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 as a WORD document.
Nominate a farmer for the 2008 Glynwood Harvest Award
Glynwood's Harvest Awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses across the United States that do an exceptional job of supporting sustainable agriculture and regional food systems. Help Glynwood recognize outstanding work from around the country by nominating someone whose work you admire. This year’s categories are: Farmer Award; Connecting Communities, Farmers, and Food Award; Wave of the Future Award; Good Food for Health Award.
Visit www.glynwood.org/programs/harvest.htm for nomination details and to make an electronic submission. To receive nomination forms via USPS, contact Kim Vargo at (845) 265-3338 ext. 131. Additional information about Glynwood Center and past Harvest Award winners can also be found at www.glynwood.org/programs/harvest.htm. Nominations must be postmarked or electronically submitted no later than July 21, 2008.Survey: Tools for Women Farmers
Green Heron Tools, a small-scale start-up company specializing in Farm and Garden Tools for Women, is inviting women farmers and gardeners from all over the world to share what you want and need in your agricultural equipment. This includes problems with existing tools; examples of tools and equipment that work for you; and ideas for better, more effective tools and equipment. Visit www.farmtoolsforwomen.com/ to answer an 11 question survey or send an e-mail to: info@greenheronfarms.com.The Webcast, sponsored by the Livestock and Poultry Environmental (LPE) Learning Center, a part of eXtension, is Friday, June 20 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The Web “meeting room” opens 15 minutes before the start time. Participants can go to http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc/ to view the Webcast. It will also be archived for later viewing.
See also the Graze NY! website at http://www.grazeny.com
To receive these events via e-mail, write to karen.hoffman2@ny.usda.gov. Type the word “Subscribe” in the subject line.
July 25th. Summer Dairy Grazing Tour. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pastureland Dairy Farm, Manlius, NY. The day-trip to Onondaga County also includes an optional side tour of the Morrisville State College Agro-Business Center. Cost is $10 which includes lunch and transportation. The tour will focus on pasture management and is intended for farmers that are currently grazing their herds and those who are transitioning to a grazing dairy. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, July 23 at 3 p.m. To register, call Kim Holden at (607) 865-7090 or email kmh19@cornell.edu. For more information on the event, visit www.nycwatershed.org.
Other Featured
Events --
A sampling of regional/statewide events that may be of interest to small farmers. See also the NY Farms! Calendar of Agricultural Events at www.nyfarms.info/calendar.html
Agriculture Development Educator – CCE Cayuga County, Auburn, NY
The Agriculture Educator will plan, develop, execute, and evaluate agriculture programs in Cayuga County to enhance productivity, viability, and sustainability of agricultural enterprises. Responsibilities also include data collection and reporting of Agriculture program activities and outcomes. Participate as a member of the informal CNY three county ag team and provide linkages to any campus-based or Extension Program Work Teams or resources. APPLICATIONS will be reviewed on an on-going basis until the position is filled.. http://hosts.cce.cornell.edu/admin/careerops/pa464.htmExecutive Director, CCE Schenectady County – Due July 25th
Performs high level leadership and management of the association within Cornell and local policy and direction. Represents and accountable to the association Board of Directors and the Director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension system.The Executive Director develops and maintains effective working relationships among the association, staff, extension administration, Cornell faculty, and stakeholders. Provides leadership for association relations with legislators, local government leaders, community leaders, funding agencies and civic and special interest groups. This individual exercises professional judgment and executive skills in administering overall association operations. The Executive Director provides leadership in overall educational program development and implementation.
For complete PD, please see
http://hosts.cce.cornell.edu/admin/careerops/pa475.htmlProject Coordinator, Ashokan Basin Stream Management Program Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County, Kingston, NY
The Project Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC) Executive Director in a coordinated effort with New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), and project stakeholders to facilitate and lead a coordinated approach to stream management planning, implementation and education for the Ashokan Reservoir watershed located in the Catskill Mountains of NY ("the Project"). The CCEUC role in the Project also includes managing a stream management plan implementation fund ("SMP Implementation Fund") provided by DEP. APPLICATIONS will be reviewed until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified. Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#477, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853. FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.cce.cornell.eduCheesemaker and Dairy Plant Manager, Hawthorne Valley Farm
Our organic and biodynamic dairy is looking for a full-time Cheesemaker and Dairy Plant Manager to join our team. Some cheesemaking experience is required, as is a passion for farm-fashioned, artisan cheese. Other qualities that are essential are a willingness to be part of a team, the desire to learn, careful attention to detail, a strong work ethic, high standards, and the desire to create delicious and attractive products that reflect our respect for food and our commitment to quality. (A sense of humor and a good nature are also appreciated!) We are seeking an enthusiastic and inspired individual to develop the dairy's product line and outlets and strengthen our current and future positions. This is a full-time position that offers an excellent benefits package; salary range is commensurate with experience. Please send your resume to Laura Manchester (HVF, 327 Route 21C, Ghent, NY 10275), email to Laura@HawthorneValleyFarm.org or fax to 518.672.7457 (to the attention of Laura).
