>> Coming up.
Agriculture pumps billions of dollars into New York's economy every year.
And officials say that farmers will play a critical role in revitalizing upstate.
New York state's Agricultural Commission, Patrick Hooker, joins us in studio.
And the ferry terminal in Toronto has made it to prime time.
Along with a EASTMAN KODAK companies printers.
Stay tuned.
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>> The news magazine since 1997.
This is "need to know."
>> Thank you for joining us.
I'm Julie Phillips.
Whenever we talk about revitalizing the economy we have a lot of attention to high-tech global solutions like farming.
Actually, that is not a joke.
Agricultural generates more than $3.5 billion for the economy every year.
Officials see it as the key component to high-tech economic growth.
For instance, the state now ranks third in the nation when it comes to grape and wine production.
And scientists that working with the Cornell Agricultural experiment Station in GENEVA TO UNTAP even more revenue from area vineyards.
CARLET CLEARE has this report.
>> New York State is one of the oldest and grape growing areas in the country.
Vineyards and wineries throughout the finger Lakes region are a big draw for tourists.
Millions come for the scenery, the history, and the taste.
>> In New York has a greater diversity of wine than any other region of the world.
That is a real strength because the magic of wine is the rainbow of flavors.
It is these wonderful different colors, and flavors, and smells.
>> But there might be even more to the magic of wine than what you pour into a glass.
>> We're using a waste product from wine industry as a source of these kinds of compounds.
They will be used to prevent diseases.
Without killing the bacteria.
>> Meet a researcher at the University of Rochester's oral biology Center.
He is doing something called by a prospecting.
Finding ways to use compounds provided by mother nature.
In this case, he is using substances found in grape skins and seeds.
This is left over after making wine.
>> What we found, in collaboration with Cornell, is that the material still carries a lot of biologically active substances that could be a good source for novel substances to prevent oral disease.
We take those compounds and we test them and our own laboratory to see if they are effective against micro organisms that cause cavities and other oral diseases.
>> That is right.
These compounds could end up in your toothpaste.
Mouthwash.
Or even chewing gum.
That might take a couple of years, but the preliminary results are promising.
Manufacturers are already interested.
Associate professor here at Cornell is also assisting.
What these compounds do is that even though they did not kill bacteria, they interfere with the capacity of the bacteria to survive and to do what they do.
That is a good thing about it.
The bacteria is there but it cannot produce cavities.
>> There are other factors that bring about the natural compounds.
They're not killing bacteria.
Rather, it is making it so that they cannot cause disease.
That prevents the resistant organisms which are related to widespread problems.
These are different philosophies.
Rather than killing the bacteria, it is avoiding it.
>> Further by prospecting and in vineyards can prevent a host of remedies.
>> We help in the area and obviously any winemaker can benefit from this.
>> Rather than plowing all of the left overs, some people have been supplying for this experiment.
>> We were happy to take the time to make sure that there were able to get different varieties of pomace and various types.
>> The oak barrel may never be replaced by Petrie dish, but science could provide a real boost to the business of the Francesco.
I'm CARLET CLEARE.
>> Joining Knott in studio is the New York State Agricultural Commissioner, Patrick Hooker.
Thank you for joining us.
>> The thank you.
>> Some people are surprised that agriculture is planning such a big role to revitalize upstate.
Can you comment?
>> It is interesting.
I think a lot of times Agriculture surprises many people because we're not under one roof.
We're not a KODAK.
We're spread around the state.
I worked with the governor when he was attorney general.
Over those years, we were able to show him Agriculture all around the state.
He has been to the finger Lakes many times.
Many dairy farms.
And he is a student of business.
He understands markets a very well.
He understands the man very well.
He could see readily to the connection between the local economies and agriculture.
Of course, you can see the numbers.
This is a multibillion-dollar industry statewide.
He had an awareness over time -- he gets out in talks to many people about the upstate economy.
Things that hold things back.
Not just in agriculture.
And he realizes that there had been a tremendous amount of focus on the New York City since 9/11.
Justifiably so.
But now it is time to focus on upstate.
Just a natural progression, I think, but he is a quick student.
So it came to him naturally.
>> It was right up there with optics, nanotechnology, and as we saw in the package, there is some crossover between farming, as we traditionally no farming, and high-technology science.
The Agriculture experiment Station at Geneva been one big example.
The governor wants to invest in that center a bit more.
Could you expand on those plans?
>> Yes.
The GENEVA experiment Station is a crown jewel for all of agriculture.
I think the research that has gone on there in vegetable in food production has been over one century.
The work that they do there has caused us to have the second largest apple industry in the country.
The second or third, depending on the year, largest group and a street in the country.
Without GENEVA, we cannot do that.
The connection to research has been made obvious to the governor.
In his budget, has put money directly into the experiment station.
There is a Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park which was part of this city by city plan this year to put money into that.
Then of one building.
They have plans to build back out into numerous buildings.
That is a bridge between the academic world at Cornell and the experiment Station in the commercial world of food production and wine production here in the state.
It is an opportunity and a place you can experiment with foods.
You can use the resources at Cornell.
You can develop and finalize the product.
