By Michelle LaGuerre
ROME, N.Y. — Oneida County farmer and agricultural advocate Ben “Farmer Ben” Simons MVILR will bring a close-to-home look at farming to the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The free public program will run from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. in Festine Auditorium at Mohawk Valley Community College’s Rome campus, 1101 Floyd Ave. Parking is available, and the auditorium is accessible to people with disabilities.
A conversation about farming in the Mohawk Valley
Simons’ course is titled “I’ll Lecture on Farming with Ben.” According to information supplied by MVILR, he plans to discuss the daily work of farming, changes in the agricultural landscape and the ways residents can support local farms.
The program offers Mohawk Valley residents a chance to hear directly from someone involved in the region’s agricultural community. Farming shapes the area in ways that go beyond the food on store shelves. Farms support jobs, buy goods and services from other local businesses, care for large areas of open land and contribute to the identity of rural communities throughout Oneida County.
Simons is known for promoting agriculture, farm safety and a better public understanding of how food is produced. His community work has included support for youth programs such as 4-H and FFA. The release announcing the talk also notes that he has received a New York State Senate Commendation for his advocacy.
Why local agriculture matters
The talk arrives at a time when consumers are paying closer attention to where food comes from, what it costs and how weather, labor and changing markets affect farms. Those issues can feel broad, but they have a direct impact in a region with working dairy, livestock, produce and specialty farms.
For residents who want to buy more food produced in New York, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets maintains an online New York State Farm Directory. The department describes the directory as a public information service that helps users locate farms and products. It can be searched by farm name, location, county, farm type and product.
Supporting a nearby farm can take many forms. A household may shop at a farm stand, choose New York products at a grocery store, join a community-supported agriculture program or attend a farmers market. Residents can also learn about the challenges producers face and make informed decisions about land use, food policy and workforce programs.
Education beyond the traditional classroom
MVILR is a nonprofit program based at MVCC’s Rome campus. On its official website, the organization says it offers “diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational opportunities” designed around the interests of retired and semi-retired adults in the area.
That model gives community members an opportunity to keep learning without working toward a degree. Programs often draw on local experts, regional history, the arts, public affairs and practical knowledge. The Simons talk fits that approach by connecting a familiar part of the Mohawk Valley economy with the people who live alongside it.
The event is also open to the general public, not only MVILR members. There is no admission charge. That makes it useful for families, consumers, former farm workers, people considering agricultural careers and anyone interested in how local food reaches the table.
Farm safety and the next generation
Farm safety is one of the subjects associated with Simons’ advocacy. Agricultural work can involve heavy equipment, animals, chemicals, road travel and long hours during planting and harvest. Public awareness is important because farm vehicles regularly share rural roads with passenger traffic.
Youth organizations also play an important role in keeping agricultural knowledge alive. Programs such as 4-H and FFA teach leadership, animal care, science, business skills and responsibility. They give young people a structured way to explore farming even if they do not come from a farm family.
By discussing those connections, the Oct. 13 program can help residents see agriculture as both a traditional part of the Mohawk Valley and a changing industry that depends on new workers, new technology and informed consumers.
Event details
The Ben Simons presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Festine Auditorium on MVCC’s Rome campus, 1101 Floyd Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
Additional information about the organization and its educational programs is available through the official MVILR website.
