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Agriculture
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Carl Albers, CCE-Steuben Agriculture Program Leader, was recognized for 25 years of service to Steuben County at the annual CCE-Steuben program in April.
A Vermont native, Carl came to Extension after earning a B.S. in Biology from Keene State College in New Hampshire in 1981 and an M.S. in Plant & Soil Science from the University of Vermont in 1983. He began his Extension work that fall.
“Agriculture is important to the local economy,” he says. “...much more so than people realize. It’s still a vibrant industry, and it’s growing.” Carl says he has seen farmers become more sophisticated over the years. Growers are becoming better business people all the time.
Over the years Carl has supported the ongoing crop breeding programs at Cornell University for alfalfa, birdsfoot, trefoil, corn, potatoes and wheat. Public breeding programs tend to be more locally focused with local adaptation and provision for disease and insect resistance.
Carl has collaboratedwith Cornell Faculty and local farmers to study Brown Root Rot on alfalfa and to improve birdsfoot trefoil for New York State. He has worked with Don Halseth in the Deparment of Horticulture at Cornell and Mahany Farms of Arkpot-Dansville on the planting nad harvest of Cornell's annual potato variety trial.
Currently Carl is working with Hillary Marton in the Department of Genetics and Planting & Breeding at Cornell and Leo Dickson & Sons, Inc. of Bath to establish a warm-season grass variety trail. This is one of many trials Cornell scientists will be establishing across the state to develop improved varieties for fuel use, both direct combustion and for cellulosic ethanol production.
Carl is following the latest trends in reduced tillage systems for row crop production which he thinks can help farms improve soils and reduce fuel use. He has been a leading promoter of renewable energy applications for rural America.
Carl notes the importance of Extension work in other areas as well. Youth and 4-H programs help kids work with parents and leaders to gain hands-on skills. “Many kids are not getting outdoors today,” he says. “The GPS program marries something they are familiar with and forces them outdoors.” The nutrition team emphasizes local food production and consumption. “We are learning that it makes sense to produce our food locally instead of shipping food long distances.”
