A barn on the Batavia side of Batavia Elba Townline Road, near Route 98. 

It's a beautiful day.

City crews this morning repaired a sink hole at 15 Oak St., Batavia. The location is a storm sewer that is still in use and is older than any of the homes on the block.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Republican Committee is excited to announce the results of its endorsement meeting held April 23rd. Securing the endorsement for the three City Council At-Large seats are Eugene (Geno) Jankowski Jr., John Deleo, and incumbent, Brooks Hawley. This slate of candidates represents an excellent mix of experience, enthusiasm and fresh ideas. 

Brooks resides in the City with his wife, Rhiannon, and their three children: Kelsey, Troy and Quinn. He serves as the recreation director at SUNY Geneseo and is completing his first term as an At-Large Council Member. 

Geno is a retired lieutenant from the City of Batavia Police Department and resides in the City with his wife, Leanne. He has two grown children, Bryan and Jennifer, along with a grown stepson, Nate. 

John is a retired N.Y. State corrections officer currently serving as a security guard at Batavia Downs Casino. He lives in the City with his longtime partner, Debbie Kulikowski.  Together they have four grown children. 

The Committee is proud to support all three candidates and committed to working hard toward a successful November election on behalf of all the residents of the City!

Top photo submitted by City GOP. Inset photo, file photo by Howard Owens.
 

A smash-and-grab thief struck three convenience stores overnight -- two in Genesee County and one in Erie -- taking cash and cigarettes.

The first break-in was reported at West Main Mini-Mart, 3845 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, at 10:54 p.m., according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster. The perpetrator smashed in the front doors and stole the cash register and an unknown quantity of cigarettes.

At 11:35 p.m., dispatchers received a burglary alarm for the Raceway Mini-Mart, 629 E. Main St., Batavia.

When officers arrived they found the front door smashed in and reported seeing evidence that the cash register and some quantity of cigarettes were stolen.

Chief of Police Shawn Heubusch said Batavia PD will release information on this break-in later today.

The Erie County Sheriff's reported a similar break-in at a store in Clarence at 12:33 a.m with the thief getting away with loose change, according to Brewster.

UPDATE: Batavia PD reports that about 20 cartons of cigarettes were taken from the Raceway location.

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia hosted its annual Law Day Dinner and honored six individuals for their outstanding career achievements in law and law enforcement.

Family Court Judge Eric Adams, above, was the keynote speaker.

Here are the honorees and information about their accomplishments as provided by the Kiwanis Club.

Gary A. Graber - Town Justice, Darien, New York
Judge Graber has been the Town Justice of Darien for the past 33 years, the longest presently sitting Justice in Genesee County. He has been a life member of the Darien Center Chemical Fire Department for 38 years, 10 years on the Board of Directors including two years as chairman. He also served as Darien Town constable prior to being elected town justice. Judge Graber has been an outstanding and recognized leader in the area of criminal justice in Genesee County, New York State and nationally.  He most recently was elected as president of the New York State Magistrates Association for 2012-2013 and has been a member of several committees and associations. Judge Graber was nominated for this award by retired Town of Bethany Justice Edgar J. Hollwedel.

Nicole Desmond – Treatment Court Coordinator, Batavia City Court
Nicole Desmond has had a substantial and significant impact on the criminal justice system in Genesee County.  She was hired in June of 2004 as a therapist with the Genesee County Mental Health Clinic and was assigned responsibility for Court Evaluations and the mental health needs of the inmates housed in the Genesee County Jail. In 2008, Ms. Desmond became the Drug Court coordinator, working out of Batavia City Court. She established weekend DWI testing protocols and worked along with several professionals and organizations to establish the Mental Health Court and the Veterans Track. Ms. Desmond has distinguished herself as a knowledgeable, passionate and hard-working professional dedicated to identifying gaps in systems and helping to facilitate humanistic programs to effect positive change. She was nominated for this award by Genesee County Jail Superintendent Ed Minardo.

