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.
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Small Farms Grasslands Team featured on Local Meats Radio Show
Small Farms Grasslands Utilization Work Team Leader, Dan Welch, will be featured on a radio series on New York's local meat industry. The first episode, titled “The Farm” will be broadcast November 20th at 2 pm ET. The episode also features Judith Labelle, of the Gynwood Center. The second episode, titled “The Slaughterhouse” will air on Tuesday, October 27th, at 2 pm ET with guests Kathleen Harris, livestock farmer and coordinator for the Northeast Livestock Processing Service Company and Lowell Carson, operator of a slaughterhouse in Altamont, New York. Finally, episode 3, “The Butcher Shop” will air on Tuesday, November 3rd, at 2 pm ET with guests Roger Horowitz, historian and author of the 2006 work "Putting Meat on the American Table," and Jake Dickson, proprietor of Dickson's Farmstand Meats, a meat proprietor and butcher shop based in Manhattan. All of these episodes will be available to listen to any time on the the Heritage Radio Network at http://www.heritageradionetwork.com. The internet-based radio station broadcasts from Brooklyn, NY and features a wide range of programming centered on the culture and history of food
Small Farms Conservancy Launched
A new organization called the “Small Farms Conservancy” has formed with the mission of supporting small farms. Formed in partnership with the Small Farmer's Journal, the Small Farms Conservancy mission is to educate, advocate, protect, sustain and inspire small farming worldwide; it is a broad-based non-profit public benefit corporation. It is based in Sisters, Oregon. Learn more: http://www.smallfarmsconservancy.org
USDA launches 'Know Your Farmer' initiative
'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' is a new initiative launched by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan to begin a national conversation to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. To launch the initiative, Secretary Vilsack recorded a video to invite Americans to join the discussion and share their ideas for ways to support local agriculture. The video, one of many means by which USDA will engage in this conversation, can be viewed at USDA's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usda. Learn more: http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer
Check out the "Up Coming Events" sections. We have added 2 new events!
October 24th, 2009. 2009 Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium. Morrison Hall on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. Workshops on Small Ruminant Nutrition, Pasturing, Kidding/Lambing, Health issues, and more! For the complete program and registration information, visit: http://www.sheep.cornell.edu/calendar/sgsymposium/program.html
November 12-14. Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium. Marriott Hotel, Albany, NY.
Some topics and speakers include: Getting Started in Sheep Dairying, Cheesemaking with Sheep Milk, Challenges in Cheese Plant Design, Intake on Pasture, Effects of Prepubertal Lamb Nutrition on Milk Production, Genetic Markers for Milk Production, and Sheep Nutrition and Fermentable Fiber. For more details or to register, see: http://www.dsana.org/symposia.html.
Starts October 16th. Beginning Farmer Online Course. Cornell Cooperative Extension and the NY Beginning Farmer Project have created two basic online courses to help you think through the major factors related to farm start-up. Join experienced CCE educators and 29 of your new farmer peers in a dynamic learning experience that incorporates both self-paced readings and real-time virtual meetings with discussion forums, presentations by successful farmers, homework activities, and developing a customized plan for your next steps in farming. For more information, see: http://www.nybeginningfarmers.org/index.php?page=onlinecourse.
Starts October 17th. Hudson Valley Farm Beginnings (c) Course. Ghent, NY. Nine bi-monthly classroom sessions include on-farm goal setting, strategic and business planning, marketing, and financial management, for those interested in developing or expanding farming enterprises. Hudson Valley Farm Beginnings is farmer-led and farmer-taught so participants will gain access to many local and regional farmer-mentor colleagues during the classroom sessions and during four additional field days at local, sustainably managed farms. After completing a fully articulated and written business plan, participants will be able to have the plan reviewed by a farmer-mentor of their choosing. Includes 9 class sessions, 4 farm tours, and a 2-hour mentoring session. Cost: $1200 for full 9 month program. To register, email Rachel Schneider at rachel@hawthornevalleyfarm.org or call 518-672-7500 x105.
October 31, 2009. Beginning Goat Feeding Teleconference. Starting at 10am with links to Canton, Watertown, Plattsburgh, Mexico and Oriskany. Small Livestock Educator Betsy Hodge of CCE –St. Lawrence Country will host and telecast a meeting that will provide basic how to feed goats information and help people develop a goat ration to feed their animals for the winter season. Those attending any of the sessions will receive information handouts and sample feed rations. Register with your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office.
