Members of the 2017 Leadership Cattaraugus class gathered July 18 for the group’s latest program day, focusing on agri-business.
The group started the day at Jamestown Community College’s Olean campus for an informative session featuring Brian Davis with the Cattaraugus County Soil Conservation Department, Kim LaMendola with Southern Tier West, Jim Finch of Eco Valley Farm, and Sr. Melissa
Scholl of Canticle Farm.
Each speaker discussed the role their organization plays in the area’s agriculture sector and the challenges they face. They also touched on different attributes they use as leaders to meet the challenges faced by their respective organizations.
The day continued at Sprague’s Maple Farm in Portville. While at Sprague’s, the group had a guided tour by owner Randy Sprague. During his talk, Sprague shared the history of his maple farm and how he grew the business into a regional attraction. He also talked about the various partnerships and expansions he’s made to lead the maple farm into the future, such as venturing into the bottled water sector through Asarati Water and working with the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Agri-Business Day concluded at Never Ending Alpaca Farm in Portville. Farm owners Jerry and Kathy Scutt presented to the Leadership cohort on the still burgeoning alpaca industry. The Scutts also let the group into their alpaca pasture to meet some of their animals.
Looks like a very informative day!