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New York farmland values rise about 4 percent this year, USDA reports
The value of farmland in New York state continues to increase and at a faster pace than the Northeast region of the U.S. overall, according to a recent report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The farm real estate average value per acre in the state is estimated at $4,300 this year, up […]
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The value of farmland in New York state continues to increase and at a faster pace than the Northeast region of the U.S. overall, according to a recent report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
The farm real estate average value per acre in the state is estimated at $4,300 this year, up 3.6 percent from $4,150 in 2024, per the Aug. 1 NASS report. The cropland average value per acre in the Empire State is pegged at $4,010 in 2025, up 4.2 percent from $3,850 last year, according to NASS.
In the Northeast region of the U.S., farm real estate average value per acre rose 3.3 percent to $7,300 this year from $7,070 in 2024, the USDA reports. The cropland average value per acre in the Northeast edged up 2.7 percent to $7,900 in 2025, up 2.7 percent from $7,690 last year, the agency said.

New York corn production projected to fall nearly 11 percent this year
New York farms are forecast to produce 86.1 million bushels of corn for grain in 2025, down 10.6 percent from 96.3 million bushels last year. That’s according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop-production forecast based on Aug. 1 field conditions. The total yield per acre in the Empire State is estimated to
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New York farms are forecast to produce 86.1 million bushels of corn for grain in 2025, down 10.6 percent from 96.3 million bushels last year. That’s according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop-production forecast based on Aug. 1 field conditions.
The total yield per acre in the Empire State is estimated to average 158 bushels this year, down 11 bushels per acre, or 6.5 percent, from 169 bushels in 2024, the USDA NASS said. Area harvested for grain corn is projected at 545,000 acres in 2025, down 4.4 percent from 570,000 acres a year earlier.
New York’s expected decline in corn production is bucking the national trend as the USDA is forecasting a bountiful, record corn harvest this year. U.S. corn production for grain is estimated to jump 12.6 percent to 16.74 billion bushels in 2025 from nearly 14.87 billion bushels in 2024, the USDA reported.

State awards Binghamton planning grant for study of Binghamton Plaza site
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Empire State Development has awarded the City of Binghamton a $75,000 grant for redevelopment planning at the Binghamton Plaza site under the

Syracuse Auto Dealers Association elects officers for the coming year
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Auto Dealers Association, a membership organization for car dealers in Central New York, announced that its board of directors recently elected officers for the coming year. The officers, and their affiliations, are as follows: • President — Richard Burritt (RM Burritt Motors, Rich Burritt Motors, Oswego) • Vice-President — Stephen
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Auto Dealers Association, a membership organization for car dealers in Central New York, announced that its board of directors recently elected officers for the coming year. The officers, and their affiliations, are as follows:
• President — Richard Burritt (RM Burritt Motors, Rich Burritt Motors, Oswego)
• Vice-President — Stephen Byer (Alan Byer Auto Sales, Syracuse)
• Secretary — Anthony Lamacchia (Lamacchia Honda, Syracuse)
• Treasurer — Matthew McNerney (Jack McNerney Chevrolet, Tully)
Additionally, the board has added Michael Van Brunt, of the Matthews Auto Group, as a new member of the board.
The Syracuse Auto Dealers Association was founded in 1907. The organization stages the annual Syracuse Auto Expo and the fundraising event, the Charity Preview, held annually on the night before the auto show opens.
The 117th Syracuse Auto Expo will be held Feb. 12-15, 2026 at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. The 27th Charity Preview will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The event has generated more than $5 million for local charities since its inception.
The Syracuse Auto Dealers Association is headquartered at 770 James St. in Syracuse.
Broome County hotels post solid business gains in July
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Broome County hotels registered a slight rise in overnight guests in July, as two other benchmarks of business performance increased significantly more in the month. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county edged up 1.8 percent to 75.4 percent in the seventh month of 2025,
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Broome County hotels registered a slight rise in overnight guests in July, as two other benchmarks of business performance increased significantly more in the month.
The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county edged up 1.8 percent to 75.4 percent in the seventh month of 2025, compared to July 2024, according to a report from STR, a Tennessee–based hotel market data and analytics company. Year to date through July, occupancy was down 1.6 percent to 59 percent.
Revenue per available room (RevPar), an industry gauge that measures how much money hotels are bringing in per available room, jumped 8.9 percent to $103.78 in July versus the year-prior month. In the first seven months of this year, RevPar was higher by 4.2 percent to $73.46.
The average daily rate (ADR), which represents the average rental rate for a sold room, shot higher by 6.9 percent in Broome County to $137.59 this July, compared to the same month a year earlier. Through July 31, ADR increased 5.9 percent to $124.46.