Eugene A. Jankowski – Retired Lieutenant, City of Batavia Police Department
Eugene A. Jankowski served as the commander of the Batavia Police Department’s Emergency Response Team since its inception in 1994 until his retirement in 2013. He oversaw and organized the establishment of the team, sought out experts in the field, fostered relationships and arranged for the team’s training. Mr. Jankowski has dedicated an extraordinary amount of time and devotion to ensure that the team receives the proper training in up-to-date tactics and the best equipment, ensuring the safety of the team’s members and the success of the missions performed. Mr. Jankowski also was instrumental in the transition of the team from being solely a Batavia Police Department team to one that also incorporates members from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, enabling the team to provide services to all of Genesee County. Mr. Jankowski was nominated for this award by Batavia Police Detective Sergeant Patrick J. Corona.

Robert C. Noonan – Genesee County Judge, Genesee County Court
Robert C. Noonan is currently Genesee County Judge and has been since first elected in 1997.  He also serves as an acting Justice of the Genesee County Supreme Court. Judge Noonan served as Genesee County District Attorney from 1988 to 1996 and served as First Assistant District Attorney from 1980 to 1987. He attended St. Lawrence University and obtained a law degree from Fordham University Law School in 1975. Judge Noonan is former chair of the New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Procedures for Judicial Discipline and is past president of the County Court Judges’ Association of the State of New York. Judge Noonan has been a leader in criminal justice for several years and is well respected by his peers and members of the criminal justice system. Judge Noonan was nominated for this award by Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha.

Sandy Wojtaszczyk – Child Protective Services Supervisor, Genesee County Department of Social Services
Sandy Wojtaszczyk began her employment with the Genesee County Department of Social Services in 1998 as an aide for Adult Services, was promoted in 2000 to caseworker and then to supervisor in 2009. She supervises a staff of eight full-time caseworkers who oversee 1,000 suspected cases of child abuse, neglect and/or maltreatment each year in the Genesee County area. Sandy is also responsible for the on-call system 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. She volunteers to supervise student interns from various local colleges that wish to obtain practical experience in the field of child welfare. Sandy has served on several teams and panels in the community and continuously volunteers at the Salvation Army during the holidays and for the women’s auxiliary at the Elba Fire Department. Ms. Wojtaszczyk is an efficient, effective, and respected supervisor that has served her community and county in many capacities in a humble, modest and respectful manner. Ms. Wojtaszczyk was nominated for this award by New York State Police Investigator Andre Dunlap.

Thomas A. Graham – Town Justice, Oakfield, New York
Judge Graham has been the Town Justice for Oakfield since 2006. He is the treasurer for the Genesee County Magistrates’ Association and is also responsible for coordinating training for the group. Previously, Judge Graham was employed as a sargeant with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and after serving 20 years, retired in 2005. During his tenure at the Sheriff’s Office, Judge Graham oversaw the Dispatch Center and its transition to the 800-megahertz radio system. Judge Graham is involved in educating the youth in Oakfield by allowing Boy Scout Troops and students to attend his court sessions and then stays after to answer questions and explain court procedures. In his role as Town Justice, Judge Graham has earned the respect of other judges and attorneys in the County by portraying a professional and fair attitude. Judge Graham was nominated for this award by fellow Oakfield Town Justice and Retired Batavia Police Chief Randy Baker.

CHARLES L. MANCUSO AWARD
The “Charles L. Mancuso Award” was presented to the members of the Batavia High School Mock Trial Team as winners of the 2013 GLOWS (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming and Steuben counties) District Competition in the New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Tournament.  The award reads “Dedicated to the Memory of an Outstanding Attorney-Citizen”, Mr. Mancuso, a Batavia lawyer, served as coordinator of the local competition until his untimely death seven years ago. The Batavia High School team members honored at the dinner include: Attorneys: Kaitlin Logsdon, Trey Abdella, McKenzie Stevens, Matthew Gabriele, Bryce Rogers, Beth Bennion, Rebecca Canale, Danielle Quinn. Witnesses: Brandon Smart,
Dylan Beckman, Samir Jain, Eric DiLaura, Katie Kesler, Cara Ranalli, Alex Mott, Adam Weaver, Chelsea Jensen.

Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, who serves as coordinator of the local Mock Trial Program, and Genesee County Bar Association President Mary Kay Yanik presented the award.

Eugene Jankowski

Sheriff Gary Maha and Judge Robert C. Noonan

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Daniel Thomas Henning, 32, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with six counts of forgery, 2nd, and one count of grand larceny, 4th. Henning is accused of using the business credit card of his employer to make unauthorized personal purchases at a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He allegedly signed the name of a coworker to the sales receipts. Henning was jailed on $20,000. He faces possible additional charges in the City of Batavia for similar activity at a store on Ellicott Street.

Matthew F. Vanbuskirk, 23, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Vanbuskirk was arrested by State Police related to an incident reported at 4:27 p.m., April 17. Vanbuskirk was arrested at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Rose Elizabeth George, 22, of Council House Road, Basom, was arrested on a bench warrant related to a harssment, 2nd, charge.

Press release:

The Stafford Volunteer Fire Department will open its doors to area residents, so they can learn about what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in their community, as part of the third annual RecruitNY statewide initiative. Over the last several years, it has been very tough for many fire departments throughout New York State to recruit and retain volunteers for a variety of reasons. Like most volunteer fire departments, the SVFD needs to bolster its emergency responder numbers, so it can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for its residents. 


As part of RecruitNY, on Saturday, April 27 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the SVFD located at 6153 Main Road, Stafford, will join volunteer fire departments all across the state at their respective firehouses for a unified recruitment drive, as part of National Volunteer Week 2013. Not only will RecruitNY be an opportunity to highlight the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter, it will also raise public awareness about the need for volunteers.

Throughout the day, the SVFD will conduct tours of the station and firefighter apparatus, allow visitors to try on firefighter gear, and provide activities and stations throughout the firehouse for visitors. The fire department will discuss the requirements to be a volunteer, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions, and let visitors know how to get involved in the fire department.

Last year, more than 430 fire departments in 55 counties across the state held recruitment open houses. FASNY is hoping for an even higher turnout this year and encourages departments to RSVP to let the community know they’re participating at: www.recruitny.org/signup. 


The goal of RecruitNY is that the collaborative effort among volunteer fire departments statewide will turn the declining number of volunteer firefighters around. RecruitNY is one example of FASNY’s key initiatives to recruit and retain volunteers. Over the last year and a half, FASNY has worked exceptionally hard to build and deploy a multi-tiered plan for helping New York State’s over 1,700 volunteer fire departments recruit more than 15,000 new volunteer firefighters across the state by utilizing federal SAFER grant funds for programs including the “Fire in You” advertising campaign, FASNY HELP community college tuition reimbursement program, and recruitment training classes.

For more information on becoming a volunteer in Genesee County, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Should employers be able to ban Facebook and Twitter at work?

Yahoo News: Workers Demand Social Media Rights

Somewhere along the line, it appears communication between CSX and county officials failed, according to Tim Hens, county highway superintendent.

Hens said he was informed a month or so ago that CSX and would be doing rail work in Genesee County, but the CSX official in Rochester assured Hens only one or two crossings would be shut down at a time.

Last night, seven consecutive crossings -- from Wortendyke Road to the Erie County line -- were closed because of the repairs and this morning seven crossings remained closed and a CSX supervisor expected at least some crossings to be closed tomorrow.

"The guy in Rochester is a great guy and he's always been cooperative," Hens said. "We had a verbal agreement not to close all the crossings and to notify us ahead of time."

The notification to the county did specify that Colby, Fargo and Ellinwood would be closed, but not all seven crossings at once, Hens said.

Hens has been traveling and hasn't been able to speak directly with CSX officials this week.

Hens is under the impression from county officials who've had contact with the CSX headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., that corporate honchos overruled local supervisors and ordered all the crossings be closed at once to reduce costs on the project.

In response to inquires from The Batavian, a CSX official contacted us early this afternoon and promised to provide more information later, but has not yet called back.

Hens called the mass closing of the crossings "ridiculous."

