Greetings!
The Small Farms 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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 Online Marketplaces Looking to connect with consumers more easily or expand the consumer base for your farm? Check out the Small Farms Program's Online Marketplace resources. There are a variety of companies now working to help farmers more easily reach, manage, and invoice customers. The resources include FarmieMarket, an online farmers market, Farmigo, which forges farm-to-neighborhood connections, as well as a number of other online marketplaces which can be found here. |
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Dan Kent will present on "Selling to Groceries" October 19th
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Small Farms, New Markets: Fall Webinars Start 10/12
Are you looking to get your farm products into bigger markets? To help you better understand how and when to enter new wholesale markets, we're resuming the popular webinar series Small Farms: New Markets initially launched last Spring. This October, we'll hear from a livestock farmer who sells to NYC restaurants via Mosner Family Brands and a vegetable farmer who markets to both upstate food stores and the Park Slope Food Coop in Brooklyn, NY. These farmers will share how they entered these bigger markets and the benefits and challenges of selling 'wholesale' versus 'direct'. All of the webinars are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
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Log Grown Mushrooms Are Now an Official Farm Crop in NY
The Cornell Small Farms Program announces a new development in the emerging log-grown mushroom industry; New York State has officially designated "actively managed log-grown woodland mushrooms" within the meaning of the term "crops, livestock and livestock products." Farmers will now be able to designate lands used for cultivation as agricultural, and mushrooms will be seen as a significant agricultural crop. The Cornell Small Farms Program offers research and outreach on cultivation strategies and policy work, including factsheets, videos, and an online course in mushroom cultivation.
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Beginning Farmer Online Courses: Group Discounts Available
The Northeast Beginning Farmers Project is offering group discounts on i nteractive 5-7-week courses connect you to the information and people you need to start a successful farm business or diversify your farm. There are a variety of different courses offered throughout the year, which can be found here. If you get 5 beginning farmers together to register for a online course, you will receive a 25% ($50/per person) discount for that class! Each 6-week course costs $200 normally ($150 with the group discount). Courses are instructor-led, with a real-time webinar featuring farmers, educators, researchers, and other ag professionals each week; and discussions, resources, and homework between webinars in an online "classroom." Contact Erica Frenay at [email protected] with any questions.
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Cover Crop and Reduced Tillage Workshop for Organic Vegetable Growers
October 16, 2015, 10:00am-3:30pm, USDA-NRCS Big Flats Plant Materials Center
This cover crop workshop is targeted for small scale vegetable producers. Speakers from NRCS, Cornell University, and Kings Agriseeds will present throughout the event, and there will be an opportunity to observe multiple cover crop plots and reduced tillage demonstration. The event is free, but lunch may be purchased for $10.00. To view the workshop schedule and register, click here.
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Develop and Explore your Farm or Food Business Idea
October 21, 7:00pm, Groundswell Offices, 225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY
Thinking of starting your own business in farming or food, need to bounce your ideas of others? Join Groundswell , Alternatives FCU, and Cornell Coop Extension for a chance to "workshop" your business ideas! Experienced staff will lead a group discussion to help you develop and refine your idea and get one step closer to making it a reality. We will also tell you about the great upcoming business planning classes offered by Groundswell & AFCU and help you decide if you are ready. The event is free, but please register by emailing [email protected]. |
Beef Quality Assurance Workshop
October 26, 2015, 5:30pm-9:00pm, Shepard Settlement Farm, Marcellus, NY
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County (CCE) will be hosting a Beef Quality Assurance Workshop aimed at raising consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be. For more information, contact Erin Hull at [email protected] or at 315-424-9485 ext. 224.
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American Farmland Trust: Harvesting Opportunities in New York
November 4, 2015, 8:30am-5:00pm, Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, NY
American Farmland Trust is excited to announce that the next Harvesting Opportunities in New York Conference will be held November 4th in Albany! This conference is for people who care about New York agriculture and want to work together to grow local food economies, protect farmland from development, promote environmental stewardship on farms and support the next generation of farmers. The conference will offer nearly 20 workshops with more than 50 speakers. Conference tracks include: Save Farms in your Local Community, Buy Local, Keep Farmers on the Land, Agricultural Stewardship in a Changing Climate, Local Agriculture and Land Use Leadership Institute, and Spread the Word. More information about the conference and registration can be found here.
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Raw Milk Workshop
November 13 & 14, 2015, SUNY Cobleskill
SUNY Cobleskill is offering a 2 day workshop in November on best practices when producing raw milk products. Through lectures and farm tours, learn about NY raw milk rules and regulations, liability insurance and risk, quality milk production, innovative technologies for raw milk products, and much more! For information about the speakers at the workshop and available hotels, as well as workshops fees and regi stration information, view the brochure here. The registration deadline is Monday. November 2, 2015. Register here.
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MANY MORE EVENTS at our Statewide Events Calendar.
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Career, Etc. Opportunities
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Cultivating Community Seeks Farm Manager and Educator
Cultivating Community creates and sustains greater access to healthy, local foods, and advocates for ecological and sustainable food production. The Farm Manager and Educator is responsible for overall farm management and stewardship of Cultivating Community's principal incubator training farm in Lisbon, Maine as well as smaller sites in the Greater Portland area. Experience working with diverse populations, participatory adult education, substantial experience with diversified agricultural systems, and experience managing diversified vegetable farms are necessary prerequisites for this position. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by Monday, October 12.
