Today’s interview is with a fellow Simmental cattle girl currently living in New York City. She is originally from Upstate New York and is very passionate about food and agriculture issues here in New York. I originally met Ulla through Twitter’s (@NYCUlla) weekly #AgChat community (just another reason why I think the agriculture needs to get involved with social media).
Here is what Ulla had to say:
1. What is your connection with New York agriculture?
I am a food blogger and I grew up on a sheep and rabbit farm in the Hudson Valley. We moved our farm 12 years ago and now farm in Deleware County. We raise grass-fed beef, lamb and now, pastured pork. I help my father with marketing and we are farming the pork together.
2. What did you most enjoy about the New York Agri-Women reception and agriculture tour in the greater NYC area last week?
Meeting all the ladies from all over the country. It was also really neat to see everyone’s reactions to urban agriculture here in NYC.
3. What would you like to see New York Agri-Women accomplish over the next few years?
I think it would be great if this organization could be a platform for us to share and learn about each others’ concerns.
4. What are some of your biggest agriculture policy concerns at the federal, state, and/or local level?
The issues that most impact our farm are access to quality slaughterhouses, excessive taxes and workers compensation costs. I think New York state farmers have a unique opportunity to connect with urban voters and ask them to create policy that will benefit us all. I also think that farming might be the key to revitalizing Upstate New York. We certainly could use the economic boost!
Ulla is also a talented photographer. You can view her pictures from the event here. You can also find Ulla on Facebook here.