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 submit, please visit our new online form. 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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 Farmer Veteran Coalition and CCOF Organic Webinar Series CCOF and the Farmer Veteran Coalition have worked in conjunction to produce webinars for veteran farmers who are interested in transitioning to organic. Two of these webinars are targeted at growers in the North East, specifically NY, NJ, and NH. The next upcoming webinar on June 2, 2016 from 1-2:30pm ET, will cover recordkeeping for organic growers. Learn processes to make on-farm organic recordkeeping easier, as well as a framework to assist you in developing a recordkeeping system for your operation that maintains the records needed for organic certification. For more information and to register for this webinar series, visit CCOF's website. |
Small Farm Quarterly Seeks Article & Photo Submissions
The Cornell Small Farms Program is seeking articles and cover photography for its print publication, the Small Farm Quarterly, which is offered four times a year and reaches over 31,000 readers in New York and the Northeast US. The quarterly is offered as a supplement to Country Folks and is produced by Lee Publications. Farmers, extension educators, and service providers are encouraged to submit articles and photos appropriate for a farmer audience that highlight the technical, social, and economic aspects of farming. We are particularly in need of articles on small dairy operations, soil health, adaption to climate change, raising pastured pigs, and urban agriculture. Anyone is welcome to submit articles for consideration. Articles should be 1,000 - 1,600 words in length with 2 - 3 high-resolution pictures. See our writer's guidelines for more information. Topics should be appropriate for a farmer audience, and not promote a single organization or business. We focus on articles with relevant information that helps to improve the practice of farming and enhances the agricultural community in New York and the Northeast. Cover photos should be a minimum of 150 dpi at 8.5" X 11" size. We love photos of food, farm scenery, and people farming. Submissions and any inquiries can be directed to Managing Editor, Steve Gabriel at [email protected].
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USDA Launches First-Ever Local Foods Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the 2015 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey as part of its continued support of local and regional food systems. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting this first-time survey to produce official benchmark data on the local food sector in the United States. The Local Food Marketing Practices Survey will ask producers for information on their production and local marketing of foods during the 2015 calendar year. Information includes the value of food sales by marketing channel (i.e. farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) arrangements, restaurants, roadside stands, food hubs, and more), value of crop and livestock sales, marketing practices, expenses, Federal farm program participation, and more. Producers who receive the 2015 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey from NASS are strongly encouraged to respond. Farmers and ranchers can fill out the survey online via a secure website, www.agcounts.usda.gov, or return their form by mail. For more information about the 2015 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.
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Plant ID and Soil Health Pasture Walk
May 4, 10am to 3pm. Jerry Schlabach and John Troyer Family dairy farms, 5537 Nelson Rd., Canastota, NY
Join us as we welcome the University of Vermont Extension Agronomator and Assistant Professor, Daniel Hudson, who will lead us on a journey into the exciting aspects of plant identification, building soil and pasture management. As an added bonus, NY Organic Dairy Initiative Coordinator, Fay Benson, will feature soil monitoring tools from the mobile National Grazing Lands Coalition Soil Health Trailer. This rolling laboratory available to New York through a five-state Conservation Innovation Grant funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is equipped to measure and demonstrate vital physical, chemical, and biological components of soil health in comparing pasture management plots from the 2 host farms: the Schlabach farm and the Troyer farm. A donation lunch featuring Troyer's grass-fed beef and delectable homemade fare will be available. To reserve your place, please contact, Troy Bishopp at Madison Co. SWCD at (315) 824-9849 ext. 110 or [email protected].
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 Beekeeping Workshop May 14-15, 2016. Heroic Food Farm, 28 Fish and Game Rd. Hudson, NY 12534Learn how to g et started with bees, design and assemble a bee box, and introduce bees to your farm. Also, you will have the opportunity to take field trips to local beekeeping farms! This workshop is open to veterans, veteran spouses and farm partners. Register here for one day or for the whole weekend. Registration fee is $20 per person per day, or $30 per couple - meals included. |
2016 GRASSTRAVAGANZA
August 4-6, 2016. Alfred State College, 10 Upper College Dr., Alfred, NY 14802
The conference Healthy Soils, Healthy Animals, Healthy Farms, will feature presentations by national and local grazing and soil health experts who will cover a range of topics, interactive soil health related activities, and a trade show. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Fred Provenza, Professor Emeritus, Department of Wildlife and Resources, Utah State University, who is best known for his work in managing animal behavior to interact with landscapes through grazing. Other speakers will include:
- Justin Morris, NRCS Soil Health Specialist
- Matt Ehrhart, Director of Watershed Restoration at the Stroud Water Research Center, an independent research institution focused on stream and river ecology
- Dr. Hue Karreman (tentative), a "first generation" organic veterinarian, having begun using alternative treatments in 1988 as a herdsman on a Bio-Dynamic farm
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MANY MORE EVENTS at our Statewide Events Calendar.
