LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mar-Dan Farms upon the occasion of its
designation by the New York State Agricultural Society as the recipient
of a 2011 Century Farm Award

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes great pride in acknowledging
outstanding individuals and businesses associated with the agricultural
industry which clearly contribute to the spirit of excellence which so
distinguishes the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Mar-Dan Farms of Java Center, New York upon the occasion of its desig-
nation by the New York State Agricultural Society as the recipient of a
2011 Century Farm Award at the Society's 179th Annual Agricultural
Forum, held in Syracuse on January 6, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Agricultural Society was organized in 1832
to foster, promote and improve the New York State food and agriculture
industry; adapting to the changing needs of the industry, the Society
remains true to its mission and each year proudly honors several New
York State farms with its Century Farm Award; and
WHEREAS, The Century Farm program, begun in 1937, honors New York
Farms in continuous operation on the same land by the same family for
100 years or more; each year deserving farm families are recognized by
the Society with Century Farm Awards, now proudly sponsored by Farm
Credit Northeast AgEnhancement; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1830's Christopher McCormick came to Java, where
his brother, Richard McCormick, and his wife's sister, Anna Hamm McCor-
mick, had purchased property; in 1839 Christopher and Mary Hamm McCor-
mick purchased property next to that of his brother and his sister-in-
law's and established Mar-Dan Farms; Anna Hamm McCormick and Mary Hamm
McCormick were the daughters of Richard and Mary Egan Hamm and both the
Egans and the Hamms also had a large presence in the area; and
WHEREAS, Christopher McCormick, like many Irish, also helped build the
nation's canal system; in order to earn funds to expand his holdings it
is said that in the fall after the harvest, he would pack a gunny sack
with a side of pork and beans, head across lots for Buffalo, and take a
boat on the Great Lakes making his way to the Mississippi and down to
New Orleans, a trip which took seven to ten days; and
WHEREAS, He would return in time for spring planting; his efforts were
fruitful, allowing him to build the first two-story house in Java and a
large modem barn; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately the barn was struck by lightning in early 1920;
his granary and pig and chicken houses were removed in 2006 but a small
woodshed historically used as a playhouse can still be seen on the farm;
and
WHEREAS, Christopher McCormick II, the next generation, also built a
beautiful home with nine large bedrooms and a third floor attic which
was used for holiday events and wedding receptions, accompanied by
fiddle music; all the home's floors, from cellar to attic had high ceil-
ings; and
WHEREAS, Tragically, this beautiful home burned in 1959 and a smaller
house was built on the site; and
WHEREAS, Today Mark Allen McCormick is the owner and manager of Mar-
Dan Farms; the original 165 acres have grown to encompass more than 700
acres, where crops supply the feed for the herd of 240 milk cows and 218
head of young stock; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mark McCormick is a member of St.
Patrick's Church in Java Center which was built on land donated by
Christopher McCormick I; Mark is Chairman of the Java Zoning Board of
Appeals and ably follows in the footsteps of his father, Donald, who
served for more than 25 years as Chairman of the town's Assessment Board
of Review; and
WHEREAS, Mar-Dan Farms has continued to change and grow over the years
and the McCormick family has met many challenges, always with a sensi-
tivity to the community, its citizens and its needs; and
WHEREAS, Mar-Dan Farms, located in Wyoming County, truly and justly
merits recognition as a Century Farm; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mar-Dan Farms upon the occasion of its designation by the New York
State Agricultural Society as a 2011 Century Farm and to commend the
McCormick family for its commitment to excellence and for proudly
continuing New York's agricultural heritage, which remains such an
important part of our great State and nation's economic foundation; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the McCormick family, proud stewards of Mar-Dan Farms, 1495
Torrey Hill Road, Java Center, New York 14082.