The Small Farms Program is involved in a diverse array of projects intended to build the capacity of small-scale farmers across New York State. The projects listed to the left are in addition to the Small Farm Quarterly magazine that we publish in cooperation with Country Folks. We issue a monthly electronic newsletter called the "Small Farms Update" which summarizes Small Farm news, events, resources and grants. Check our Events page for upcoming offerings, and look for resources on facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning, on-farm research, and working with farm families in our Professional Development section.
We last offered our Hort 240, Exploring The Small Farm Dream, in Spring 2009. The class is a one-credit seminar and discussion based class offered to Cornell students in the spring semester. Students in the class learn about the opportunities and challenges of farming on a relatively small-scale, including part-time farming in combination with another career. No prior agricultural experience is necessary. There is no prerequisite. Most weeks will include presentations by experienced farmers and other resource people, followed by discussion.
Read about our 2008-09 collaboration with The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development and with universities in six Northeastern states to examine the notion of supporting "Small Farm Clusters" (the agricultural equivalent of "Industry Clusters") for improved profitability, productivity, and innovation in each operation.
