Senator Helming Tours Empire Farm Days, Recognizes Perry Farmers

Senator Pamela A. Helming (R,C,I-Canandaigua) congratulates Mike Dueppengiesser, of Dueppengiesser Dairy Company, and presents him with a New York State Proclamation during Empire Farm Days recognizing the Perry, New York dairy farm for earning the 2017 Agricultural Environmental Management Award. The award is sponsored by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the American Agriculturist Magazine, and the Empire State Potato Growers to honor and recognize a New York State farm for their successful efforts to protect the environment. Awardees are nominated by county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Senator Helming presented the proclamation on behalf of herself, as the Senate Chair of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and the representative of the 54^th Senate District, where Empire Farm Days takes place, as well as Senator Patrick Gallivan, whose 59^th District encompasses the Town of Perry in Wyoming County.

Dueppengiesser Dairy Company has used such practices as zone tillage, drain systems, dragline manure management, grass waterways, and sand and manure solids separation for reuse as bedding to improve soil quality and yields over a decade of efforts. The third-generation dairy farm milks 1,100 cows – an increase from 110 cows in 1990 – and harvests 2,100 acres using conservation practices to protect and preserve the farmland. In addition to recognizing the Dueppengiessers, Senator Helming attended a luncheon and ice cream social at Empire Farm Days and visited the exhibits set up around Rodman Lott & Son Farms in Seneca Falls.

“It is terrific to hear about a farm – especially a third-generation family farm such as Dueppengiesser Dairy Company – that is working hard to protect and preserve the environment as well as increase its productivity and profitability. I commend the Dueppengiessers for being diligent stewards of their land and resources, and I congratulate them on this well-earned award. Thank you to the organizers of Empire Farm Days for hosting me,” Senator Helming said.

“Mike and Peter Dueppengiesser have demonstrated that farms can grow and succeed while also working to protect our environment and preserve the land for future generations. Dueppengiesser Dairy Company is a leader in New York’s agriculture industry, and I congratulate them on earning this award,” Senator Gallivan said.

Senator Helming represents the 54^th Senate District, which consists of Seneca and Wayne Counties, parts of Cayuga and Ontario Counties, and the towns of Lansing and Webster. For more information, please visit Senator Helming’s website, or follow @SenatorHelming on Facebook or Twitter.
 
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