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Career, Etc. Opportunities
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Farm Business Incubator Opportunity
Glynwood seeks to add entrepreneurs to the Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator for 2017. Deadline for applications is August 31. Interested farmers are encouraged to indicate their interest in applying soon. Glynwood is happy to provide assistance through the application process. Please see the RFP for application details. Priority enterprises for 2017 include pigs, sheep, goats or poultry, as they are complementary to the current roster of start-up businesses and well-suited to the Incubator property.
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Director of Cropping Operations -
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].
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Request for Projects in Community Integrated Pest Management
- Due May 8th
The New York State Integrated Pest Management (NYS IPM) Program helps New Yorkers address pest problems while minimizing environmental, health, and economic risks through the use of innovative biological, cultural, technological, and educational practices. Community IPM refers to the practice of IPM in settings other than agricultural production. The NYS IPM Program invites grant proposals from Cornell campus-based faculty and staff and off-campus Cornell-based Cooperative Extension educators interested in initiating, developing, evaluating, or demonstrating the feasibility of IPM methods. Applicants outside of the Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension systems should contact Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann ( [email protected]) prior to submission to determine if funding is possible with a Cornell partner. Budgets may not exceed $8,000. Project awards will be announced in June 2016, and funds must be spent b February 28, 2017. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 8, 2016 at 5pm. Only electronic copies of proposals will be accepted. Submit an electronic copy in .pdf format to [email protected]. For the full request for projects or to see Community IPM research priorities, visit www.nysipm.cornell.edu/grantspgm/rfp.
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Northeast Sustainable Ag (NESARE) Graduate Student Grants - Due May 10th
This grant is for graduate students who are researching topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers--extension staff, NRCD personnel, and others in the agricultural community. The goal of this grant program is to support graduate students who are doing research on topics specific to sustainable agriculture under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Because universities typically do not allow students to manage institutional grants, the applicant's faculty advisor will be named the principal investigator if a grant is awarded.Grants are capped at $15,000 and projects can run up to two years. For more info, see http://www.nesare.org/Grants/Get-a-Grant/Graduate-Student-Grant
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Conservation Innovation Grants - Due May 10th
The purpose of this U.S. Department of Agriculture program is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative approaches and technologies for conservation on agricultural lands. These grants benefits agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. Maximum funding of $2,000,000 is available over a period of up to 3 years. Proposals must be received by NRCS before 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on May 10, 2016. Read the entire Request for Proposals, or apply online at www.grants.gov.
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The purpose of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program is to address high priority issues related to pests and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will increase food security and respond effectively to other major societal challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, environmentally sound and will help protect human health. The CPPM program addresses IPM challenges for emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns that can be addressed more effectively with new and emerging technologies. The outcomes of the CPPM program are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound IPM practices and strategies supporting more vital communities. Visit the program webpage to apply or read the full RFP. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, June 8, 2016.
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 High Tunnel Tree Fruit and Grape Production for Eastern Growers
ATTRA has a new publication for growers in the eastern part of the country who are interested in fruit trees and grapes. High tunnels make possible organic production of tree fruits and table grapes in the eastern United States, where greater rainfall (compared to the West) makes organic field production very difficult. This new ATTRA publication, "High Tunnel Tree Fruit and Grape Production for Eastern Growers" identifies fruits that hold the most potential for profitable high tunnel culture. It also identifies several limitations and potential pitfalls growers must recognize if such a venture is to be profitable. |
Farmstand Finder App
Hello Local Farms! Farmstand Finder is an app for all mobile devices that enables users to upload and find local fresh foods from YOUR farmstands. Download Farmstand Finder for Android and iPhone to instantly upload a farm stand from your device. Alternatively, you can enter your farm stand's full information in the form here and it will be added to the database of farm stands within 1 week. We need your help - upload your farm today!
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May Dairy & Field Crops Digest
This newsletter from Cornell Cooperative Extension South Central New York Dairy and Field Crops addresses production and management issues for dairy and field crops farm management. View the May Issue, or visit their newsletter archive to read past digests.
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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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