BERNE — The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Secondary School is excited to announce the formation of a Future Farmers of America chapter. The FFA is an organization that provides agricultural, educational, and leadership opportunities for students and young adults across the country.

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits are now available for eligible families and seniors across the state. The program provides checks to be redeemed at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands through the end of November for the purchase of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Albany County has been declared eligible for Farm Service Agency disaster emergency loan assistance effective July 12, for damages and losses caused by the severe winter storm named Stella on March 14 and 15.

As high schoolers graduate and head off to college, they may soon begin racking up college debt. But farming may provide an opportunity to alleviate student debt in New York State.

A survey of farmers in the Helderberg Hilltowns will be conducted by the Hill and Mountain Farming Project at the Carey Institute in Rensselaerville over the course of this month.

KNOX — An ever-reliable source of holiday good cheer — and of some fine-looking Christmas trees, mainly spruce —  will be sadly missed this Christmas of 2016.

Stephen Wilson, who has kept bees for about 40 years, was given a Beekeeper of the Year Award in part because of his efforts to raise funds to protect honeybees and place a faculty member in Cornell’s entomology department.

GUILDERLAND — The holiday season is fast approaching, and Earl MacIntosh has been preparing for its arrival.