Ag Committee Voices Support for Farmers Markets

SCHOHARIE — The Schoharie County Agricultural Committee met Oct. 2, including voicing support for local farmers markets and regarding potential aid to a major local ag business.

October 2, 2026, at 4:03 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Alicia Terry. The meeting minutes from September 1, 2026, were accepted by the board. Three items were next for updates.

Caroline Myran, agricultural development specialist, had the floor next. Myran has a newsletter that will be available quarterly. Myran is taking copies with her on farm visits, or it can be requested by email. Myran’s email is caroline.myran@schohariecounty-ny.gov. Myran then gave an update on the Schoharie County Farmers Market. The last market is this Saturday.

Cornell Cooperative Extension was next to give an update. Liz Callahan spoke of the annual meeting at SUNY Oneonta on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. Heating help is a big issue for this winter. The office speaks about it all year, but this is when they get the most interest. The AMP program is available for landlords to look into if they have five or more apartments. Kelly Doolin will be leaving CCE. Doolin is the agriculture educator, and interviewing will hopefully begin in December. Their board currently does not have any vacancies.

A SEEC update on the National Grid power-up was given by Julie Pacatte. There is a $1.1 billion upgrade available for power. There are four stations in question in the county. The first is in Schoharie, the second is in Cobleskill, and then two are in the town of Sharon.

A letter of support was sent in December 2025. The letter stated the county does not wish to have this affect the agricultural economy in a bad way. The county does not wish to have farmland converted into renewable energy. The hope is that conservation easements in place will preserve local farmland.

Point one is smart growth planning, making agricultural land a priority. Point two is innovative land-use strategies. Point three is establishing a community framework fund to help ease the pressure farmers feel. Point four is advocacy with agricultural groups in the community, such as Farm Bureau, CCE and other organizations.

In March 2027, it will be time for the 10-year update on the Farmland Protection Plan. Pacatte said she hoped the governor would determine what areas will move forward. Construction would begin in 2030 and should be completed in 2035 if the local areas are chosen.

Terry read a letter to the board written by Steven Smith, president of the Schoharie County Farm Bureau. The letter was in favor of the Ag Expo held at SUNY Cobleskill. Terry reminded the group that it sponsored the event for $1,000 last year. The money came from the Economic Development line last year.

Earl VanWormer made a motion in support. There was a second, and it passed 5-0. The date is already set for the fourth expo. It will be held March 9, 2027, in Bouck Hall Ballroom.

Terry told the board there were four letters sent in the county to stop using biosolids. They received four responses back. This will be discussed in more depth next month.

With five minutes left, Linda Cross took the time to speak to the board. Cross will also be speaking at the Economic Development meeting later this month.

Cross recalled that each market can just ask for money, a statement made at a previous board meeting. She requested $50,000 for the Festival Farmers Market, Central Bridge Market, and Seward Farmers and Artisans Market. This would support economic development, as Schoharie County was the Breadbasket of the Revolution. Small farms would benefit and help the economy of the county, she said.

Cross also spoke of Central Bridge Feeds LLC. The mill could use $80,000 to $100,000 more in help to be able to crush grain, as four companies have asked the local mill to expand. The mill is a piece of history that could also bring more jobs to the county, she added.

Photo: Linda Cross speaks on behalf of local farmers markets and Central Bridge Feeds LLC