Starts November 3, 2009. Marketing Your Products for Profit Course. Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm. Northern New York in Canton, Harrisville, Plattsburgh and Watertown. Interested in selling farm-raised vegetables, meats, farmstead cheese, jams and jellies or other North Country farm, artisanal, craft or small business products? Organizers are looking to engage those interested in the lively learning process that includes training and networking on business planning, marketing, e-commerce, and financial skills for existing business owners and entrepreneurs looking to develop a new enterprise. The training involves online, face-to-face and distance learning delivery methods. The cost of the entire series in $50 for materials. For more information and to register contact:
Molly Ames, CCE-Jefferson County, 315-788-8450, ext. 241
Peter Hagar, CCE-Clinton County, 518-531-7450
Katherine Lang, CCE-St. Lawrence County, 315-379-9192
Frans Vokey, CCE-Lewis County, 315-376-5270
Ruby Sprowls, Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative, 315-386-4000 or 877-228-7810.
January and June 2010. Meat Processing and Food Safety Certificate Program. SUNY Cobleskill will be offering this program in January and June. This intensive hand on training program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills students require entering employment in the meat processing industry. Students will be skilled in sanitation, food safety, slaughter, meat cutting and processing. As part of the students’ preparation for the industry, the program consists of specialized training in the accuracy of cutting, knife handling, portion control, merchandizing and the utilization of all products. The program outline includes:
The cost for this program is $2,995 which includes textbook, hard hat, frock, 5 inch boning knife, 12 inch butcher knife and safety cutting glove. For more information about this program contact SUNY Cobleskill at 518-255-5528, or Training@cobleskill.edu.
To sign up for the Grazing Gazette, a monthly listing of grazing events, e-mail Karen Hoffman at karen.hoffman2@ny.usda.gov
October 20, 2009. Get Involved with Maple Workshop. Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm Classroom, Canton, NY. In this workshop, landowners will learn about the options of becoming a new maple producer making syrup and-or value-added maple products, leasing trees to an existing maple producer, or tapping trees and selling sap. Additional resources provided at the workshops will include a sample landowner-producer lease agreement and information on how landowners can qualify for an agricultural assessment tax benefit. For more information, contact Anita Morrill, amr28@cornell.ed, 315-379-9192Oct. 28th, 2009. GAPS (Good Agricultural Practices) Online Produce Safety Course. Each course is limited to 25 people. $50 fee. To register, follow this link to the registration page at www.ecornell.com/gaps. If you have any questions about the course please contact Betsy Bihn at eab38@cornell.edu or at 315-787-2625 or check out the website www.gaps.cornell.edu.
October – February . Berry Webinar Series. All webinars scheduled for 1:00pm. The Cornell University Berry Program continues to host a series of Webinars for Berry farmers. The webinars feature experts from eastern North America Speaking on production and pest management topics and their current related research. Participation is easy; all you need is a high-speed internet connection and a web browser. Connections for each webcast are limited, so register now by contacting Laura McDermott, lgm4@cornell.edu or calling 518-746-2562. For additional program details and other information: http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/webcastindex.htm. Future Programs include:
October 24, 2009. Cornell Bred Heifer Sale. Cornell Beef Teaching and Research Center, Dryden, NY. Selling 20 registered and commercial bred heifers and cow calf pairs. Brought to you by the Cornell Beef Merchandizing Class and the Empire Heifer Development Program. For more information contact Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Extension Specialist, 607-255-5923 or mjb28@cornell.edu or visit www.ansci.cornell.edu/beef.
October 28 – 30, 2009. Three-Day Value Added/Dairy Cheesemaking Workshop. 8:30am – 5pm each at the Amboy 4-H Environmental Center in Williamstown, NY. This three-day hands-on workshop will give participants the opportunity to learn about milk quality, ingredients used in cheesemaking, processes fro making an variety of cheeses, salting and brining, techniques and requirements for aging cheese, and information for establishing a business as a farmstead or artisan cheesemaker that includes equipment and facilities. The heart of the workshop is the hands-on opportunity for participants to make a number of different cheeses themselves, and to learn by actually doing it. The cost is $75/person (includes instruction fee, teaching material/workbook and lunch each day). Participants need to bring one gallon of raw or pasteurized milk each day (cow or goat milk) for the actual cheesemaking. Registration is limited on a first-come first-serve basis. Pre-registration with payment is required to hold you space. For more information and to register contact Karen Meyers at 315-963-7286 ext. 201 or Valerie Walthert at 315-963-7286 ext. 203 or visit our website at www.cee.cornell.edu/oswego.
October 29, 2009. Gas Drilling: Legal Issues for Landowners. 7-9:30pm at the James Law Auditorium of the Cornell University Vet School on Tower Road in Ithaca. Legal experts will cover the terminology and issues surrounding natural gas leases, followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Free to the public. For more information, call Tompkins County Cooperative Extension at 607-727-2292.
