A new handy calendar of veteran events is available on the Farmer Veterans project webpage. You can view the calendar by month or see highlighted upcoming events in the sidebar. Hover over the event to get more information or click on it to link to the event website (where applicable). If you have any questions about particular events, please contact the host organization directly. If you are hosting an agricultural event for veterans and would like to have it added to the calendar, please contact Matt at [email protected]. Include the title of the event, a brief description, date, time, location and a link for more information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced the official launch of GroupGAP, a new certification program that helps small and mid-sized growers and cooperatives meet retailers' on-farm food safety requirements. AMS is now accepting applications for enrollment in GroupGAP, which certifies that grower groups are following industry-recognized food safety practices. By leveraging economies of scale and increasing efficiencies, GroupGAP improves market access for small and midsized farmers and benefits the entire produce industry. Learn more by reading the News Release, or by visiting the GroupGap website.

The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture is one of the premier regional agricultural Cornell Cooperative Extension programs in New York, serving a large multi-county area in the Champlain Valley, Capital Region and Hudson Valley of the state. The Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the vegetable, tree fruit, small fruit and grape industries. The Agricultural Business Management Specialist will provide commercial fruit and vegetable growers and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources in business management and economics of production and marketing resources necessary to assess production and management practices that will enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the fruit and vegetable industries in Eastern New York. Click here for the full job description.

Groundswell is an agriculture education organization based in Ithaca, NY, which focuses on the cultivation of diverse new farmers through experiential, farm-based training and business incubation programs. The Program Coordinator will work closely to assist the Groundswell's Director, Marketing Manager and course coordinators to facilitate primarily the CRAFT program and Homesteading Network tours; however, will also assist with other public programs, courses and events. This is a part-time 20-hour/week, based in Ithaca, NY, starting May 15th. The position is grant-funded through December 2016 with the possibility to renew based on performance and funding. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] or drop-off hard copies to the Groundswell office by April 20, 2016. Learn more about the position at http://groundswellcenter.org/employment/.

Established and strong multigenerational family farm in western NY is looking for an innovative leader to direct a 5,000+ acre cropping operation, a majority of which is organic. Key determinants of success would be (1) Good credibility-based rapport with the staff in the fields; (2) Ability to "take a seat at the table" with the partners and provide strategic guidance that will help in the running of the farm; (3) Good relationship-building skills, and ability to "teach" end customers about the quality and value of their products. Please direct inquiries to [email protected]

The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture is one of the premier regional agricultural Cornell Cooperative Extension programs in New York, serving a large multi-county area in the Champlain Valley, Capital Region and Hudson Valley of the state. The Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the vegetable, tree fruit, small fruit and grape industries. The Vegetable Crops Specialist will provide commercial vegetable growers and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources necessary to assess production and management practices that will enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the vegetable industry in Eastern New York. Click here for the full job description.

The purpose of this U.S. Department of Labor program is to provide career services, training services, housing assistance services, youth services, and other related assistance services. The primary intent of the program is to assist eligible Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers and their dependents, to obtain and retain jobs that provide stable, year-round employment, both within and outside agriculture. There are approximately $75,885,000 total program funds in Employment and Training Grants, and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in Housing Assistance Grants. The deadline to apply is May 3, 2016. For more information, view the RFP here.

USDA has announced more than $1.2 million in available funding to support the development of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture in the United States. The purpose of the Aquaculture Research Program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. and generate new science-based information and innovation to address industry constraints. The Aquaculture Research program will fund projects that directly address major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture industry and focus on one or more of the following program priorities: (1) Genetics of commercial aquaculture species. (2) Critical disease issues impacting aquaculture species. (3) Design of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture production systems. (4) Economic research for increasing aquaculture profitability. Applications are due May 17. Please see the RFA for more information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) to competitively award matching grants to eligible applicants for projects that explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products, and encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Approximately $1 million is available to fund applications under this solicitation. FSMIP funding will be available for use beginning September 30, 2016. A $1 for $1 match consisting of cash and/or in-kind non-Federal resources is required. Applications must be validated by Grants.gov on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 12, 2016. For more information view the the Request for Applications here.

This On-Farm Skills Development Guide is a tool for farmers and mentors to use with employees, beginning farmers or anyone they are teaching to develop a hands-on farm-based learning plan. Beginning farmers also can use it as a self-assessment tool to determine current strengths and weaknesses, and to identify critical learning needs. Click here to view an online version of the guide or here to download an Excel version of the guide. 

"Hay Production Resources for New York and Similar Climates" is a collection of over 165 publications organized into 14 sections. Most information is from University sources. This information will help beginning and experienced farmers alike. If you have questions contact Aaron Gabriel, [email protected], Cornell Cooperative Extension.

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.