Assemblywoman Russell showcases farm-in-school option for pilot program schools

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell recently hosted school officials from around St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties at Madrid-Waddington Central School so they could get a first-hand look at the district's farm-in-school program.

Assemblywoman Russell said she wanted school officials from around the region to see the produce being grown in the Madrid-Waddington school greenhouse using terraponic technology sold by 2445 Organics of Massena and patented by local businessman Andy Maslin. Greens grown in the
greenhouse, including lettuce and basil, are used in the school's cafeteria.

"It's been good for our school, and our students are eating it," Madrid-Waddington School Superintendent Eric Burke said.

Assemblywoman Russell said the tour allowed schools that received funding through the $300,000 grant she secured for a farm-to-school pilot program to see how the grant money could be used.

She said the timing of the state funding cycle and the time it took to set up the mechanism for the pilot program created some barriers for producers because that timetable was at odds with the North County
growing season.

"A number of our schools were unable to make relationships with farmers to get produce for this year so we have opted to expand the guidelines to allow the purchase of the tray unit growing system being utilized at Madrid-Waddington with the funding allocations remaining from the farm-to-school pilot program," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"This technology is affordable, there is great potential for school gardens and the business producing these units is located right here in the North Country. The quality of the produce being grown in this
greenhouse is obviously much higher than something triple washed and bagged in> California and sitting on a shelf for who knows how long," she added.

"I wanted these school officials to see first hand they have an opportunity to grow fresh greens and herbs on site to supply their cafeterias so they could determine if this is a viable option for their districts," Assemblywoman Russell pointed out.

The Madrid-Waddington school superintendent said the district purchased its first three-tier growing system in September 2015.

"It is awesome. We immediately saw the benefits. Our kids are eating fresh greens and drinking green drinks. Kids started getting involved. We initially thought it might take three to five years to get to full
capacity. But we are seeing strong interest from students and the food service manager. It did not take long to grow," Mr. Burke noted.

He said the district grew from one rack to three, then five and now eight units.

Mr. Maslin said 2445 Organics has developed a 100 percent organic grow system that is based on utilizing a primitive soil and a lighting system and eliminating environmental factors.

He said the produce being grown on the racks - ranging from a variety of lettuces to basil - is ready to harvest in 18 to 22 days, approximately 50 percent quicker than the time it would take to grow that same produce in a garden. Madrid-Waddington is continuing to expand the varieties of greens being grown at the school.

Assemblywoman Russell also invited Assemblyman-Elect D. Billy Jones to the event. She said Assemblyman-Elect Jones has expressed interest in the farm-to-school pilot program.

He is also expected to be on hand early next year for a demonstration at a school in his assembly
district that is purchasing grow units from 2445 Organics.

Assemblyman-Elect Jones said the visit to the greenhouse at Madrid-Waddington was very informative.

"It touches so many different areas - agriculture, learning about the science behind growing produce, lessons about nutrition and teaching our kids about the value of eating healthy, locally grown foods. I think it is a win-win. I'm very interested in seeing this spread into the school districts I represent in the North Country," he said.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Buffy Gabri right), greenhouse coordinator at Madrid-Waddington Central School, discusses the produce grown for the school's cafeteria, with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (D-Theresa, 116th Assembly District) and Assemblyman-Elect D. Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay, 115th Assembly District).

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Lisbon School Superintendent Pat Farrand and Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell talk about the terraponic growing system currently being used to grow produce for use in the school cafeteria at Madrid-Waddington Central School.

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (left) and Madrid-Waddington greenhouse coordinator Buffy Gabri and Madrid-Waddington Central School Superintendent Eric Burke discuss the success they have enjoyed utilizing terraponic growing systems in the school's greenhouse during a tour of the site by school officials from around the station.

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell discusses the farm-in-school program in use at Madrid-Waddington with school officials from around the region following a recent tour of the school's greenhouse. The school has purchased several terraponic growing system units from 2445 Organics in Massena. The system was patented by Andy Maslin of Norfolk.

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell poses for a photograph with members of the Maslin family of 2445 Organics team following a recent event at Madrid-Waddington Central. Pictured are (l-r): Andy, Aubriyle, Assemblywoman Russell, Aliyah, Kathy, Gracie Mae, Andy Jr., Zachary, Danielle Linsky and Quinton.

Assemblywoman Russell attends Ag Summit in Lansdowne, Ont.

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell poses for a photograph Friday morning with Member of Parliament Gord Brown at the Ag Summit in Lansdowne, Ont. Mr. Brown represents the riding of Leeds, Grenville, Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes in Canada's federal House of Commons. Assemblywoman Russell, a member of the New York State Assembly's Agriculture Committee, said she attended the summit to get an understanding of agriculture issues and agricultural tourism opportunities in neighboring Southern Ontario. The Agriculture Summit was sponsored by Economic Development Committee (EDC) of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Ont. The assemblywoman was invited to the summit last month when she attended the 1,000 Islands Bi-National Tourism Summit in Clayton. Assemblywoman Russell had secured state funding for that event.

