June 16, 2020
Welcome back to the Small Farms newsletter!
Dear farmers and friends,

We are continuing to listen, learn and reflect on the Black Lives Matter movement and the work needed to dismantle racism. As our Equity and Justice Statement affirms, we are committed to the Black, Indigenous and Farmers of Color in our network. Our team is working hard to fulfill this commitment and ruminating how to enhance our efforts moving forward.
While struggling with all of the emotions of this movement and wanting to do more, we are still managing our own farms.

Plants are going in the ground, animals are going out to graze, and there’s even a glamping tent ready to receive farm visitors at our online course coordinator Erica’s farm, Shelterbelt (pictured).

All of this work is ongoing, and we are excited for what the future holds. What work are you tackling on your farms and in your communities?

Wishing you well,

T he Cornell Small Farms Program Team
Small Farms Program Updates
Building Farm Resilience
During COVID-19

We are continuing to add resources about building resilience in the various aspects of farming during COVID-19. These resources have included farm employee training, health and safety, online marketing, stress management, and more. We are regularly updating our COVID-19 resource page as new information and more resources become available.
Farm Business Safety Plan Resources for New York Forward

As the New York Forward re-opening plan is implemented across the state, businesses of all kinds are required to have a written COVID-19 safety plan in place. A task force of specialists from Cornell Cooperative Extension developed a set of resources to help farms comply with this requirement, and are also offering specialized webinars for farms of commodities.
COVID-19 Update on Applying for Financial Assistance through CFAP

Agricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The application and a payment calculator are now available online, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff members are available via phone, fax and online tools to help producers complete applications. Learn more and apply by August 28, 2020.
Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
@marshmeadow_farm says to find your happy place, and spend some time there everyday.
@brightearthfarm shared the fun, and sometimes messy, personality quirks of their Icelandic sheep. ⠀ 
@thefarmstorebigmamoufarm took our woodland mushroom cultivation class and inoculated logs. 
Share what’s been happening on your farm with #CornellSmallFarms on Instagram and we may feature your image and story in the next newsletter.
Funding Opportunities
Farmer Tribute Fund to Cover COVID-related Healthcare Costs 

If you are a farm owner or farmworker who needs help with COVID-19 related healthcare costs, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Help (NYCMAH) is able to financially support you. The maximum support they will provide is $1,000 and will be delivered on a first-come-first-served basis. Please contact Kathy Smith (1-607-547-6023 ext. 2206; kathleen.smith@bassett.org) for more information.
Apply for Reinvestment Fund Healthy Food Financing Initiative 

There is $3 million available for grants to improve access to healthy foods, create and preserve quality jobs, and to make more opportunities in low-income communities. Eligible applicants include pro-profit, nonprofit, and cooperatively owned business, as well as higher education institutions and governments. Learn more and apply by July 10.
Northeast SARE 2021 Grant Cycle Open for Pre-Proposals

Northeast SARE has released the 2021 calls for pre-proposals for their Research and Education, Research for Novel Approaches, and Professional Development grant programs. Applicants selected to submit full proposals will be contacted in late August with full proposals due by Oct. 20. Projects awards will be made in late February 2021.  Learn more and apply by July 23.
Business & Career Opportunities
CADE Seeks Manager of Finance and Administration

The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) seeks a full time Manager of Finance and Administration. This high level position will lead and manage organizational finances and accounting, business operations and budgeting, grants administration, human resources, administration, and knowledge management. The position is based at CADE’s office in Oneonta, NY. Learn more and apply by June 17.
Join the Adirondack Food Policy Council Working Group 

If you are based in the Adirondacks and interested in supporting, learning about, and discussing local food policy, the Adirondack Council is forming a working group. The key objectives are to evaluate local food systems, provide collaborative solutions to system problems, and increase the coordination of food system resources.  Learn more and apply.
Applications Open for Advanced Soil Health Training Program

New York Soil Health is accepting applications for its 2020-2021 Advanced Soil Health Training for New York State Agricultural Service Providers. Twenty applicants will be selected for these two, two-day workshops that focus on practical knowledge of the whole soil health system. The cost for successful applicants is a $100 participation fee. Travel expenses, with some limitations, are included. Learn more and apply by June 27.
Applications Open for the 2020 Grow New York Competition

