GREENE – Even while farmers continue to face challenges never before seen, advocates of the agriculture and dairy industry met at the Silo Restaurant in Greene Monday to focus less on their setbacks and more on their accomplishments during the 57th Chenango County Farm Bureau annual meeting.

The Farm Bureau had a lot to reflect on over the year. Members collectively recalled challenges of the last year and a half, from the floods of 2011 to the more recent drought that forced farmers to utilize what would otherwise be winter crops due to a poor growing season early in the summer. Also fresh on peoples’ minds is the failure of the Farm Bill to pass the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving farmers without the Milk Income Loss Contract Program that served as a safety net for farmers when milk prices fell below a certain level. That, combined with rising costs of fuel and feed prices, has put tremendous obstacles in the way of progress for many local dairy farmers.

Still, the theme of the night was optimistic. Over the last year, the CCFB received all six Silver Key Awards and the Gold Key Award from the New York Farm Bureau. Despite hardships, “it’s been a good year,” said CCFB President Bradd Vickers. “Without the support of the board that we have, none of what we do would get done,” he said. In addition, he commended local county officials for their support of the CCFB. “It’s good to see our legislature out here and involved in agriculture,” he said.

Darrel Aubertine, New York State Agriculture Commissioner, was welcomed by the county Farm Bureau to speak about the trials and triumphs of the local agricultural industry, which he said has a bright future in New York State.