UTICA, N.Y. — Utica Royalties — a nonprofit empowering youth through arts, culture, and wellness — recently announced the appointment of Hawa Peters as its new executive director. “Peters, the visionary founder of the organization, returns with renewed purpose to lead a movement that uplifts young voices, supports families, and strengthens the community through creativity,
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UTICA, N.Y. — Utica Royalties — a nonprofit empowering youth through arts, culture, and wellness — recently announced the appointment of Hawa Peters as its new executive director.
“Peters, the visionary founder of the organization, returns with renewed purpose to lead a movement that uplifts young voices, supports families, and strengthens the community through creativity, confidence, and connection,” the Utica–based organization said in its mid-July email announcement.
Since its start in 2021, Utica Royalties says it has blossomed into a sanctuary where youth from all walks of life come to dream, express, and grow without limits, the organization contends.
“At Utica Royalties, we don’t just teach skills — we spark transformation,” said Peters. “I believe in the power of art and culture to heal, inspire, and ignite hope. I believe in our youth as leaders, creators, and change-makers. And I believe this community can come together to lift every young person to heights they never imagined.”
Through programs like Afro Hip-Hop dance, swimming lessons, creative writing, computer literacy, wellness workshops, and more, Utica Royalties says it offers opportunities for holistic growth. These programs are designed not only to teach skills, but also to build self-worth, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
“Utica Royalties isn’t just for kids — it supports parents and the whole community. It’s a great place to find help when you need it. They’re always there to lift you up,” Christina Edwards, community member, said in the announcement.
Utica Royalties’ recent programs included a talent show it held on Aug. 16. It was billed as an opportunity for area youth to showcase their gifts, ranging from singing and dancing to poetry and performance, in front of a live audience and panel of judges.
CNY jobless rates fall in July compared to a year ago
The unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Watertown–Fort Drum, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Elmira regions were all lower in July compared to the same month in 2024. The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) unemployment data released on Aug. 19. Regional unemployment rates The jobless rate in the Syracuse
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The unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Watertown–Fort Drum, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Elmira regions were all lower in July compared to the same month in 2024.
The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) unemployment data released on Aug. 19.
The jobless rate in the Syracuse area declined to 3.7 percent in July 2025 from 3.9 percent in the prior July.
Around the region, the Utica–Rome region’s unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent from 4.0 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum area’s number dipped to 4.1 percent from 4.3 percent; the Binghamton region’s rate edged down to 4.1 percent from 4.2 percent; the Ithaca area’s jobless number hit 3.6 percent, down from 3.8 percent; and the unemployment rate in the Elmira region fell to 3.7 percent in July from 4.0 percent in the same month in 2024.
The local unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires. The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.
New York state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 4.0 percent in July 2025, compared to June 2025, according to preliminary figures that NYSDOL released.
New York’s July unemployment rate was lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.2 percent in the same month.
The July statewide unemployment figure of 4.0 percent was down from the 4.4 percent figure reported in July 2024, according to department figures.
The federal government calculates New York’s unemployment rate partly based upon the results of a monthly telephone survey of 3,100 state households that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conducts.

