Sign Up for a NE Beginning Farmers Online Course this Winter

The snow has started falling, which means that the winter online course season has begun! Here are the courses coming up in January 2015: BF 102: Markets and Profits, BF 104: Financial Record Keeping, BF 203: Holistic Financial Planning, BF 120: Vegetable Production I, and BF 140: Small-scale Organic Grain Production. These courses consists of weekly real-time webinars followed by homework, readings, and discussions on your own time in an online setting. The cost is $200, but multiple people from the same farm may participate without paying extra. See the course description page for more on the course learning objectives, instructors, and outlines.  

NY Veterans in Agriculture Summit: Reflections

Thank you to the nearly 100 veterans and service providers that joined the Vets in Ag Summit on November 6th at the NYS Fairgrounds.  We had many productive discussions about steps needed to prepare and support veterans interested in agricultural careers. To learn more about the meeting or download the agenda, click here.  We'll be posting outcomes from the day at this site soon.  To receive alerts of agriculture events or training geared toward veterans and service providers, please sign up for our 'Veteran in Ag' list-serve by filling out this short interest form.   

December 2, 2014. Best Management Practices for New High Tunnel Growers.  Civil Defense Center, 7220 State Route 54, Bath, NY. This program is targeted for commercial growers new to high tunnels but all who are interested in improving their crop yield, quality, and profitability by using high tunnels are welcome. Topics include site selection & structural considerations, crop & variety selection, cultural management, disease management, and an experienced grower panel. Registration is due by November 25, 2014. Cost is $25/person and includes lunch, refreshments and resource materials. To register online with a credit card visit http://cvp.cce.cornell.edu, or call Stephanie Mehlenbacher at 607-583-3240. 

December 10-11, 2014. Calf & Heifer Congress 2014 - Birth to Breeding. RIT Inn and Conference Center outside of Rochester, NY located off Exit 46 of the New York State Thruway.  Presented by Cornell University Extension and the Cornell PRO-DAIRY Program, the conference will go beyond the management of the young calf this year. The timeline will extend from the calving event to breeding age. We have worked to incorporate expanded knowledge on common practices as well as venture into what research might tell us where replacement rearing and associated economics are going down the road.  To register on-line go to http://www.cvent.com/d/k4qctr/4W

December 17, 2014. 8:30am to 4:00pm. Spotted Wing Drosophila Winter Regional Workshops. Ramada Inn, 1305 Buckley Road, Syracuse, NY 13212. This is the place to learn current SWD information, the most recent research results, and management practices. The 2015 Producers Expo will focus on other topics of importance to berry growers. Presentations by Cornell Researchers, Extension, and NYSBGA on SWD will focus on biology; management including cultural, biological and chemical/technology; early warning signs and symptoms of infestation; and decision making resources. CCA credits and 5.5 DEC credits are available! Categories 1A, 10, 22, 23 & 24. Registration cost is $25 for NYSBGA members and $50 for non-members. Registrations MUST be received 7 days prior; late fee is $20. There is also an Eastern NY workshop (January 14, 2015 at 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186) and a Western NY workshop (March 4, 2015 at 8250 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020). Click here for more information. 

January 23 to 25, 2015. NOFA-NY's 33rd Annual Organic Farming & Gardening Conference. Saratoga Springs Hilton: 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866. The theme for the conference is "Soil: The Root of the Movement," and to highlight the importance of soil we are excited that Wes Jackson, founder and President of the Land Institute will be the keynote speaker. The work of the Land Institute is to address the issues of soil loss and degradation, ecosystem destruction, and high energy use associated with agriculture. Find more information and register here.

February 19-21, 2014. Farmers Market Manager Training Conference. Ramada Inn in Liverpool. The conference will focus on farmers markets and building programs and services that maintain connections with the market farmers, consumers, and host communities. Our keynote speakers, Gretchen Wall of the Produce Safety Alliance and John Luker, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, will discuss food safety, specifically the Food Safety Modernization Act and current food safety regulations. Get more information at http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/annual-conference. 

MANY MORE EVENTS at our Statewide Events Calendar. 

Livestock Guardian Dog Pups for Sale Near Watkins Glen, NY

Born September 21st, 2014, pups are 3/4 Great Pyrenees and 1/4 Maremma.  They are trained on electronet and are brought up with piglets, poultry (ducks and chickens), sheep and lambs.  We have had zero losses to coyotes, coydogs, bears, owls and hawks since placing the parent dogs with our animals several years ago.  Dogs are gentle with  children and farm cats.  Males and females available.  Most are white or white with badger markings.  All pups will have received their complete set of shots before leaving our farm.  References provided upon request for pups purchased by other farms from our past litters. We are located near Watkins Glen, NY. Please contact [email protected].