USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications from farmers and ranchers who initially enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship  Program (CSP) in 2013 to re-enroll for another five years. It is optional to renew an expiring contract, and participants who do not re-enroll can re-apply and compete for funding in future annual CSP signups. However, there is significant benefit to renewing now: the process for renewing is non-competitive and much simpler than re-applying through the competitive process later, and participants will avoid any gaps in their CSP payments that would otherwise occur. Applications for re-enrollment will be accepted through May 5, 2017. Learn more about the renewal process here.

April 20. 7pm. Joseph C. Burke Education and Research Center at Miner Institute, 586 Ridge Road, Chazy, NY, 12921

Miner Institute welcomes Dr. Joe Schwarcz for a talk on Thursday, . Dr. Schwarcz will give a talk as part of Miner Institute's Agriculture in Society Speaker Series titled: Agriculture Myths and Facts. The event is free and open to the public.  Pesticides, fungicides and herbicides are all potentially toxic substances, but that does not mean they cannot be used safely. Without the proper use of these chemicals we have no real hope of feeding the increasing world population. Dr. Shcwarcz will break down the science for us. The talk will be followed by a Q & A session.  For more information about the April 20 event, contact Rachel at dutil@whminer.com or call 518-846-7121, ext. 115.

April 21st. 9am-3pm. SUNY Cobleskill, 106 Suffolk Cir, Cobleskill, NY 12043

Harvest New York, in collaboration with SUNY Cobleskill, is offering workshops for animal producers on beef, lamb, and pork processing to maximize profit! In this class you will learn how to use the whole lamb, not just cutting, and cooking lamb too. Classroom materials and lunch are provided - $75 fee - space is limited.  Register at www.cobleskill.edu/workshops or call the Office of Professional and Continuing Education at 518-255-5528.

May 22-24. Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle St, Albany, NY 12207

Registration is now open for the  National Farm Viability Conference, featuring three days of workshops, discussions and tours for professionals in farm and food business planning, financial planning, agricultural financing, farmland conservation, agricultural market development, and food hub management. It offers attendees the opportunity to network and learn from peers and industry leaders, develop new knowledge and skills and tours will include visits to nearby farms and value-added processing facilities. See the updated list of workshops and register at www.farmviabilityconference.com.

Mecox Bay Dairy is looking for both full and part time help. We produce artisan cheeses from our herd of Jersey cows as well as produce and sell our own pork, beef and turkeys. We are looking for an assistant to the cheese maker as well as 2 farmer's markets salespeople. We are located on the eastern end of Long Island in Bridgehampton, NY. Please call the dairy at 631-537-0335 if interested. You can also find us at MecoxBayDairy.com.

Evergreen Berry Farm, LLC is a small Pick-Your-Own berry farm in Watertown, CT growing predominantly blueberries as well as other cane fruit. We are currently hiring our summer 2017 crew, including register staff, field hands, and harvesters. Successful staff work efficiently and with quality. They are also able to effectively task-switch and communicate our farming practices to inquiring visitors. Work hours have some flexibility, up to 40 hours/week, and can be in one or more of the positions. Picking season varies but typically begins late June/early July and runs through August, tapering into September. Contact thefarmer@evergreenberryfarm.com for additional information, including more detailed job descriptions and an application. Learn more about the farm at www.EvergreenBerryFarm.com.

1. Has strong research capabilities in plant varieties and growing methods;
2. Has some experience and/or familiarity with both greenhouse and field production;
3. Can manage/coordinate field and greenhouse research and crop production simultaneously;
4. Can lead, shape, inspire, and motivate a small team;

5. Is interested in non-conventional plants and growing methods;
6. Can document research results and growing plans for new crops selected for production; and
7. Will maintain absolute confidentiality in their work in that it and its outcomes must remain the property of the farm (Chef's Garden).

People interested in the position are asked to contact Bob Jones, SR at  419-433-4947 .

This U.S. Department of Agriculture program provides funds to improve the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers, and establish and maintain a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management. A maximum of $500,000 over a period of up to 3 years is available. Deadline to apply is April 17. Apply for the grant or view the RFA here.

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.  Graduate Student proposals should address issues of current or potential importance to Northeast farmers and farm service professionals such as NRCS staff, Cooperative Extension, and researchers. Grants are capped at $15,000 and projects can run up to two years. The deadline for Graduate Student Grants is May 9, 2017 for awards in August. For application instructions, visit NESARE's Graduate Student Grant Description page.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)'s  Library of Cover Crop and Soil Health Images  is now available to help educators show producers how cover crops can work on their farms.  The collection includes over 1,500 photos and illustrations organized into 10 galleries. A  soil health gallery  features high-resolution illustrations compiled in a set of 20 PowerPoint slides for use in presentations.  The collection also includes five complete PowerPoint presentations that may be used by educators to illustrate the benefits of incorporating cover crops into cropping systems.  These cover crop materials are provided for free to educators for use in non-commercial agriculture and conservation work, provided that proper attribution is used.

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.