New York chicken farms produced 37.1 million eggs in November, down slightly from 137.4 million eggs in the year-ago period, the USDA recently reported.

The total number of layers in the Empire State averaged 5.42 million in November, down more than 1 percent from 5.5 million in November 2016.

New York egg production per 100 layers totaled 2,528 eggs in November, up over 1 percent from 2,498 eggs a year prior.

In neighboring Pennsylvania, farms produced 692.4 million eggs in November, up almost 3 percent from a year earlier, the USDA reported. 

Nationally, U.S. farms produced nearly 8.72 billion eggs in November, slightly higher than in the year-ago month.

UTICA — First Source Federal Credit Union and the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory were among the five 2017 Business of the Year Award winners presented by the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber honored the winners during a luncheon held Dec. 13 at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro.

Scott Davis, president and chief concept officer at CoreLife Eatery, served as the keynote speaker at the event. About 350 people attended the luncheon.

The 2017 Business of the Year Award winners were:

For-Profit Business with 50 Employees or Fewer: Site Seeker, Inc.
For-Profit Business with Over 50 Employees: Observer-Dispatch
Not-For-Profit with 50 Employees or Fewer: Masonic Medical Research Library
Not-For-Profit with Over 50 Employees: First Source Federal Credit Union
Catalyst Rising Business Award: Kessler Promotions

The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce said the winners were selected from among 15 finalists, or three per award category. The chamber says it evaluated and selected the finalists based on criteria that included: 

1) Staying power, response to challenges, product(s)/ services(s) and innovation; growth within their industry; 
2) Commitment to the Mohawk Valley region, including longevity in region; community involvement; public service; business leadership; and 
3) Involvement in the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.