It affects residents, school buses and emergency responders. Detours can take 20 minutes or longer with all the crossings closed.

In the past, Hens said, he's never required CSX to apply for work permits to close down crossings. Typically, since CSX owns the right-of-way through the crossing, it wasn't clear that the county could require a permit. However, Hens recently learned that Monroe County requires CSX to receive permits, so Hens will be researching the legal aspect of that and anticipates requiring permits in the future.

UPDATE: Here's a statement from Sheriff Gary Maha --

Dispatch talked to them last night and they said some of the crossings would be open at midnight. We knew this could not be true as a deputy stopped at one of the crossings and it was all torn up. He was told some may be opened today if they could do paving. I talked to a Roadmaster out of Rochester and he was very apologetic and stated this isn't the way CSX does business. He stated corporate out of Jacksonville started something new, which was working 24 hours a day to get the work done. I stressed our concerns with not timely notifying 9-1-1 and local officials. I followed up with a letter today.

UPDATE: Here's a statement we received from CXS this evening --

As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring safe and reliable rail freight transportation, CSX is in the process of conducting track maintenance on its rail line through Genesee County, replacing crossties. This is routine work that is conducted on a regular basis across CSX’s 21,000-route-mile network. As part of that work, CSX is resurfacing selected highway-rail grade crossings across the line.

Simultaneously closing groups of crossings enables the track work to progress more quickly and minimize the total closure time at any one crossing. CSX crews are working around the clock in an effort to expedite the project. The current work schedule should allow the Colby and Fargo grade crossings to open this evening. The Ellinwood, Wilkinson and Wortendyke crossings are expected to open tomorrow evening.

In planning for this work, CSX representatives notified local officials in Genesee County and Batavia on April 12. The work schedule was approved the following day with the understanding that the Upton Road crossing would remain open for the duration of the project. CSX also routinely confirms with area emergency management centers the actual highway-rail grade crossings that will be closed as a result of a track maintenance project on the day the work actually is scheduled to begin.

A Hutchins Street resident was arrested at her home Wednesday evening by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force for allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover agent.

Michelle C. Scroger, 41, is being charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Scroger is accused of selling cocaine to an agent on two separate occasions.

She was arrested on a sealed grand jury indictment and jailed pending further court proceedings.

Batavia PD assisted in Scroger's arrest.

Press release:

The legendary Buffalo, N.Y., Anchor Bar franchise announced today they will be cooking up wings in a whole new way this summer, with the opening of their newest location at Darien Lake Theme Park. The new in-park Anchor Bar opening will coincide with the first day of the park’s 2013 season on May 11th. When guests visit the new in-park Anchor Bar, they can expect the same authentic wings at the same prices but in an exciting new atmosphere. 

“We’re thrilled to bring a Western New York favorite like Anchor Bar to the park this season,” said Bob Montgomery, Darien Lake general manager. “Guests can now grab a bucket of crispy original buffalo wings, and relax on the outdoor deck at Anchor Bar all while surrounded by the fun and excitement you’d expect from Darien Lake.”

“Opening a new location at Darien Lake is a very exciting moment for Anchor Bar,” said Ivano Toscani, president, Anchor Bar Franchises. “We couldn’t be happier that our latest business partnership is with one of the most fun places in Western New York.”

The in-park Anchor Bar is part of several cosmetic and capital improvements this season at Darien Lake designed to bring the park back to its Western New York roots. Improvements include: the latest ride addition to the park, Blast-off, a spaceship like thrill ride that skyrockets guests into the air at 4g speeds; the $1 million Ignite the Night laser show; and the all-new Lakefront Boardwalk area, which is a tribute to the region’s lakes and is also the location for the new Anchor Bar.

Darien Lake is also partnering this season with several other local businesses including Tim Hortons, Webers Mustard, Sahlen’s Hot Dogs, and Perry’s Ice Cream.

