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.
Our work is made possible by a network of close partnerships among Cornell faculty
and staff, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and staff, NYS agriculture
support agencies, non profit agriculture organizations and farmers.
Prefer to print out the update for easier reading? Download this month's Small Farms Update in Rich Text Format (RTF).
Small Farm Quarterly Editorial Team Seeks New Editors
Join an Oustanding Team! SFQ Offers a High-Profile Volunteer Experience To the Right CandidatesThe Small Farm Quarterly (SFQ), an award-winning magazine sent to 27,000 Northeast households each season, has two openings on our Editorial Team, one focusing on Organic Agriculture and one on New Farmers.
Editors serve to ensure that we have articles on these topics - either by locating willing writers or by writing articles themselves.
Benefits:
* Satisfaction of helping to produce an outstanding publication
* Visibility for your organization
* Being part of a great team
Time commitment: Approximately 8-12 hours per quarterly issue.Expectations include:
* Meet with Editorial Team twice per year
* Plan content and authors for your topic for each issue
* Solicit articles and photographs from farmers, CCE, USDA, NGO
colleagues and other potential authors
* Carefully review submitted articles
* Write articles and/or Resource Spotlights as neededTo apply, please send an email by May 31 to Joanna Green, Managing Editor of
the Small Farm Quarterly, at jg16@cornell.edu. Please include:
- 1-2 writing samples
- Which of the two positions interests you
- Brief description of your current position and relevant background
- Explanation of why you would like to serve as a volunteer editor
Give Us Your Opinion and Win a Small Farms Program T-shirt!
It’s been nearly three years since we starting sending out this monthly Small Farm Update. Over that time, we’ve made many changes in formatting and content, and are always interested to know how our readers feel about these alterations. Now is your chance! We’ve developed a very short and painless online survey.
And there’s a potential reward in this too: if you take less than one minute of your time to tell us what you think of the Update, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of our organic cotton “I Love Small Farms” T-shirts.
To fill out the survey, visit http://ws.cit.cornell.edu/ss/wsb.dll/96/small_farm_survey.htm
Exhibitors Wanted: Northeast Small Farm & Rural Living Expo
The Northeast Small Farm and Rural Living Expo and Trade Show is coming back to the Hudson Valley on Saturday, Oct. 13th and Sunday, Oct 14th, from 9am to 4pm. Once again the Ulster County Fairgrounds will be host to the event. The Small Farm and Rural Living Expo, which rotates between New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, will attract thousands of people who are interested in learning more about farming and rural living.
As in years past, this 7th annual Expo will feature demonstrations, workshops and classes on commercial horticulture, natural resources, equine/livestock farming and various topics on rural living. There will also be children’s educational activities, farm animals, farm equipment, and fun activities for the entire family.
The Expo planning committee is looking for vendors to exhibit at this year’s Expo. Space is available for agricultural agencies, commodity and breed associations, building and fence companies, feed and animal care companies, rural living product suppliers, small farm equipment manufacturers, and other businesses interested in reaching people interest in farming and rural living.
For more information about booth sizes and fees, please contact Joe Walsh at (845) 292-6180, jjw11@cornell.edu or Larry Hulle at (845) 344-1234, lrh6@cornell.edu . Bookmark our website for updates on the Small Farm and Rural Living Expo at www.smallfarmexpo.org. The Cornell Small Farms Program is proud to co-sponsor this year’s Expo.
CSA Storybook
Laura DeLind, anthropologist, and Scott Chaskey, poet-farmer, are putting together a "CSA storybook" and seek your stories. This project is meant to benefit CSA – farmers, community members, etc. – deepening our understanding of this most holistic form of farming and sharing its community spirit throughout the US. Royalties or income generated from book sales will go to a non-profit dedicated to sustaining the work of CSA. All authors whose stories are accepted will receive a complementary copy of the book. If you (farmer, member, youth, or senior) have a CSA story that you would like to have considered for publication, please e-mail it to Laura B. DeLind at delind@msu.edu or send a hard copy to Laura at 3257 W. Howell Rd. Mason, MI 48854. Be sure to include your name, your e-mail address and your US postal address. Also include your CSA’s name and location. The deadline for the submission of stories is October 1, 2007. Questions regarding the project should be directed to Laura at: delind@msu.edu
Federal Database Exposes Social Security Numbers of USDA Funding Recipients
On April 13, USDA was notified that a recipient of USDA funding was able to ascertain private identifying information while viewing a government-wide website. The same day, all identification numbers associated with USDA funding were removed from the website.
