Deadline Approaching for Crop Insurance Program Tailored to Small Farms
posted January 25, 2006
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If you are a small farmer concerned about protecting your revenue from drought, disease, or other catastrophic losses, the AGR-Lite (Adjusted Gross Revenue - Lite) insurance program was designed to meet your needs. For farmers already insured with AGR or AGR-Lite, the deadline for policy renewals is January 31, 2006, while the deadline for new AGR-Lite policies is March 15, 2006.
Maximum coverage this year has been increased to $1million from $250,000, and
deadlines have been extended from previous years to allow growers more time
to investigate the possible benefits of AGR and AGR-Lite for their operations.
Low-Input Sustainable Farming Conference
posted January 5, 2006
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Profiting from Responsible Farming:
The 2006 Low Input Sustainable Farming Conference
Saturday, January 21
Jordan Hall, NYS Experiment Station at Geneva
In a world seeking shortcuts within commodity production there are still opportunities for the family farm to do well. You don't have to jump on the mainstream bandwagon to be successful. Whether you're interest is dairy, produce, or sheep production, there will be ideas flowing through the soil to the kitchen table. Farmers inspire this conference. It is planned and promoted by farmers for farmers. Almost all of the speakers are farmers.
Service Company Seeks to Help Livestock Farmers
Sign up to begin March 1st
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SPRAKERS, New York, February 15, 2006 - Are you a small farmer frustrated by the difficulty in getting your beef, pork, veal, lamb, goat, farm raised venison, or poultry processed? The Northeast Livestock Processing Service Company (NELPSC) is here to assist the livestock farmer by making it easier to get their livestock processed. They are seeking to sign up interested producers starting March 1st.
NELPSC will help the livestock producer by offering the following services: a Processing Coordinator who advocates on the farmer's behalf for the best quality processing, processing discounts, scheduling preference at processing plants, one person contact for scheduling and cutting instructions, personal service and technical assistance regarding: greater consistency in percent return of usable meat, attention to quality control, attention to humane animal handling, guidance on retail cuts and packaging, live animal readiness for processing, product storage for held inventory, production recommendations for "sliding livestock" into off-season processing periods; and information sharing regarding transport of livestock to the processing plants. Livestock producers will be asked to pay a per head fee which will be offset in part by the discount NELPSC has negotiated with processors.
"Strategies for Going Grass-Fed" Conference
March 25, 2006 at the Dibbles Inn, Rte. 5, Vernon, NY
posted February 24, 2006
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A fantastic group of speakers are lined up to share their experience at this event, including Greg Judy, Dave and Helen Forgey, author and farmer Shannon Hayes, NYS Commissioner of Agriculture Patrick Brennan, Dr. Ben Lucio, Director Poultry Vet Service, Cornell Univ., Onondaga Co. Dairyman Peter Mapstone, Jeff Mattocks, 111th District NY Assemblyman Bill Magee, Jim Mclaughlin, Troy Bishopp and others that will be presenting at the "STRATEGIES FOR GOING GRASS-FED" conference.
Admission for this exciting event is $ 35.00 which includes lunch, info and
trade show.
To pre-register call Kim Totten, CNY RC&D, @ 607-334-3231 Ext. 4
Organic Dairy Focus of New Farm Viability Grant Projects
posted May 24, 2006
Organic milk production, business enterprise development, successful farm management, and enhanced information & idea exchange are the goals of the recently-started NY Organic Dairy Initiative funded by the New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc. (NYFVI). The new Initiative is targeted to New York's small and mid-sized dairy farms, including more than 200 certified and in-transition-to-organic dairy farms. The Cornell Small Farm Program received a NYFVI grant to administrate the Initiative.
Videolinked Farmstead Cheese Production Workshop - July 26th
posted July 6, 2006
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Videolinked Farmstead Cheese Production Workshop - July 26th
Are you interested in adding value to your milk? Need help formulating a business
plan for your cheese operation? Not sure of the regulations that might apply
to you? Then this is the workshop for you!
Time: 10:30am - 2pm. Please bring your own lunch.
Cost: $5.00
Speakers: farmer panel with Nancy Richards from Finger Lakes Farmstead Cheese and other NYS dairy farmers, Steve Richards from Farm Net, and Rob Ralyea from Cornell Food Science Dept.
