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November 16th, 2015
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
Featured Resource 
MeatSuite - A New Marketing Outlet
Are your sales dwindling? Do you need an outlet for your product?  Are you raising livestock to sell for meat and want to sell in bulk quantities? You now have the opportunity to add your farm to a free online directory of regional livestock farms selling meat in bulk quantities. MeatSuite is free for farms and consumers. Creating a MeatSuite profile is an easy way to reach new potential customers and expand your farm's online presence. MeatSuite offers you an opportunity to explain to consumers why your farm is unique. Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension has all of the information you need to create a profile. Contact your local CCE agent by visiting the online map here
Announcements
Learn to farm online this winter from NE Beginning Farmer Project
Winter is a great time for farmers to rest, slow down the pace, and build new skills for the coming growing season. The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the winter roster of online courses available through its Northeast Beginning Farmer Project. These courses help farmers learn from the latest research-based education. Learn which courses would be best for you, read about our team of experienced instructors, see answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and view the calendar of course offeringsCourses often fill very quickly, so don't miss your chance to sign up today!
Events
First Farmer 2 Farmer: Grant Opportunities for Farmers
November 18, 6:30-8:30pm. CCE Tompkins County offices, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY
The topic first Farmer to Farmer Discussion is Grant Opportunities for Farmers! Learn about three NYS grant sources: NYS New Farmer Grants, the Climate Resilient Farming Fund and the Southern Tier Agriculture Fund. The Farmer 2 Farmer series is a farmer discussion group that provides a great opportunity to meet and learn from other farmers with similar operations. Please email Matt at [email protected] by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 17th if you plan to attend. Soup and bread will be provided. For more information and assistance contact Monika Roth at (607) 272-2292 or [email protected].
Organic Dry Bean Discussion
December 1, 9am-1pm. CCE Ontario County, 480 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY
Discussion and networking will continue on the potential opportunities and challenges of increased organic dry bean production in New York State. The demand for organic dry beans continues to increase. While there are a number of growers producing organic dry beans in NY it is a very small percentage of the total dry bean production in the state.  The interest in this topic is broad based, and includes growers, shippers, processors, brokers, NY Certified Organic, and NOFA-NY. Topics covered will include: the exploration of the demand for increased organic dry bean production, the discussion of the specifics of producing organic dry beans, the discussion of organic certification of farms and facilities, and brainstorming matching organic dry bean production with cleaning capacity.
All those interested in organic dry bean production and marketing are invited to join the discussion at Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County. There is no charge but please preregister by Tuesday, November 24.  Contact Carol MacNeil at [email protected] or 585-313-8796.
MANY MORE EVENTS at our Statewide Events Calendar.
Career, Etc. Opportunities
Hiring: Livestock Coordinator on Grass-Based Nonprofit Farm (Pine Plains, NY)
Sky High Farm is a non-profit organization that is committed to addressing food security and nutrition by improving access to nutritious food for New Yorkers living in underserved communities. The farm sustainably grows organic fruits and vegetables and raises livestock exclusively for the purpose of donation. They are currently hiring for a highly motivated individual who will carry out the day-to-day responsibilities and assist in the long-term strategic planning for a diversified, grass-based livestock operation. The candidate will coordinate the raising of grass-fed steer and sheep, hogs, broiler chickens and layers. The candidate will also participate in other farm activities such as vegetable production, educational initiatives for visitors with a focus on sustainable livestock production methods, and the training/mentoring of farm interns during the summer season. For more information and application materials contact Sam Rose, Farm Manager, at [email protected].
Organic Farmer (Seasonal, April-October) starting April 2016
Everblossom Farm is hiring an organic farmer to join their crew next season! Everblossom Farm is a certified organic, woman owned farm in East Berlin, PA. Farmers work 45+ hours per week, paid hourly, April-October. This person will report to the farm manager, and will have primary duties of field work - harvesting crops according to our standard practices (there will be training), weeding, sorting, assisting with any manual labor on the farm. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 season of farming experience, and be able to integrate instruction and feedback - farmers market or food retail experience is a bonus. To apply send cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references to [email protected]. Visit everblossomfarm.com/job-opportunities for a detailed job description.
