Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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Since we last wrote, winter has been showing its many late season personalities: wind, thaw, freeze, snow. How did your farm fare in the great windstorm last week? We heard reports of gusts blowing roofs off barns and high tunnels.
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As we continue to face unstable weather patterns, local agricultural educators and service providers across New York are available to help. Take a look at our
Local Contacts map to find educators in your region.
Our livestock specialist,
Erica Frenay, was grateful that her hoop house sheltering a flock of bred ewes withstood the high winds. She shared that her first lambs, a set of triplets, were born this week.
Whether you're lambing, sugaring, seeding or still dreaming, drop us a line if we can help.
Until next time,
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Register Now: Diversify Your Markets & Explore Wholesale
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Are you in search of new markets? Have you considered intermediary/wholesale channels like food hubs, grocery stores, schools and cooperatives?
Be sure to register soon for the Baskets to Pallets Training on March 14-15 in Rochester, NY. Meet our instructor team, view our course roster, and register at the
project page
. Space is limited to 40 participants.
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"Farming While Black" Seminar
on Cornell Campus
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Farmer, educator, food justice activist, and writer Leah Penniman will lead a seminar describing her work and her new book, "Farming While Black." Following Leah’s lecture, there will be a panel discussion addressing questions about racial inequality in the food system. The event will be held at Cornell University on March 7 at 4 p.m. or join virtually.
Learn more.
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Join Our Farm Management Master Class in Western NY
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These two-day intensive workshops will give farm owners and managers the skills they need to effectively hire, train and supervise farm employees. The Western NY workshop will be held March 13 and 14.
Learn more and register.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@ox_creek_farm shared this very small beginning to the "lamb-slide" that is coming to their farm!
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@grindstone_farm said Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to think about signing up for a CSA.
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@badassbeesurbanfarm set up lions mane mushroom totems using a video by our agroforestry specialist.
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Share what’s been happening on your farm with
#CornellSmallFarms
on Instagram and we may feature your image and story in the next newsletter.
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NY Grown & Certified Funding
Still Available
Mohawk Valley Region producers interested in becoming NYS Grown and Certified can apply for grant funding of up to $50,000 to help them meet the food safety standards necessary for certification. Eligible commodities are dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, pork, shellfish, Christmas trees, maple, cut flowers, craft beverage ingredients, wine, spirits, beer and cider.
Learn more and apply.
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Farm Credit East Scholarship for Agricultural Educators
Northeast ag educators are invited to apply for the scholarship to support attendance at Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) institutes. These trainings provide educators with the tools needed to offer ag coursework in high school classrooms. Scholarships will cover up to 50 percent of the cost of the CASE institute, not to exceed $1,000.
Learn more and apply by March 15.
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USDA Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Grants
Funds available for projects to help maintain and expand a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improving the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers.
Learn more and apply by April 9.
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Funding Available to Enhance Vineyard Operations
Concord growers in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Niagara and Erie Counties are eligible to apply for up to $50,000.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
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$12 Million Available for Dairy Farmland Protection Grant
The grant program helps to ensure dairy farms' opportunity to diversify their operations or transition their farms to the next generation at more affordable costs, while ensuring the land forever remains used for agricultural purposes. The state accepts applications on a rolling basis for grants of up to $2 million from eligible entities.
Learn more and apply.
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Queens County Farm Museum Hiring for Spring
The historic New York City farm dates back to 1697 and the 47-acre parcel is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. For Spring 2019, the farm museum is hiring Seasonal Farm Educators and a Seasonal Farmer.
Learn more and apply.
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Apply Soon: NE SARE Hiring Professional Development Coordinator
The Northeast SARE program is accepting applications for a Professional Development Program (PDP) Coordinator, who will serve as part of the Northeast SARE leadership team and manage the region’s PDP grant program as well as state SARE programs offered at every Land Grant institution.
Learn more and apply by March 15.
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Call to Share Your Farm Business Story
Has your farm made changes to a well established business? Dan Burdett of the Real Oxford Farming Conference is looking for farmers who have gone through this difficult stage in development to talk about their experiences, both good and bad. For more information or to participate in this research, email Dan at
burdett_dan@yahoo.co.uk.
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Produce Safety & Writing a Safety Plan
When: Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10
Where: Oneonta, NY
Details: Gain a better understanding of how to improve food safety on your farm and how to write a Food Safety Plan (required for NYS Grown & Certified). Cost is $30 for NYFC members; $40 for non-members.
Register.
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Poultry Diseases Workshop
When: Monday, March 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Horseheads, NY
Details: Questions about poultry health? Learn what you should know and watch for in your flocks with Dr. Jarra Jagne from the Avian Health Program at Cornell University's Animal Health Diagnostic Center. Cost is $5; free for youth.
Register.
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Ask the Experts:
Farm Taxes
When: Tuesday, March 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Binghamton, NY
Details: Learn about typical tax forms that a farm or agribusiness would file, the best ways to keep track of all your receipts, and best practices for tracking income and expenses. Cost is $15 per farm (2 people); veterans free.
Register.
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Livestock Techniques Hands-on Workshop
Learn about management practices for livestock, such as: the proper ways to administer vaccinations, ear tagging, ear notching, castration and proper restraint and safety while working with animals. Cost is $10 and registration is required. Offered in three locations: March 12 at
CCE Herkimer; March 19 at
CCE Madison; and March 26 at
CCE Chenango.
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2019 NYS Dry Bean Meeting and Variety Evaluation
Get updated on dry bean production and marketing, Western bean cutworm activity, white mold management, breeding, varieties, and more. Also learn about the Cornell dry bean variety trial with 56 dry bean cultivars that were canned by Furmano Foods on display for taste and visual appearance. 1.25 DEC (categories 10, 1a, and 23) and CCA credits will be available. Cost is $10 and includes lunch.
Register by March 12.
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Sap to Syrup & Sustainable Forest Management Workshop
Visit the Arnot Teaching & Research Forest, managed by the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University faculty and CCE educators, to learn about sustainable forest management practices and how you can implement some into your woodlot. Also tour the he sugarbush, sap collection system, sugarhouse and an overview of syrup production. Cost is $15; free for veterans and active service members. The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Register.
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Additional Reading & Resources
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NYS Farm to School Contacts List Now Available
Farm to School (F2S) efforts are catalyzing across New York State, many ignited through a new incentive for schools that purchase at least 30% of ingredients from NY. To help support these efforts, a
list of F2S support service providers has been compiled of people who serve from statewide to county-specific support.
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USDA Campaign Offers Resources to Support Poultry Health
The “Defend the Flock” campaign shares information about protecting flocks from disease. The
campaign website includes a resource hub, featuring videos, webinars, and a series of checklists each covering specific biosecurity principles.
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New Grazing Resources Publication by ATTRA
Looking for information on grazing, nutrition, and soil health? This
resource list identifies a number of valuable resources, including publications, tutorials, calculators, videos and webinars, and more, compiled by the Sustainable Agriculture Program.
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New York Soil Health Roadmap 2019
The New York State Soil Health Initiative brought stakeholders together to produce a
soil health roadmap for the state. The roadmap includes a vision statement, and key goals — outlining specific research, outreach, and policy priorities for pursuing those goals.
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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.
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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.
If you have a story idea, event, or announcement for an upcoming newsletter, you can always submit to us through our
online form
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