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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 Video Interview: Selling Produce to a Grocery Have you considered selling to a grocery store? In this introductory video clip, Dave Corsi from Wegmans Food Markets (NY) and Julie Blackman from Blackman Homestead Farm (Lockport, NY) talk about expectations and marketing. For other conversations between Dave Corsi and Julie Blackman, see "Selling Produce to Wegmans" Clips 2-4. This clip is part of the Baskets to Pallets Farmer-Buyer Video Series project.
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Now Available: Baskets to Pallets Teaching Manual (1st Edition)
 The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the new Baskets to Pallets Teaching Manual (1st Edition). The 16 lesson plans in the Manual are intended for an audience of small and mid-scale farmers in New York and the Northeast, who have been primarily direct marketing, but who are seeking to explore wholesale markets -- specifically groceries, food hubs, restaurants or cooperatives. The Manual contains a series of presentations, discussions, activities, videos and other teaching resources that an agricultural service provider can adapt and tailor to local farmer audiences. To access the Manual, fill out the user request form. The Baskets to Pallets Teaching Manual was produced in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Northeast SARE. For more information, contact Project Manager Violet Stone at [email protected] or 607-255-9227.
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Grants Awarded to New York State Agricultural Experimental Station
The New York State Agricultural Experimental Station received four grants to support research in organic grains, malting barley production, and apple varieties for hard cider.
The grant comes from $1.1 million dedicated to projects that strengthen the research, promotion, and development of New York State's agriculture industry.
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean and Goichman Family Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station Dr. Susan K. Brown said, "We greatly appreciate this generous investment, which helps support the College of Agriculture and Life Science's (CALS) and its New York State Agricultural Experiment Station's (NYSAES) commitment to deliver outstanding science and outreach essential to the expanding brewing and farm-based beverage industry in New York State. Our partnership with growers, producers, and entrepreneurs, fosters economic development, and expands the diversity and quality of New York beverages available to consumers."
More information can be found here. |
Interested In Presenting At NESAWG 'It Takes a Region Conference'?
NESAWG is currently accepting proposals for sessions for the 2016 It Takes a Region Conference. The
Conference, now in its 23rd year, brings together practitioners and professionals from across the Northeast to explore ideas that move us towards a more sustainable and just farm and food system. This year's conference theme is Tackling Wicked Problems in Food Systems. Proposal submissions are due by June 30th at midnight. More information and to how to submit a proposal can be found here. |
CADE Hop Yard Walk
June 18, 2016. 10:00AM-4:00PM, Oneonta, NYCADE (the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship) is hosting two hop yard walks. The Hop Yard Walks will be lead by Lily Calderwood who has experience in hop pest management, agronomy, harvesting and processing. The day will begin at Braunius Hop Farm in Mount Vision where participants will learn about hop yard layout, agronomic timing, fertility, irrigation, harvesting and processing. There will be a two-hour break for travel and lunch. The afternoon session at Catskill Hops Farm in Meredith will focus on pest management including weed control, potato leafhopper, hop aphid, two-spotted spider mite and downy mildew management. Find more information here.
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Management of Internal Parasites in Sheep & Goats
Saturday, July 16th - 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. CCE Ontario, Canandaigua, NY
Internal parasites are the number one health problem affecting sheep and goats. This workshop is designed to help producers develop IPM programs for their farms. The workshop will provide hands-on training in using the FAMACHA Anemia Guide, and health exams to determine the need for de-worming. Participants will receive a FAMACHA Guide� and IPM handouts. Microscopes will be available for the fecal worm egg identification and counting. Participants may bring a refrigerated sample from an animal.
In the interest of biosecurity, PLEASE wear clean clothes and shoes to the workshop and plan on changing your clothes upon returning to your own farm before doing chores. You may also bring your own microscope.
Cost: $25.00 per person, with each additional farm member $10.00. Pre-registration requested by July 12.
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Veteran Ice Cream Social with Ag Service Providers
July 26, 2016, 6:30-8:00PM. CCE Broome County
Calling at Veterans located in the Southern Tier:
Are you interested in getting into farming but don't know where to start? Does the idea of accessing loans, finding land, writing a business plan or figuring out what you want to do give you anxiety? Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County will be hosting an ice cream social at the Broome County Fair where you can visit with all the agricultural service providers in the region, including Farm Bureau, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil & Water, Farm Service Agency, Small Business Development Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, Department of Labor Ag Liason & more!
Register here.
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 NOFA-NY On Farm Field Days June-October
NOFA-NY has just announced the 2016 Organic On Farm Field Days. NOFA-NY is participating in over 20 statewide events this year led by some of the most knowledgeable organic farmers, gardeners, and researchers in New York. Field Days will take place in Alleghany, Columbia, Cortland, Dutchess, Herkimer, Jefferson, Madison, Ontario, Seneca, Suffolk, Tioga, Tompkins, and Ulster counties. For a complete list of events, view the brochure here.
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MANY MORE EVENTS at our Statewide Events Calendar.