DEC and New York Sea Grant announce nearly $200,000 in Great Lakes Basin small grants project awards
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York Sea Grant recently announced $199,696 in grants for five Great Lakes basin projects. The initiatives support local community plans to restore water quality, protect ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience and stewardship. These selected projects support measurable progress toward the priority goals of the
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York Sea Grant recently announced $199,696 in grants for five Great Lakes basin projects.
The initiatives support local community plans to restore water quality, protect ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience and stewardship. These selected projects support measurable progress toward the priority goals of the Great Lakes Action Agenda for New York’s Great Lakes watershed.
“New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants support local science-based projects that restore habitats, combat invasive species, and engage communities while strengthening the resilience of our shared environment and the State’s economy,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in the announcement. “Through partnerships like this with New York Sea Grant, DEC is advancing the goals of the Great Lakes Action Agenda and delivering real, measurable results.”
New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants program has awarded more than $2 million in small grants to date for a combined total of 66 projects since the program’s inception in 2015. The five projects selected for this round of New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants funding included three projects in Western New York and two in Central New York (Jefferson County and Oswego County).
The two Central New York projects are as follows.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County: $40,000 for “Seeds of Stewardship: Community-Based Native Seed Network for the Northeast Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Region” to launch a native seed collection and propagation program across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. The project will train volunteers, develop local seed storage and propagation infrastructure, and utilize native plant material to support habitat restoration and resilience.
Atlantic States Legal Foundation: $39,943 for “A Community-Driven Tree Planting Initiative for Adaptation and Revitalization in Pulaski” to engage residents and partners in planning and planting more than 70 trees in priority locations throughout the village of Pulaski, reducing risks such as flooding and heat stress, enhancing ecosystem services, and supporting long-term environmental stewardship, per the announcement. Guided by the Richland-Pulaski Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan and three inclusive community workshops, residents and local partners will help identify strategic planting locations, develop site-specific plans, and learn about the social, ecological, and economic benefits of trees.
New York Sea Grant, a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, administers the program in partnership with DEC’s Great Lakes Program. The program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and Article 14: the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act outlined in the EPF. The 2025-26 enacted state budget increases the EPF to a record $425 million, helping support critical environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive-species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water-quality improvement, and “an aggressive environmental justice agenda,” the DEC said.
More information on the New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants program with past project profiles is available online at: nyseagrant.org/glsmallgrants. Those interested can learn more about the New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda that applies ecosystem-based management to conserve, protect, and enhance New York State’s Great Lakes natural resources on DEC’s website: dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/lakes-rivers/great-lakes/action-agenda.

Picente calls Oneida County’s 5-year agricultural plan a bold step
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County’s five-year agricultural strategic plan focuses on strengthening the region’s agricultural economy, protecting farmland, and expanding opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses across the county. “This plan is a bold step toward ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Oneida County’s economy and identity,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. contended in
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UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County’s five-year agricultural strategic plan focuses on strengthening the region’s agricultural economy, protecting farmland, and expanding opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses across the county.
“This plan is a bold step toward ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Oneida County’s economy and identity,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. contended in describing the 2025-2030 agricultural strategic plan, which was released July 31. “We are not just preserving farmland — we are building a system that supports our farmers, grows our food economy, connects our communities and makes Oneida County a model for agricultural innovation and resilience.”
Oneida County developed the plan in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and planning consultants at LaBella Associates. The document identifies five strategic goals to guide implementation efforts. They include farmland preservation and protection; economic development and business support; agritourism and local food promotion; workforce development and farm transition; and sustainability and climate resilience.
The plan lays out 25 project concepts, with four top-priority initiatives earmarked for immediate development, Oneida County said.
The initiatives include facilitating farmer participation in economic-development tools such as revolving loans, grants, and tax incentives. Another immediate focus is establishing a formal farming apprenticeship or internship program to train the next generation of agricultural workers.
In addition, the priorities include conducting an agriculture-specific hazard mitigation analysis to safeguard farms from climate and environmental risks. The initiatives also include encouraging local municipalities to adopt farm-friendly planning policies, using the county’s Agriculture-Friendly Municipal Guide.
“These priority projects are designed to generate meaningful impact, particularly in areas like supply chain growth, land use planning, and workforce development,” James Genovese, commissioner of planning for Oneida County, said. “By aligning our agricultural strategy with broader economic, educational and climate goals, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous farming community.”
To oversee implementation, the plan establishes a new agricultural-implementation committee, jointly coordinated by Oneida County and Cornell Cooperative Extension. The committee will be supported by working groups focused on each of the five strategic themes, meeting regularly to track progress and adjust strategies as needed, Oneida County said.
The full 2025-2030 agricultural strategic plan is available at: https://oneidacountyny.gov/departments/planning/agriculture/