USDA is in the process of identifying who may have been affected and notifying, via mail, the approximately 38,700 people whose information might have been exposed and offering them free credit monitoring for one year. The Department of Agriculture has set up a toll-free telephone number for individuals that features up-to-date news and information. Please call 1-800-FED-INFO (333-4636). Or visit www.usa.gov/usdaexposure.shtml.
We are highlighting these events because of the importance of grazing to our dairy and livestock audience. Please see the Graze NY! Website for a complete listing of pasture walks and grazing workshops.
A sampling of regional/statewide events that may be of interest to small farmers. Details on the following events and many more can be found in the NY Farms! Calendar of Agricultural Events, which is produced by NY Farms! in cooperation with the Cornell Small Farms Program; Cornell Community, Food and Agriculture Program; Regional Farm and Food Project, and other organizations.
Butternut Valley Organics Seeks Interns
Butternut Valley Organics is a 225 acre certified organic diversified market farm 170 miles NW of NYC, selling mainly to NYC farmers markets. They grow 15 acres of vegetables with some year-round production, have1000 egg-laying chickens on pasture, 1000-2000 broiler chickens at a time on pasture or in greenhouses, and a goat dairy operation with 40 saanen goats. This year they will also bring bees into the picture, beginning with 4 hives. The farm produces finished value-added products including pickles, sauerkraut and baked goods.Housing is provided in a new shared house on the farm. We all eat very well by sharing in the cooking and eating of the communal mid-day meal 6 days a week. We work a minimum of 55 hours a week. Interns are required to do one farmers market every week. Driver’s license a must.
Internship starts: May 1
Internship ends: End of November, mid-December or longer
Application Deadline: ASAP
Number of Interns: 12
Work/Experience Desired: Enthusiasm and positive attitude a must.
Farming/ gardening or livestock experience preferred, but not necessary. Classes and discussion groups on various aspects of farming once a week.
Stipend/Compensation: $800-$1000 per month salary
Housing: Newly built house with gorgeous view to share with other interns. All amenities provided except internet and long distance.
Meals: Mid-day meal 6 days a week is shared by all. Farm fresh food, eggs, chicken and veggies available for use for other meals. Camping sites are available for those who wish to bring tents. There is a spring fed pond available for a swim after a hard day’s work!
Contact Preference: Email or Phone
Brian and Mira Wind
1113 River Rd,
S New Berlin, NY, 13843
Office: (607) 783-2500
E-mail: brianwind1@hotmail.com
butternutvalleyorganics@yahoo.com
USDA Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants - Due May 18
Rural Business·Cooperative Service (RBS), an Agency within USDA Rural Development, announces it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2007 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will be available in the form of grants, guaranteed loans, and combined guaranteed loans and grant applications. (Can not use the Grants.gov system for guaranteed loans application submission, please refer to Federal Register - NOFA for information on submitting guaranteed loan or combination applications.) For renewable energy systems, the minimum grant request is $2,500 and the maximum is $500,000. For energy efficiency improvements, the minimum grant request is $1,500 and the maximum is $250,000.Applications must be completed and submitted to the NYS USDA Rural Development State Office no later than May 18, 2007. Any unused guaranteed loan funding as of August 1, 2007, may be pooled and revert to grant funding. It is anticipated that grant award announcements will be made approximately 75 days following the submission deadline. Guaranteed Loans and Combined Guaranteed Loans and Grants Applications for guaranteed loans as well as combined guaranteed loan and grant packages must be completed and submitted to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than July 2, 2007. Combined guaranteed loan and grant packages will compete and be awarded on a bi-weekly basis. Guaranteed loan applications will be accepted and processed in a rolling application manner. For more information and to submit your application, contact:
Thomas Hauryski, USDA Rural
Development, 415 West Morris Street,
Bath, NY 14810, (607) 776·7398 Ext.132.
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program – due May 14
TASC is designed to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. For purposes of the TASC program, a "specialty crop" is defined as all cultivated plants and the products, thereof, produced in the United States, except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar and tobacco. Examples of activities these grants may cover include seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, pest and disease research, and pre-clearance programs.
