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New York Agriculture Takes Center Stage on PBS

A new PBS documentary, “The Performers: Taking Center Stage in New York Agriculture” aired on all nine New York Public Television Stations to an audience of more than 18 million people.

PBS Stations by region:

WPBS (Watertown)

WMHT (Capital District)

WCNY (Syracuse)

WXXI (Rochester)

WSKG (Binghamton)

WNED (Buffalo)

WNET (New York City)

WLIW (Long Island)

WCFE (Plattsburgh)

            This one-hour documentary examines agriculture today and the variety of products being produced on New York State farms, plus cutting edge technology that will keep agriculture competitive in a global economy. Hosted by Liz Ayers, WCNY’s vice president of Television and Media Services, the documentary takes viewers on a journey across the state to capture New York’s bounty and explore the impact of 21st century farmers.

            “This is agriculture like you’ve never seen it before, with high-tech equipment that drives us to the future,” said Ayers, “It’s an entertaining way to discover what is going on backstage in today’s agribusiness.”  Meet these farm families and discover how they embrace yesterday’s traditions along with today’s innovations.

This special features the following farms:

*Intergrow Greenhouses in Albion (Orleans County)

growing hydroponic tomatoes and peppers

*Satur Farms, Cutchogue (Suffolk County) with its gourmet vegetables

*Indian Ladder Farms, Voorheesville (Albany County)

usingexperimental tunnels to extend growing seasons

*Evans Farmhouse Creamery, Norwich (Chenango County) an organic dairy

*Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Hammondsport (Steuben County)

wine-making

*Ivy Acres, Baiting Hollow (Suffolk County)

supplying bedding plants throughout the Northeast

*Patterson Farms, Auburn (Cayuga County)

technological changes at a traditional dairy farm

*Ridgeline Farms, Clymer (Chautauqua County)

a dairy farm using methane gas to generate electricity

*Plainville Farms, Plainville (Onondaga County)

using organic feed in raising turkeys - the largest turkey farm in the state

*Roxbury Farm, Kinderhook (Columbia County), focusing on agri-tourism

*Reeves Farm, Baldwinsville (Onondaga County) selling local produce to major grocers

*ESF Willow Plantation, Tully (Onondaga County)

growing willow trees to be used as fuel

     The New York State Agricultural Society suggested the idea for the documentary and contributed toward its production. The film received accolades from many of the more than 500 people in attendance at a premiere screening at the Society’s 175th Annual Meeting in Syracuse in January 2007. “One of the Society’s goals is to promote a better understanding of the state’s agricultural industry and its importance in the lives of all New Yorkers,” comments documentary committee chair Bob Bitz, “This documentary meets that goal and will help many recognize the contribution made by the state’s agriculture to healthy food, a safe environment and sustainable resources.”

DVDs of this educational program, “The Performers: Taking Center Stage in New York Agriculture” are available from WCNY. To order, contact Joyce Hamlin at 315-453-2424, Ext 270 or e-mail joyce_hamlin@wcny.org. The price for a DVD is $19.99, plus shipping and handling.

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