Participants will receive:
" Ag-Business, Pre-Planning Guide. Developed by Cornell Dept of Applied
Economics and Management
" On Farm and Small Scale Dairy Products Processing Guide. Developed by
the Dairy Practices Council Circular 958 of the Ag and Markets Law
Locations: The host site is at Rice Hall on the Cornell campus in Ithaca. To register for this site, contact Sharon Van Deuson, shv7@cornell.edum or (607) 753-5078.
There will be video links available from several other counties. To register for other county sites, please contact the CCE office in that county:
Jefferson - (315) 788-8450
Clinton - (518) 561-7450
St Lawrence - (315) 379-9192
Delaware - (607) 865-6531
For more information on this workshop, contact Fay Benson, afb3@cornell.edu or 607-753-5213.
Events Highlight Opportunities for
Grass-Based Agriculture in the Hudson Valley
posted August 30, 2006
Investigative journalist and New York Times best-selling author Jo Robinson
has spent the last four years researching the many benefits of raising animals
on pasture. On Friday, September 8th, Jo will explain why grass-based production
is good for the Hudson Valley, the health of consumers and the well-being of
animals. On Saturday, September 9th, Jo will be joined by Mike Yezzi, Flying
Pig Farm, Jim Hayes, Sap Bush Hollow Farm and Pam Moore, Moore Farm, for an
in-depth discussion of grass-based production from the perspective of producers
of pigs, beef and dairy cattle. Allen Williams, Founding Partner and Vice President
of The Jacob Alliance, LLC, and Livestock Management Consultants, LLC will round
out the presentation by discussing how grass-based production provides financial
benefits for producers and opens new markets. This workshop is partially supported
by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Grazing Land Conservation
Initiative.
Both events will be held at the Glynwood Center in Cold Springs, NY. Visit www.glynwood.org
for more information.
September 8th presentation and dinner is $75/person, and the September 9 workshop
and lunch are $35/person. Reservations are required. Register online
or contact Anita Barber, (854) 265-3338 or abarber@glynwood.org,
with any questions.
posted September 6, 2006
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The Beef Cattle Extension Program announces the tenth year of the Feedlot and Carcass Value Discovery Program. The program is designed to help beef producers learn the true value of their cattle based on their performance in the feedlot and on the rail. Producers of these calves will receive feedlot and carcass data such as average daily gain, feed conversion, hot carcass weight, marbling score and ribeye area. Past participants have used the data to improve the genetics of their herd and to bargain for higher feeder calf prices.
Producers have the option of selecting the conventional feedlot program or
the “natural” program which does not use implants or antibiotics.
Calves raised under these conditions will be eligible for several natural markets
that exist in the Northeast.
Calves, weaned for at least 30 days are to be delivered to the Cornell Teaching
and Research Center in Dryden, NY in early November. Consignments due September
15. For more information, contact Mike Baker, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist,
607-255-5923, mjb28@cornell.edu or go to http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/beef/
and click on “Software and Reports”.
posted September 13, 2006
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The Small Farms Program is sponsoring three events later this month and early next month. We hope you'll join us for networking and learning:
1) Establishing a Local Grain Market
Infrastructure and Storage Workshop
September 21, 2006, 6:00 pm
Cortland County Office Building Auditorium
60 Central Avenue, Cortland NY
We are having this workshop due to the increase in interest in organic grain. Organic dairy and crop farmers have requested information regarding production, marketing and storage.
Speakers will be Steve Bulkley from NY Farmlink discussing grain quality and dairy nutrition, and a representative from Lakeview Organic Grain will discuss marketing and storage issues.
Registration info. is below. Sponsored by NY Farm Viability Institute, Cornell Small Farms Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension and SCNY Dairy & Field Crops Team.
2) Grazing a Large Herd - Pasture Walk
"Pasture management is important whether you are grazing 30 or 330"
September 26, 2006, 11am - 2pm
Bensvue Farm
295 Lansingville Road, Lansing NY
Lunch provided (donations accepted).
Bensvue Farm has been grazing since 1990. They are now in their transition year to organic. Bensvue decided to upgrade their management to make better use of their pastures. If you need inspiration, come and see what changes they have made!
Registration info is below. This pasture walk is sponsored by GrazeNY, Cornell Cooperative Extension, SCNY Dairy & Field Crops Team and Cornell Small Farms Program.
3) Making Cheese in Your Kitchen
October 3, 1pm - 3 pm
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Tompkins County
615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca
Are you interested in safely making cheese in your kitchen? Want to see how? Then this is the workshop for you!