November 2nd and 3rd, 2009. 2009 Cornell Strategic Marketing Conference – Story Telling: Marketing the Unique Story of Your Business for Success! The Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, Hyde Park, NY. The conference will feature successful producers, processors, and other agribusinesses that will showcase their business stories and specific ways they build success through improved marketing strategies. In addition, key professional and industry experts will provide methods to help you evaluate the success of your marketing activities and analyze the financial implications of marketing strategies you employ. For more information, visit http://marketingpwt.aem.cornell.edu.
November 5, 2009. Greenhouse IPM In-depth Hands-on Workshop. Morning Session (9am-12:15pm): CCE-Monroe County office, Rochester, NY; Afternoon Greenhouse Tour (1:30pm-2:30pm): Chases Greenhouse, 4874 E. Henrietta Rd, Rush, NY. This workshop will provide hands-on experience on 3 topics: 1) identification of an insect, 2) identification of a disease, and 3) measurement of water and soil characteristics. Bring a sample of your own water to test. There will be time for disease and insect pest diagnosis so bring samples and ask experts. The workshop is $25/person (does not include lunch). To register contact Karen Klingenberger at 585-461-1000 ext. 225 or ksk8@cornell.edu. Questions abut the workshop contact Walt Nelson at 585-461-1000 ext. 268 or wnn1@cornell.edu or visit www.mycce.org/monroe/.
November 7, 2009. Southern Tier Fall Maple School. 9:15am – 1:00pm. Tyrone Firehall, Route 226, Tyrone, NY. The agenda includes getting started in maple syrup production, improving profits through better tubing systems, new challenges and opportunities for maple producers, value-added maple demonstrations, speakers include Steve Childs, NYS Extension Maple Specialist and Brett Chedzoy, Extension Natural Resources Educator, CCE-Schuyler County. North American Maple Producers Manuals will be available for $20. Pre-registration is not required, but is appreciated. To pre-register please call CCE-Schuyler County at 607-535-7161 or CCE-Steuben County at 607-664-2300.
November 12, 2009. Taste the Regions, Regional Food Specialty Boxes from New York State’s Tourism Regions. 5:30pm – 8:30pm. NY Wine & Culinary Center – 800 S. Main Street, Canandaigua, NY. Come enjoy gourmet tasting and recipes featured in the Regional Food specialty Boxes from Long Island’s Best, Hudson Valley, Adirondack Harvest and Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty. You’ll also have the first opportunity to buy these innovative gift boxes directly, with out shipping. Please RSVP by November 5th to nyprocessors@gmail.com or Cheryl Leach at 315-787-2273.
November 13-14, 2009. It Takes A Region: A Working Conference to Build Our Northeast Food System. Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Albany.
Through in-depth working sessions, homework, provocative debates, and exercises, we'll tackle questions such as: Why regional? What does a regional food system look like? What do we want? What will it take to get there? Who needs to be at the table? What are realistic milestones? What do we need to know, measure and monitor? We'll draw upon the exciting efforts already underway in our region and nationally, including alternative supply chain networks, research projects, infrastructure initiatives and policy advocacy. We'll address scale, size, and geography to reach beyond political boundaries and sector "silos". For more information, contact Kathryn Rhuf at 413.323.9878 or nesawg@nesawg.org.
November 14, 2009. Agritourism Workshop. 10am – 1pm at the Agroforestry Resource Center on State Route 23, in Acra, NY. This is a program for folks that are interested in beginning, transitioning, or enhancing their agritourism enterprises. The workshop will feature a “guided tour” of the recently released “Agritourism Opportunities in New York” by on of the co-authors. Also there will be a panel of area agritourism operators with glimpses into their respective enterprises. Mary Jeanne Packer, Executive Director of the NYS Maple Producers Association, Richard Goldstein, a principle organizer of the Durham Agricultural Community Partnership Group and Daniela Marino, Director of Greene County promotions will speak about their respective programs as well. To register for the workshop, or for more information, please call CCE-Green at 518-622-9820.
November 17-18, 2009. NYSERDA’s 9th Annual Innovations in Agriculture Conference. Hilton Garden Inn, Troy.
Topics include: how future farms will adapt to climate change; agriculture’s role in the development of renewable fuels for heating & transportation; the spectrum of controlled environment agriculture: current research and best practices; energy efficiency opportunities for farms; the current status of the Anaerobic Digester program; and federal and state funding opportunities. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyserda.org/InnovationsInAgriculture/default.asp.
