10th Generation Farmer and Little Falls Town Supervisor Dan Casler Speaks at MVILR on Farming, Policy, and Survival
The Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR), in conjunction with Mohawk Valley Community College, welcomed 10th generation farmer and Little Falls Town Supervisor Dan Casler for a candid discussion on organic farming, agricultural policy, and the growing economic pressures facing family farms in Upstate New York.
The presentation, held at MVCC’s Rome Campus, explored the challenges confronting modern farmers, including rising fuel and equipment costs, labor shortages, regulations, fluctuating milk and beef prices, and increasing competition from large corporate agricultural operations. Casler discussed how the beef industry has dramatically consolidated over time, noting that where approximately 100 farmers once supplied cattle to processors, that number has dwindled to roughly 20 large producers controlling much of the market — a trend he said mirrors what has already occurred in the dairy industry.
Casler warned that small and mid-sized farms continue to struggle against shrinking profit margins and corporate consolidation. He emphasized that today’s farmers must be more than producers — they must also understand marketing, land management, sustainability practices, equipment costs, and diversification in order to remain competitive and financially viable.
Casler, whose family has farmed in the Mohawk Valley for generations, owns approximately 480 acres and farms more than 1,000 acres including grazing land and hay production. He discussed his commitment to grass-fed organic farming and explained that he does not use corn or soybeans, instead growing hay and sorghum Sudan grass to feed his cattle while also marketing hay as a profitable cash crop. Casler said organic farming requires long-
term planning, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace sustainable agricultural practices that reduce dependency on expensive feed and industrial systems.
Organic Valley
The audience reflected a cross-section of farmers, educators, environmental advocates, and outdoor recreation leaders from across the Mohawk Valley. Among those attending were Rosanne Loparco, a Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer and Cornell Cooperative Extension Board Vice President; Jeff Donahoe, a second-generation farmer from Westmoreland; and David Jones of the Black River Outdoor Education Program. Also attending was MVILR member Judy Lennox, Casler’s former fourth-grade teacher, who came to hear her former student discuss organic farming and the future of family farms.
“I am so proud to see one of my former students, more than 40 years later, continuing to make a difference in the lives of residents throughout Herkimer County,” said Lennox following the presentation.
Cornell Cooperative Extension representatives also attended the event and discussed plans for an upcoming farm visit and educational tour. Casler, whose son is now actively involved in farming, said he hopes to pass the family farm on to the next generation, continuing a tradition that spans 10 generations in the Mohawk Valley.
MV Little Falls
For more information about upcoming MVILR presentations and events, visit the MVILR Website. More information on Casler Farms Organics can be found through Organic Valley – Casler Farm Story