Any United States organization, private or government, may apply to the program. Government organizations consist of federal, state, and local agencies. Private organizations include non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and private companies.
New York Conservation Innovation Grant – due June 1
The New York Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Grants up to $75,000 will be awarded.
Value-Added Producer Grant– due May 16
The primary objective of this grant program is to help eligible independent producers of agricultural commodities, agricultural producer groups, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures develop strategies to create marketing opportunities and to help develop business plans for viable marketing opportunities. These grants will facilitate greater participation in emerging markets and new markets for value-added products. Grants will only be awarded if projects or ventures are determined to be economically viable and sustainable.
Rural Cooperative Development Grants – due June 8
Rural Cooperative Development grants are made for establishing and operating centers for cooperative development for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing cooperatives. USDA Rural Development announces the availability of approximately $3.5 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 2007. The maximum award per grant is $200,000 and matching funds are required. Grants may be made to nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education.
2008 SARE Grants – pre-proposal due May 31
To apply for funds this fall, you must complete a preproposal by May 31, 2007. Only applicants with an approved preproposal will be invited to submit a full proposal next fall for the 2008 awards cycle. http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/grants.html
Please note that preproposals are submitted on line, and complete instructions for preparing and submitting a preproposal are at the URL given above. Please read these instructions well in advance of the submission deadline. If you have questions, call the SARE office at 802-656-0471 or send e-mail to nesare@uvm.edu.
Farm Viability Institute to fund agricultural innovation in 2007 grant cycle
The New York Farm Viability Institute, a nonprofit organization that directs research projects that result in farm-level increases in profit, is gearing up to fund innovative and collaborative efforts this year.
``The state legislature’s commitment to the Institute shows that New Yorkers are ready to improve conditions for agricultural producers,’’ said John Lincoln, chair of the Farm Viability Institute’s board of directors. ``We are grateful to all the individuals and groups that supported the Farm Viability Institute and encouraged elected officials to work for funding to the Institute.’’
State officials recently announced $5 million to continue the Institute’s core project work in 2007. That money will go towards the Institute’s grant programs. Requests for proposals will be posted online, www.nyfarmviability.org, approximately four-six weeks before applications are due.
Agriculture Innovation Center : multi-sector, cross-commodity efforts that address business planning and structure, marketing and product development, among others.
Submissions due: July 1 Funding Decision: Sept. 19
Education Innovation (formerly, Extension Innovation): projects include outreach education and delivery of technical assistance to producers, especially production technology and business strategy
Submissions Due: Aug. 15 Funding Decision: Nov. 21
Applied Research Partnerships: Projects test and demonstrate production technology that translates into near-term benefits for the state’s agriculture producers.
Submissions Due: Oct. 1 Funding decisions: Dec. 19
State Funding Will Soon Be Available to Assist Municipalities to Develop Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plans
(518)457-5606, john.brennan@agmkt.state.ny.us
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is developing an application for municipalities to create local agricultural and farmland protection plans.
The Department of Agriculture intends to provide state assistance payments to municipalities to develop, revise or adjust agricultural sections of local planning documents. Municipalities are encouraged to evaluate and adopt a variety of planning strategies and policies to protect and strengthen the farmland base within their community.
Interested municipalities are eligible for grants up to $25,000 or 75% of the cost (which ever is less) of developing a local protection plan. The guidelines for local grant funds are expected to be released from the Department this summer (2007).
The Guidelines and Application will also be posted on the Department’s web site, www.agmkt.state.ny.us under “Funding Opportunities”. Grants will be awarded on a first come first serve basis.
Plans need to: 1) identify the location of any agricultural lands proposed to be protected; 2) provide an analysis of the value of proposed protected lands to the economy of the municipality; 3) their open space value; 4) describe the threats to productive farmland and consequences of farmland conversion and 5) develop programs and strategies to promote and maintain the economic viability of the local agricultural industry and its agricultural land base.