November 18, 2009. Cover Crop Workshop and Tour. The workshop at the Big Flats Plant Materials Center will provide the opportunity to observe 36 different cover crops or mixes, some with several seeding dates. Observe results of different techniques, there will be 5 speakers and a farmer panel. A discussion will also follow after the tour to identify barriers and develop strategies to increase cover crop implementation. Please RSVP by Nov. 12th by calling 607-562-8404 or by emailing Julie.depue@ny.usda.gov.
November 18, 2009. Food, Finance and Climate Crises: Finding Common Roots, Searching for Solutions. 7:30pm – 9:30pm, Albright Auditorium, Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Come here from Frances Moore Lappe, democracy advocate and world food and hunger expert. Following the lecture there will a panel discussion moderated by Rodmon Kings of HWS Philosophy Department.
December 3-4. 2009 Young Farmers Conference. Registration for the 2009 Young Farmers Conference is live! Check out the brochure and register online by visiting our website: www.stonebarnscenter.org. Conference highlights include: * Over 30 workshops at beginning and intermediate levels covering: - hands-on technical skills - livestock and vegetable farming - policy, community, and advocacy issues as they relate to young farmers - land access - business planning and marketing – and much more! * Workshops are led by farmers, educators, and advocates from all over the United States. * Keynote addresses by Wes Jackson of the Land Institute, and Fred Kirschenmann of Stone Barns Center and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. * Music, contra dancing, and the opportunity to meet other young and new farmers.
December 4th, 2009. Cornell Organic Production and Marketing Work Team Meetings-Fruit and Vegetables. 9:30am – 3:00pm. A Videoconference with four locations: Ithaca, Albany, Geneva, and Riverhead/Suffolk County. Hear about research is being conducted by organic farmers and Cornell staff. Share your organic research and education concerns. Meet diverse group of people interested and committed to organic agriculture and sustainability. Help set priorities for future Cornell organic efforts. Network with farmers, educators and researchers interested in organic issues. Discuss and debate important issues facing organic agriculture in the Northeast. And last, but not least, have lunch with friends. *Not sure how to put the contact information in.
December 10, 2009. Cornell Organic Production and Marketing Work Team Meetings-Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops. 9:30am – 3:00pm. NYS Ag Experiment Station, Jordan Hall, Geneva, NY. Hear about research is being conducted by organic farmers and Cornell staff. Share your organic research and education concerns. Meet diverse group of people interested and committed to organic agriculture and sustainability. Help set priorities for future Cornell organic efforts. Network with farmers, educators and researchers interested in organic issues. Discuss and debate important issues facing organic agriculture in the Northeast. And last, but not least, have lunch with friends. RSVP to Fay Benson afb3@cornell.edu, 607-255-5439. Other locations to be determined.
Agriculture Economic Development Specialist, Seneca County – Due 11/6/09
The primary audience for programming will include agricultural producers and related service providers; new entrepreneurs in production, processing, and agriculture related businesses including agricultural tourism; and community members whose support of agriculture is important. Projects will focus on enhancing the viability of local agriculture through product diversification, direct marketing, promotion of local product labels and value-added opportunities by linking with available expertise. Provide leadership for the development of promotion of county agricultural resources and movement towards the bio-tech and alternative energy potential. For details, please see
http://hosts.cce.cornell.edu/admin/careerops/pa500.htm
NOFA, NY Education and Outreach Coordinator – Due 11/6/09
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is seeking an Education and Outreach Coordinator to work with the Executive Director and other staff to lead the organization’s farmer, gardener, consumer, and small business educational initiatives including the annual conference, field day series, and general education and outreach. The position requires a self-starter who has a background in and/or experience in organic farming, event planning experience, and excellent organizational skills. The position is open until filled. Please send cover letter, resume, three references, and a short writing sample to director@nofany.org by November 6,
2009. Download the full description at: http://nofany.org/opportunities/nofa-ny_education_outreach_coordinator.pdf
Farm Business Management Educator, CCE Rensselaer County, Troy, NY – 11/13/09
This position interacts with the public through delivery of program and through individual clientele assistance in Farm Business Management. Assists supervisor in activities to foster Extension programs with community leaders and discover best practices and integration of new tools and material with relevant staff at Cornell University. Provide advice and education in Farm Business Management as a representative of the
County, and State Extension System. Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#498, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853 by November 13th.
For details, please see http://hosts.cce.cornell.edu/admin/careerops/pa498.htm
Annie's Homegrown Student Scholarships – Due 10/31/09
Annie's Homegrown is again offering $50,000 in scholarship funds to students studying sustainable and organic agriculture for the 2010-11 school year. Annie’s believes healthy soils and healthy farms are the foundation for healthy foods, which help make healthy people! Undergraduate and Graduate students studying at an accredited US college or university are eligible to apply. Learn more: http://www.annies.com/sustainable_agriculture_scholarship. Application is available at
http://www.annies.com/scholarshipapplication. The deadline to apply is October 31.
