Agriculture, all around us but not always seen, but we have a world full of need for the five “F”’s of agriculture.  In New York State, if you live on the southern tip reflecting Manhattan, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, you would be considered a downstater.  Typically, downstaters live a life of working and living  in multi story buildings in the five boroughs.  There is just not a lot of area for growing farms to stretch out unless you find farming land west of Manhattan on Long Island or north of the city.  Long Island, currently does have farm land but is slowly moving towards business and residential completely.   The same with the Hudson Valley.

Now As we come back to the 5 “F”s of farming, 

1). Food crops.  Crops of grain, corn, fruits, and livestock to be used for human consumption.   But no doubt about it and according to NYSagsociety.org, milk is New Yorks leading agricultural product.  Dairy sales account for 1/2 of the agricultural receipts.  So next time you see a cow, give a nod and a thank you for that milk!!

2).  Fiber.  Raw materials from animals like wool from sheep or cotton from plants. 

3)  Forestry —timber used for building, paper and furniture.

4). Flowers, plants, flowers, nursery stock.

5). Fuel. Bio fuels like ethanol and biodiesel or corn or soybeans.  

Opportunities abound  in the rural upstate communities. Why, did you know we even have a farm with American Bison in the pasture?  And no, it is not part of Ted Turner's spread, it is close by in Schoharie County.  

So leading back to the 5 “F”s of farming, when someone comes knocking at your door like a solar power or wind power company, waving a very generous check for your property, keep in mind on what New York rural lands feed whom. Leave your children and grandchildren a legacy by supporting rural New York!