The Blumer farm. The Herald Co. Drive just 10 minutes out of the city and you'll find yourself surrounded by numerous small farms, most of which are family-owned. Cayuga County farmers hurry corn-crop harvest before it's lost. The full moon still lingered in the western sky as the morning sun broke in the east and washed rays of golden light over Ka-Vern dairy farm near Weedsport. Faced with an empty nest, one farm couple fills it again.
Drought helps family take final step toward expansion.
Maintaining a Mid-Sized Farm a Risky Venture. Government ups subsidies despite efforts to scale back its role. Farmers work around weather to overcome difficult season. The early morning quiet is broken only by the throb of the vacuum pump that powers the milking machine inside the main barn. The Durfees see future clouded by development pressure.