NY Farms!

I LOVE MY NY FARMER 2004 Awards

In recognition of the many contributions New York's farmers make to New York's communities, NY Farms! is pleased to receive nominations for its first annual I LOVE MY NY FARMER Awards.

New York's farmers, through their land-based livelihoods, enhance the lives of all New Yorkers in multiple ways, by: providing farm fresh food; increasing food safety and security by decreasing our dependency on food from far away; creating jobs and economic development; maintaining aesthetically pleasing rural landscapes, wildlife habitat and biological diversity; and being good neighbors, committed to community well-being.


With the I LOVE MY NY FARMER Awards, NY Farms! is encouraging consumers to talk with farmers and to develop a more personal relationship with those who grow our food. NY Farms! invites you to share with all New Yorkers the reasons you love a NY Farmer and, in so doing, to underscore the importance of supporting New York's farmers through purchasing locally-grown products and helping to preserve farmland in our state.


Act quickly! Entries must be received by November 30, 2004. To submit an entry, simply describe in 250 words or less, the reasons you love a NY Farmer.

Entries will be judged based on your farmer's:

• living and selling within New York State
• producing a quality product
• being a good steward of the land
• being a good neighbor
• serving the community
• going the extra mile

You may submit more than one entry.

Submit this description with your name, address, phone number and email plus - the name, address, phone number and email of the farmer you are describing, to NY Farms!

By mail: 125 Williams Road, Candor, NY 13743

By email: nyfarms@baldcom.net

By fax: 607-659-3710

Remember, entries must be received by November 30, 2004


In appreciation of the diversity of farmers and farms throughout the State, farmer awards will be given in the following categories: Dairy, Other Livestock, Field Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Wine and Grapes, NY Specialties (e.g. honey, maple syrup), Horticultural Products, Young Farmer (under age 18), and Urban Farmer.


Awards will be announced December 15, 2004 and winning entries will be posted on the NY Farms! website, shared through press releases, andincluded in the traveling NY Farms! photo exhibit. Farmers featured in the winning entries will receive an all-weather sign highlighting their achievement that can be displayed at farms, farmstands or markets, in addition to a gift basket of NY farm products. Submitters of winning entries will also receive a gift in appreciation.


NY Farms! is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening NY agriculture and food systems through consumer education, the creation of farmer-consumer connections and the preservation of farmland.

Contact: nyfarms@baldcom.net or 607-659-3710.