Press release:

At one Batavia insurance agency, when spring rolls around, it’s Team Lawley all the way. Staff throws donations into a hat to win vacation days from work, and clients of Lawley Genesee Insurance Agency open their wallets, too, in support of the agency’s managing partner, Bill Fritts. Fritts’ wife, Theresa, has multiple sclerosis, and each spring for the past five years, just about everyone in the office has participated in Walk MS Batavia, a fundraiser for the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter.

“Theresa is a very nice person, and it just seemed like a great thing to get involved with once we learned she had MS,” said Marissa Weaver, an account manager at the company.

Money raised through Walk MS goes to research to find a cure for the often disabling disease of the central nervous system that affects more than 100 people in Genesee County. Funds also support programs and services for more than 12,800 people living with MS in Upstate New York and their families. This year, Walk MS Batavia is on Sunday, May 5, at Dwyer Stadium starting at 10 a.m.

“Our office enjoys participating in fundraisers and events in the community, so it just seemed natural to want to get involved where it meant something to someone we know,“ said Weaver, who is captain of Team Lawley, which raised $1,500 last year.

One unique fundraiser they devised is an office raffle – a dollar a ticket – and the winner gets paid time off from work.

“People in the community think it’s great,” Weaver said. “Our company has several core values and one is community involvement. We are trying to come up with more creative ideas how to fund raise that might be out of the office and more in the community.”

The staff puts together baskets to raffle off, that include a mix of lottery tickets and gift cards, and clients generously pitch in to win.

The staff’s leader, Fritts, will be among the team’s 20 members walking this year.

“It’s fun to get out of the office and together with coworkers,” Weaver said, “especially for an event like Walk MS. It’s most enjoyable on a nice weather day, but we walk through rain or shine.” 

And Weaver says Fritts is grateful the whole office has come on board in honor of his wife, supporting her through good weather and bad.

A Genesee Community College softball coach who was accused of filing time cards for duplicate hours worked at two different government agencies has resigned her position with the college, according to GCC spokesperson Richard Ensmans.

Besides coaching at GCC, Renee Smith, 28, was being paid as a recreational therapist for the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

The inspector general said at one time Smith said she was on the clock for her full-time job with the state when she was in fact traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC, with the GCC softball team.

The state claims Smith bilked the state out of $1,000 in false payments.

The Democrat & Chronicle was first to report the allegation that Smith was double-dipping on her state pay and her GCC pay.

(via WBTA)

From the reports I'm getting from the people doing the work, we remain on track to have the new ad server up and running tomorrow.

Thank you to everybody for your patience and understanding during the past few days.

For readers, this is a great time for you to patronize our sponsors and let them know why you're there. I posted a list yesterday and there is a list on the left side of the page.

Here's a hint for sponsors of what's coming with the new server: If you choose the feature, you'll be able to modify your ad with your special deals in real time from your own computer and have the changes appear immediately on The Batavian.

So, we'll have not only a more secure ad server, but one that offers more services.

Grace Suozzi, the 70-year-old former Walmart cashier who was punched in the face Christmas Eve 2011 by 27-year-old Jacquetta Simmons, is seeking $2,100 in restitution for expenses related to her injury.

Judge Robert C. Noonan presided today over a restitution hearing and will issue a decision later on the restitution request.

Suozzi's daughter, Teresa Wormley, testified that she has been handling her mother's medical care, including taking her to and from medical appointments.

The itemized list of restitution claims includes co-pays, high blood pressure medication, transportation mileage and lost earnings because Suozzi could not work as a poll watcher during the last election.

The attorney for Simmons, Earl Key, objected to just about every question put to Wormley by ADA Melissa Cianfrini, saying that Wormley lacked the proper expertise on the topics.

At one point, Noonan became exasperated with Key and told him the rules for evidence in a restitution hearing were not the same as criminal trial.

Key said he just wanted to get his objections on the record, which Noonan agreed was his right.

During cross examination, Key probed Wormley about why she hadn't submitted medical bills to workers comp and Wormley said she didn't know she could. 

In closing arguments, Key argued that Suozzi wasn't entitled to restitution for items she could have been reimbursed for (through workers comp) and that since Suozzi hadn't been to a doctor for years priror to the incident, there's no way of knowing if she already had high blood pressure. Key argued that Simmons shouldn't pay for the $215 in high blood pressure medication.

