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The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on an Upstate New York dairy farm last week resulted in the arrest of an undocumented farmworker and has raised questions about the legitimacy of such federal actions. Mary Jo Dudley, Director of the Cornell University Farmworker Program and a faculty member in the Department of Development Sociology, says that immigration policies need to change both to protect the rights of farmworkers and to support the struggling dairy industry.

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Steve Reiners, professor of horticulture at the New York State Agriculture Experiment Station, says that an unusually cold spring put early NY crops such as peas, lettuce and broccoli behind schedule – but it’s too early to call the season a washout.

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Food & Agriculture

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Cornell University’s Esta Bigler, who directs the Labor and Employment Program at the Industrial and Labor Relations School, says that apprenticeship programs are an essential part of the U.S. economy, but that government oversight is needed to avoid exploitation by companies.

Law and Policy

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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In 2017, New York state maple producers made over 750,000 gallons of maple syrup, making New York the second largest maple producing state. With this year’s maple season underway, Stephen Childs, the Cornell Sugar Maple Program Director and a New York state maple specialist, says producers can look forward to a great 2018 season.

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Food & Agriculture

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

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This year’s flu, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates caused more than 125,000 illnesses since the beginning of the season, is showing no sign of abatement. While public health officials recommend getting vaccinated, workplaces remain hotbeds of possible contagion.  Nellie Brown, director of Workplace Health & Safety Programs at Cornell offers some tips on how to minimize the potential for virus spreading at the office.

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Laura Skinner, associate director of The Worker Institute at Cornell University and Chair of the institute’s Labor Leading on Climate Initiative comments on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's plans to boost the state's offshore wind industry.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Industrial and Labor Relations

Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future

New York State

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The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets confirmed that the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect originating in East Asia, has been found New York state. Two Cornell University experts describe this invasive pest and its potential impact on New York agriculture.

New York State

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Food & Agriculture

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Elizabeth Lamb, senior extension associate with the Cornell Cooperative Extension's New York State Integrated Pest Management program, offers advice for picking, preserving and eventually re-planting the perfect tree.

Food & Agriculture

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Christopher Gerling, an enologist and craft-beverage expert, says that local sourcing and geographical identification are key ingredients to Empire Rye and other regional food and drink.g

Food & Agriculture

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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A handful of New York state craft distilleries is launching a new, regional whiskey, “Empire Rye.” Bradley J. Rickard, an expert on economic and policy issues in food and beverage markets – and associate professor in Cornell University’s Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, notes that such industry-led initiatives are driven by the value that consumers increasingly place on knowing where a product is produced, how it is produced and where its ingredients come from.

Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Food & Agriculture

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