VIEWPOINT: Why join LinkedIn in 2025?
LinkedIn isn’t going anywhere. If other social-networking platforms emerge, even those catering to B2B professionals, it’s unlikely that any will displace LinkedIn’s network size — already more than 1 billion members strong around the world. As a platform for corporate leaders to put a human face to the ideas and philosophies that guide their brands,
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LinkedIn isn’t going anywhere. If other social-networking platforms emerge, even those catering to B2B professionals, it’s unlikely that any will displace LinkedIn’s network size — already more than 1 billion members strong around the world.
As a platform for corporate leaders to put a human face to the ideas and philosophies that guide their brands, there’s still no more popular place online. Whether your followers number in the single digits or the millions, it’s the ideal platform for a variety of communication strategies, from thought leadership to messages about your business and brands that might not otherwise be discovered.
Here are a few reasons why 2025 is not too late to join LinkedIn if you haven’t already.
People join social-media platforms to be social, not to be marketed to. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X often present a stark contrast between posts from familiar friends and unfamiliar brands. LinkedIn, by nature, strikes a more authentic balance, since both promoted and unpromoted posts cater to career-focused professionals.
For those interested in B2B marketing, that creates a unique opportunity. LinkedIn offers corporate leaders a place to share news, represent their company’s values, and meet like-minded individuals — all with a human face attached. Whether via written or visual content, it’s a great forum for authentic messaging, without the veneer of marketing that others might gloss over when it’s not attached to a human face.
Regardless of whether your LinkedIn account meets its key performance indicators (KPIs) — or even has any — it’s a place to experiment, particularly for those with few followers. For those who have not published blogs or vlogs before, LinkedIn allows its users to find modes of communication that suit their style.
There are other mediums for both corporate leaders and rank-and-file employees to share their thoughts about their brand or its industry writ large — a native blog on the company website, a newsletter for email subscribers, or even an independent blogging platform. Compared to LinkedIn, however, these forums are less likely to catch the attention of anyone previously unaware of your company and the work it’s doing.
LinkedIn networks and groups are organized around specific industries. Members can engage with others doing similar work, making it an ideal place to form relationships with potential B2B clients and customers. These are especially useful networking strategies for startups with little to no digital footprint. Even seasoned industry leaders looking for a forum to share their thoughts can use LinkedIn as a pathway to make their brand more visible, or to connect with others they might do business with in the future.
LinkedIn exposes leaders to people whose résumés and ideas make them attractive hires. When adding like-minded people to your network, both recruiters and job-seekers might discover areas of overlap between their wants and others’ needs. For both parties, having a robust LinkedIn profile can save a lot of time and effort.
Some corporate leaders might relish any opportunity to do some PR and messaging on behalf of your company as a good place to work. If someone on Glassdoor wrote a terrible review of your company, and you don’t have a presence on LinkedIn, what are others left to conclude? Having a personal or corporate LinkedIn page can help combat negativity.
If your business doesn’t have a LinkedIn page, others might wonder if you’re legitimate. That’s why it’s never too late to join the site. As a forum for ideas, LinkedIn serves a variety of purposes — particularly for brands and corporate leaders with a small or nonexistent digital footprint. Look around, see what content speaks to you, what others are doing in your space, and dive in.
Meagan Saxton is a social-media specialist at the marketing agency, ddm marketing + communications. She has several years of experience creating content and managing social media accounts for health care, higher education, and financial-services organizations.
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