"We are on the cutting edge. We know the future of our economy is largely based on value added agriculture processing. This kitchen really embodies a lot of the major pieces of the puzzle coming together very quickly to really impact the North Country economy, all in one big punch," she said.
Assemblywoman Russell, a member of the State Assembly's Agriculture Committee and chair of the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, said she and State Senator Patricia Ritchie, chair of the State Senate's Agriculture Committee, can use the hurdles Cooperative Extension and producers face as they start to use the facility to drive changes in state policy to make it easier for these kinds of businesses to grow.
"As we overcome hurdles here, I believe we now have a responsibility to work to overcome the hurdles at the state level to benefit our ag industry. I think we have the ability to drive the dialogue and streamline the regulatory process," Assemblywoman Russell said.
She said completion of the commercial kitchen couldn't be better timing. "I was able to secure $300,000 in funding for a farm to school pilot so that local farms can sell to local schools. This kitchen can help farmers sell to institutions like our schools. The schools have the money, now our farmers can experiment and get ready to sell to them," she said.
State Senator Patricia Ritchie said the commercial kitchen provides an option for farmers interested in value added processing but hesitant to make the major expenditure without knowing if their product will be financially viable in the marketplace.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames said financing for the project was provided through a USDA Rural Development grant and funding from the Workforce Development Institute and the Sweetgrass Foundation.
"This is the long-awaited commercial kitchen they (farmers and producers) have needed for a long time. This kitchen would not be a reality without the dedication and engagement of our board of directors," he stressed.
He said the creation of a demonstration and teaching kitchen with a commercial kitchen was outside the scope of Cooperative Extension's traditional mission, but he said the board's push to make the move opened the door for the outside funding opportunities.
Jerry Manor, president of the extension board of directors, said the agency wanted to dedicate the kitchen in honor of the work Anita Figueras did for the agency during her tenure as finance manager from 2001-2014.
"This beautiful kitchen is a dream come true, a vision realized. I'm honored beyond measure that this is a place where I will be remembered," Ms. Figueras said.
"I've been retired for two years now, but I am filled with joy every time I visit here and see new improvements. Thank you again for remembering my work," she added.
The commercial kitchen will provide a broad platform for Extension’s educational programming in the areas of agriculture, nutrition and youth development and will also provide local producers with a long-awaited commercial kitchen environment for light food processing and development of value-added products.
The facility boasts a variety of specialized equipment that is not widely available including two six-burner gas stoves with exhaust hood and fire suppression system, aa commercial refrigerator and freezer capacity, a blast chiller / flash freezer, a commercial food dehydrator, a large-scale commercial vegetable processor, a large-scale floor mixer with multiple attachments and a vacuum sealer.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (center) poses for a photo with Anita Figueras and Cornell Cooperative Extension St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames during the dedication and ribbon cutting for the commercial kitchen at the Extension Learning Farm in Canton.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell congratulates Anita Figueras following the dedication of the Anita Figueras Extension Kitchen at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm in Canton.
Also shown are County Administrator Ruth Doyle and Cornell Cooperative Extension St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames.
Anita Figueras. retired financial manager for Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, and County Administrator Ruth Doyle cut the ribbon marking the opening of the commercial kitchen at the Extension Learning Farm in Canton. Pictured are (l-r): Mr. Ames, Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, Ms. Figueras, Ms. Doyle and State Senator Patricia Ritchie. The kitchen has been dedicated in Ms. Figueras' honor.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell congratulates Anita Figueras following the dedication of the Anita Figueras Extension Kitchen at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm in Canton.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell poses for a photograph with students in the inaugural class of the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Ag Academy. Pictured are (l-r): Travis Bresett, teacher Eric Barr, Randy Ward, teacher Patty Gilbert, Chelsea Smith, Assemblywoman Russell, Kennedy Hayden-McGill, Hunter Weaver, Cheyenne Fortier, James Ellard and Reilly Dunham.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (r) visits with Cornell Cooperative Extension Camp Overlook Director Casey Sukaforth.
