LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Matson Meadow Farm upon the occa-
sion of its designation as recipient of the Century Farm Award from the
New York State Agricultural Society

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; New York State and the entire
United States are dependent on our agricultural industry for a variety
of food products; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those family-owned farms which substantially contribute
to the economic vitality of their communities and the entire Empire
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Matson Meadow Farm upon the occasion of its designation as recipi-
ent of the Century Farm Award from the New York State Agricultural
Society; and
WHEREAS, The Century Farm program was established in 1937 and honors
New York Farms in continuous operation on the same land by the same
family for over 100 years; and
WHEREAS, Owned and operated by Jay and Tricia Casey Bana, Matson Mead-
ow Farm is a cattle raising agricultural operation in Onondaga County,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1915, Matson Meadow Farm's original farmstead
was founded by Tricia Casey Bana's great-grandparents, Cornelius "Neil"
and Nellie Casey, and began as a dairy and crop farm, growing grain and
vegetables; and
WHEREAS, Cornelius Casey's sons, John and Donald, took over the dairy
operation and farmed together for many years under the name Casey Broth-
ers; after John purchased a dairy farm nearby, Donald continued to farm
with help from his son Neil, who along with his wife, Barb, purchased
the farm next door in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, succeeding generations of the Casey and
Bana families at Matson Meadow Farm have persevered and adapted to the
challenges of modern farming in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Today, Jay and Tricia Casey Bana raise heifers for Jay's
father, steers for beef, and Jersey bulls for breeding; in addition, the
original farm cropland is used to grow hay and corn to feed the cattle,
as well as vegetables, oats, and Christmas trees; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed couple has been called upon to contribute their
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and have
always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Tricia Casey Bana has received the James Quinn Award for her
10 years of involvement on the board of the Onondaga County Farm Bureau;
she is also a past-President and committee member of the Cornell Women's
Club of Syracuse and participates in the Annual Career Day at Fabius-
Pompey High School; and
WHEREAS, Jay Bana has served as a loan officer covering the Cortland
Farm Credit Office for 19 years, and is known for his community involve-
ment; and
WHEREAS, Under the able guidance of Jay and Tricia Casey Bana, Matson
Meadow Farm will continue to its tradition of providing high quality
agricultural products to the people of New York State for many years to
come; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the success of this exceptional multi-generation family business
and its contributions to the local and State economies, fully confident

that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experi-
enced thus far; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Matson Meadow Farm upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Century Farm Award from the New York State Agricultural
Society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jay and Tricia Casey Bana, Matson Meadow Farm.