The NYS Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech announced that applications are now being accepted for round two of the Grow-NY competition. This initiative provides funding, mentorship, business development support, and other key resources to leading food and ag startups from across the globe. A total of $3 million in prizes will be awarded this year to seven startups.  Learn more and apply by July 15.
Nomination Period Open for Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee

Each county office is looking for producers to serve on the local county committee. Please nominate yourself or another producer if your Local Administrative Area is up for election this year. These committees are very important as they serve as a bridge between the USDA and communities. The producers elected to be on the committee will help decide the programs that their counties over as well as make FSA programs serve the needs of local producer communities better. Learn more and nominate by August 1. 
Mark Your Calendars
Check our statewide calendar for events near you. 
Beef and Beyond:
A Look at Animal Protein Markets


When: Thursday, June 18 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Details: Join Farm Credit East for a webinar on the livestock and meat markets outlook. This will feature experts giving a national perspective, a Northeast perspective, and discussion of what the rest of the year has in store. Learn more and register.
Soil Health Principles: Application and Results of Investing in Soils

When: Tuesday, June 23, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Details: Hear two farmers discuss how they take care of their soils using the 5 principles of soil health management. Two very different farms growing different crops in different locations show how these principles are applied at different scales. Learn more and register
Farm Gleaning Project for Veterans Hosted by Heroic Food

When: Sunday June 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Chester, NY 

Details: Get out of the house to harvest and plant vegetables that will provide an abundance of fresh food for local food banks. There is room for 12 participants to stay safe and maintain social distancing. Learn more and register.
Industry Outlook Webinar Series hosted by Farm Credit East 

This month, Farm Credit East is hosting a series of webinars that provide perspectives for specific agricultural sectors (such as the "Beef and Beyond" webinar noted above). Webinars are recorded for later viewing. Learn more.
Northeast Farmers of Color Webinar Series

The Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Land Trust is hosting a series of webinars about land-based wealth redistribution, land tenure, and economic strategies. The next event is on Tuesday, June 30, on "Centering Indigenous Sovereignty on Stolen Land: Indigenous Consultation and Land Access." Learn more.
Active Learning Calendar for Virtual Opportunities and Webinars

The Cornell Small Farms Program team has created this new calendar dedicated to the various webinars and other virtual learning opportunities being offered during this time of physical distancing. Explore upcoming events.
Additional Reading & Resources
Food and Land Justice for Black Americans Organizations 

Civil Eats put together a comprehensive list of organizations that are working for food justice and to increase land and food access in the Black community. Consider supporting or getting involved with an organization near you.
Racial Equity Toolkit

The National Young Farmers Coalition created the Racial Equity Toolkit as a guide for people who are overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of the problem, and need help determining how to start dismantling racism in their communities. This resource was made to help people learn how to build foundations for broader organizing and take concrete action toward dismantling racism. 
Free Online Course on the Basics of Organic Farming 

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP), and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo created six modules on basic organic farming principles and management. The first two modules are currently available and the creators are asking students to provide feedback before they release the other four.
Share Your Direct Sales Software Platforms Experience

As farmers have figured out new ways to market their products to customers during COVID-19, the CSA Innovation Network is surveying farmers about their experiences using different platforms. This information will be used to supplement the National Young Farmers Coalition’s Farmers Guide to Direct Sales Software Platforms. 
Young Farmers Coalition LGBTQIA+ Farmer Survey

If you are an aspiring, current, or former LGBTQIA+ farmer, you are invited to take this survey about your experiences of being LGBTQIA+ in the food and agriculture system. The information gathered from the survey will be used to create recommendations and support LGBTQIA+ people in agriculture. 
About Us

The Small Farms Newsletter is a resource for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York and beyond. The newsletter is produced by the Cornell Small Farms Program (SFP), which helps farmers get expert assistance to facilitate all phases of small farm business development. SFP is housed at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and works collaboratively with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Stay Connected
Do you have farm-related questions? Sometimes local questions are best answered by your neighborhood Cornell Cooperative Extension agent. Find your local contact .