lawsuits while encouraging environmental stewardship and economic benefits. Farmers also continue to plead with the United States of Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remove the word “milk” from labeling on any beverage that is not produced by a lactating mammal. Officers for 2018-19 were elected and include the reelection of Duane Martin as president; Barb Hanselman as vice-president and Chris DiBenedetto as treasurer. New York State Farm Bureau Region 8 Field Advisor Todd Heyn is performing the duties of secretary. Judy DiBenedetto retired her position as a director, leaving last year’s slate of directors who include Mark Duneau, Jim Eklund, Bob Bishop, Joyce Bishop and Janet Beeman Smith. Farm Bureau, Martin said, is the oldest, grass-roots, all inclusive agricultural advocacy organization in existence. All types of farmers - conventional as well as those who are non-traditional - as well as non-farmers who are interested in food production and policy, environmental stewardship and the economy, are welcome as members. For more information about Delaware County Farm Bureau or to become a member visit nyfb.org/about/county-farm-bureau/delaware-county.
depicts the flavor of Delaware County - unique small towns with farm-to-fork fare, showcasing local makers, crafters, vinters and cideries, producers and designers. Delaware County, Wisely said, is a great place to make films. Depending on the type of film you are making, shooting a film in Delaware County might be far easier than making a film in an urban environment, Wisely said from experience. People in Delaware County have more of an appetite for filmmaking, Wisely said; and there is so much public and private workable space that can fit into a script. An added benefit, she said, is that Delaware County residents and businesses have a lot more patience than what can be found in more densely populated areas. There is also the potential for local businesses to make money when a film crew is in town, she said, citing the filming of season two of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ in Deposit and a unnamed zombie horror/thriller filmed in Fleischmanns earlier this year. The only thing that might keep more films from being made in Delaware County, Wisely said, is available, adequate lodging. Production teams often look for lodging when the small and boutique lodging establishment are already full and much of the typical lodging in Delaware County may not meet the union requirements. In the case of the Fleischmanns film shot this summer, she said, Delaware County lost lodging business to an adjoining county due to those issues. Though she didn’t know exactly what to expect, Wisely said, the festival far exceeded her expectations. Single ticket sales exceeded 150 for the three-
Photo from GWCIFF Twitter Page
Film fans gathered at Wayside Cider in Andes on Friday, Oct. 19 for opening night screenings at the inaugural Great Western Catskills International Film Festival. day event and merchants and eateries reported above-average sales for the weekend. Not only was the festival a tourism driver, it was also an economic driver that helped soften the sales slump typical in the shoulder season that follows Columbus Day and lasts through Thanksgiving weekend. Filmmakers have different objectives when participating in a film festival, Wisely said. Some participate to network and others to be recognized by their peers and the public for their work. Awards were given in each category which included: • Best Student Film - Elysium directed by Layal Jomaa • Best Documentary Feature - The Jackson 5 ... Million directed by Caroline Ledgin
• Best Narrative Feature Metasequoia: Lightly Shoot the Horizon! directed by Shingo Seto • Outstanding Contributions to Independent Film - Larry Fessenden • Best Animated Short - Samsa directed by Brian O’Malley • Best Narrative Short - (Tie) Falling Stars directed by Miriam Dehne and Palookas directed by Prado Mukherii. Screenings were held at The Andes Hotel, Wayside Cider and Streamside Yoga. The event was made possible, in part, with a $5,000 grant from the Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board with proceeds from the county’s occupancy tax.
Town of Harpersfield Preliminary Budget is Less Than One Percent By Rosie Cunningham HARPERSFIELD - The town of Harpersfield preliminary budget is slated to be less than .5 percent. A budget hearing is set for Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Presented in the preliminary budget were various increases in salaries which will be offset by using $5,000 out of the general fund balance. Supervisor Jim Eisel will receive a $200 increase and the town clerk will get a three percent increase. The deputy town clerk will receive a raise, as will the code enforcement officer. In addition to the proposed budget, the town has received a grant from the Robinson-
Broadhurst Foundation for the amount of $74,000 which
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