Fresh fish fill the tanks at Local Ocean

By Jamie Larson
Published: Friday, November 6, 2009 2:14 AM EST

An old fashioned bucket brigade was put to an interesting use Thursday, as thousands of summer flounder were moved hand over hand, in ten gallon buckets, from the back of a truck into the incubation tanks at the Local Ocean indoor aquaculture fish farm in Greenport.

The young business, which took in its first delivery of 45,000 gilt head sea breams in July, recently received permits to raise flounder and three other species of fish at its facility from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

While support from the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation, U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy, and the Department of Agriculture and Markets helped get Local Ocean their permits faster, the flounder couldn’t wait.

The dark colored flounder were bred at the Great Bay Hatchery in New Hampshire and grew larger and larger while the permits waited for DEC approval. Now around four to five inches, the flounder have to be delivered in two shipments, the first arriving Thursday. Workers scooped the diamond shaped flat fish out of tanks in the truck with a net, dropped them in buckets and ran them inside to waiting tanks.

Local Ocean Partner Raymond Mizrahi said getting their complex, one-of-a-kind business up and running so quickly is a testament to the support of community and local politicians and organizations.

“Bringing in summer flounder shows the versatility of our system,” Mizrahi said. “This marks the start of what will be a population of seven to ten species in the next year. “

With its new permits Local Ocean is now able to raise and farm sushi grade flounder, black and white sea bass and yellow tail tuna in its enclosed loop filter system. The technology in use at the facility, in an old Kaz warehouse, is only in operation in two locations in the world — Greenport, and the business’ first location in Israel.

Water goes through patented filters which break down waste and excessive nutrients before the water is pumped back into the large blue tanks.

“The big news is rather than just prohibiting things DEC worked to move this through faster,” Hudson Valley Agribusiness Executive Director Todd Erling said. “It will be ground breaking to establish these permits in this area for the first time.”

Local Ocean will raise 40,000 flounder for market and plans to receive its first batch of sea bass in early December. The types of fish being raised at Local Ocean were specifically selected for their desirability in nearby markets and there are plans to ship fish live to some locations, increasing their value by as much as 30 percent.

The closed system filtration pools keep the fish free of toxins like mercury, and makes consumers less reliant on depleted wild fish populations.

To reach reporter Jamie Larson, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2269,or e-mail jlarson@registerstar.com.

Innovations & Diversification:Adding Value to Your Products

Innovations & Diversification, a conference on expanding income potential through value added processing for agricultural producers and ag-entrepreneurs, was held on February 5, 2010.

The event was sponsored by Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia, Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties.

Thanks to the generosity of the presenters, powerpoint files from the conference presentations are available here. To view, click the name of the presenter, below:

New Board Member and Project Manager Welcomed

HVADC welcomes New Board Member Mark Doyle and Project Manager Mary Ann Johnson, AICP

The Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) is pleased to announce additions to the Board of Directors and the staff. Mark Doyle, a farm consultant based in Amenia, has joined the Board bringing expertise in farmland and habitat management, farm development planning and coordination and capacity building for emerging farm business opportunities.

Mary Ann Johnson, AICP has joined the staff has Project Manager for Orange and Ulster Counties. Ms. Johnson primary responsibility is to provide support for the Incubator Without Walls program, which provides comprehensive business assistance including access to qualified professionals, financing and networking. Ms. Johnson will also be coordinating business to business networks in both Orange and Ulster Counties. This program, known as the County Bounty, builds on our success is Columbia and Dutchess Counties where growers/producers and chefs/caterers have direct access to each other through a simple database.

Ms. Johnson has been active in farmland protection and economic development in Dutchess County for several years as both a volunteer and as a consultant. As a planning consultant, she has worked with communities in the Mid Hudson Valley addressing growth, development and preservation issues. She holds an undergraduate degree in business and a master’s degree in Regional Planning from the University at Albany. Additionally, Ms. Johnson is a certified planner in good standing with the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Ms. Johnson has office hours in Goshen on Mondays from 9:00 to 1:00 and is also available by appointment. She can be reached in the Goshen office at 845.615.3842 and the main HVADC office at 518.828.4718. You can reach Ms. Johnson via email at majohnson@hvadc.org. Additional information about HVADC can be obtained online at www.hvadc.org.

