NYFB Hosts Farm Tours for U.K. Group

Whirlwind Four-Day Tour Covers Hundreds of Miles; Special Meals Prepared

New York Farm Bureau was honored to host a four-day tour of farms across New York State for members and associates of the National Farm Union (NFU) of England and Wales, our counterparts in the United Kingdom. 
The whirlwind tour covered hundreds of miles and included 14 member farms: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette, Albanese Longhorns in Cazenovia, Palladino Farms in Jamesville, Reeves Farms in Baldwinsville, Hudson Egg Farm in Elbridge, DuMond Farms in Auburn, Minturn Farms in Auburn, Cayuga Milk Ingredients in Auburn, Every Season Farm in Seneca Falls, Fox Run Vineyards in Penn Yan, El-Vi Farms in Newark, Mott’s Apple Processing in Williamson, Windmill Farms in Ontario and Love Beets in Rochester.

Participants also had the opportunity to enjoy specially prepared lunches and dinners at Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, Palladino Farms, Prison City Brewing in Auburn, Kindred Fare in Geneva, Fox Run Vineyards, Genesee Brew House in Rochester and Wegman’s flagship store in Rochester.

The diverse group of farmers and agricultural executives included James Roscoe, deputy head of mission at British Embassy Washington; Tom Bradshaw, president of NFU England and Wales; Abi Reader, deputy president of NFU Cymru; David Barton, chairman of the NFU Livestock Board; Stephen Shields, deputy chair of the NFU Horticulture and Potato Board; Gail Soutar, NFU chief international trade adviser; Gareth Baynham Hughes, head of animal health and welfare and plant health for the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs; Will Surman, agriculture, food and drink attaché; and Graham Forber, managing director of G’s Fresh Ltd.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said he noticed several similarities between farming in America and in the U.K. 

“You’re so well connected with your research body at Cornell University. That link between agriculture and research is really important as we look to try to solve some of the sustainability challenges,” he said, adding that many of the challenges farmers must overcome are universal.

“Some of the pressures are exactly the same as we face, like the negotiations between processors and a farm base and how you get a fair price. Clearly, they’re things we’re all dealing with,” Bradshaw said. “I’d say it’s been an absolutely fascinating farm visit. We’re taking home loads of learnings with us, and we hope to stay in touch.”