Jo Ellen Roehrig, CCE-Cortland County Program Educator 4-H Development and Dairy Goat Specialist will be a guest speaker and give you a hands-on demonstration on the cheese-making process. Sarah Ober from Candor Vet Clinic will discuss the use of rennet and cultures for other cheese recipes.
There will be a $10 charge for this meeting and you will need to register. See registration information below.
Sponsored by the New York Farm Viability Institute and Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
For directions and to register for any of these workshops, contact Sharon
VanDeuson, CCE Cortland County at 607-753-5078 or shv7@cornell.edu.
posted September 18, 2006
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The 2007 NYS Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference, “The Food Less Traveled: How Local Food Contributes to Healthy People and Healthy Communities”, will be held at the Owego Treadway Inn in Owego, NY on January 18-20, 2007. The conference will focus on the links between local agriculture and the health and well being of citizens and communities. A strong farm base, providing good food directly to consumers builds local economies, protects the environment and builds community pride and vibrant public spaces through farmers’ markets, on-farm markets and agri-tourism farms. It is widely believed that fresh food is a key ingredient in maintaining health and quality of life.
Co hosts for “The Food Less Traveled” Conference are the New York State Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association, Farmers’ Market Federation of NY, NY Farms!, NY Small Scale Food Processors, Cornell’s Community, Food and Agriculture Program, Cornell’s Farm to School Program, Cornell’s Small Farms Program, CADE, CNY RC& D, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
posted September 28, 2006
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Growing Health will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 from 5:007:30pm. at the Binghamton Regency, Best Western in Binghamton, New York. Hosted by the Rural Health Network of South Central New York. Growing Health will be of interest to those from all walks of life who want to learn more about the dynamic relationships between health, food and community. Those attending will learn how locally produced food can contribute to a broad range of individual and community health benefits.
Growing Health will feature an expert and diverse speaker panel of leaders
in the local food movement. Speakers include Jennifer Wilkins, Ph.D., Food and
Society Policy Fellow in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University,
Billie Best, Executive Director, Regional Farm & Food Project in Chatham,
N.Y., Raymond Denniston, Food Service Director, Johnson City School District
& Co-Chair of the New York State Farm to Schools Steering Committee, and
Dr. Richard H. Wu, Pediatric Endocrinologist at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton,
N.Y.
A local food and beverage buffet will be featured from 5:006:00pm. The
buffet will include a bounty of locally produced food, New York State wines
and other beverages. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and talk with
speakers, sample delicious, locally grown and prepared food, and learn more
about local food availability from area producers and local organizations.
Growing Health registration and forum information is available online. Please access the Rural Health Network website at http://www.ruralhealthnetwork.org. If you would prefer to receive registration information by mail please call the Rural Health Network at (607) 692-7669, or e-mail your request to jmurray@ruralhealthnetwork.org.
posted October 2, 2006
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A Three-Day Farmer-to-Farmer Workshop for Vegetable Farmers
December 11-13, 2006
United Methodist Church; Corner Henning & 5th Avenue; Saratoga Springs,
NY
Presented by the Sustainable Farmers Network
You are invited to join us for three days of presentations and group discussions by three highly experienced and successful vegetable farmers. The workshop will focus on all aspects of greenhouse production, crop varieties, field production (including soil management, tillage, & rotations), insect & disease management, recordkeeping for profitability, harvesting techniques, post-harvest handling/storage, and marketing. The presentations will consist of detailed, valuable information with PowerPoint pictures. Come and enjoy great food prepared with lots of local organic products, the company of friends old and new, and a lively and engaging learning environment. This workshop is designed for all levels of farmers with any size farm and any type system (conventional, organic, sustainable, etc.). This workshop will also offer special 20 minute "Earn Your Meal" presentations by other successful farmers attending the workshop, and there will be extensive networking/group discussion time.