Cianfrini said that Simmons was responsible for actual out-of-pocket expenses and the restitution sought was within the scope of the law. She also pointed out that the court has previously awarded restitution for a third party to drive a victim to and from medical appointments.

After the hearing, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said it doesn't really matter whether Suozzi has sought workers comp for her uncovered medical expenses because any restitution would go to workers comp if those claims were approved.

Typically, in restitution cases, defendants must reimburse insurance companies that have paid out claims.

Simmons, out of prison pending an appeal of her sentence, appeared in court with her family and her infant child.

At the end of the hearing, Noonan asked about the status of the stay of sentence issued by the Court of Appeals. The stay expires May 31 and Key indicated he plans to have his actual motion to have the sentence vacated by then, and will seek a continuation of the stay pending further consideration of the appeal.

While out taking pictures of railroad crossings this morning, I passed this barn on Brown Road.

Two of the group of railroad crossings between the Genesee and Erie County line that had been closed reopened this morning by 9, but the rest remain closed and according to a CSX manager at Wortendyke Road, will remain closed through tomorrow.

Upton and Snipery roads are open.

Route 77, which had been partially closed for some repair work was open at 10:30 a.m.

The closures are affecting travel for residents, bus drivers, and of course, emergency responders. 

We requested comment from the CSX media center last night and again today but have yet to get a response.

Crossing above: Wortendyke Road.

UPDATE: As soon as I hit save on this, a representative from CSX called. He needed to get more information so he could get us more information. We'll update this post accordingly when we hear back.

Wilkinson Road

Ellinwood Avenue

Colby Road

Fargo Road

Note: This is intended to be the first in a series of stories we'll do this spring and summer on the farms and farmers of Genesee County.

People worry about family farmers, but for the Posts of Elba, they're doing just fine.

With Jeff Post as a fifth-generation farmer, sharing ownership with his father, Dan, and uncle, John, Post Farms continues to grow, innovate and prosper.

"I think it's very impressive that our family has been farming as long as it has and stayed in business that long and been successful that long," Jeff said. "I take a lot of pride in being the fifth generation. I go to meetings and I hear guys say, 'I'm third generation,' and I think, 'that's nothing.' "

Jeff's great-great-grandfather bought the 100 acres that became Post Farms in 1890. There was a barn, a house and some cows to start with, and each generation has added on.

Today, Post Farms is a modern dairy with 350 cows and a robotic milking parlor that keeps milk flowing daily to the Upstate Farms Cooperative.

To support the dairy operation, the Posts manage 750 acres (some of it leased) and grow oats, wheat, corn, alfalfa and a hybrid grain known as triticale, primarily as feed for the cattle.

The day we visited, Dan Post and his dad, Ken, where prepping fields and sowing seeds for oats. John said the goal is to get the oats harvested this year in time to sow green beans, which will be sold later in the year for canning.

With Jeff's aunt, Laurie, also working on the farm -- there are also two hired hands -- the Posts have pretty much kept farming all in the family.

Dan said when Jeff was in high school, there was little indication he would want to be a farmer.

"He never seemed that interested and I never pushed him," Dan said. "In high school he was talking about going into the landscaping business, but when it came time to go to college, he said he was going to study ag and I was pleasantly surprised."

Jeff got his degree in animal science from Cornell in 2001 and then spent the next eight years working on other farms, learning the business.

By 2008, the family wanted him back on the Post Farms and so he returned home and now, at age 34, is herd manager. John, 61, handles crops and Dan, 60, and Ken work the fields. Laurie takes care of the calves.

Ken, at 86, said he still likes to be outside on a tractor, working.

"I'll probably never stop until I have to," Ken said. "I have to keep doing something. I can't just sit around doing nothing."

There isn't much time for doing nothing on Post Farms and Jeff said there is nothing written in stone about the division of labor.

"We all have to do a little of everything because there aren't that many of us," Jeff said.

Officially, the farm is owned by Jeff, Dan and John.

