Farming Today In Ulster
- By Helene Dembroski, Demroski Orchards
My name is Helene Dembroski. I am a 2nd generation apple farmer in the southern region of Ulster County. I co-own and operate an apple farm business with my brother Alex. My brother and I have been involved in the business for close to 30 years now. We inherited it from my father, who previously managed it with his brother Joe. My grandparents emigrated here from Poland. My grandparents settled this land and were dairy, fruit and vegetable farmers during the depression era.
I feel extremely fortunate to be an apple farmer. I grow a healthy product that helps feed NY families, especially children. As far as Ulster County and agriculture, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Farmers in Ulster County are fortunate to have ample natural resources to produce food. As for our location, we have one of the largest consumer markets located less than an hour away. Farmer’s markets are a great way for our farmers to showcase and sell their products to their neighbors. Ulster County Tourism does offer the opportunity to those visitors to taste some of the great local food.
For all the positives our county offers farmers, there are some issues facing farmers for the future.
Rising input costs such as fertilizers, farm equipment and labor cause the farmer to have less money to invest in the future of the farm. Farm machinery and equipment costs are exorbitant, which means the farmer relies on repairing older, less efficient equipment. The rising wage rate for farm labor is a big hinderance for farmers. Most apple farmers provide housing to their workers, which adds to the cost of the labor. With the rising expenses, growers are concerned about the abilities to pay their bills. This is a problem for their lenders as well.
The dwindling interest in farming as an occupation also contributes to the limited work force for farmers. Farmers struggle to locate skilled workers. Skilled labor such as plumbers, electricians, heating/cooling, and general motor repair.
Government regulations have also added to the problems of farmers in Ulster County. Government green energy initiatives require farmers to invest in modern and innovative technology. With limited profits, farmers just do not have the available funds. Farming is an outside occupation. Mother Nature is in control of the hours we can work. With the weather patterns changing, farmers need to have less regulation on the hours they can work.
Climate change and drastic weather patterns have also affected farmers in Ulster County. Our farm has had to change the strains of apple varieties to adapt to the warming climate. This is not an easy task. It can take a minimum of 3 years from when you plant the tree to produce apples. It can take up to another 5 years to become profitable from the new planting. Then it could take up to 10 years for this new variety to be accepted by the consumer as a commodity on the supermarket store shelf. If that plan doesn’t work out, the grower must start the process over.
But farmers are resilient and have learned to adapt and change with Mother Nature since the beginning of time. There are many risks involved in farming. Not everyone was made to be a farmer. For those who love it, as I do and many others in Ulster County, they need your support. Buy local, demand local and remain supportive of those who give their lives to produce safe, healthy, and sustainable food for your families. My goal is to be able to hand down a stable farm business to the next generation.