Love Your Veggies Grant for Schools – Due 11/6/09
The makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings are now accepting applications for the “Love your Veggies Grant for the 2010-11 school year. With support from its partner the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF), the grant program will once again seek to help schools provide innovative programs to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in the lunchroom. Each grant award will support an elementary school in developing a vegetable program offering fresh produce to be implemented as early as April 2010 and lasting through the 2010-2011 school year. Each school grant will consist of $10,000 in direct funding. All applications must be submitted via the grant program’s Web site, www.LoveYourVeggies.com. Proposals are due November 6, 2009. Learn more: http://loveyourveggies.com/school_grants.php
Farmers' Market Coalition Professional Development Mini-Grant – Due 11/15/09
The Farmers' Market Coalition is now offering “Information Marketplace Professional Development Mini-Grants,” available to state and regional farmers' market organizations hosting trainings for market managers, market boards, and/or producers during Winter 2009-2010. Eligible organizations can apply for one of approximately 16 grants (up to $500 each) to support professional development programs to strengthen farmers' markets. To be eligible for this program, organizations must be active Farmers' Market Coalition members who have had an organizational representative participate in at least three Information Marketplace webinar sessions. Only farmers' market associations, agencies, and other organizations, not individual farmers' markets, may receive funding at this time. Proposals are due November 15, 2009. Learn more: http://www.farmersmarketcoalition.org/fmc-announces-mini-grant-program/
New York Farm Bureau Student Scholarships - Due 11/22/09
New York Farm Bureau is encouraging high school seniors who have been involved with agriculture and plan on continuing studies in this field to apply for the 2010 New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship sponsored by the New York Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee. Scholarship awards are $1,500 for first place, $1,200 for second and $1,000 for third place. The first place winner will be invited to present their essay at the annual Spring Conference. Students applying must have a family Farm Bureau membership or a Student Farm Bureau membership (a membership application may be included with scholarship enclosures). Students are required to complete an application and submit a brief essay answering the question, “If you had the power to change something in your community or on your farm, what would you change and why?” For more information, see http://www.nyfb.org/2009%20dump%20folder/2007/pr070607.htm#
FARRMS Grant for Organic or Transitioning Growers – 12/1/09
The Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability (FARRMS), based in Medina, ND, is offering a grant/loan program to organic farmers of up to $10,000. This grant can be used for a variety of projects or expenses, but should be directly related to the farming operation, including but not limited to: fencing, computers, seed, irrigation, equipment, etc. The program is available to: Farms that are certified organic or actively transitioning into organic production; Non-certified projects on the organic farm — for example a free range poultry operation that isn't certified; Growers whose gross sales are under $5000 who meet the NOP organic rule but do not need to be certified. Learn more: http://www.farrms.org/prog.html
Value-Added Producer Grant – Due 11/30/09
The primary objective of this grant program is to help eligible groups -- 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. Eligible groups must limit their proposals to emerging markets. These grants will facilitate greater participation in emerging markets and new markets for value-added products. Proposals are due November 30, 2009. For more information, see: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=1Ww2KpQdMK2THFWNnw1ytj6gJXQs4n1DgVvNSHgjwgzdhX3kLpQ8!-1795806398?oppId=49282&mode=VIEW
Bedded Pack Management System Study Published
Small Farms Leadership Team member John Thurgood has announced results of a “Bedded Pack Management” study. A bedded pack management system (BPMS) is a covered barnyard and feeding area that houses a variety of dairy cattle, storing their manure through the accumulation of an unturned bedding of dry material for later use as a nutrient amendment. The bedded pack management system may provide an effective alternative to the traditional suite of best management practices: manure storage, barnyard runoff management system, and improved feeding area/heavy use area protection. Results of the case study showed that the Bedded Pack Management System proved to be an excellent environment for the cattle and provided many environmental benefits. However, reducing bedding cost is important if the BPMS is to be sustainable. The report suggests several ways to lower bedding costs, including growing one’s own straw, or selling the resulting compost for additional income.
Funded through a USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the project provided useful information to others planning similar systems. This project and study were a collaboration between the Watershed Agricultural Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension in Delaware County and Cornell University. For a printed copy, please contact Kim Holden, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, kmh19@cornell.edu. An electronic copy is available at: http://www.aem.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2009/Cornell_AEM_eb0916.pdf