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Career, Etc. Opportunities
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 Rutland Area Farm & Food Link: Executive Director Position RAFFL, a non-profit organization based in Rutland, Vermont, is working to build connections that grow a strong agricultural economy and healthy community, envisioning a region that has a vibrant, interconnected and organized farm and food sector that benefits all residents. The Executive Director is first and foremost a passionate advocate and champion of and for RAFFL's mission to generate connections that build a strong agricultural economy and healthy community. Critical to this role is the ability to foster and steward the essential relationships that are key to RAFFL's goals and objectives. These relationships include RAFFL's employees and volunteers, farmers and their supporters, government agencies and applicable NGO's, as well as the local community and business leaders. Trustworthiness, humility and a practical world view will prove essential characteristics to effectively lead this organization. For more information visit the website here. |
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UVM Extension seeks Master Gardener State Coordinator
The Vermont Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program has three basic functions: member education by training new Extension Master Gardener and Vermont Master Composter students and providing continuing education to members, operating the Garden Information Helpline, and placing EMG volunteer educators in outreach projects throughout Vermont. This position provides leadership for the University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Program and Master Composter Program. Responsibilities include development of new and established on-line education including webinars, program budgeting, grant writing, soliciting of commercial and community resources of funding, as well as oversight of Volunteer coordinators, Steering Teams, Advisory Board and EMG regional Chapters. Coordinate program publicity, maintain Helpline, provide input for website, be a resource for more than 500 program volunteers throughout Vermont. Other duties as assigned.
For more information and to apply, visit the job posting at https://www.uvmjobs.com/postings/19767.
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Hudson Valley Farm and Food Business Accelerator Program
 Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) has announced the Farm and Food Business Accelerator (FFBA) Program, an intensive training program to help farmers and food entrepreneurs develop the necessary skills and materials to scale their business, build sales, and access financial sources. The six month curriculum will begin in October 2016, and culminate with participants having the opportunity to pitch potential funders in spring 2017. FFBA applicants must be a farm, food, fiber or agriculture-dependent business having their home office, farm or production facility in the Hudson Valley, and sourcing the majority of their product ingredients from the region, as well as the majority of their labor force. Applications and additional information may be found at www.hvadc.org.
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Conservation Innovation Grants
The Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) is a voluntary, competitive grants program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative approaches and technologies for conservation on agricultural lands. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New York State announces up to $150,000 in available funding for qualifying projects under the Conservation Innovation Grants Program. CIG is used to apply or demonstrate previously proven technology in order to increase adoption with an emphasis on opportunities to measure proven, emerging conservation strategies. Proposals must be received by 4:30pm on July 1, 2016. Application and information can be found here.
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Agriculture Marketing Service Organic Certification Cost Share Programs
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Fiscal Year 2016 Request for Applications is now available. Two organic certification cost share programs are offered in 2016, which assist certified organic operations in defraying the costs associated with organic certification. The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program provides $10.7 million of assistance and is available to producers and handlers. The AMA program provides $932,000 in assistance in fiscal year 2016. Applications must be received by July 5, 2016. More information can be found here.
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AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area
The long-term goal of the AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area is to tackle critical water issues by developing both regional systems for the sustainable use and reuse, flow and management of water, and at the watershed and farm scales, water issues focused on production and environmental sustainability efforts. Project types supported within this Challenge area are multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Enhancement (FASE) Grants. There is an amount of $10,700,000 available. Proposals are due August 4, 2016. More information, along with the request for applications, can be found here.
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Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Rural Businesses
The USDA is seeking applications for grants to provide assistance to socially-disadvantaged business groups in rural areas. Recipients eligible for these grants include groups of cooperatives, individual cooperatives and cooperative development centers that serve socially-disadvantaged groups. The USDA is making $3 million in grants available with the maximum award to a recipient being $175,000. Applications must be submitted by August 5, 2016, or electronically by August 1, 2016. More information can be found here.
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SARE Offers Free Online Sustainable Agriculture Courses
Looking to learn more about the core concepts of sustainable agriculture? SARE's online, self-paced sustainable agriculture courses have been updated and expanded to include a course on Agricultural Ecosystem Management. The three courses cover core concepts in sustainable agriculture, its goals and its relevance to every farming and ranching operation, no matter the size. The free courses can be found here.
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Organic Standards Board Releases Spring Meeting Recommendations
Materials from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting held in Washington, DC this April are now available. the NOSB considers and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products. All formal recommendations made by the NOSB regarding crops, handling, livestock and policy development have been posted, along with meeting minutes, transcripts, presentations, and other background materials. This information can be accessed on the USDA website here.
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FMM Pro: SUNY Farmers Market Managers Professional Certification Program
In a partnership between the Farmers Market Federation of NY, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County and SUNY Cobleskill and funded by NYS's Fresh Connect Program; a new online curriculum has been created to train and certify farmers market managers. The course will include all aspects of managing and growing a successful farmers market.
The curriculum will consist of 22 workshops covering 3 basic topics:
-Nuts and Bolts of Managing Markets
-Reaching Out to the Market Community
-Building Market Systems
Access the curriculum here and register here.
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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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