Columbia County Bounty Hires an Executive Director

For immediate release
Contact: Vicki Simons 392-9696
Bounty taps Simons as first Exec Director

CHATHAM-Columbia County Bounty has gone the next step in its own growth, hiring its first part-time executive director, Vicki Simons. Bounty creates connections between local farmers and local culinary businesses as well as reaching out to consumers who want to eat food locally grown.

Bounty runs a series of events, from the upcoming May 11th Farm Tour to its popular Taste of Columbia County Bounty dinner August 3rd, a Garden of Eating Tour in mid-September, the Chili Cook-Off & Riverfront Fest October 10th, a Chef Tour in November and its extremely well-attended Speed Networking in January. The events are detailed at www.columbiacountybounty.com  and are open to everyone. Bounty membership ($25 per person, $40 per couple) is required.

Simons has been part of Bounty almost since its inception three years ago, working with co-founders Lori Selden of Mexican Radio and Chef David Robinson of Bezalel Gables Fine Catering & Events, along with partners from the Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp. (HVADC), Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Columbia Land Conservancy.

To get the program off the ground, Simons did the original data collection, surveying every farm, farmer’s market, restaurant and caterer in the county, collecting contact and product information to create the Bounty infrastructure. Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation supported that initial work. Last fall, Bounty left its parent organizations and set up a separate corporate entity and applied for 501C-3 status, but the organization isstill guided by those early partners.

Serving with Pres. Selden on the Executive Committee is Chamber President David Colby, HVADC Executive Director Todd Erling, and Tom Crowell, Director of Outreach and Resource Development for the Columbia Land Conservancy.

Simons resigned from the Executive Committee, where she had served as secretary/treasurer. Filling her seat now is Dominique DeVito of Hudson-Chatham Winery. Serving on the Bounty Board of Directors are Steve Hadcock of Cooperative Extension, Betsy Braley of Braeburn Farms, Chuck Abraham of Old Saw Mill Farm, and Liz Beals of Beth’s Farm Kitchen.

Simons brings to the new post a background well-versed in the local community. Along with her husband, Tony Jones, Simons owned and was editor of The Independent newspaper from 1986 to 2001, as well as the Paper. Simons and Jones still provide editorial services for local businesses and county agencies. She is vice president of the Columbia County Agricultural Society, the group that puts on the annual County Fair and hosts dozens of other events at the fairgrounds.

Simons also has experience with non-profits, not only as a board member of the Ag Society but also a long-time board member and former president of the New York Press Association, a board member of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and a former committee member of the local United Way as well as last year’s Habitat for Humanity Women Build.

“Vicki has always been an integral part of Bounty’s success and we are absolutely thrilled that she has decided to take this position,” said Selden.

“I am really excited to help guide the growth of Bounty,” added Simons. “It marries several of my interests - supporting local farming, eating healthy fresh foods, strengthening the connections between the two, and sharing that passion with others.”

Columbia County Bounty is also the model for several other county chapters. Coordinated by HVADC’s Todd Erling, Simons worked on the infrastructure for what is now Dutchess County Bounty, with Orange and Ulster counties close behind. Eventually, the expectation is a linked Hudson Valley Bounty, with Columbia leading the way.

To learn more about Bounty, its events and the opportunities to support Bounty’s work through its corporate sponsorship program, go to www.columbiacountybounty.com,  e-mail ccbounty@gmail.com, or call Simons at 518-392-9696.

Renewable Energy Forum Presentations Now Available For Viewing Online

We are pleased to announce that presentations from the Agricultural Renewable Energy Forum held in Kingston on December 3, 2008 are now available for viewing on our website. The information-packed forum provided information on current programs and opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses interested in the production and/or utilization of renewable energy. To view the presentations, please click the following link:

Renewable Energy Forum