The Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Soil & Water Conservation District of Monroe County organized the Monroe County Legislator Farm Tour held on Wednesday, August 13. This was an opportunity for the Monroe County legislators to receive an in-depth look at the agricultural landscape in the Rochester area and all that it provides for surrounding communities.
The group of lawmakers toured three farms on the west side, including Colby Homestead Farms in Spencerport, Conrow Farms in Brockport, and Brightly Farms in Hamlin. The selected farms were intended to represent a broader spectrum of our farming industry.
The Colby Homestead Farms featured a dairy cow barn, genetics behind their herd, milk production, health, disease resistance, and their specialized bedding, which plays a role in ensuring comfort and safety during calving. One of the highlights of the stop was the state-of-the-art robotic milking system.
Farmers at Conrow Farms showcased their apple orchards, especially the Greening apples, a rare variety well-suited for processing. They demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by showing their Agrichemical Handling Facility—a secure, contained, and eco-friendly space designed for the safe storage and mixing of on-farm chemicals.
The final stop was Brightly Farms, where participants learned about conservation practices farmers use, such as cover cropping and strip-till to improve soil health and increase the fertility of their fields.
Participants learned about some of the precision technologies and observed a drone that the farm plans on using for cover crop interseeding. A short walk to a wind turbine that partly powers the farm’s storage house allowed participants to explore this unique structure and to take a final group picture.
The event concluded with a delicious, buffet-style dinner at Brightly Farm Market, prepared from freshly harvested, home-grown produce.
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