Cornell Cooperative Extension of Washington County today announced a new hire that will aid farmers and area food producers in marketing their products utilizing the state’s Taste NY branding program. Jessica Ziehm (pictured to the right) will be the county’s Taste New York Agricultural Marketing Educator and will service the Adirondack Region and beyond that includes: Warren, Washington, Essex, Clinton, Hamilton and Lewis Counties.
“We have an abundance of small-scale producers and micro-manufacturers who have created excellent, unique and high quality products,” said Brian Gilchrist, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Washington County. “From beef jerky to maple milk, we want to help ensure these products are reaching their maximum exposure in the marketplace.Jessica’s experience both professionally and personally will help take our producer’s marketing plans to the next level.”
As the county’s Taste New York Agricultural Marketing Educator, Ziehm will be responsible for connecting farmer and food processors in the region with the new Taste NY Market located in the Adirondacks Welcome Center between Exits 17 and 18 on the Northway (I-87) in Queensbury. She will also host educational workshops and publish articles to help farmers with product development, marketing plans, licensing requirements and retail readiness, which includes such as packaging, labeling, regulations, distribution, pricing and more.
The part-time position that started the first of the year is shared with the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and funded through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.Gina Mintzer, the Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, said “We are pleased to have someone with Jessica’s experience and talents help us work with and identify producers and products for the new Adirondacks Welcome Center Taste NY Market. There’s so much to see, do and taste here in the region – it is wonderful to have the help connecting our agricultural producers with tourism.”
Ziehm said, “After almost twenty years traveling the great state of New York, I’m excited to be able to help the people that live right here in my backyard. I believe the experience and networks I’ve accumulated over the years will be beneficial in helping our farmers bring their products to market and adding value to their operations, as well as our local communities.”
Jessica Ziehm has dedicated her career to agriculture, spending over a decade at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets as its spokesperson and most recently serving as the executive director for a not-for-profit that advocates for the state’s dairy farmers.She is a fourth generation farmer who lives on her husband’s dairy farm in Buskirk where she manages their family’s pumpkin stand, social media, farm tours and the marketing of their homegrown beef, pork and eggs.
Since 2013, the Taste NY initiative, which is overseen by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, has created opportunities for local producers to reach more customers, increase sales, and, in many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Products sold under Taste NY branding are available in more than 70 locations throughout the State. For more information about Taste NY in the greater Washington County and Adirondack region, contact Jessica Ziehm at jaz67@cornell.edu or 518-527-3949.
Jessica Ziehm
Taste New York Agricultural Marketing Educator
jaz67@cornell.edu
518-527-3949
Last updated July 26, 2019