Assemblywoman Russell plans to attend Ag Summit this week in Ontario

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell says she plans to attend an Agriculture Summit on Friday in Lansdowne, Ont., to get an understanding of agriculture issues and agricultural tourism opportunities north of the border.

The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of Leeds and the Thousand Islands is spearheading its first Agriculture Summit on Friday.

Assemblywoman Russell said she was invited to the summit last month when she attended the 1000 Islands Bi-National Tourism Summit in Clayton. The assemblywoman secured state funding for that event.

It featured a presentation by Jay Matteson, agriculture coordinator of the Jefferson County Local Development Corporation. He discussed success stories involving ag tourism efforts in Jefferson County as well as the growth of the craft beverage and local food movement in the region.

"The summit later this week in Lansdowne is a great follow up to that discussion. It will be an opportunity for me to see what's working north of the border, challenges facing the agriculture industry in southern Ontario and steps governments at the local, provincial and federal level are taking to address those issues," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"It will provide me with an opportunity to see what our Canadian neighbors are doing that we can learn from as well as share some of the strategies we are using to grow our ag industry," she noted.

Assemblywoman Russell said the summit also provides a networking opportunity as local officials on both sides of the border look for steps they can take to coordinate their ag tourism efforts.

"We need to work together in areas like the farm to table component to grow the sector so we can complement each other's efforts. We know the region's economy benefits the longer we can keep our tourists in the area. Partnering with our Canadian neighbors is one step we can take to grow opportunities for tourists visiting the Thousand Islands region," she said.

The assemblywoman, who also serves on the New York State Assembly's Agriculture Committee, said the summit also provides an opportunity to grow relationships with Canadian decision makers.

"Given the current issues surrounding agriculture and the border, ranging from stricter restrictions on agriculture products that can be exported to Canada to taxes that limit the amount of wine Canadian visitors purchase from our wineries and take home, it simply makes sense to strengthen our relationships," Assemblywoman Russell said.

The summit will explore the theme of 'Developing Profitable Agriculture' and will provide learning and networking opportunities. The morning session features a keynote presentation from Rebecca Mackenzie from the Ontario Culinary Tourism

"The purpose of this agricultural summit is to investigate where we are now, and how the Township Economic Development Committee can enhance agricultural growth as we move forward," according to George Horton, chair of the EDC.

Assemblywoman Russell: 'Reading can transport children to distant and exciting places'

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell is closing in on the 25,000 donations mark in the eighth year of her annual Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive.

She said 3,257 books were collected during last year's book drive. The annual book drives have donated more than 20,000 books to North Country children over the past seven years.

Assemblywoman Russell, the mother of two elementary-age children, said she recognizes the importance of promoting literacy due to its impact on childhood development.

"Reading can transport children to distant and exciting places. Books can unlock a child's imagination and provide hours of enjoyment," she said.

“Giving the gift of a book is the gift of joy and excitement that can go anywhere and be enjoyed at anytime," Assemblywoman Russell added.

She is again partnering with Kinney Drugs for the holiday book drive, and the books will be distributed by the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program in St. Lawrence County and the Community Action Planning Council in Watertown.

New and gently used books will be collected at Kinney Drugs locations in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties and will be redistributed to local families.

Books can also be dropped off at the Angel Trees at the Salmon Run Mall and the Dulles Office Building as well as at Assemblywoman Russell's offices in Canton at Suite 1, 3 Remington Ave., off Route 11, and Watertown at Suite 210 Dulles Office Building, 317 Washington St.

The books will be collected on Dec. 18.

Books collected in Jefferson County will make their way to Community Action Planning Council where they will be sorted and shared with partner agencies Salvation Army, Watertown Urban Mission and the Rhode Center.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Assemblywoman Russell, Kinney Drugs and the community in promoting literacy,” according to Dawn M. Cole, deputy director for Community Action Planning Council.

“This initiative is a wonderful complement to our holiday programs, ensuring that families enjoy the gift of reading this Christmas,” she said.

St. Lawrence County Community Development Program Executive Director Norma S. Carey said books collected in St. Lawrence County will be distributed at neighborhood centers and to families of children enrolled in Head Start programs in the county.

"It is a positive thing anytime you are able to put a book in a child's hands. This program helps provide parents with resources so they can read to and with their children, and we know that helps with language development skills," she pointed out.

IN THE PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell reads a story to kindergarten students in teacher Amanda Taraska's classroom during a visit this fall to Nightengale Elementary School in Massena.