The Cornell Small Farms Program is preparing the next generation of farmers and ranchers to scale up their operations and reach key business milestones, thanks to a new   grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The new program from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provides a crucial skillset beginning farmers need to scale up and achieve the 10-year milestone of remaining in business, by preparing them to hire, manage and retain skilled employees. The project is part of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, which aims to help address issues associated with the rising age and decreasing numbers of U.S. farmers and ranchers. Learn more about this program in the press release here.

Evening of January 5 & all day January 6. Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, 5275 NY-31, Verona, NY 13478

The 2018 New York State Maple Conference Friday evening program will feature two great options starting at 5:30. Right after these two concurrent sessions the VVS FFA will host the sixth annual maple conference auction.  This auction gets bigger and better each year, come prepared to buy and sell. This year's Maple Conference will be held in the same great location, the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in Verona, New York on Friday evening January 5th and all day Saturday, January 6th. Opportunities include having access to the large trade show with many exhibitors displaying plenty of specialized equipment for meeting maple producer needs. Again the 2018 Maple Conference will feature over 40 educational sessions on a vast variety of topics including sessions on all aspects of producing and marketing maple syrup and maple products. The conference is open to the general public, as well as maple producers, and is geared to all levels of sugar makers. Saturday's trade show opens at 8:00 AM with workshops starting at 9:00AM.  With over 40 workshops available, you will have some hard decisions to make. For additional information contact V.V.S. FFA advisor Keith Schiebel at  kschiebel@vvsschools.org.

January 9 - March 6. 

Just Be Cause Center, 1013 W State St, Ithaca, NY 14850

Journey's End Refugee Services seeks a full time Program Manager for a refugee agriculture education program in the city of Buffalo.  Main responsibilities include facilitation of an 8-week workshop series, management of an urban training farm, collaboration with program partners, and grant implementation and reporting. Interested applicants should have a degree or extensive experience in an agriculture-related field, as well as two years program management experience.  A complete job description can be found here. To apply, s end resume, cover letter, and three references to  jobs@jersbuffalo.org.

NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC is a non-profit, USDA-accredited organic certification agency, whose primary purpose is to provide high integrity organic certification to over 1,000 organic farmers and processors throughout New York State and surrounding areas. NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC is hiring a full-time  Certification Specialist. Training provided along with the ability for a flexible work location at home or at NOFA-NY Binghamton, NY office. A candidate who can regularly visit the Binghamton, NY office is preferred, though flexibility in location is possible. This position will take approximately one year to master - serious applicants only. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to email a resume and letter of interest to  Lori@nofany.org. See the full job description  here.

The Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture program ( ENYCH) is looking for 2 full time field research technicians. One of them would be located in the greater Albany region, the other in the Champlain Valley region. Both technicians would be working in specialty crops including tree fruit, grapes, vegetables and berries.  Under the direction of regional fruit specialists (Extension Associates), the Project Field Technician in the NY Capital District Region and the 

Project Field Technician in the NY Lake Champlain Valley Region  will each provide technical and program support in carrying out research and outreach that will ultimately enhance the profitability and sustainability of the tree fruit, small fruit, grape and vegetable industry served by the ENYCH. Interested and qualified applicants can apply here for the Capital District position and here for the Lake Champlain Valley Region.

Main Street Farms is a diversified organic vegetable farm located in Cortland, NY serving a CSA, farmers market, and wholesale customers. We have 30 acres in vegetables, 20 acres in cover crops and plenty of land to keep expanding on. As a rapidly expanding business we are looking for a motivated individual to help us manage our fields as we scale up to reach these goals. We are looking for a dedicated individual with a commercial farming background. Top candidates will bring new skills and knowledge in sustainable vegetable production and a strong motivation to enhance our practices and refine our systems to become more streamlined and efficient. Candidates with previous field management experience on large, diversified, organic, vegetable farms will be best suited to the position. Apply by January 5, 2018 by sending your resume and cover letter to  help@mainstreetfarms.com.

The Northeast region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is currently seeking individuals to serve on its leadership committees. Northeast SARE is inviting applications to serve on the program's Administrative Council and Technical Committee. The Administrative Council (AC) is Northeast SARE's 20-member leadership committee. The primary function for the AC is the review and evaluation of grant proposals. AC members also provide input and advice to guide program and policy development. Currently, Northeast SARE is seeking a farmer representative to serve on the AC. Interested candidates for the AC should submit an application that includes: 1) a cover letter that describes why they wish to serve and what they would bring to the Northeast SARE program, 2) a brief resume or a few paragraphs describing their relevant background and experience, and 3) a profile of the farm they operate. Send applications to  northeastsare@uvm.edu by no later than  January 15, 2018. The candidate selected would start at the summer AC meeting in July 2018.

 

Northeast SARE is also seeking members for its Technical Committee (TC). The primary function of the TC is the review of proposals for the program's six grants programs. Currently, Northeast SARE is seeking representatives with a wide range of sustainable agriculture experience. Farmers, Extension educators, nonprofit staff, federal and state employees, and other service providers who regularly work in the farm and food system communities throughout the Northeast are encouraged to apply. Candidates interested in the TC should submit a description of their agriculturally-relevant experience, specific subject matter expertise, and their full contact information to  northeastsare@uvm.edu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

The FruitGuys Community Fund provides grants up to $5,000 to small farms and agricultural nonprofits for sustainability projects that have large positive impacts on the environment, local food systems, and farm diversity. Projects should help farms and/or orchards operate more sustainably, both environmentally and economically, as well as strengthen community outreach. There is a preference for farms located within 250 miles of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Dallas, Boston, Baltimore, New York, or Atlanta. A letter of intent to apply is due January 8, 2018. Apply here.

The Cornell Small Farms Program is currently offering scholarships to veterans and active duty military personnel in New York to attend the "Baskets to Pallets: Preparing Small and Mid-Size Farmers to Enter Food Hubs, Cooperatives, Restaurants and Groceries" training on January 29th and 30th. The scholarship will cover up to $100 in hotel, mileage and registration fees. Contact Kat McCarthy at  kmm485@cornell.edu for information on the scholarships.