Have you noticed our new look? Yes, we've merged our sister site, the Northeast Beginning Farmers Project, with the Small Farms Program website. You can now find all the great features of both sites in one place. Some links have changed.  If you need help finding a favorite spot, head over to our  contact page and send us an email.  Meanwhile, if you're in New York, visit our Local Contacts Map to find the Cornell Cooperative Extension agent closest to you.

If you are a farmer interested in becoming New York Grown Certified through the  New York Grown & Certified program , consider contacting your local Cornell Cooperative Extension educator to express interest.  The NY Grown & Certified Program  is designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products, address food product labeling, and assist New York farmers to take advantage of the growing market demand for foods locally grown and produced to a higher standard, and t hey are applying for a block grant which will help agricultural service providers assist regional farmers in meeting the NY Grown & Certified criteria of a level 2 AEM (Agriculture Environmental Management) plan and will help them to complete a successful GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) audit. P roducers should  contact their local CCE educator  to express interest in accessing the consolidated funding grant. Express interest in early June, 2017.

If you are interested in learning more about ruminant management, please j oin instructors  from Cornell Cooperative Extension  at the Glynwood FarmCenter's Sheep and Goat School for a workshop which will introduce participants to small ruminant care  including general health guidelines, nutrition overview, lambing and kidding practices, pasture management instruction, an optional breakout session, and more.  The event costs $25. The event will be held on June 7th, 2017 from 10:00am-3:30pm at 362 Glynwood Road, Cold Spring NY 10516.  To register, visit here . For more info, call: 845 265-3338

The Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District   is hiring   a Watershed Agricultural  Coordinator   to coordinate agricultural programs and projects within the Genesee River Watershed, develop and manage grants, track data and create reports. Experience withagriculture, farm conservation practices and plans, and Geographic Information Systems is required, in addition to a good ability to communicate with state and federal legislators as well as farmers and excellent organizational ability. To request an application for the Monroe County Civil Service position, call (585) 753-7380 or email     kellyemerick@monroecounty.gov   for more information.  Application materials must be received by 4 p.m. on June 5th, 2017.

Put your education and experience to work! The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is seeking an Agriculture Specialist/Outreach Coordinator who can create and distribute outreach communications for communities in the Northeast region. The specialist will assist farmers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices to build healthier and more profitable farms and communities while helping to improve environmental conditions for all. NCAT is a private non-profit corporation whose work includes nationally recognized projects in food, agriculture, and energy such as ATTRA, the national sustainable agriculture information service and the LIHEAP Clearinghouse. The position will be located in NCAT's office in Keene, New Hampshire. See more information here . Apply by June 16th, 2017 . P

Cornell Cooperative Extension seeks a dynamic leader to provide commercial crop and vegetable growers, consultants and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources to advance precision agriculture and new technology to production and management practices in Western New York. The position is a joint appointment with two CCE Regional Agriculture Teams: the Cornell Vegetable Program and the  Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team. See full posting and apply  here. The job posting will expire on  June 30th, 2017.

The Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program is looking for two fruit specialists to work with the dynamic agriculture industry located in the Hudson Valley, the greater Capital District and the Champlain Valley.  The Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program covers 17 counties in Eastern NY and conducts applied research and extension education that supports fruit and vegetable producers in the eastern NY region. The Fruit Specialist is primarily a Tree Fruit specialist and will work with large apple growers in the Champlain Valley and with smaller diversified growers in the Upper Hudson and Mohawk valley area.  This individual will work closely with the tree fruit specialist in the Hudson Valley and with CCE colleagues in the Lake Ontario region and faculty at Cornell. Please access the application information here and here. The Fruit Specialist job posting will expire on June 30th, 2017.

The University of New Hampshire's Cooperative Extension is looking for an Agricultural Business Management State Specialist in Durham, New Hampshire. NH farmers and agricultural business owners look to UNH Cooperative Extension for assistance with their diverse farm management needs. As Extensions's State Specialist in Agricultural Business Management, you can use your expertise and practical experience to make a difference in the lives of New Hampshire's Ag families. The UNH Cooperative Extension Ag Business Management Team is looking for a person with expertise and practical experience. Apply online today here. The position will be open until filled.

The deadline to submit a preproposal for a Northeast SARE Research and Education grant, a Research for Novel Approaches grant, or a Professional Development grant is July 6, 2017.

Are you looking for grant support to start your Farm Business in Delaware County? The Micro- Enterprise Grant (MEG) might be just what you need for a small-scale ag project. The MEG program prioritizes new farm businesses and food businesses that have locally sourced food as a central feature.  The grants are up to $35K and have a 1:1 match. Deadline: September 1, 2017.  For more information, go  here  or contact lori.paulson@co.delaware.ny.us (Subject line: Ag MEG), or call  (607) 832-5123.

Are you looking for an antibiotic alternative for your cattle? A compound found in a common forage plant may help to reduce use of growth-promoting antibiotics in cattle, goats, sheep, and other ruminants. Scientists in Lexington, Kentucky have discovered a natural antimicrobial compound, biochanin A, in red clover. The compound may be able to inhibit and kill a group of "protein-wasting" bacteria in ruminants that is typically treated with antibiotics. Results from field trials show that cattle given feed mixed with biochanin A show levels of the compound which kills wasteful bacteria and promotes weight gain in animals. For more information, visit this article.

If you are outside and want to know something about the soil you are working with, and don't have any fancy equipment, you can still conduct meaningful research on your soil using your eyes and hands. Learn more about your soil's pH, structure, and organic matter content with these quick tricks. These simple at-home tests give you valuable knowledge about your soil. Doing these tests before your planting season, and amending your soil accordingly, can bring you healthier produce and yard plants.

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 resources available in the " Plan Your Farm" section of our website.