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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 The Farmer's Bookshelf Looking for literature? Find publications that cover topics from business planning to grazing in Northeast Beginning Farmers Project's Farmer's Bookshelf. With luck, you may find a few of these publications in your local library. Otherwise, search the titles and you'll find them in your local bookstores or for purchase online. |
Getting Your Produce to Food Stores: Monday, October 19th - Noon to 1pm
 Although Dan and Megan Kent sell some of their produce through direct-marketing channels such as the Canton Farmers Market and a 40 week CSA, they have diversified their marketing mix to include the Potsdam Food Coop and Nature's Storehouse, a natural foods store in Canton, NY. They also have their produce trucked down to Brooklyn where they have business connections with the Park Slope Food Coop, Perelandra Natural Food Center and Flatbush Food Coop. Tune in to this free webinar to learn more about how Dan Kent manages production and marketing to meet the needs of his wholesale customers. This webinar is part of the Small Farms: New Markets series. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register here. Please send inquiries to Project Manager Violet Stone or visit the project website.
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 Pasture Walk October 16th, 5-7pm. 525 Parry Shoemaker Rd., Munnsville, NY Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida and Madison Counties wish to extend an open invitation to all local grazers for an end of season pasture walk on Friday, October 16th. from 5-7:00pm. This free event will be held at the home of Loren and Time Stoltzfus' beef herd. Attendees should use the business driveway for Custom Woodcraft located at this address. Topics to be discussed include marketing options for beef producers and evaluating pasture conditions. Dave Roberts, State Grazing Specialist with NRCS will be our guest speaker. The Stoltzfus Family has generously agreed to prepare and serve a meal for all participants at the conclusion of the discussion. Please RSVP by Wednesday October 14th with Marylynn at 315-736-3394 ext. 132. so as to plan accordingly. |
Free Pest Management Instruction Offered for High Tunnels
October 22, 5:30 PM-7:30pm. Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty, New York 12754
The public is invited to take advantage of a free educational session on Pest Management for High Tunnels in the high tunnel and greenhouse structures at the Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center. Michelle Lipari, CCESC Agriculture Community Educator will guide participants through pest management techniques for season extension structures. Topics covered will include Integrated Pest Management practices for proven pest control, accurate identification of common pests and disease, and control methods paired with equipment to keep pests at bay. This class is free with required pre-registration. Registration and more information can be obtained by calling CCESC at 845-292-6180 or emailing [email protected]. Visit http://sullivancce.org/events for more information.
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Getting Started With Nut Trees
October 29, 6:30-8:30pm. CCE Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Nut trees can provide highly nutritious food for centuries. Local nuts can be used for anything from holiday snacks to staples like flour, oil, and butters. This class, taught by experienced nut growers Brian Caldwell and Akiva Silver, will provide information on growing nut trees in a changing climate, the best types of nuts for growing in NY, harvesting and processing nuts, and samples of several types of local nuts. Pre-registration is required, and the fee is $5-$10 S.S.F. For additional information please call 607-272-2292.
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The 2015 Cornell Agribusiness Strategic Marketing Conference
November 16-17. Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
Registration is now open for the 2015 Cornell Agribusiness Strategic Marketing Conference! The conference will focus on key business principles to improve management and marketing practices, with specific attention on how to develop a brand and then link it to marketing activities that are appropriate to the desired positioning of the business. In addition to speakers from the marketing and brand development industry, successful growers with experience in brand and marketing development will share their experiences with both the thought processes as well as the mechanical aspects related to improving a business's practices in this area. For the full agenda, registration links, and additional conference information, visit the event page on the Cornell Dyson School website.
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MANY MORE EVENTS at our Statewide Events Calendar.
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Career, Etc. Opportunities
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Flower Shop For Sale
Flowers by Christopher's, Inc., located thirty miles south of Ithaca, New York, in the City of Elmira, is selling after twenty-five years of business. Christopher's has been doing business as a hometown florist specializing in innovative custom floral designs, weddings, funerals, plants, silks and home decorating. The business employs three full-time designers, a full-time bookkeeper, and three independent floral delivery personnel. The business includes, building, furniture and fixtures, all inventory and full customer list. Owners are relocating south and are willing to commit thirty days training. This turn-key business is being handled by Warren Reality and is listed at $244,000. Be your own boss and enjoy the profits from your own hard work. Visit http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=19278677&SRID=6340021033&StepID=101 for more information.
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NOFA/Mass Policy Director
Through education and advocacy NOFA/Mass promotes organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities and the planet. The NOFA/Mass Policy Director has overall responsibility for organizational advocacy. The application deadline is Wednesday, Oct 21, 2015. For more information about this position, visit www.nofamass.org/content/nofamass-policy-director.