NYFVI Education Innovation Network – Due July 31st
Projects offer new approaches or innovation in outreach education, including technical assistance, information transfer, and implementation of new technology, production practices and management strategies. Efforts should focus on outreach to underserved audience, or dissemination of underutilized information and technology. Eligible grant applicants include farmers, producer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies and businesses. Applicants may represent nonprofit or for-profit sectors. For maximum funding amounts and other grant details, consult the full request for proposals for this grant program at www.nyfvi.org.Sheep and Goat Industry Grant – Due August 1st
http://www.sheepandgoatsusa.org/2008GrantAnn.htm
The American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC) announces the availability of up to $200,000 in competitive grants for product or business development, producer
information or education, marketing and promotion for sheep or goats or their
products, genetic retention, and animal health. Eligible applicants, including many business structures but excluding individuals, may apply. The intent is to fund a variety of proposals that will benefit the U.S. sheep and goat industries.
Proposals are due August 1, 2008.Biodiesel Fuel Education Program – Due August 8th
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=18066
Applications are being solicited for Biodiesel Education projects that will develop practical indicators or milestones to measure their progress towards achieving the following objectives: (1) Enhance current efforts to collect and disseminate biodiesel information; (2) Coordinate with other biodiesel educational or promotional programs, and with Federal, State and local programs aimed at encouraging biodiesel use, including the EPAct program; (3) Create a nationwide networking system that delivers biodiesel information to targeted audiences, including users, distributors and other infrastructure-related personnel; (4) Identify and document the benefits of biodiesel (e.g., lifecycle costing); and (5) Gather data pertaining to information gaps and develop strategies to address the gaps.Small Business Innovation Research Program – Due September 4th
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=LqNJFVQMM09VZnYHhktVbBTsX0Gdk
M5qXXmGwBKLlbQhPP54GLL2!-2110751424?oppId=17990&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW
The purpose of the SBIR program is to provide an opportunity for US-owned, for-profit small business firms to submit innovative, applied, research and development projects that address important problems facing American agriculture and have the potential to lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful. Research proposals are accepted in any of the following topic areas: 1) Forests and Related Resources; 2) Plant Production and Protection - Biology; 3) Animal Production and Protection; 4) Air, Water, and Soils; 5) Food Science and Nutrition; 6) Rural Development; 7) Aquaculture; 8) Biofuels and Biobased Products; 9) Marketing and Trade; 10) Animal Manure Management; 11) Small and Mid-Size Farms; and 12) Plant Production and Protection - Engineering. The SBIR program exists in three phases. The purpose of Phase I is to prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the proposed research and development effort, and CSREES is currently accepting Phase I applications.Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program – Rolling Deadline
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed. Applications are accepted through a continuous sign-up process; however, applications received by June 27, 2008 will be evaluated and considered for the 2008 program year.
Watershed Farm and Forest Newsletter
www.nycwatershed.org/pdfs/WFF_2008-1_Final.pdfThe latest issue of the Watershed Farm & Forest – Stewardship Programs of the Watershed Agricultural Council – is available online. The March issue addresses the WAC’s latest technical standard to treat wash stall “gray water” in horse boarding facilities. The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is a non profit organization with the mission to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City watershed region. www.nycwatershed.org/pdfs/WFF_2008-1_Final.pdf
2008 Pure Catskills Guide to Farm Fresh Products now available
Beginning this week you can find the free 60-page, full-color guide at hundreds of locations across the Catskill region. Nearly 200 local farms, farmers markets, retailers, restaurants and community organizations are included. A complete version of the Pure Catskills guide as well as a searchable directory is available online at www.purecatskills.com. Pure Catskills is a Buy Local Campaign that aims to educate people in the community about opportunities to support local farms and forestry businesses across the Catskill region. Communities in Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties are served by the Pure Catskills campaign.SARE 20/20: Celebrating Our First 20 Years, Envisioning the Next
This special 20th anniversary publication chronicles 20 years of agricultural innovation - from SARE's beginning in 1988 to present-day stories of farmers, ranchers, researchers and educators working across America to develop and implement sustainable marketing and production practices. SARE 20/20 highlights cream-of-the-crop projects from more than 3,700 SARE funded granta, illustrationg how producers, researchers and educators are collaborating to advance sustainable innovations to the whole of American agriculture.Download SARE 20/20 for free at www.sare.org/publications/highlights.htm. To order print copies, visit www.sare.org/WebStorewww.sare.org/WebStore, call 301-374-9696 or write to Sustainable Agriculture Publications, PO Box 753, Waldorf, MD 20604-0753 (please specify SARE 20/20 when ordering by mail) Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. SARE 20/20 is also available in quantity to agricultural educators for workshops, conferences, and tours at no cost.
