Take a look at current efforts of the 2008-09 Small Farms Work Teams:

1. Livestock Processing Work Team
2. Local Markets Work Team
3. Grasslands Utilization Work Team
4. Energy Work Team

NY Small Farms Energy Work Team

The NY Small Farms Energy Work Team aims to provide clear and accesible information to small farmers about energy conservation strategies and renewable energy technologies. -- Updated 8.27.09

Work Team Contacts

Violet Stone, Outreach Coordinator, Cornell Small Farms Program & NE SARE 607-255-9227 or vws7@cornell.edu

The Opportunity

New York’s small farmers are searching for strategies to reduce energy costs and invest in affordable renewable technologies to power their farm in the post oil-peak era.  Over the past couple years, many educators across the state have offered public programs presenting opportunities in the broad areas of alternative energy, but little of this programming has been geared specifically toward small farms.  Furthermore, with no current state-wide network of educators addressing small farm energy issues, organizers are often completely unaware of similar programs happening in nearby regions.  As a result, small farm educators are left to re-invent their own programming, a tedious task considering the vast scope and many angles from which one can approach the topic of renewable energy.  The NY Small Farms Energy Work Team was formed to respond to this opportunity in February 2009.

2009 Work Team Goals     

1. Database Development (Download Database in Excel)

• FARMERS in NY that have installed systems that conserve or produce energy
• EVENTS in NY and neighboring states that focus on Farm Renewable Energy
• ORGANIZATIONS that are working on Farm Renewable Energy issues
• RESOURCES addressing Farm Energy issues relevant to NY and the Northeast region

1. 2009 On-Farm Energy Summer Field Days (See July news archives for description)

2. A specific compilation of Small Farm Energy Conservation/Renewable Energy resources relevant to New Yorkers posted here.

3. Profiles of small farmers in New York with useful energy conservation tips or affordable renewable energy projects. 

• Hunt Country Vineyards: From Bats to Homemade Biodiesel, Hunt Country Vineyards Saves Energy & Dollars. Read this profile in PDF
• Enviroenergy LLC: Retired dairy farmers May and Bob Miller launched a new business that transforms hay into pellets. Read this profile in PDF
• Grindstone Farm: Dick Degraff grows in his greenhouse year-round using with root zone mats and radiant floor heating. Read this profile in PDF

4. The work team is also considering a two-part, far reaching program broadcast to extension offices around New York via video-conference. 

Part I of this video-conference will address Small Farm Energy Conservation.  Topics may include:

• Efficient Agricultural Buildings: An Overview        
• Energy Saving Tips for Irrigators    
• Maintaining Irrigation Pumps, Motors, and Engines
• Conserving Fuel on the Farm
• Farm Energy Calculators: Tools for Saving Money on the Farm

Work Team Members

Violet Stone, Cornell Small Farms Program, vws7@cornell.edu
Adrienne Masler, Cornell Small Farms Program, amm428@cornell.edu
Dan Welch, CCE Cayuga County, dlw56@cornell.edu
Brian Aldrich, CCE Cayuga County, bsa9@cornell.edu
Phil Metzger, Central NY RC&D, Phil.Metzger@ny.usda.gov
Mary Wrege, CCE Oneida County, mpw57@cornell.edu
David Cox. CCE Schoharie County, dgc23@cornell.edu
Aaron Gabriel, CCE Washington County, adg12@cornell.edu
Molly Ames, CCE Jefferson Cnty, mba7@cornell.edu
Melissa Young, Environmental Finance Center/EPA, myoung@syracusecoe.org
Nicole Spinelli, Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District, nicoles@suffolkcountyny.gov
Mary Ellen Ettienne, NY Biomass Trader, metienne@ce.ccny.cuny.edu

Supporting Team Members:

Richard Gast, CCE Franklin County, rlg24@cornell.edu
Evan Newell, Environmental Finance Center/EPA, ecnewell@gmail.com
Dick Winnett, Fingerlakes RC&D, Richard.Winnett@ny.usda.gov