Cornell Cooperative Extension will be hosting a series of four workshops across New York related to hiring, training, retaining, and working with employees within a farm business. Coming up on March 6, "Keeping Good Staff When Money is Tight" will cover research on rewards and incentives in the workplace to learn tools to attract and retain staff and reduce staff turn-over. Click here to register online for this or other events in the series, or if you would prefer to have a paper registration form sent to you, contact Liz Higgins at  emh56@cornell.edu  or (518) 949-3722. The Cornell Small Farms Program has funding from NYS to provide scholarships for NYS Veterans to attend this program. To learn more about this opportunity, and determine if you are eligible for a scholarship, please contact Kat McCarthy at  kmm485@cornell.edu  or (607) 255-9911. Check out the  Ag Labor Management flyer  for more detailed information.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced the FY 2019 Budget includes a proposal to create a license for farm meaderies, a new license similar to those already available to farm wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries.  As with other New York farm licenses, farm meaderies will have the privilege of self-distribution, in addition to the ability to market and sell their products through existing wholesalers. Farm meaderies will also be permitted to open restaurants and gift shops, and have the ability to operate up to five no-fee offsite branch stores anywhere in the state. As with New York manufactured hard cider, New York mead will be sold in both grocery stores as well as liquor and wine stores. The annual cost for the new license is $75. Currently, only farm wineries, which must be located on a farm, and commercial wineries, which cost $3,025 in licensing and bond fees, may produce mead.

Farm Credit East, a farmer-owned cooperative, recently released its 2018 industry outlook report. This report, titled  Northeast Agriculture: 2018 Insights and Perspectives.,, addresses market outlooks for multiple industries, including dairy, grain, vegetables, fruit, greenhouse and nursery, commercial fisheries, and forest products. It also provides information on crop insurance, consumer buying behavior for ag retailers and an update on the Food Safety Modernization Act.

The first roundtable will be held on March 12th in Goshen, NY. C ontact Gabriela Pereyra for  more information  to sign up by  email  or phone (212) 788-7900 x288.

The second roundtable will be held on March 16th in Wayne County. M ore information can be found in the  event announcement  or on the  registration website.

The final roundtable will be held on March 17th in Orleans County. M ore information can be found in the  event announcement  or on the  registration website

Featherbed Lane Farm, a draft horse powered and full year CSA located near Saratoga Springs, NY, is seeking to hire a Farm Assistant. This is a seasonal full-time position with a 40-hour work week at $12/hour. The position runs from May until November. Housing is not included. The Farm Assistant's primary responsibilities focus on vegetable production. Livestock work is a regular part of day-to-day responsibilities as well. The Farm Assistant will also help with each week's CSA Pickup. Prior farm experience, while valued, is less important than a good work ethic and attitude, and a readiness to learn, work hard, have fun and be a part of the farm team. Please contact Tim at  tim@featherbedlanefarm.com or  (518) 207-7224.

We have a popular, profitable, well-established farm stand for rent or lease, located in a beautiful location on a major travel route on the New York/Massachusetts/Vermont border.  We are a first generation farming couple wishing to start the transition to retirement so we are offering this excellent opportunity to a knowledgeable farmer who wishes to take over a successful farm store business. We are looking for someone who will work with us as we start downscaling what we grow ourselves. This is a golden opportunity for an early career farmer to get into business without the years it takes to create and build a viable market. There are numerous ways to continue to expand the clientele currently served by the farm store. The store has a large established clientele that knows they can purchase a wide array of quality tree fruit, berries, vegetables and local farm products (baked goods, meat, eggs, cheese, milk, honey, maple syrup, jams, etc.) at the store. Farm store has walk-in and display coolers, potable water source, prep room, electricity and other infrastructure. High quality tillable land with an excellent irrigation source and irrigation equipment is available to share and rent. There may be an opportunity to also share and rent some tractor and tillage equipment. If you are interested in starting a conversation, contact us at  rberriesrgreat@fairpoint.net.

Capital Roots is hiring a Community Garden Organizer! Capital Roots is striving to create a more vibrant and equitable food system in New York's Capital Region, and their Community Gardening program makes community food plots available to hundreds of gardening families across four counties in our 54 community gardens. The Garden Organizer will work directly with participating gardeners throughout the seasons. This position is a full-time position (40 hours per week) paid at an hourly rate of $12.00/hr with comprehensive health care coverage and other benefits. View the full job description and application details here.

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) operations are emerging in cities around the world to enable year-round intensive production of vegetables. These decentralized systems reduce food waste, use less water than soil-based production, and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and workforce development. Three internship positions are available to work with commercial CEA operations in New York City. The interns will support the activities of a CEA business and also conduct a research project to address a specific operations question identified with the owner/operator. As a team, the interns will work together to clarify research and education needs to address production, marketing and policy challenges to CEA growth and integration into local and regional food systems. For more information about responsibilities and qualifications , contact Anu Rangarajan, Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University at  ar47@cornell.edu. A stipend and class credit will be available.   Internship Project Period runs May 23 - August 21, 2018.

One remaining Farm Apprentice position available in Marlow, NH at Kroka Expeditions.

At Kroka Farm, apprentices have an unique opportunity to learn about organic and biodynamic farming on an educational farm, work with students in an holistic farm setting with animals, vegetables, fruits and berries and live in a robust intentional community of exceptional young people. Position available mid April - October (Full season) (preferred) or June through August (partial season).  Learn more about the farm.  For more information about the apprenticeship program and how to apply, click here.

Looking for more from a seasonal farm position? Join us at the Produce Project, a two acre organically managed farm in downtown Troy, NY. Since 2009 we have been using its high tunnels, market garden, flower border, and small orchard to transmit valuable life and job skills to high school youth. Join our committed staff, interns, and youth leaders as we bring our harvest to market, build community, and help chart a new path for 20 students this summer. This seasonal position runs for 30 weeks from April through October, with regular shifts Tuesday through Saturday and a 40 hour week. Pay is $12/hr and includes a weekly produce share as well as snacks and communal meals during the summer session. To apply, send cover letter and resume to Matthew Schueler at edcenter@capitalroots.org.

At Sprout Creek Farm we believe that all teachers can be farmers and all farmers can be teachers. We are a non-profit working dairy farm, creamery, and education center. Interested in becoming a member of the Sprout Creek Farm education staff?  We are looking for individuals enthusiastic about agriculture and sustainability, passionate about passing knowledge on to young people, and able to come up with creative ways to engage visitors of all ages with our animals and environment. Sprout Creek is hiring for a Manager of Curriculum and Programs position, and an Educator position. Applications are due no later than March 10th and can be emailed to Katie Williams, Director of Education and Camps at  education@sproutcreekfarm.org .

The AgrAbility program increases the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers and farm family members with disabilities will experience success in agricultural production. The program supports projects between State Cooperative Extension System and private, non-profit disability organizations who work in partnership to provide agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities, and their families, who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. View the grant opportunity here for application information and eligibility requirements. Applications are due April 30, 2018.  NIFA will host a webinar for interested applicants on March 15^th at 1:30pm-3pm EST . The webinar will focus on general guidelines for the program and on the 2018 application process.

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has posted its annual report on the NNYADP website . The four-page report notes how recent research is helping regional farmers respond to hot and cold climate extremes impacting dairy calves and cows, field crops, and wine grapes. Additional summary reports focused on dairy and field crops, horticultural, and maple projects are also posted on the website.