In December farmers and ranchers across the nation will start receiving the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Producers can mail in their completed census form, or respond online via the improved web questionnaire. The online questionnaire has been revised extensively to make it more convenient for producers. Conducted once every five years, the census of agriculture is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them; it is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the country. Farmers and ranchers, trade associations, government, extension educators, researchers, and many others rely on census of agriculture data when making decisions that shape American agriculture - from creating and funding farm programs to boosting services for communities and the industry. The census of agriculture is a producer's voice, future, and opportunity. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit  www.agcensus.usda.gov or call  (800) 727-9540.

The Cornell Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education Program reminds New York producers of approaching deadlines for several perennial crops.  November 15, 2017  is the final date to apply for  Pasture, Rangeland,  and  Forage  insurance for the 2018 crop year. This insurance product is available throughout New York state and helps livestock producers manage risks related to lack of precipitation (rainfall or snowfall).  November 20, 2017  is the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2018 crop year for the following fruit crops: apples, grapes, peaches, and tart cherries. If crop insurance for a particular crop is not available in your county, you may be able to use a  written agreement  to buy a policy. To enroll, contact a crop insurance agent. Find an agent by asking a neighbor or using the Agent Locator tool at  rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html . Visit  ag-analytics.org/cropinsurance  for more information about crop insurance.

Madison County is approved to accept applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from excessive rain and flooding beginning July 1, 2017 and ending July 2, 2017. ECP signup began on October 23, 2017, and will end on November 24, 2017. Approved ECP practices under this authorization include removing debris, grading, shaping, and releveling, restoring permanent fence and restoring conservation structures. ECP is administered by FSA to assist producers with the cost of recovery activities required to restore the agricultural land to pre-disaster conditions. Producers who sustained damage from

this disaster event are encouraged to submit their request for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of completing the approved restoration activity. For more information on ECP, please contact the Madison County Farm Service Agency office at (315) 824-9076.

VINES has set ambitious goals for expanding our Community Garden Program, the Urban Farm, and our Grow Binghamton youth employment program. We're looking for self-driven, mission oriented individuals to join our team. The Urban Farm Manager (Manager) will be responsible for the overall planning for and management of VINES Binghamton Urban Farm and the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse Farm. The Manager will plan and manage the growing season, general site maintenance, site expansion and volunteer outreach for both sites, and develop a growing calendar and harvest schedule that matches the programmatic needs of each organization. The Manager will assist the Community Garden and Youth Program Manager (CGYPM) with implementing and overseeing VINES' Grow Binghamton summer youth employment program. The Program Assistant will assist the Community Garden and Youth Program Manager and the Binghamton Urban Farm Manager with key program duties and responsibilities related to the Grow Binghamton summer youth employment program, Urban Farm, Community Garden Program, and Green Thumb Educational Workshops. For more information, visit the VINES website.   Deadline for applications is November 13th at 9am.

Comfort Food Community (CFC) seeks a full-time Food Rescue Coordinator to lead its farm gleaning and emergency food distribution efforts. Based in Greenwich, CFC works throughout Washington County in the sourcing and distribution of food. A candidate will be motivated, social, detail oriented, physically fit. Farm and/or food gardening experience is preferred; construction/carpentry skills a plus. Must have a clean, valid driver's license. The positions starts at $15/hr, generally Monday - Friday, with some weekend hours required. Deadline to apply is 11/10/17. Contact Devin Bulger at devin@comfortfoodcommunity.org for an application!

Start a Farm. Run a Homestead. Build Community.  Calypso Farm and Ecology Center  in Fairbanks, Alaska is accepting applications for their immersive, interdisciplinary 2018 Farmer Training Program.  This program is an intensive experiential education program focused on providing the skills, inspiration and experience necessary for participants to embark on starting their own small farm with confidence. The Farmer Training Program immerses participants in all aspects of farming: production, creativity, and business planning. For more information or to apply, click here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

NIFA requests applications for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program for fiscal year 2018 to support projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The anticipated amount available for NIFA to support this program in FY 2018 is approximately $21 million.  Current closing date for applications is December 13, 2017. View this grant opportunity here.

To assist farms and companies that are interested in pursuing a meaningful welfare certification, the ASPCA, in partnership with  Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, has created the  Farm Animal Welfare Certification Guide. This tool will help farmers understand the value of certification programs and determine which certification might be right for their farm.  The Guide covers three meaningful certification programs that represent a spectrum of higher-welfare ways to raise farm animals: Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane® and Global Animal Partnership. These are the three programs that the ASPCA recommends to welfare-conscious consumers and businesses through our  Shop With Your Heart  campaign.

The National Young Farmers Coalition is excited to present  Finding Farmland, a financial education tool for farmers buying land. In the throes of a land search? Use the  Land Affordability Calculator to compare financing costs for two different farm properties, or to compare different financing scenarios for a single property. Dreaming of owning a farm, but not yet planning? Read the  Case Study, brush up your financial literacy, and plug some numbers into the Calculator to start building a plan around your dreams. Farm service provider? Check out the site to see how these financial planning tools can support your work.

Created with input from irrigation experts in over 20 states, the Irrigator's Pocket Guide belongs in every irrigator's hip pocket. It is a take-to-the-field guide that demystifies the art of irrigation management, explains everything you need to know about soil moisture and crop water use, and shows you how to optimize crop yields while conserving water, soil, and energy. The Equipment Maintenance half of the book features exceedingly clear and detailed maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for pumps, motors, engines, control panels, and distribution systems. The Water Maintenance guide on the other side of the book provides a step-by-step guide to irrigation water management for sprinkler, surface, and microirrigation systems. The book includes 44 diagrams and tables, 14 pages of handy conversions and formulas, and irrigation guidelines for over 30 common crops. Purchase the guide here.

In order to sell poultry meat products, they must be processed in a way that results in a quality and economically viable finished product while taking into account animal welfare and environmental impact. This free publication explains the poultry slaughter process step by step and some of the factors that affect final carcass quality. This guide also covers equipment needs, waste product management, and packaging needed to get poultry meat to market. Access the guide online here.