And then incubate and create and then moved out into the marketplace.
Very exciting work going on there.
>> Let us talk a little bit about when Gov. Pataki was in office.
There was a food safety lab in Albany.
There was talk about moving -- he announced it would move to GENEVA.
Then there was an issue with the unions.
That is when it got put on the back burner.
>> The governor is close to making a decision on whether that is a good fit.
He is very analytical.
There is a couple of things I play.
There was an assertion on the part of Governor Pataki that there would be a synergy between GENEVA and the Food Safety lab.
the New York state lab is an analytical lab.
There are 40 people.
To the extent of the Clyburn, the only people they collaborate with, really, our forensic people at the state police lab.
For the Health Department lab.
Although I do understand how that discussion started, and the Governor may still choose to move that lab there, what he is doing is determining the benefits of moving the lab there.
Possibly losing some very senior scientists who might not want to move from Albany to Geneva.
So you with those kinds of concerns.
>> It sounds like it is not the Fed for Geneva.
The expansion there is in a different direction.
>> I think GENEVA, the natural fit for GENEVA -- and I think part of the reason it has taken him some time -- he came in one year ago.
He is presented with this plan.
Now he has of the right plan.
He is at the end of his analysis of that, I think.
The real question is how we take agriculture on the ground with the assistance of places like GENEVA and move it into the commercial food stream.
And is that a good fit.
If it is not, what is?
And how to design something that is going to be meaningful for Ontario County, the city of Geneva, and the Federal ex generally.
>> Let us talk a little bit -- you have a wide ranging job.
It covers food safety, economic development, and environmental stewardship.
In your department is closely linked to New York's efforts to really push renewable energy.
Can you talk about that?
>> It is very fun.
We just really created an office with a working group within the Department one biofuels and our case.
We have a person tasked to that 24/7 oppose and resources from other places as needed.
Develop a possible buyer feels is very exciting for agriculture over all.
We have two to 3 million acres of land deadest underutilized in the state that we can bring back into production of a different kinds of crops.
Not all at suited to things like corn.
A lot of it is something that might be a little bit hilly or less fertile.
But it would do great in the grasses.
Switch grass, biofuel, willow, other biomass products.
Or something that is going to come on.
We're going to work with New York State Energy Research Development Authority in the Public Service commission.
We'll be working with dec.
If you do the timing right, you can enhance wildlife habitat.
That is exciting.
We are also involved in the renewable side as it relates to windmill's and things like that.
But our focus of there is really on having anything like that place on a farm so that it is still compatible with farming.
Soil is not disturbed and a thing like that.
It is a risk management tool.
>> With all these different avenues of that you are now responsible for, have you set some priorities?
You have been in office for about one year.
>> That is right.
Interesting.
I was with the governor earlier this week in U.S. reminding several of us that what we really need to do is focus on measurable outcomes.
One of the things that we're working through with the department is to measure, and it is not so much how quick did this grant application get processed -- although to some extent that is important -- The Real Madrid that we're after -- the real metric that we're after is if we are growing more or producing more.
The we have more wineries that have opened?
Are these upstate counties doing better because of Agriculture And certainly Long Island, the same way?
That is the thing that I'm focused on.
10 years ago, we were the 27th -- the 25th largest agricultural state in the country.
Today, where the 27 largest.
A lot of people have been working hard but somehow that has changed.
I see my job as working with other state agencies, in Paris to development, the Department of Transportation, all of these agencies, to say, what can we do collectively so that however long I will be Commissioner and the governor will be Gov. we will actually have seen progress in these areas and we will be growing more and doing more.
This is positive for the environment and the economy.
It takes on many forms.
But certainly we will have wholesale of agricultural production going into large markets, supermarkets, and so on.
But also very exciting reaching out in dealing directly with consumers through direct marketing opportunities in that niche markets and so on.
There's room for all of that here.
>> We have one minute left.
Can you comment on the U.S. Farm Bill?
A lot of New Yorkers are not paying attention to this.
What are you looking up concerning this?
>> It is very important.
Historically, it was all commodity.
New York is a very diverse agricultural state.
The governor, myself, other commissioners are all been working with our congressional delegation on the farm bill.
What we're going to say, I think, is a farm bill that is not perfect but it continues to move into areas that do provide alternative agriculture, specialty crops, research and assistance with the market development on fruits and vegetables.
We hope we have a strong and very safety net.
We still have over half of our industry that is very.
It is an important commodity.
We continue to edge into that.
>> Thank you so much for joining us.
>> Certainly.
>> Patrick Hooker is commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
You might have heard the City of Rochester in the Toronto Port Authority is looking for a private company to restart a fast ferry service across Lake Ontario.
ROCHESTER is still locked into an agreement with the Port Authority paying $250,000 for the privilege of dropping off passengers in Toronto.
That is an annual payment for the next 14 years, whether or not ROCHESTER even uses the terminal.
By the way, the terminal has not been sitting empty.
In fact, millions of people get inside every week, thanks to a hit television show picked up by the Canadian Broadcasting corporation.
It is about the border security.
Much of it is filmed inside the terminal.
