Greetings!
If you're feeling concerned about the steady rain and flood watches occurring in many parts of NY, we encourage you to read the first announcement in the newsletter to help you get better prepared for wet conditions! The Small Farms Update is intended for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York and the Northeast. If you have an announcement, event, job or funding opportunity, or resource to be included in the update, please send us an email. SUBSCRIBE HERE
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Resources for Flood Conditions
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 Pasture Walks: Coping with Summer Challenges Small Dairy educator Fay Benson and the South Central Dairy Team have a great lineup of educational pasture walks scheduled for this summer. The walks feature ways in which farmers are using successful management practices to mitigate typical summer challenges: heat stress for the animals, lack of rain and low production of cool season grasses in the pastures. Learn more about these events in the Small Farms Program online events calendar! |
 Hot Off the Presses: Small Farm Quarterly Summer 2013
Our summer edition is here! The latest issue features articles on how to install an 'edible' riparian buffer, interior design for sheep barns, the expanding local food movement in Vermont, and how to grow 'uncommon fruits', among many other great topics. View the issue online or learn how to subscribe to a paper edition at smallfarms.cornell.edu/quarterly/. |
Celebrate your favorite farmer! Farmer of the Year Nominations Due July 25
The Organic Farming Association of NY is recruiting nominations for 'Farmer of the Year'. If you would like to nominate an inspiring farmer for this award who has demonstrated leadership, innovation, and integrity in building a strong organic movement in New York, please submit your nomination by clicking here. Contact Marne Coit at [email protected] with questions. |
Featured Events
July 10, 2013. 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Essentials of Organic Grain Growing. Lineage Farm, 492 Route 217, Hudson, NY. Learn how to make good use of your land with grain rotations using heritage and modern strains of wheat, rye, field corn for milling, and more. NOFA-NY's grain experts will lead on-farm discussions and demonstrations. Cost is $10 per one person, $15 for two or more. Register by July 5 by contacting Registration Coordinator, Stephanie: call 585-271-1979 ext. 509; email [email protected], or shop online at tinyurl.com/nofanyevents.
July 22, 2013. 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. From Recipe to Market: Workshop for Food Entrepreneurs. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca, NY. If your goal is to launch a specialty food business, then this program is for you. This one-day seminar will provide future food entrepreneurs with a grounding in food business basics, and knowledge of the critical issues to consider before starting a food processing business. Workshop cost is $95, lunch and refreshments are provided. To register by phone with credit card, call CCE-Tompkins at 607-272-2292; or download registration brochure here. For more information, contact Carole Fisher at CCE-Tompkins: [email protected].
July 31 10:30 AM-2PM. Reducing Heat Stress with Silvopasturing. Chedzoy's Angus Glen Farm, 3050 Station Road, Watkins Glen, NY. Brett Chedzoy has given many talks on silvopasturing. His talks focus on animal welfare as well as benefits to the forest's production. This event will give participants a chance to see what silvo-pasturing looks like after it has been in use for a number of years. Angus Glen is a multi generational farm that has used a number of conservation practices that benefit their beef herd. We
will see areas that have been managed for silvopasturing for many years as well as areas they are currently transitioning to the practice. Please RSVP to help us plan lunch, which will be provided at each of the events with funding from the NY GLCI. Contact Sharon VanDeuson at 607-753-5078 or [email protected].
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Vegetable Product Manager: Winslow, ME
Johnny's Selected Seeds is seeking a Vegetable Product Manager who be in charge of facilitating product development, order acquisition, and fulfillment for a specific vegetable commodity. Five years of product management experience is required; agricultural or horticultural experience is preferred. Learn more about the position here and apply at this link: agcareers.com/jobfunc.cfm.
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Entry-Level Dairy Nutrition Consultant: Northern VT
Established feed company in NY/New England seeks recent college grad with BS or MS degree in dairy/animal science and practical experience on dairy farms to begin a career working with dairy producers. This is a technical sales job, and the territory is northern VT and northeastern NY. Knowledge of ration balancing, general dairy operations, and strong communication skills are required. Learn more about this position and apply here.
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Easily Find Farms and Farmland for Sale
The website farmflip.com/ connects viewers to farmland for sale across the United States and provides details about previous land usage. It also contains information about farm auctions, farms for lease, farm foreclosures, and how to advertise your own land. Search the database by location, farm type, or price. Start your search here.
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$1000 Grant Available Monthly: The Awesome Foundation, Food Chapter
The Food Chapter of the Awesome Foundation is now accepting applications to further food awesomeness in the universe. They give out $1,000 micro-grants once a month. Anyone can apply and any project topic - research, technology, marketing - may be funded. The Awesome Foundation pools money from micro-trustees and provides upfront grants with no strings attached. Autonomous chapters offer funding in specific geographic areas or for specific issue areas. Online applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more at awesomefoundation.org/.
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Small Business Innovation Research Program - Due September 26
If your farm business employs under 500 people, you could be funded up to $100,000 for research and development projects that address innovative agricultural technology, particularly renewable energy technologies. Learn more about eligible research topics and application information here, applications due by September 26. Contact Charles Cleland at [email protected] with questions about the program. |
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Connecting Local Food to Local Folks: The Adirondack Food Network
The Adirondack Food Network is a community website dedicated to promoting local food, sustainable farms, farmers, and the homestead community. It helps farmers connect to potential consumers, such as restaurants and local customers while providing a forum for education and discussion about food and agriculture. Share recipes, methods, opinions, and upcoming events such as farmer's markets - join the community at adkfoodnetwork.com/.
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Holistic Management Training for Beginning Women Farmers
Holistic Management is a proven sustainable goal setting and decision making framework that emphasizes improving the economic, environmental, and social aspects of a farm enterprise. Holistic Management International (HMI) is now accepting applications from women farmers with less than 10 years experience for their intense nine-month training, which includes expert support during the beginning implementation of Holistic Management practices. Apply now as space is limited - fall application deadline, date varies by state: holisticmanagement.org/bwf2013enroll/.
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The Food Think Tank: 13 Books That Could Save the Environment
Food tank: The Food Think Tank serves to connect farmers, policy makers, and consumers through the positive message of agriculture, health, and education. The Food Think Tank has identified 13 books that identify and explain the flaws of our food system and offer solutions of how to make changes. View the book list
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Newly Updated Publication: Bringing Local Food to Local Institutions
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service has updated this publication that offers example and insight into the farm to institution local movement. This resource explores models of farm to institution programs, implementation considerations, policy information, case studies, and further resources for tapping into the full potential of the local food movement. Download the PDF free or order copies here.
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Need personal help?
Sometimes local questions are best answered by your neighborhood Cornell Cooperative Extension agent. Check out our county-by-county listing of small farm agents here. You can also get to know our Cornell Small Farms Program staff, or contact us. Just starting to farm? We have an extensive directory of beginning farmer service providers across the Northeast in the "Who Can Help?" section of our Northeast Beginning Farmers Project website.
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