It's a bit early to get dirt under your fingernails, but the time is right to dig around the soil thinking between your ears. Grab one of the few spots left at this year's Farm to Market Connection. Rejuvenate your passion for growing, spend the day among like-minded farmers, stir up a winter-dulled passion with comrade foodie enthusiasts. Sunday, March 25 will remind you why you  love farming in the Catskills -- REGISTER TODAY!    

Catskills FarmLink

Catskills FarmLink is connecting farmers looking for land with property owners willing to partner. Come find out what it takes to put your land to work. Two free workshops, Introduction to Evaluating Land for Agricultural Use & the Basics of Land Leasing, will address your questions, provide expert legal answers, and share farmer-landowner stories from those who are making it work.

Wednesday, March 21 from 6-8 p.m.
eCenter, 5-1/2 Main Street, Delhi

Thursday, March 22 from 6-8 p.m.
Duggan Community Center, 3460 State Route 55, White Lake

The workshops address two commonly asked questions:  1.) how do I evaluate my land for agricultural use, and 2.) how to I develop a land lease? Dale Dewing, field crop educator and Watershed extension team leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension, will explain how to evaluate land for agricultural use. A panel discussion of landowners and farmers in lease agreements and food and farm law expert, Jason Foscolo  will provide guidance and examples of personal experience with land leases. From 3-5 p.m., Jason is offering free 15-minute consultations to answer questions related to food and farm businesses. To RSVP for the workshop or free legal consultation, contact Catskills FarmLink Coordinator Sonia Janiszewski at (914) 720-1020.Can't make either workshop? Check out this video for more details about what Catskills FarmLink is and how it works.  

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According to the EPA website, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. law to address water pollution. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. As amended in 1977, the law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). You can listen in to a free webinar tomorrow, The History and Evolution of the Clean Water Act. The 1977 amendments:

• Established the basic structure for regulating pollutants discharges into the waters of the United States.
• Gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry.
• Maintained existing requirements to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.
• Made it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions.
• Recognized the need for planning to address the critical problems posed by nonpoint source pollution.

Thanks to all our participants, partners and champions of clean water practices. Let's celebrate! Together we're making a difference right here in the NYC Watershed.      

According to the United Nations, which  recognizes March 22 as World Water Day, we drink up to a gallon (4 liters) of water each day. More importantly, the food we eat uses even more water. For example, take 2.2 pounds of beef (1 kilo). You need nearly 4,000 gallons (15,000 liters) to produce it. Check out the UN site and share the stas with a friend.   

App: SkySafari Light
Grant: USDA-NRCS New England-New York Forestry Initiative due March 23
Grant: USDA NRCS Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program due April 13

GRANT: NYSERDA Agriculture Disaster Energy Efficiency Program due April 30