Ag Legislative Tour 2026 Itinerary

Ag Legislative Tour 2026 Itinerary

Thank you for your interest in attending the Ag Legislative Tour for 2026! This is the schedule that will be held for the tour this year. This was made possible with the generous efforts of the Clinton County Farm Bureau, Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County. To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Tia Legge at vrl29@cornell.edu or at (518) 561-7450.

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Stop 1: Cornell Cooperative Extension 9:00am-9:30am

Enjoy coffee and donuts on us as we get together to get ready for the bus. Bus leaves at 9:30am

Stop 2: J&R Pierce Family Farm 9:35-10:20

J&R Pierce Family Farm are specialists in lamb, beef, pork and poultry. What makes them stand out is their commitment to sustainable, regenerative agriculture. A farm of the future, they specialize in the shiny-new field of agrivoltaics: solar field grazing. They travel all over in Northern NY and VT, grazing sheep on the grass otherwise unused underneath solar paneling. This union between energy and agriculture is an amazing example of the future in agriculture, right in our very county.

George & Marcel Giroux were a former dairy operation that converted their property to solar. Their transformation of their land is a shift many farmers are taking - with their minds turned to the future.

Stop 3: Adirondack Farms 10:30-11:15

One of the largest dairy operations in Clinton County, Adirondack Farms is still a family business at heart. They strive for excellence by prioritizing their culture, making science-based decisions that help them continue to innovate and focus on the sustainability of our environment. One of their guiding principles is: "Take care of the cows and they will take care of you." They take pride in providing optimal comfort, nutrition and attention to their Holstein cattle. As a result, the cows maintain a higher-than-average level of milk production that enables Adirondack Farms to provide a nutritious product for their community. Most recently, they've focused a lot of time and attention to creating a closed-loop biogenetic cycle - creating new ways to recycle and reuse materials on the farm, which benefits the cows, the environment and the community.

Stop 4: Parker Family Maple 11:30-12:15

When people think of farming in Upstate NY, they should think of maple! The Parker Family Maple Farm is a farm that has been in operation for over 130 years, providing their sugary-sweet commodity to our community for four generations. One of the largest maple farms in the United States, their operation has grown to produce over 50,000 gallons of maple syrup per year. As if that wasn't enough, they've also gone on to feature a seasonal restaurant, private event hosting, trucking services, forestry, and tours. Being proud of their history, yet willing to adapt to challenges and adjust their operation as needed for future success is a hard balance, and yet one that they have perfected.

Stop 5: Banker Orchards 12:30-1:15

It's hard work for an operation to maintain strong ties to the community, but are considered an invaluable resource nonetheless - they help the public understand the importance and value in farming from the ground up. Banker Orchards puts in that hard work with pride and joy. Petting zoos, apples, baked goods, craft items, ice cream, cotton candy and more await the eager guests each year. Whether you're interested in bringing the little ones to the bouncy house, perusing the fairy trail or harvesting your own apple bounty, there's never a dull moment when you visit Banker Orchards.

Stop 6: Lunch at Banker Orchards 1:15-2:15

Enjoy a hearty BBQ with lunch catered by Banker Orchards. Banker's Ice Cream serves up all of the local favorites - have some hot dogs, burgers, michigans and fries right on site! Generously paid for by the Clinton County Farm Bureau.

Stop 7: Cornell Cooperative Extension 2:25

The conclusion of the tour. Times may vary - expect to leave no later than 2:45 to account for variation in travel time.

Last updated July 27, 2026