Raspberry and Blackberry Production Guide Available through NRAES
The Raspberry and Blackberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada, is the only comprehensive resource for novice and experienced growers as well as crop advisors and educators. It provides information on all aspects of raspberry and blackberry culture including site selection and preparation, trellising and pruning, nutrient management, harvesting, irrigation, pesticide application, budgeting, and marketing. There are descriptions of more than 70 cultivars including summer-fruiting red, black, and purple raspberries; fall-fruiting red and yellow raspberries; thornless, thorny, and fall-fruiting blackberries, and hybrid berries. Field production, high tunnel production, and greenhouse production are reviewed.This publication is intended to help raspberry and blackberry growers plan and implement production and marketing decisions. The cultivars mentioned eitherhave performed well or show the most promise for the Northeast, Midwest, or Eastern Canada. Pest management chapters emphasize cultural controls, since chemical use is regulated on the state or province level. The book includes 11 chapters, 157 pages, 134 color photos, 14 chapters, 36 line drawings, 30 tables, 18 sidebars, sample calculations, suggestions for further reading, and a lossary.
For more information on the guide and to place an order, visit NRAES web
site at www.nraes.org.New Guide Identifies Funding Sources for Food Retail
www.healthyplanning.org/FoodRetailPrograms.pdfThe Planning for Healthy Places (http://www.healthyplanning.org/index.html) Program has released a new online guide, "Funding Sources for Healthy Food Retail." This guide provides an overview of the range of federal programs available to support the development of new grocery stores and cooperatives, creation of farmers' markets, and improvement of the quality of foods sold at convenience stores.
In this section we highlight the Small Farms Program's activities, including projects we coordinate and those we have funded through Innovative Small Farm Education grants to Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators.
New Website Caters to Beginning Farmers
“What are my marketing options?” “How can I finance my farm start-up?” “What should I grow on my land?” If you have questions about starting a farm or are considering diversifying your farm enterprises, the new NY Beginning Farmers Resource Center at http://beginningfarmers.cce.cornell.edu can offer you information and inspiration to help you begin.
This interactive website offers a forum where new farmers can swap ideas and stories and ask specific questions. It also contains lessons that walk new farmers through the steps of starting a farm business, including setting goals, evaluating land, and learning about markets and regulations. Online worksheets embedded in the farm planning lessons allow new farmers to respond to questions and apply what they learn to their own situation, then download their completed worksheets for later use in a business plan if desired.
The Frequently Asked Questions section is a treasure trove of information on the farm-start-up process, with responses to the most commonly-asked questions like “Where can I find a grant to start my farm?” and “What regulations apply to me?” Visitors can also peruse the events calendar, get connected with agencies that can provide personalized assistance, download the Guide to Farming in NY, and find production information on our sister site at the Cornell Small Farms Program. Visitors seeking advice and inspiration will find it in the Voice of Experience section, which contains articles by and about successful farmers in NY.
The site was developed by the NY Beginning Farmer Project, which is working to build the Grow Local movement to support the Buy Local movement. The NY BFP is funded by the NY Farm Viability Institute and Cornell Cooperative Extension and is a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program. Please visit the NY Beginning Farmer Resource Center online at http://beginningfarmers.cce.cornell.edu.
For additional ag-related news and events by email:
Agricultural community and economic development news and events: Community Food
and Agriculture Program, hmm1@cornell.edu
Consumer and public education news and events: NY Farms! News To Share, nyfarms@nyfarms.info
Eastern NY, MA and VT news and events: Regional Farm and Food Project, billie@farmandfood.org
Policy-related news and alerts: National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture,
campaign@sustainableagriculture.net
