LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Baskin Livestock upon the occasion of
being named the 2013 Genesee County Conservation Farm of the Year by the
Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; and
WHEREAS, New York State and the entire United States is dependent on
our agricultural industry for a variety of food products, as well as for
the wise and prudent management of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
efforts of our farmers as they continue their hard work of cultivating
the land, raising livestock, and facing the many challenges of nature in
order to provide food; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with is long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Baskin Livestock upon the occasion of being named the 2013 Genesee Coun-
ty Conservation Farm of the Year by the Genesee County Soil and Water
Conservation District; its achievements will be honored at the Celebrate
Agriculture Dinner on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the Alexander Fire-
men's Recreation Hall, Alexander, New York; and
WHEREAS, Baskin Livestock is a family enterprise, owned and operated
by married couple Bill Baskin and Susan Blackburn; established in 1980
in Cumberland, Rhode Island, the owners moved to Batavia, New York, in
1991, and the business has been at its present site since 1993; and
WHEREAS, A thriving business, Baskin Livestock owns nearly 1,750 acres
of land in Genesee County, and raises dairy replacement heifers, beef
steers, and American quarter horses; in addition, the farm operates a
mill facility that recycles items from the human food production stream
and processes them into quality bakery meal that is sold to other farm-
ers and feed mills, thereby diverting them from possible landfilling;
and
WHEREAS, Baskin Livestock proudly follows all best-management prac-
tices to ensure the stewardship of its land and environment; livestock
is fenced out of stream channels, a good percentage of its property is
in pasture for the grazing of its cattle and horses, and its manure is
composted to provide a more stable usable product for land application
or sale; and
WHEREAS, Active in the Agricultural Environmental Management Plan,
Baskin Livestock's recent conservation practices installed with the
Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District's assistance include
heavy use area protection, waste transfer system, roof runoff structure,
compost facility, and waste storage facilities; it has one of the most
extensive grazing systems in the county; and
WHEREAS, Through their commitment to employing the best available
methods for environmental sustainability while operating Baskin Live-
stock with integrity and talent, Bill Baskin and Susan Blackburn have
brought pride and recognition to themselves, to Genesee County, and to
our great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Businesses such as Baskin Livestock exert a strong, positive
influence on the communities they serve and are a crucial element in the
economy of New York State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Baskin Livestock upon the occasion of being named the 2013 Gene-
see County Conservation Farm of the Year by the Genesee County Soil and
Water Conservation District; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill Baskin and Susan Blackburn, owners of Baskin Livestock.