Where Wellness Grows: Connecting People, Food, and the Land
At Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer County, we believe that true community change happens through the simple yet powerful act of coming together. Our work is rooted in the idea that every person—regardless of background or income—has the potential to contribute to a thriving, connected community. This belief is more than just a philosophy; it’s […]
Building Resilience on the Farm: The Farm Family Assistance Program
At Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer County, we understand that farmers face unique challenges that extend far beyond the fields. The Farm Family Assistance Program was born from a small mental health grant through CCE Herkimer County and Herkimer County Mental Health. It has since grown into a broader initiative addressing key areas of risk for […]
Farm Profile: Garlic Delite Farm
Frank Yerina continues the Garlic Delite Farm started by his dad, Robert Yerina, in 1985. The farm was a family operation from its beginning. Robert began the farm with a handful of garlic bulbs that his father had bought at a bar in Salisbury, New York. Knowing the Mohawk Valley’s great growing conditions for garlic […]
Growing Better Tomorrows
Over the past decade, Herkimer County has been seeing, and benefitting, from community gardens sprouting up. Through cross-pollination, the idea has spread in Ilion, Frankfort, Herkimer, Mohawk, Little Falls, with hopefully more to come. “It is our belief that everyone should have a garden. We strive to give this space to the community to volunteer […]
Mae’s Table
In the heart of Mohawk stands Mae’s Table, a small roadside farm stand selling honey, vegetables, and eggs. Mae’s Table caught my eye on my daily commute to the office when I noticed evidence of structural updates. What used to be a weathered wooden stand was shaping-up to become something much more. I kept a […]
Farm Profile: Gallik Family Farm – A Legacy Rooted in Family Traditions
Nestled near the village of Herkimer, Gallik Family Farm is an example of farming traditions passed down through generations. The farm’s history begins in the early 20th century with Donna Gallik’s grandparents, Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants, who left their homeland in search of better opportunities. After settling in New Jersey and working industrial jobs, they were drawn […]
The Future is Bright for Local Foods in Herkimer County
The future is bright for local foods in Herkimer County! The 2024 rollout of the mobile market Veggie Van program has proven to be a successful model, helping to expand access to area residents who were otherwise unable to travel to a farmers’ market. With increased opportunities for local agricultural produce to reach area residents, […]
Midsummer Feeding
Plants are a lot like us. They get hungry. Even though we may have a big breakfast, we start looking for something to eat a few hours later. As you prepared your vegetable garden this spring, you likely added compost and fertilizers to feed your plants. But your plants may need a snack too. Some […]
Strengthening Local Food Systems Through Farm-to-Institution Programs
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of local and regional food systems in building resilient, sustainable communities. As we face global challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and public health crises, the need to support and strengthen these systems has never been more critical. One of the most […]
Farm Profile: Augur-Doody Farm
One of the core strengths of American agriculture is the family farm, according to the USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture, about 96% of the 2.04 million farms in the United States are family-owned. Despite economic and technical changes, family farms continue to be the backbone of American agriculture. The farm of Patrick and Amy Doody […]