It is such a success there are reports several American networks may take a look at it as well.
And that is not the only reason connection to prime-time television.
Eastman Kodak Co. is pursuing a new marketing strategy and shaking up its image a bit.
Executives reached out for help from Donald trump.
The company paid an unspecified amount of money to be part of a celebrity appearances.
The vice-president -- of a celebrity apprentice.
>> Here are some executives from KODAK.
it has gone digital.
It is doing a terrific job.
Even Jim would say, the company.
>> Yes.
Two thumbs up.
>> And nobody takes better pictures than KODAK.
What is the task?
>> You're going to create a mobile printing experience.
We're going to give you a bus.
KODAK Khamis.
And I knew all in one print separate we want you to read and experience that we might be able to take worldwide.
>> The winning team will be based on originality, messaging, and profits.
>> Tomorrow you demonstrate your KODAK Mobile printing experience by putting it into action on the sidewalks of New York.
>> Make this 1 inch from there.
OK?
Like this.
Stop.
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
OK.
Half an inch of this way.
>> This is not a get your hands dirty kind of guy.
>> $, baby.
>> Take a picture with us.
We'll show you how easy it is.
>> Our you?
>> A very good.
>> How was this that up?
>> What to do you think?
It is a KODAK world.
>> Let us go around this track.
He was shocked to see the professionalism that he saw.
>> It works.
>> Welcome.
It is a KODAK world.
Or it is a KODAK world that goes around and around.
We want to continue to give that message positioning KODAK in a pro-active way instead of we have been around forever and we assume you know us.
>> So you really have a pros and cons for both teams.
But you loved the work of one team.
If you look at the kind of things that they set out to do in terms of -- the guys were sloppy in terms of their presentation.
Look at the other team.
>> Let me see that.
>> The imagery is great.
>> I saw the slogan.
It said that is a winner.
>> This is a fantastic company.
Thank you both very much.
>> Pleasure.
Two great brands.
>> A spokesperson says more than 5 million people watched that program in some retailers saw sales jump by 50 percent.
It is time now for the Business Section.
>> Here is a business reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle.
Thank you for coming.
>> Welcome back.
>> Jobless numbers out this week.
Not looking so good.
>> Not at all.
From January 2007, there was a jobless rate of about 5%.
Which is 27,000.
January 2007, we were at 5.5% which is almost 3000 more people.
The real concerning part is that in the past job losses in the Rochester area, a lot of was chopped up to manufacturing decline.
Hear, with these latest numbers, you're looking at numbers in the sectors across the economy.
That raises some real challenges for the community.
If it is not just things like KODAK layoffs that is influencing this, we have all owe a lot of other economic problems to be worried about, too.
>> And ROCHESTER is not alone.
It looks like a stick numbers and federal numbers are not looking so hot.
>> Definitely.
The closest.
In comparison with the Syracuse and Buffalo.
City's a better situated akin to us.
Both of them saw roughly the same percentage points.
Half a percentage point increase it to Buffalo, which is worse off than us and unemployment.
Surtees is about the same.
Everybody is -- Syracuse, New York is about the same.
Everybody is feeling this.
>> It is connected, then come to the home foreclosures.
We're seeing them not just in the city anymore.
>> True.
In the suburbs, they are up.
While in the city, they're down.
This is according to a task force involving Monroe County and the city, United Way, that has been working on these issues.
The came out with a new report that indicated that actually Monroe County suburbs have a growing foreclosure rates while the city is tapering off.
It is connected because, according to experts, what you're seeing is a loss of homes, because of job layoffs, and things of that nature.
People are not able to find the same sort of middle-class incomes that would allow them to stay in their homes.
You're seeing two issues of ripple effect and to each other.
>> At the same time, you have the mortgage problems and the subprime loans.
The governor is starting to tackle that in in your state.
>> Yes, he came up with a couple of suggestions that he is going to pursue with the legislature.
Ways to regulate what is going on with the Mortgage foreclosures.
One of them would be that before a lender can foreclose on a home, it has to have a conference and a talk with the homeowner to see if some kind of mutual a gravel path can be reached.
Another is that homeowners would get at least a 60-day notice before their homes are foreclosed upon.
As to be expected, perhaps, the lending community is saying, well, this is putting more undue regulation on us.
It raises some interesting questions about how much the government is supposed to get involved and regulate into areas where people may perhaps made it bad personal choices.
A lot of interesting philosophical questions there.
>> And the piecemeal solution state-by-state verses the national solution.
There are a lot of issues there.
>> Yes.
If you have a 50 individual states doing 50 individual solutions, you have a nightmare.
You have a big problem then.
>> And about 30 seconds left.
Kind of good news for a turn here.
We have been dealing with bad news.
Under pressure store opening in the city of Rochester.
>> Right.
This is the pricerite which is based on a chip Economic Value model.
You back your own groceries.
It is all about the lowest price of the consumer.
It is good for people in that region.
Now, there will not have to drive a horribly far from grocers.
>> And there is supposedly could produce.
That is a big issue.
>> Definitely so.
>> Thank you so much.
I am the television news director, Julie PHILIPP.
That does it for this edition of "need to know."
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