Follow up on the Fire in Perth, NY on the Korona Farm per the recorder. Farm leveled by fire getting help, coming back Friday, September 26, 2014 - Updated: 10:15 AM By CAROLINE MURRAY Recorder News Staff PERTH -- Two months have gone by since the Korona Dairy Farm was devastated by fire, and since then, the 80-year-old founder and owner of the farm has passed on his legacy to a younger generation -- his grandsons. Chris and Jeremy Korona, both 29 years old, are ready to tackle the 49-year-old business, while their grandfather Stanley Korona oversees the farm. With a change in management comes a change in the way the farm is run. Instead of building a milk parlor as originally planned, the cousins will introduce a robotic milking system once the barn is up and running again. And, their old-fashioned grandfather has no problem with the new-aged idea. If you are going to do it, you might as well do it right, Stanley Korona said. The cousins said the Korona Dairy Farm will be the first operation within approximately 50 miles to obtain such a system. Jeremy Korona said there are several benefits to owning robotic milkers, rather than laboring over the cattle themselves. He said the technology is programmed to milk each cow three times a day, while the cattle are feeding on grain. Each cow will also wear a computerized chip, which the robots read. The system is hooked up to the farmers computers, and can alert them which cows were not milked, if they are sick, and how many times a day a particular cow eats. Jeremy Korona said the cousins on Wednesday signed with a company from Holland named Lely Astronaut A4. This is different -- it is something new to this area, he said. Before the fire leveled the barn, Chris and Jeremy Korona planned to gradually take over the business. The fire jump-started that process, and now, the two cousins are feeling the pressure. With the addition of a robotic milking system, the duo said the new barn is estimated to cost around $1 million. Working with bankers for a loan has not been an easy task either, the two admitted. Id like to see something go up, Chris Korona said. It is just paperwork at this point. The family has received plenty of help from the surrounding community. Between fundraisers, benefits and random acts of kindness, the Korona family has remained grounded during an otherwise difficult time. And, the generosity has not stopped pouring in. On Thursday, Finnigans Restaurant & Pub presented the family a $20,000 check. Restaurant owners Trina Holt and Kenny Wall threw a benefit concert at their establishment in August -- with six local bands playing all night, free-of-charge. Stanley Korona Jr. said the place was packed with local residents, and at least 850 people came through with donations. That day was unreal, he said. Even if we didnt make anything it was worth having because it lifted everyones spirits. Currently, the Koronas are running their operation at town Supervisor Gregory Fagans old milking parlor just miles away from home. Plans to construct a new barn are under way. Stanley Korona Jr. said the family is getting the site shovel-ready first. Additionally, they are busy collecting corn to feed the cattle. Even without breaking ground yet, the Koronas hope to have a barn constructed by winter. In May, Stanley Korona Jr. said they would like to have an open house and barbecue for all community members who supported them. But, before throwing a party, the Koronas are taking it one step at a time, until their lives are back on track again. It has been a learning experience, Jeremy Korona said. We are in a rush to get it done. We are stretched so thin -- days turn into nights and we are still going.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 17:20:51 +0000
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