Greetings from our New Team Member
By: James Kingston

Many of you around Orleans County know me quite well, but for those of you who don’t I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I grew up on a small dairy farm in Orleans County. As helping hands on the family farm, my brother, sister, and I were the helping hands for my father. Growing up on that small farm we learned about hard work, the demands of operating a dairy, and steps needed in order to grow good crops.

In my junior year of high school my parents decided to sell the milking cows. At that time I took advantage of the opportunity to begin raising replacement heifers and selling hay while I was in college. During that time I also worked seasonally for the NYS Department of Ag & Markets inspecting vegetables at processing factories across Western New York. I attended SUNY Brockport where I earned a bachelors degree in Earth Sciences and Biology.

After graduation I accepted the Technician position with the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, and shortly after was appointed to District Manager, the position I have held for the last 5 years. At the District I had great success working with growers, obtaining grants, and building District Programs. I also continue to bale and sell hay at my family farm, where the majority of our hay is sold on the east coast.

I am excited about the opportunity to work for the NWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Teams as the new Field Crop Extension Support Specialist. I realize that I have some very large shoes to fill being the follow Following up to the long time Field Crop Specialist Nate Herendeen, I realize that I have some very large shoes to fill. With my background, the people I know, and the help from my team, I hope to branch off and help growers throughout my region. I look forward to meeting many of you in the upcoming months and assisting however I possibly can.
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