For more information about the municipal grants program, contact:
John Brennan Farmland Protection Specialist
Division of Agriculture Protection & Development
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
10 B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235
New Cornell soil health test adds physical, biological properties to analysis
Soil health tests explore beyond the scope of traditional chemical tests, which measure soil nutrients and are used to determine the types and amount of fertilizer a given field may need to productively grow particular plants. Soil health tests aim to reveal what a traditional nutrient analysis might miss. That is, a field may display appropriate levels of nitrogen, for example, but is not conducive to high crop yields because of its inability to support water percolation, root depth or other factors. Soil health factors can become particularly important in ``bad weather'' years, such as flooding or draught, when the ability of the land to retain or shed water is crucial. For information about soil health testing or to download a free copy of “Cornell Soil Health Manual,” visit the website, http://soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu/.
CaRDI Reports on Important Rural Issues Available Online
The Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI) has released a series of working papers, monographs, and special reports on issues important to New York State and beyond. The first issue, released in March, was entitled "Owners of Idle Agricultural and Forest Land in New York State: Results from a Mail Survey." The "Reports" will be issued every few months. View them online at cardi.cce.cornell.edu/images/UserFiles/Issue%201%20-%20March%202007.pdf
New “Vegetable MD Online” Helps Diagnose Crop Diseases
Cornell’s Department of Plant Pathology has developed online keys for diagnosing cucurbit and tomato plant diseases. Around 300 images have been included to aid in diagnosis or for use in teaching, research and extension programming. View the keys at:
vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/DiagnosticKeys/KeyPage.html
2007 ForestConnect Letter Series
Forestry Education Letter Series for Landowners Announced Owners of forests and woodlots often seek ways to learn effective, safe, and profitable management techniques for their property and look for strategie3s to reduce their tax liability. Others who enjoy, but don’t own forest land, are also interested in forest management and ecology.
Now, forest enthusiast can learn about ecological and sustainable forest management practices through the ForestConnect 2007 Letter Series, delivered to their door or computer. The series will provide unbiased, non-commercial and accurate information about how to manage private forest lands for wildlife habitat, firewood, timber, recreation, and more.
Each of the six bulletins in the letter series will build upon the previous issue, so you will move from the basics of forestry to more advanced knowledge of silviculture and forest stewardship. The letters will be developed by a professional in the field, such as foresters, conservationists, or extension educators.
The 2007 ForestConnect Letter Series is designed for forest owners and forest enthusiasts from throughout New York State. This educational program is based on an award-winning project developed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County and the Greater Adirondack Resource Conservation and Development Council. Funding is provided through the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry.
The 2007 ForestConnect letter series is a joint initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension and the New York Forest Owners Association.
Register by calling 800-836-3566 or on-line at www.ForestConnect.info or www.NYFOA.org. The registration is $18 for members of the NY Forest Owners Association and $25 for non-members. Deadline to register is May 10.
Website Resource for Growing Non-Timber Forest Crops
A new online resource is available for forest owners who want to explore growing non-timber forest crops--like mushrooms and ginseng--on their land. The website contains videos, fact sheets, and links as part of learning units you can explore on your own, or sign up for an online course to get the benefit of working through the materials with an educator and fellow students. The website link is hwwff.cce.cornell.edu/
Contact Rebecca Hargrave at Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango County, jrh45@cornell.edu, if you would like to know about the next online course offering dates.
Northeast Pastured Poultry Association Provides Local Hatchery Resource
NEPPA, after a SARE-supported feasibility study, has opened a hatchery to offer New York State producers a local resource for chicks. Jill and Ken Gies of The Pasture have operated the hatchery for four full seasons, bringing the incubation equipment up to peak operating condition and perfecting their egg handling techniques.
Hatches are scheduled every Tuesday from April through August. Chicks should be ordered 5 weeks in advance, with payment submitted at time of order. There may be a small number of chicks available on shorter notice.
Hatchery Operated by: Jill & Ken Gies, The Pasture, 660 Fordsbush Rd, Fort Plain, NY 13339, 518-568-5322, giespasture@usadatanet.net
Understanding Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture
How can managers of agricultural operations reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? What opportunities exist under the Conservation Title of the 2007 Farm Bill to enhance climate change mitigation opportunities from the U.S. agricultural sector? A new report from the World Resources Institute analyzes these questions and makes four policy recommendations linking farm energy, conservation and climate change. View the report online at www.wri.org/climate/pubs_description.cfm?pid=4252
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