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Gleaning Opportunities Wanted
Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) and Capital Roots are looking for fruit and vegetable growers that are willing to host gleanings, or donate excess produce from their farms or gardens. The Squash Hunger program at Capital Roots collects and distributes donated produce to local pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens throughout the Capital Region to provide greater nutrition for those most in need. Gleaning is collecting produce that is left over in fields and gardens after the main harvest. When you host a gleaning or donate to Capital Roots, your surplus produce is going to a good cause and all donations are eligible for a tax deduction. Also, your farm's liability is protected under the Good Samaritan Donation Act. Growers are able to meet with experienced staff members to coordinate the gleaning event. Trained volunteers arrive at your farm to carefully pick and pack the produce. Capital Roots then transports and distributes the harvest within the community. Please consider joining the effort to help Squash Hunger in the Capital District! If you are interested in gleaning or donating already harvested produce, please call Elizabeth Burrichter at 518-274-8685 ext.115 or email [email protected].
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 Position Available: 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, swine and poultry. The Educator conducts extension education programs utilizing a variety of informal education methodologies, and makes connections between Cornell and other land grant/research institutions and livestock producers in the Hudson Valley region. There is a regional emphasis and interest in pasture-based livestock systems. This position will require the use of multiple delivery methods and the individual employed must have the ability to manage multiple projects. For more information or to apply, visit this link. Deadline to apply is midnight, Thursday, October 29, 2015. Please contact Leah Cadwallader at [email protected] or (845)340-3990 ext.314 with any questions. |
Estate Gardener/Farmer Position -
Pine Plains, New York
Startup project on a diversified, one-acre farm consisting of organic vegetables, flowers, herbs and berries in scenic rural Dutchess County, New York. Production will be a mix of field, greenhouse and season extenders. Develop highest quality production system and varieties for utilization in value added products, CSA and on site gourmet modernist food lab. Opportunity to grow farm acreage up to 10 acres as the farm is part of a 150 acre estate. Highest quality production is top priority. Farmer(s) will direct operations, as well as manage employees. Expansion will include marketing, diversified crop planning, variety development, education and outreach. Owners are willing and able to invest in infrastructure and expansion. Potential for farmer to actively participate on board of family foundation aimed at nutritional research and grants in organic farming. Position requires a passionate, self motivated quality-oriented organic farmer with at least 5 years of diversified organic food production experience. An experienced couple is a plus. Nearby housing provided, competitive starting salary with health benefits. Position to begin ASAP, with production commencing late winter 2016.
Send resume, three references and letter of interest describing your background and experience to [email protected]
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Agricultural Marketing Services: Specialty Crop Multi-State Program Grant Opportunity
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invites proposals that will increase the capacity of schools to procure and to serve locally-produced specialty crops in school meal programs. Grant awards will be between $25,000 and $100,000. Proposals must be submitted by Monday, October 19 at 4:30 pm. Click here for the full grant description.
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Extension Risk Management Education Competitive Grants Program
The Western Extension Risk Management Education Center, in conjunction with the Northeast, North Central, and Southern Centers, request applications for the Extension Risk Management Education Competitive Grants Program. This announcement seeks applications from eligible organizations with a demonstrated capacity to develop and deliver results/outcome-based risk management education and training programs to agricultural producers and their families. The application deadline is November 16th, 2015. For more information about the program, view the informational PDF or visit http://westrme.wsu.edu/grants-program/.
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USDA Farm Service Agency Grant Opportunity to Expand Farmer Outreach and Education
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering $2.5 million in grants to nonprofits and public institutions of higher education that develop proposals to improve farmer outreach and education on topics such as financial training, value-added production, record keeping, property inheritance and crop production practices. The initiative focuses on new or underserved farmers, returning military veterans, minorities, women, urban or locally-grown producers, and others. Awards between $20,000 and $100,000 per applicant will be available. The deadline for the first of four evaluation periods is November 20, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov. Any questions can be sent to [email protected].
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Two Percent Solutions for the Planet
In Two Percent Solutions for the Planet, author Courtney White profiles fifty innovative practices that soak up carbon dioxide in soils, reduce energy use, sustainably intensify food production, and increase water quality. The "two percent" refers to the amount of new carbon in the soil needed to reap a wide variety of ecological and economic benefits, the percentage of the nation's population who are farmers and ranchers, and the low financial cost (in terms of GDP) needed to get this work done.These short, engaging success stories will help readers connect the dots between diverse, exciting, and pragmatic practices, and inspire them to dig deeper into each individual story and concept, energized by the news that solutions abound.
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NOFA-NY Farmer and Gardener Resource Guide
Farmers, f ind the equipment, supplies and resources you're looking for with NOFA-NY's new online Farmer and Gardener Resource Guide. This guide helps farmers that are certified organic, as well as gardeners and homesteaders interested in organic production practices, find resources to support organic and sustainable growing.
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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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