CSA Program Coordinator starting January 2016
Everblossom Farm is hiring a part time CSA coordinator (year round) starting in January to lead member customer interaction, social media, online portal management, share packing and ensure great service. Must have a "do whatever it takes" personality and be a problem solver. 25+ hours weekly, half days on farm and independent phone/email work from home. Excel and web savvy are musts. Quickbooks is a plus. Visit everblossomfarm.com/job-opportunities for a detailed job description. Email [email protected] to apply with cover letter, resume and 3 professional references.

HELP WANTED: CHEESEMAKERS
East Hill Creamery is in need of three cheesemakers for their Creamery. Training will be provided - prior experience is not necessary, but a willingness to learn and develop new skill sets is. For job duties and requirements, visit East Hill Creamery's website. To apply, please send a resume with cover letter to East Hill Creamery, LLC, 346 South Main St., Perry, NY 14530 or [email protected].
Pilot Project Looking for Fruits and Vegetables
The New York State Office of General Services is looking for vendors to participate in the USDA's Pilot Project for Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables. The goal of the Pilot Project is to develop opportunities for schools to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with USDA funding, and develop new relationships with farmers, growers, produce wholesalers and distributors. This is a great opportunity for farmers, growers and food hubs to grow and expand their local customer base. Vendors of all sizes are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact Diane Green at the NYS Office of General Services at (518) 473-9386 or [email protected].
Farm Production Manager Needed
Cloud Mountain Farm Center is looking for an experienced individual who has a passion for growing food using sustainable agricultural practices. This position is responsible for all food production crops at the Center. The Farm Production Manager collaborates and works closely with other permanent staff to meet the Center's overall "field to market" goals. Specifically, this position collaborates with the other staff that are responsible for Farmer's Markets, Packing, Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing. Much of the food production labor in the growing season comes from our paid Intern Staff. In addition, this position works closely with the Nursery Production and Propagation Manager on Nursery specific crops. This position will manage a full time Farm Lead to assist in meeting the overall responsibilities of the Farm Production Manager. Interested applicants can send resume information to Please send resume to Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Rd., Everson, WA 98247 or email to [email protected].
Funding Opportunities
Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $48 million in grants to solve critical specialty crop challenges through the integration of research and extension activities. The grants will be funded through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), administered by NIFA and made available through the 2014 Farm Bill. The purpose of the SCRI program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. For more information and to apply, visit nifa.usda.gov. Applications are due December 3, 2015.
Annie's Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program
Annie's is pleased to announce that they are again offering $150,000 in scholarship funds to students studying sustainable agriculture. Sustainable and organic agriculture is at the very root of everything they do. They believe healthy soils and healthy farms are the foundation for healthy foods, and we're proud to support the next generation of farmers. Undergraduate and graduate students studying at an accredited US college or university are eligible to apply. Please visit the webpage here to learn more and to download the application. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2016.
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers. According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service's most recent Ag Census data, the number of young people entering farming continues to decline, but the number of new farmers and ranchers over the age of 35 rises, as does the number of smaller farms and ranches nationwide. Ensuring there will be a "new generation" of beginning farmers and ranchers-regardless of age or production choice-is especially important to the continuation of agricultural production in the United States. Find more information and apply for the grant here. Applications are due January 21, 2016.
Latest Resources
This publication is a decision-making tool designed to assist with the development of actionable production, marketing, human resource and finance strategies when considering the switch to organic. The Organic Transition Planner includes worksheets as well as three business plans developed by transitioning dairy, row crop, and vegetable farmers. Download a copy for free here or contact USDA SARE at (301) 779-1007 for a $16 print copy of the publication. 
Marketing for Hippies is a blog run by self-proclaimed hippy Tad Hargrave, and he has recently published a series of posts directed at farmers who are selling at farmers' markets. His Farmer's Market Marketing Series contains 13 different posts on topics from pricing to customer engagement. He has also included 10 other resources and publications that detail how to sell at farmer's markets. Click on the links above to visit his blog and the Farmer's Market Marketing Series respectively.
This publication features livestock, field crop, and vegetable producers who, during 2012-2015, were in the process of transitioning or who had been recently certified organic. Each profile addresses organic transition strategies (full transition, gradual transition, immediate transition, and split transition), challenges encountered, and outcomes deemed "most satisfying." Download the publication here or contact MISA for a print copy of the publication at (612) 625-8235 or [email protected].
Get Connected!
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.
About
SFP Small Farms Program Logo
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.