Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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We hope that 2019 has been good to you and your farm so far.
In this edition of our newsletter, we're sharing the latest issue of the
Small Farm Quarterly, which is filled with some great small farm articles. We also have some new grants, events, and other resources to help you make this year a great one.
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
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Small Farm Quarterly Magazine
Winter 2019
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The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the arrival of the Winter 2019 edition of the Small Farm Quarterly. SFQ is a magazine for farmers and farm families across the Northeast who value the quality of life that smaller farms provide. In this issue, we feature stories about halal meat, cold climate grapevines, how to profit from woodlots, and more.
Read the Winter 2019 Quarterly.
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Apply for Our Smart Farming Team
Technical Assistance Grant
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Whether you are looking to hire employees for the very first time or adding additional staff, human resource and managerial skill are crucial. The Cornell Small Farms Program through the Labor Ready Farmer project has grant funding available through 2020 to offer one-on-one technical assistance to beginning farmers, including next generation farmers on family farms.
Learn more and apply.
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Join Beginning Farmer Service Providers at PASA
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The Cornell Small Farms Program is bringing together organizations that support all aspects of new farm development to share teaching tools, resources, and more during the 11th Annual Northeast Beginning Farmer Learning Network (BFLN) meeting on Feb. 9 at PASA's conference in Lancaster, PA.
Registration is now open.
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Beekeeping to Business Planning: Register Now for Block Four Courses
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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.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@littlesalmonfarm shared how 2018 was the year that their dream of running a farm started taking shape.
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@hiyfarm shared their warm and cozy farm ready for guests coming all the way from London.
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@edsranchllc shared how they got their high tunnel ready for their egg layer chicks.
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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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Additional Reading & Resources
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NYS Berry Growers Share Winter Caneberry Checklist
Now’s the time to plan ahead for the growing season, and caneberries have special preseason preparatory needs. The NYS Berry Growers Association shared a
winter prep checklist to help you prepare your raspberries and blackberries for spring.
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New Guidebooks from Organic Farming Research Foundation
OFRF, in cooperation with USDA-Risk Management Agency, released two new guidebooks for organic and transitioning growers. One is on
managing on-farm risk through crop insurance, and the other is on
soil health management.
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Prep for Calving Season with Tips from On Pasture
From nutrition to equipment, there are a number of things farmers need to have in place for calving season. Consider these
practices to prepare for any kind of livestock that will be giving birth.
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Briquetting a Better, Burnable Cow Patty
Farmers can turns livestock waste into a fuel source, according to a recently completed USDA Northeast SARE-funded project to demonstrate a hydraulic press used to
make fuel briquettes from manure and bedding.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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Marketing Mini-Grant Available for Madison County Producers
Ten producers will be selected to receive a stipend of $1,500 to spend on marketing materials. Each producer chosen will complete a series of four workshops on marketing and promotion, and upon completion will receive the stipend with no matching funds required.
Learn more and apply by February 5.
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North American Biodynamic Conference Accepting Proposals
Now an annual conference, the North American Biodynamic Conference will be held Nov. 20 to 24 at Lake George, NY, and is currently accepting workshop proposals on any topic related to biodynamic agriculture, such as: farming, gardening, land stewardship, soil, animal husbandry.
Submit proposals by January 31.
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Northeast SARE Seeks Professional Development Program 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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Dutchess County Farm for Lease, Work by Hour, or Hybrid
Driftways Farm in Millerton, NY, has an opportunity for a farmer to grow their business in the Hudson Valley. Driftways seeks to transition operations to a farmer(s) interested in operating a horse boarding facility, and/or growing produce on site. Housing is available. If interested, contact Chip Barrett at
driftwaysfarm@gmail.com or (914) 474-7695.
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Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center is Hiring
The non-profit farm and educational center located in Yorktown Heights, NY, is hiring two positions: a farm manager for vegetable production, and a livestock farmer. Find more details about each position and
apply on the Hilltop website.
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Webinar on Risk for Dairy Farmers
When: Thursday, Jan. 24, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
Where: Online
Details: Learn about tools available to help dairy farmers manage milk price risks. No registration required and
free to join.
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Crop Congress at
Miner Institute
When: Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Chazy, NY
Details: Learn about optimizing alfalfa grass mix, pest management, cover crops and more. Free to attend.
Pre-register.
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Hudson Valley Value-Added Grain School
When: Friday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Coxsackie, NY
Details: Learn how to access and develop markets for value-added grains. Cost is $40 early-bird; then $60; includes lunch.
Register.
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Explore the Small Farm Dream with CCE Broome
This four-part series beginning Jan. 26 will help participants think through small scale farming as a business, learn what it takes to start and manage a farm business, and more. Cost is $75 per farm/family (2 registrations); free for veterans; includes a workbook plus dinner and refreshments provided at each meeting.
Pre-registration required.
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On Farm Mentorship and Training Workshop
Whether you are beginning farmer mentorship or have an established apprenticeship program, the Stone Barns Center workshop on Feb. 6 will teach those who provide on-farm training to foster the next generation of agrarians about techniques and guidelines to strengthen and improve successful apprenticeship programs.
Registration now open.
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Branding 101 for Food Entrepreneurs Webinar Series
The five-part webinar series, taught by MSU extension educator and private sector marketing professionals, will help start-up food businesses think about, structure and define their brand. Cost is $30 for each webinar. Live connection is at 12 p.m. each Tuesday, starting Jan. 22. Recordings made available after.
Review the series and register.
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Ag Community Training in Mental Health First Aid
NY FarmNet is partnering with Cornell Cooperative Extension to bring Mental Health First Aid training to four locations across the state. Field representatives, agricultural professionals, farm neighbors, and agency staff can learn how to start a conversation with someone who seems to be reaching out for help.
Check the schedule and register.
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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.
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