Sunday, October 23, 2011

LOCAL FARMS REPRESENT AGRICULTURE, GASPORT WELL

Leadership Niagara is a year-long leadership development program for adults. They meet once a month for an entire day learning about the nuances of a specific sector of Niagara County. This past week saw them tour the rural parts of Niagara for their Agriculture Day, which is always a real eye-opener to the attendees (nearly all Americans are unfamiliar with farming, the complete opposite of just 50 years ago).

In the weekly email to alumni and friends of Leadership Niagara, one of this year's class offered her recap of the day and made mention of some Gasport farms which did well in representing our community and farming....


We traveled on to Gasport View Dairy Farm. Some of us were witness to the birth of a calf and all of us were witness to the dedication, hard work, intelligence and flat out love this third generation dairy farm produces on a daily basis. The farm was purchased in 1945 and has grown in both size and technology to over 1200 acres and over 700 cows being milked.

Next was Becker Farms which most the class were familiar with. What we didn't know was they are also a third generation farm which the current owners transformed into an entertainment center with something for everyone. What is fascinating to me about Becker farms is their passion for growth. They continue to look to the future to improve, expand, and grow yet they remain true to themselves and their community. Lunch was excellent.


Back on the bus and we are off to Harris Farms which although they are comparatively new to farming they are generationally dedicated to the land itself. We learned so much about harvesting vegetables, garlic production, and the passion this family has for their farm. The hot apple crisp for dessert was amazing.