February 4, 2019
Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
The countdown has begun: just six more weeks to spring! As you start to prepare for planting season, consider brewing your own biofertilizer. Learn how in our YouTube video with staff member Shaun Bluethenthal. If your farm has grown beyond market sales, consider learning about selling wholesale through our Baskets to Pallets project. In this edition of our newsletter, we also have some new grants, events, and other resources.

What's happening on your farm? Share with us by using #CornellSmallFarms. You can connect with us on Instagram, Facebook , Twitter , and our website .

If you have a story idea, event, or announcement for an upcoming newsletter, you can always submit to us through our   online form .

Thank you again for your interest and support of small farms in New York.

Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
Small Farms Program Updates
Recipe for Success:
Brew Your Own Biofertilizer
Have you thought about switching to a biofertilizer? They are simple to make, scalable, and cost effective. "Super Magro" is a full spectrum biofertilizer that uses nutrition to effectively reduce yield loss and promote plant health. Learn more about its benefits, including a step-by-step tutorial video, to get started brewing your own biofertilizer
Baskets to Pallets: Introduction to Selling Wholesale
Looking to diversify sales beyond the farmers market, CSA or farm stand? Farmers interested in seeking new markets are invited to join us for "Baskets to Pallets." The comprehensive two-day introduction to selling wholesale is designed for farmers of all enterprises, and will be held March 14 and 15 in Rochester, NY. Learn more and register.
Apply for Our Smart Farming Team Technical Assistance Grant
The Cornell Small Farms Program through the Labor Ready Farmer project has grant funding available through 2020 to offer one-on-one technical assistance on human resource and managerial skills to beginning farmers, including next generation farmers on family farms. Learn more and apply.
Beekeeping to Business Planning: Register Now for Block Four Courses
It’s already time to register for Cornell Small Farms Program’s 2018-2019 final block of courses! You can learn about business management, soil health, specialty mushrooms, beekeeping, business plans, high tunnels, or grazing. Registration closes for block four in just one month. Learn more and register.
Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
@underthetreefarms shared that their drone captured how the tree shadows hug the contours of the land.
@cce_sullivan_county shared how their staff is giving two-week-old ram "Lamb Chop" some TLC.
@grindstone_farm shared how chefs feel about their blueberries, and what delicacies they make.
Share what’s been happening on your farm with #CornellSmallFarms on Instagram and we may feature your image and story in the next newsletter.
Additional Reading & Resources
Cornell Research Finds Orchards in Natural Habitats Draw Bee Diversity

Apple orchards surrounded by agricultural lands are visited by a less diverse collection of bee species than orchards surrounded by natural habitats. The new Cornell University-led study also found that apple production suffers when fewer, more closely-related species of bees pollinate an orchard. 
Explore Soil Health with SARE’s Interactive Infographic

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education launched "What Is Soil Health" as an interactive exploration of soil health and how to improve it. The infographic was designed to help teach farmers and others about cover crops, crop rotation, manure amendments, composting, and more.
Land For Good Offers Free Build-a-Lease Tool

The online tool helps landowners, tenants, and advisors learn about and craft farm leases. Build-a-Lease users can develop farms lease agreements including: terms of lease, rent, rights, liability and insurance, taxes, and other standard contract provisions. 
Organic Farmers, Researchers Want to Hear From You

Responses are needed for a research study on the financial and mental wellness of organic farmers in New York. Organic farmers are invited to share their perceptions and experiences with NY FarmNet, a non-profit which provides free and confidential services to all NY farmers, as well as existing financial and mental wellness. Take the survey.
Business & Career Opportunities
$3 Million Available via NYS Advancing Ag Energy Initiative

The initiative helps fund emerging technologies and practices to make farm operations more energy-efficient. Proposals are welcome from farmers, equipment manufacturers, trade organizations, and others. Learn more and apply for Round 1 by February 28.
Funding Available for NY Farms to Input Aerobic Digesters

Farms desiring to input aerobic digesters — which turn manure into energy — are eligible for portions of approximately $8 million allotted in funding. There is also funding for farms using other alternative clean energy sources. Learn more and apply by March 7.
Brooklyn Mushroom Farm Seeking Successor

The Farmroom is an urban mushroom farm run out of a 300 sq. ft. space inside of a commercial warehouse in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Learn more about the successor opportunity. Read more on AgTech-X about the urban farm’s first year in operation.
Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming Hiring Two Positions

The Center, located in Ithaca, NY, is now accepting applications for a Farming & Food Justice Program Coordinator (30-35 hour/week) and an Outreach & Communications Coordinator (8-10 hour/week). Learn more and apply by February 11.
Wellspring Forest Farm Seeks Seasonal Farmhand

The small agroforestry-inspired farm is in the Finger Lakes Region. The farmhand will participate in production, education, and agritourism. Individuals that are self-driven, detail-oriented, and open communicators are encouraged to apply by February 15.
Mark Your Calendars
Check our statewide calendar for events near you. 
Beekeepers Discussion Group

When: Monday, Feb. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Warsaw, NY

Details: Discuss ordering spring honeybee packages, winter feeding options and when to feed. Information for beginner beekeepers also provided. Free to attend.
NYCO Meeting on
Soil Potential

When: Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m.

Where: Geneva, NY

Details: Learn from New York Certified Organic (NYCO) about achieving the full production potential of soil short- and long-term. Free to attend.
Farming for Justice: Farm to People Panel

When: Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Where: Ithaca, NY

Details: Hear from 3 panelists on three of the ways Central New York farmers can provide fresh food to low income people and get paid. Free to attend.
Dairy Day: Uncovering Opportunities for Your Dairy

South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops will present several areas of opportunity for dairy production from top professors, veterinarians and dairy economists in the region. Presentations are informative for farmers, employees and agri-service people who work directly with dairy cows. Cost is $30, includes lunch and handouts. Offered in two locations: Syracuse on Feb. 7 and Owego on Feb. 8
Succession Planning for Farm Businesses Workshop Series

Members of different generations working in the same farm business are encouraged to attend this interactive workshop series to learn about skills, tools and tactics needed for success in a multi-generational business. Cost is $60, includes all sessions, materials and lunch. The series is held in Dryden, NY, and begins Feb. 13. Registration is now open.
NYS Farmers Market Managers Conference

Network with market managers from across the state, and explore many new ideas and concepts to help your market reach new heights of success. The conference will be held at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, NY on March 5 and 6. Registration is now open.
2019 Eastern New York Fruit and Vegetable Conference

This second annual conference brings together growers in the Capital Region, and this year programming has expanded to include a third day. Sessions topics include tree fruit, small fruit, vegetables, grape production and more. The conference will be held February 19 to 21 in Albany, NY. Multi-day discounts are available. Registration is now open.
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About Us

The Cornell Small Farms newsletter is a resource for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York and beyond. The Cornell Small Farms Program (SFP) envisions a future where diverse and vibrant urban and rural farms build human capacity, revitalize communities, supply regional food systems, and foster ecological resilience in a changing world. The program is a joint effort of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Stay Connected
Are you just starting to farm? We have extensive resources available in the "Plan Your Farm" section of our website. Do you have farm-related questions? Sometimes local questions are best answered by your neighborhood Cornell Cooperative Extension agent. Check our county-by-county listing for your small farm agents.