Greetings!
The Small Farms Update is intended as a resource for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York and the Northeast, and is provided to you by Cornell Small Farms Program. Our mission is to foster the sustainability of diverse, thriving small farms that contribute to food security, healthy rural communities, and the environment. The Cornell Small Farm Program is a joint effort of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
This update summarizes announcements, information resources, opportunities and upcoming events relevant to small farms. Please feel free to share this information in newsletters, email lists, etc. If you have announcements or resources you would like to include, please send us an email. SUBSCRIBE HERE
Thank you again for your interest and support of small farms in New York.
Anu Rangarajan
Director, Cornell Small Farm Program
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Farm Service Agency Temporarily Closed
Due to a lapse in appropriations for the Farm Service Agency, on October 1 the Farm Service Agency initiated the process of orderly shutdown of nonessential operations. In the Farm Service Agency, this means that many services will be delayed or interrupted for farmers, ranchers, and associated customers. For example, this includes, but is not limited to, FSA's commodity price support activities and commodity loans, farm loans, disaster assistance, and conservation programs. You can view USDA's plans for a lapse in appropriations at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans.
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Register Today for Free Marketing Webinar Series
The Farmers Market Federation of NY and the NY Farm Viability Institute have partnered with USDA Northeast SARE to present a series of webinars on marketing: "Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success." These webinars have been designed with the assistance of regional and national marketing experts to provide critical marketing insights for farmers and farm markets throughout the northeast. The webinars are free, approximately an hour and a half long, and easy to access with a basic internet connection. For information on how to register for the webinars and links to archived webinars, go to http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/work-shop-programs/webinars/program.html.
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Featured Events
October 21-25, 2013. CleanSweep NY-Pesticide Collection Days.The CleanSweep NY team will be holding 5 pesticide collection days in Region 8. This will be your closest option for most of upstate NY until 2017. The program is completely free of charge, but you MUST register. You can register by calling 877-793-3769 or emailing [email protected]. This program is not open to homeowners, only farmers and licensed pesticide applicators. For more information: http://www.cleansweepny.org/
October 30, 2013. 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM. Farm Transfer Planning: Planning Your Farm's Future. LaFayette Community Center, 2508 US Rt. 11, LaFayette, NY 13084. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County and FarmNet will be hosting a workshop on how to prepare your farm for the future. Topics covered will include retirement planning, business planning for the next generation, trusts, and the considerations and pitfalls of succession planning. This will be a small, informative, personal workshop. It's your opportunity to speak with the experts on the proper steps to take in planning for not only your future, but also your farm's future. Cost to attend is $25 and includes lunch. For more information, contact Erin Luchsinger, Hull-Agriculture Educator, at 315-424-9485 Ext. 224 or [email protected] or visit http://www.extendonondaga.org/events-10/farm-transfer-planning-planning-your-farms-future/.
November 21, 2013. 2:00 PM- 5:00 PM. 5th Annual Local Fair. Mann Library, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. There will be a lively open market in the Mann Lobby offering a variety of products from the Finger Lakes region, as well as displays highlighting initiatives contributing to healthy, resilient communities. This year's theme will be Fair & Local, showcasing efforts supporting fair and equitable local economies and "value chains". They're looking for inspiring and informative examples of locally informed and guided strategies supporting people, planet and fair profits across the supply chain. Producers, vendors and programs are encouraged to apply for a table. Registration is free but space is limited, with an application deadline of Oct. 31st, 2013. More information and the application form are available on the registration page.
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Viticulture Specialist Position with National Grape Cooperative- Westfield, NY
National Grape Cooperative, the parent company of Welch's, one of the most recognizable, respected and enduring American brands, is looking to hire Viticulture Specialists to join their field services team in Westfield, NY. In this key role you will work closely with growers in New York and Pennsylvania, identifying and implementing new technologies that will help them increase efficiency, quality and profitability on their farms. Specific responsibilities include: managing pre-harvest and harvest activities at assigned receiving plant, developing specific, targeted research initiatives to address the technological needs of our grower owners, and developing and implementing cost-effective and environmentally sound pest management programs, guided by National Grape and Welch's deep commitment to sustainable practices. For a list of requirements and other responsibilities: http://www.agcareers.com/job.cfm?task=view&id=330570.
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Stonewall Farm School Applications- Due Nov. 15
Stonewall Farm in Keene, New Hampshire offers future farmers the opportunity to spend a full year learning by working shoulder to shoulder with our experienced staff and administration. Hard work, critical thinking, problem solving, and the use of appropriate technologies for small farms will be emphasized. Two tracks are offered: garden and dairy. Both include the study of farm operations and management. The farm operates a certified organic dairy, a three acre garden, three greenhouses, a yearlong CSA, a micro-pasteurizing plant, a farm store, sugar house, hydroponic barely fodder system and an educational learning center. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through November 15th for the 2013-2014 year-long session. For more information or to request an application contact Josh Cline - Executive Director at (603) 357-7278 ext. 107 or email: [email protected].
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Annie's Homegrown Student Scholarship- Due Dec. 2
Annie's Homegrown is offering $100,000 in scholarship funds to students studying sustainable agriculture. Annie's Homegrown funds this Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship to support the next generation of farmers committed to sustainable farming practices. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Please visit http://www.annies.com/our-practices/farming/agricultural-scholarships/apply/ for more information and to download the application. The deadline to apply is December 2nd.
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New Toolkit for CSA Farmers
Just Food has developed a CSA at Work toolkit dedicated to helping both farmers and partner companies in New York City start and manage a workplace CSA. CSA at Work includes guides to understanding, planning, and maintaining a workplace CSA and five video tipsheets for CSA farmers. These videos are available in English and Spanish via our website: http://www.justfood.org/farmer-outreach/online-resource-center. If you would like to receive the CSA at Work toolkit or have any questions, please contact Paula Lukats, Just Food's CSA Program Manager @ 212.645.9880 ext. 233.
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Lamb for Sale
Four spring lambs raised on Wrightway Farm are due to be processed this fall and they are currently taking orders. The sheep are Tunis sheep and have been grass-fed. The meat is very mild tasting and low in fat.Prices are $165/half and $300/whole plus there is a $60 processing fee per lamb. The buyer is able to choose the cuts they desire. We *might* have individual cuts available but prices will vary. Visit their website for more information: http://wrightwayfarm.com/2013/10/03/lamb-for-sale-this-fall/
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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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