Participants MUST pre-register. Please register early - space is limited. Registration costs $175 per person, and includes an informative conference binder, morning refreshments, and lunches & dinners during the conference. Early registration (postmarked by November 15th) is $150. A second additional person from the same farm will receive a $25 discount. For anyone chosen to do an "Earn Your Meal" presentation, they will receive $25 back at the workshop. To register: send check and the registration form to: Sustainable Farmers Network, c/o Sandy Arnold, 118 South Valley Road, Argyle, NY 12809. Please make checks payable to "Sustainable Farmers Network". For more information or to receive a registration form, call 518-638-6501, or (preferably) send an email to arnold3@capital.net
posted October 12, 2006
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December 7th, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Time of video connection: 11AM
The Cornell Small Farms Program presents the second in a series of video-linked Distance Learning meetings for Small Dairy Opportunities. This series was made possible through funding from the NY Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI)
MEETING SITES:
This is the Second Distance Learning Opportunity on Farmstead Cheese Production. This workshop is to help the producer understand the process of cheese making. With this knowledge the producer can prevent costly mistakes and also learn the areas of the process they can manipulate to develop their own style of cheese. Dave Brown, veteran Food Scientist/Extension with Cornell University, will give the main presentation. We will also have site inspectors with the Sate Ag& Markets program to answer questions about the buildings and equipment which are required for farmstead cheese production.
For more information about this Distance Learning opportunity, contact Fay Benson with the Cornell Small Farms Program at (607) 753-5213 or afb3@cornell.edu
posted October 17, 2006
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November 29th, 11am - 2pm
The meeting will be held simultaneously in 5 counties: Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida. Franklin, and Tompkins. At each of the 5 sites we will have current organic farmers present to talk about their operations and help with questions. An organic dairy processor field person will be available to answer questions about programs and markets in the area. The NOFA NY Transition team will also be involved to help with any questions.
Fay Benson will go over the use of the workbook "The Organic Decision." Each participant who is in transition or thinking about it will receive this workbook, produced by NY FarmLink.
To attend this workshop, please register with the contact listed for the site nearest you:
Sponsored by the NY Farm Viability Institute, Cornell Small Farms, and the NOFA NY Transition team.
For more information about this Distance Learning opportunity, contact Fay Benson with the Cornell Small Farms Program at (607) 753-5213 or afb3@cornell.edu
posted December 20, 2006
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January 18-20, Owego, NY
The 2007 NYS Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference, "The Food Less Traveled: How Local Food Contributes to Healthy People and Healthy Communities", will be held at the Owego Treadway Inn in Owego, NY on January 18-20, 2007. The conference will focus on the links between local agriculture and the health and well being of citizens and communities.
"This is our most ambitious conference yet," explains Diane Eggert,
conference director. "Not only are we covering the traditional bases; agritourism,
market management, but we're collaborating with the health and nutrition industry
to offer seminars and workshops in healthy cooking demos, harvesting for nutrition
and school requirements. These tools will open up new market opportunities for
attendees."
For more information about this event, download the entire announcement and/or contact Diane Eggert at 315-475-1101 or diane99@dreamscape.com or Martha Goodsell at nyfarms@clarityconnect.com.
posted December 20, 2006
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By Bill Henning, Small Farm Specialist, NWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team
The Family Farming Conference, formerly called the Low Input Sustainable Farming Conference, will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2007 in Jordan Hall at the New York State Experiment Station at Geneva. Pre-registration is required. For more information you can contact Bill Henning at 315-536-5123 or wrh6@cornell.edu.
A lot of people would like to have a dairy farm; a lot of young people and a surprising number of older people entering retirement. But isn't dairy farming too difficult? The land, the equipment, the livestock, paying the bills, supporting the family, it just seems so overwhelming.
At Empire Farm Days, several years ago, I talked to more than one college student who thought the only way to farm was with 500 cows in a free stall barn. You have to feed a TMR, use BST, have a vet come on a scheduled basis and adopt every new technology before the neighbors do to gain the competitive edge. You have to have management skills for all the employees you have to hire. They also hear you have to expand your output by at least 10% every year just to keep up with inflation. Does this sound like a rat race?
These folks seldom hear what that constant expansion does to the prices they are forced to live with. And seldom are they provided a road map for paying for that high cost of business. All this leaves them somewhat bewildered.
Can you imagine the look on their faces when they hear there are profitable dairy operations in New York where the cows never go inside a building except to be milked? When they hear about a farm family being supported by eight Jersey cows and direct marketing? Or, a farm family with an income rivaling the wages of a Kodak employee, with just 40 cows?
Interestingly, for many successful small farms money is not the primary reason for farming. Being outdoors, doing physical work, nurturing plants and animals, accepting the challenges of a wide variety of disciplines, relishing management, taking responsibility for the outcome, and accepting the risks are all motivating factors. But perhaps the most mentioned motivating factor among successful small farmers is the great environment for raising a family.
Yes, you do have to make a living, but there are also many other rewards. Want to learn more?
