Small Farms Update is intended as a resource for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York, and is provided to you by Cornell’s Small Farms Program. Our mission is to foster the sustainability of diverse, thriving small farms that contribute to food security, healthy rural communities, and the environment.
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Posted 5/1/08
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New York’s small farmers are encouraged to participate in a collaborative economic summit hosted by Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Michael McNulty on May 9th in Cobleskill, NY. The 2008 Economic Summit: Greener Pastures for Upstate New York will bring together representatives from business, education, labor, local government, environmental protection advocacy groups, the media, and local communities to examine the state’s existing resources and develop effective, ecologically conscious, innovative ideas for economic growth. The cost to attend the lunch is $20.
Everyone wants to be a locavore – one who tries to eat only locally-produced food, but are there smart, sustainable solutions that can be readily implemented to make this possible? Upstate New York, with its optimal microclimates and established small farms, could help us rediscover the American table (and the American table wine) – and a focus on local farmlands means reduced oil dependency and cash for the community. Are there more ways to grow Upstate New York’s niche farms into profitable businesses? Is the “farm market” too limited a business model, or the key to future successes?
In addition to local food/farming issues, the Summit will highlight the evolution of biofuels; the importance of educational programs and true business development to the future of agriculture; the growth of niche farming and domestic viticulture; the potential economic boost of agro-tourism, equine breeding and studies, and the practical applications of aquaculture. The summit will help define the role of entrepreneurs and local businesses as agents for positive change, draw attention to the research potential of the region’s colleges and universities, and serve as a sounding board to collect community feedback.
The format of the summit will combine presentations by experts, panel sessions, and an interactive technology called eFORUM designed to collect instant feedback from summit participants and identify action steps and plans. Following the summit, a report will be published on-line to encourage and facilitate future action on the priorities agreed upon at the summit.
The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to be co-sponsoring the summit. Representatives from the Small Farms Program state-wide work-teams will share information about advances in the Beginning Farmer Project, Livestock Processing Issues, Grasslands Utilization and Local Markets. The Work-Teams were established in response to priorities identified by participants at the Small Farms Summit hosted by the Small Farms program in November, 2006.
The 2008 Economic Summit: Greener Pastures for Upstate New York is coordinated by the Public Forum Institute, an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that has considerable experience with similar efforts. To view the agenda, visit: http://www.publicforuminstitute.org/activities/2008/ny/finalagenda.asp. For more information or to register, contact Erin Wiley at 202-374-0840 or at erin@pfidc.org.