The last big expansion of the farm came in 1987, when Post Farms went from 180 cows to 230. It's grown slowly since then to 240 to 250 range.

In 2010, the Posts built a new milking parlor that features four robotic milking stalls.

Cows in the robot barn are milked three times a day with very little farmer intervention.

Because the feed in the the stalls don't have all the nutrients the cows need, the cows instinctively and by habit seek out the more nutritious feed in the milking stalls. 

A cow walks into the stall, the robot reads the cow's ID number to ensure it's time for it to be milked, and then a laser guides the milking apparatus to the utters. While the cow is milked, it munches on some tasty and nutrious feed.

"It's really being fed, and we're just milking it at the same time," Jeff said.

Only occasionally does a person need to come in and ease a cow into line to be milked. The cows pretty much take care of getting themselves fed and milked.

It's notable how friendly and curious Post cows are. Rather than shy away from a stranger with a camera, they try to move in closer for a better look.

Jeff thinks that's because with their milking operation there aren't people constantly pushing them around to go here or there.

Laurie thinks it's because Post cows get a lot of human interaction. They're just used to being around people.

From birth, the cows are kept in a nursery rather than individual outdoor shelters and are visited regularly by Laurie and other members of the family to make sure they're drinking their milk and are generally in good health (milk is dispensed for the calves from boxes with nipples in each of the nursery's stalls).

Besides providing the cows with a seemingly less stressful living environment, the robotic barn has helped the Posts keep to a minimum the number of hired hands the farm needs, Jeff said.

While more employees means more expense and more managerial headaches, a bigger issue, Jeff said, is immigration.

Jeff is currently president for the Genesee County Farm Bureau and immigration is a big issue for all farmers he said.

"You really never really know where your labor is going to come from," he said.

As Farm Bureau president, Jeff said the other big issues farmers face is the encroachment of development.

Housing is replacing more and more farms, and people moving closer to farms is creating its own set of issues.

"That's one of the biggest problems," Jeff said. "There's more people living in the country, and there's more people living in the country who didn't grow up around the sights and sounds and smells of farming."

Jeff doesn't expect New York's booming yogurt industry to have that big of an impact on dairy farms. The price of milk is heavily regulated and there are a lot of hurdles for dairy farmers to clear to increase production.

There's an assumption in media reports that changes in federal regulations will make it easier for dairy farmers to increase the size of their herds, but the fact is, Jeff said, there are 100 other other considerations involved in herd size.

The regulation change, he said, really just highlights the arbitrary nature of the regulation. The regulation is known as CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation). Strict and expensive CAFO requirements used to kick in at 200 animals, but to help dairy farmers during the yogurt boom, the limit was raised to 300 head of cattle.

"Personally," Jeff said, "I think that the whole thing is wrong. The government is basically saying it's an arbitrary number because they can change it at will. They said they think farmers should grow, so we're going to move back the number. That number doesn't mean anything. The whole thing, for lack of a better term, is a government shake down. Not every farmer that runs a small farm that is not meeting CAFO is going to go out and add another 100 cows because there are another 100 factors that play into (adding more cows)."

One of the biggest events in the history of Post Farms was a fire in August 2011 that destroyed the barn that was on the property when Jeff's great-great-grandfather purchased it in 1890.

Losing that barn was emotionally upsetting for the family, both Jeff and John said, but it's actually helped improve operations on the farm.

"You hate to see an old barn go because of tradition and all that, but the new barns serve us better," John said.

Jeff agreed, but he liked that old barn.

"You want to think of the family farm, driving up and seeing that barn," Jeff said. "That is the vision all of us have of this farm -- seeing that barn there because that is what people think of when they think of a family farm, that kind of barn sitting there."

The barn is gone, but it the new barn helps symbolize the progress and growth of Post Farms, Jeff said. The Posts are never afraid to try new things, even something Ken Post confirmed.

"We're not stuck in the old ways," Jeff said. "We're doing things that are efficient for us and make for a good life, a happy life."

Top Photo: Front row, Dan, John and Ken; and, Laurie and Jeff.