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Dairy • Guide to Farming in NY • 2007 Small Farm Resource Guide
Posted May 2nd, 2008
New York Organic Dairy Initiative releases new “Organic Crops for Organic Dairies”
The NY Organic Dairy Initiative, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program and funded by the NY Farm Viability Initiative, has responded to the critical shortage of organic grain available for organic livestock production by creating a CD titled “Organic Crops for Organic Dairies”. The CD is a compilation of some of the most up-to-date resources on growing organic field crops, covering everything from technical information to certification requirements, soil amendments, weed management and business tools. A complete index and an online download of the CD’s contents may be found at the New York Organic Dairy Initiative’s website. Visit: www.organic.cornell.edu and click on “Organic Dairy”.
The CD has received much attention this past winter after it was first presented at the NY Certified Organic meeting in January. Since that presentation The Rodale Institute asked for a copy of the NYODI Transition Spreadsheet, which they used to demonstrate to the PA State Legislature the potential profit that was achievable by transitioning to organic crop production. PA is considering offering a tax incentive to farmers transitioning their land to organic crop production.
To date 3 of the 4 New York state organic processors have purchased 400 copies of the CD to pass out to their farmers. In addition 100 copies have been given out to farmers at meetings this past winter.
Many people are interested in the technical info contained on the CD but the most useful tools to insure a successful, sustainable business are the spread sheets. These allow the individual farm to input their own information and accurately evaluate changes and practices on their farm. This summer the NYODI will be holding an Adobe Breeze training workshop to familiarize extension personnel, processor field people, agri-service, and farmers on the use of spreadsheets contained on the CD: NYODI Transition, Petersen’s Constants for grain and forage, and the Manure nutrient calculator.
To get the files contained on the CD visit www.organic.cornell.edu
and click on the NY ODI link. Or if you are an organic dairy producer
ask your field person for a copy of the CD. Others and Cornell Extension
personnel can contact Sharon VanDeuson at 607-753-5213 or shv7@cornell.edu
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