By Diane Dubshinski
Well here we are in a new year, 2026. Local farmers, most likely have put together their honey do lists with a lot of hopes and prayers. We see the fields are covered with snow and one would think that the world is in hibernation mode, don’t be fooled. Snow and cold temperatures are actually healthy for our fields and crops. Think about weed and pest control. Many insects, weeds and disease causing organisms are unable to survive through freezing weather. The constant freezing and re-freezing of the ground with a good amount of snow helps to prepare mother nature for the upcoming spring weather.
Looking at a snow covered field, one would think that snow is just a mixture of frozen water and the correct temperature. But most likely only a farmer would consider snow as a poor man’s fertilizer. A farmer knows that as the snow falls from the sky, essential nutrients, nitrogen, and sulfur are released from the atmosphere mixing with the snow to prepare soil for the spring. Last, but not least, as snow melts it restores the moisture content which farmers need to plant their spring crops and restore much needed ground water. On the flip side, it can also create hazards like flooding, soil erosion and possible damage to homes. As a child years ago, January would also be the time of the year when seed and plant catalogues would adorn our mailbox. During Christmas we would be swamped with Sears catalogues and so be it, that as the new year rolled around, the new catalogues should show the most beautiful colored roses, plants, trees and bushes. Holding those plant catalogues in your hand as you flip through the pages years ago is certainly missed.
1776-2026. The 250th birthday of our country. How is your town celebrating this special year? Check with your local town hall to see if any special events are planned for this special occasion. If it is on everyone’s “to do list” the clock is ticking!
Schoharie Agriculture Expo March 3, 2026
Come join us at the Schoharie Ag Solutions and Networking Expo on March 3, 2026. The Expo will be held at the Cobleskill SUNY Bouck Hall Ballroom from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Check out our flyers for more information.
We here at The Mountain Eagle, would like to express our thanks for the positive response we have received as we roll out our second issue of our Schoharie County Agriculture, Farmers, Backbones of America article.
We will be spreading our wings by creating a special farmers directory right on our Agriculture page. This directory will allow you to specialize your business card to be posted in the directory. Contact us at 607-201-8980 or dubshinski@gmail.com for more information.
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