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NCAT Seeks Director of Northeast Office
The National Center for Appropriate Technology is looking for a motivated, enthusiastic sustainable agriculture specialist to serve as Director of the Northeast Regional Office. The director must be experienced and skilled at building and developing relationships with sustainable and organic farmers and agriculture organizations as well as working with more conventional operations to develop sustainable practices. The position is based in our office in Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania, and requires the equivalent of a MA/MS degree plus a minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience. More information and application materials can be found here. Applications will be accepted through October 15, 2015 or until a suitable candidate can be identified.
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Position Available: CCE Ulster County Livestock Educator
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County Livestock Resource Educator develops, designs, implements and evaluates educational and applied research programs for livestock producers including beef, sheep, and swine and poultry. The position also includes conducting extension education programs utilizing a variety of informal education methodologies. This position will require the use of multiple delivery methods and the individual employed must have the ability to manage multiple projects. Applications are due on October 29, 2015. Any questions can be directed to Leah Cadwallader at [email protected] or (845)340-3990 x314.
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Annie's Project: Empowering Women in Agriculture
Annie's Project is a six-week course designed especially for farm women to help them develop their management and decision-making skills for their farms. This course is designed for farm women who have been in farming, part of farming for at lest the last five years, and want to develop their understanding, interpretation, and opportunities in sustainable agriculture. In this course, farm women have the opportunity to learn from female agricultural professionals and network with other women in similar situations. The course is offered in Broome, Madison, and Onondaga counties. Pre-registration is required by October 5, 2015. For more information and registration, click here.
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New York Farm Viability Institute: Grants for Farmer-Relevant Projects
NYFVI is a farmer-led nonprofit organization dedicated to helping New York farms become more profitable. The NYFVI competitive grant program connects farmer-identified needs to practical research and education solutions for positive farm-level impact. Projects may range from improving operational practices through applied research and education to developing new routes to market for product. Proposals up to $150,000 will be accepted. Awards will be announced in the spring. All applications must be submitted online at db.NYFVI.org. Applicants are encouraged to email [email protected] for help with proposal development. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 15, 2015.
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Agricultural Marketing Services: Specialty Crop Multi-State Program Grant Opportunity
Approximately $3 million will be available through the Agricultural Marketing Services to fund applications that address the following regional or national level specialty crop issues: food safety; plant pests and disease; research; crop-specific projects addressing common issues; and marketing and promotion. For more information and instructions on how to apply, click here.
Applications are due by January 14, 2016.
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Fund-a-Farmer Grants Available
Fund-a-Farmer is currently accepting applications for the 2016 round of grant funding. The grants target working, independent, family farmers who raise pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, dairy cows and/or beef cattle, and prioritize projects that transition farms to being pasture-based or that improve existing pasture.. Applications will only be considered from farms already considered highly welfare-oriented as determined by holding one of the following certifications for their animals or actively working toward one of these certifications: AGA certified grassfed, certified humane, USDA certified organic, animal welfare approved, certified naturally grown, or Global Animal Partnership levels 4-5+. Read the grant guidelines here, download a PDF of the grant application, or visit the website for more information . Applications are due by November 3, 2015.
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 USDA Guide to Running a Food Hub - Volume 2 The USDA recently released the second of a multi-volume report series which provides in-depth guidance on starting and running a food hub enterprise. The report's main focus is on the operational issues faced by food hubs, including choosing an organizational structure, choosing a location, deciding on infrastructure and equipment, logistics and transportation, human resources, and risks. The report is available online as a PDF. |
 SARE Organic Transition Business Planner SARE's new Organic Transition: A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers and Food Entrepreneurs is the perfect tool to help business owners develop an actionable organic transition plan suitable for management teams and lenders. The Organic Transition Planner explores organic transition strategies and asks critical questions that help you decide whether organic makes sense for your farm or business. Farmers bring the planning process alive by sharing their personal transition challenges and the business plans that helped them succeed. The Organic Transition Planner is available as a free download, or print copies can be ordered for $16 by calling (301) 779-1007. |
Cabbige - The Essential Tool for Managing a Farm Business
Cabbige helps growers increase revenue, optimize pricing, focus on the most profitable products and sales channels, and plan effectively for upcoming seasons. It features a pricing tool that tells you the most profitable price for each of your crops throughout the season, as well as keeps you on top of the market trends and fluctuations that impact your bottom line. It also provides a full break-down of your harvest and sales figures by crop, date, and channel to help you plan better for next season. Visit the website to learn more and subscribe.
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Farm Commons: Farm Employment Law
Farm commons has released a new publication called Farm Employment Law: Know the Basics and Make them Work for Your Farm. The guide introduces the general structure of farm employment laws and regulations across the country. It covers ways farmers can not just comply, but maybe even use them to their advantage! It is incredibly important for farmers to know what the law requires of them and how they can meet their obligations. The guide can be found here. To view other Farm Commons publications, click 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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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.
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