Learn the basics of operating a farm! This program is designed for anyone who is exploring the possibility of farming, including landowners and those without land of their own. We will cover some business basics but the main focus will be on soils, land prep, and production of livestock or horticultural crops. The program will involve extension educators and farmers as presenters. Register with Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County by visiting http://db.ccetompkins.org/programs/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=613, calling 607-272-2292 or emailing [email protected].

March 19 & 20, 2016, 10am-4pm. 

6164 Deer Run Ln, Trumansburg NY

As part of New York's statewide Maple Weekend, come visit our forest farm and taste saps from maple, walnut, and sycamore trees. Take a self-guided tour and see a demonstration of mushroom log inoculation. Enjoy fresh, local wood-fired pizzas from The Rusty Oven both Sat and Sun. Saturday there will also be live music and a farm and craft market from 11am-3pm. Sunday will feature a "how-to make maple syrup" workshop at 11am and a "how to grow mushrooms on logs" workshop at 1pm. ($5 fee for each) To keep updated on participating farms and other news visit the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/234672330198156/ and www.wellspringforestfarm.com.

March 23, 2016, 10am-3pm. SUNY Cobleskill Curtis Mott Lounge, 176 Schoharie Pkwy N, Cobleskill, NY

March 30, 2016 10am-1:30pm. Bath Civil Defense Building 3 Pulteney Sq East, Bath, NY OR March 30, 6pm-9pm. Vince's Park, Intersection of Route 318 and 5/20, Seneca Falls, NY

Hobbyist, Homeowner, and Commercial Grower Workshop. Interested in unusual fruits? Come learn all about growing pawpaws and persimmons! Topics include site selection, insects and disease management, pollination and sourcing plants. World renowned speaker and expert Jerry Lehman will be sharing knowledge based on his 25 years' experience. For more in formation contact Roger Ort at 607-535-7161, or email [email protected]. To register for the Seneca Falls workshop, visit here. 

Sky High Farm is a mission-driven 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. We are a small, diverse operation entering our fourth season. Internship Starts: May 30, 2016 Internship Ends: October 14, 2016 Number of Interns: 4 Application Deadline: April 08, 2016 Minimum Length of Stay: Entire Season Preferred. For more information visit www.skyhighfarm.org. For application materials write [email protected]

Heirloom Vegetable Production: You will be involved in all facets of mostly-heirloom vegetable production from seed to storage for a wide variety of heirloom vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and flowers as well as hops, grains and vinifera grapes.  Interest in organic/sustainable practices a must. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Limited group housing may be available. Ideal candidates are reliable, self-motivated and enjoy working in a team environment. Must be able to lift 50-75 lbs. and enjoy working outdoors. Rolling Hills Farm is a highly diversified farm in Westport, New York with a focus on producing clean and natural food using organic and sustainable practices. Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

This program is designed to provide hands-on experience and materials for selected NACAA members to study and become familiar with the basics of sustainable agriculture and alternative farm systems as currently practiced within the four regions of the US Department of Agriculture. This program provides the opportunity to forge new connections with colleagues from other parts of the nation, evaluate agriculture within a social, economic and environmental framework, visit innovative producers that are striving to sustain agriculture for future generations through the use of sustainable practices, and to improve agriculture programs. For more information about the program and to apply, visit www.nacaa.com/awards/.

Farmers and ranchers are important managers of our shared air, water, and soil resources, and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) recognizes and rewards this critical role. CSP is an innovative program for working farms, built on the belief that we must enhance natural resource and environmental protection as we simultaneously produce profitable food, fiber, and energy. By providing comprehensive conservation assistance to whole farms, CSP offers farmers the opportunity to earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, rotational grazing, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and the transition to organic farming - even while they work their lands for production. Farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in CSP this year have until March 31 to submit their initial applications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA will enroll 10 million acres of farm and ranch land in the program this year, with payments to farmers and ranchers of over three-quarters of a billion dollars over the next five years. To learn more about the program, view eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/csp-2016-signup/.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition reports that USDA will offer Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) payments for field border buffers on organic farms. Starting in March, organic farmers will be eligible to enroll windbreaks, filter strips, pollinator strips, and field borders planted to native grasses, shrubs, and trees in the program. CCRP contracts include an annual rental payment, certain incentive payments, and cost-share payments to install practices. To learn more about CCRP, visit the USDA's website or visit http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide/conservation-environment/conservation-reserve-program/.

Two decades after genetically engineered seeds became available, GE varieties are common in U.S. corn, soybean, cotton, canola, and sugarbeet production. Markets for food containing non-GE ingredients also exist. This USDA Economic Research Service report examines organic and conventional product markets, common coexistence practices, and the economic impacts when GE material is detected in non-GE products. You can find both the report summary and the full report at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib-economic-information-bulletin/eib-149.aspx.

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.