2015 Award Recipient of the Cattaraugus County Farmer of the Year was Canticle Farm.
Farming has become Mark Printz’s one true calling life. It has just taken him some time to realize it.
Born and raised in Allegany, NY he attended Allegany Central School and received his BA in Marketing at SUNY Brockport. After graduation, Mark worked for local businesses in the purchasing, sales and merchandising fields. After 10 plus years, he realized that he was not suited for the business world and in 2001 he experienced a complete career change and became the Farm Manager at Canticle Farm.
With only a passion for growing vegetables, Mark sought out the skills and perseverance to become a farmer. He has always had a strong appreciation for agriculture and the farming life. Many of the skills he has obtained came through farmer to farmer mentoring, intensive research, and trial and error hands-on-learning.
Mark has a strong commitment to local, sustainable agriculture and his farming practices are focused on using sustainable, organic methods and the “old fashion way of farming”. The process of going from seed to fruit to consumer is a very important part of these practices. He enjoys cultivating the relationship between the farmer and the consumer. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown is something that he believes everyone has the right to know.
Along with growing crops, Marks also sees the importance of cultivating future farmers. He has a strong commitment to passing along the skills and passion for farming to the next generation. Farm tours and educational workshops have been some of the ways he has shared his knowledge. Season extension has become a very important part of his farming focus and Mark’s past business experience has assisted him in the marketing of farming and its products. He is very active in the local farm market organizations and has participated in the Southern Tier Farmer’s Market Network.
The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany founded Canticle Farm in 2001. The Farm consists of a total of 20 acres, located on two properties, (3835 South Nine Mile and 3809 Old State Road in Allegany), of which 8-10 is under cultivation.
Canticle Farm produces more than 40 types of Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) vegetables year round. Most of the vegetables sold direct to the consumer by use of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share program, a local farmers’ market, and Canticle Farm’s own farm market. The direct marketing of product has led to a very strong consumer/farmer relationship.
Canticle Farm has a strong commitment to supplying the less fortunate with healthy vegetables. Through grants and donations, the Farm is able to provide a portion of the summer harvest agencies who serve the low-income population in the Allegany and Olean area.
Consumer education has also become a priority of Canticle Farm. There has been a big emphasis put on the health benefits of vegetables and the preparation and preservation of these items. Efforts put forth such as cooking demonstrations, educational workshops, farm tours, and collaboration with other local agencies. In addition, more than 150 school children from the area toured the farm and learned about sustainable farming methods.
CONGRATULATIONS Canticle Farm!!
