Welcome back to the Small Farms newsletter!
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Dear friends,
As you know, the Cornell Small Farms Program has been supporting new farm start up for over 10 years. We try to make sure that anyone in NY who wants to farm has access to information, training and supportive networks that support their goals.
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Over the years we have secured support from NY Farm Viability Institute and USDA to grow both our online and face-to-face new farmer training programs. (
That's me in the purple shirt, talking to a group of farmers about reduced tillage).
We have also cultivated a network of professionals who support new farmers. In doing so, we have tried many different strategies and learned many lessons.
This week, I was officially appointed to the USDA Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. I will work with 19 others to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on ways to maximize impact of existing programs, increase participation of new farmers in these programs, create or pilot new strategies to develop farming skills, and consider ways to provide relief to new farmers from taxes and labor challenges.
If you have ideas or suggestions for me to carry forward, please email us. I look forward to sharing all of our good work as well as our challenges in growing new farmers in NY.
Warm regards,
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Join Our Tarping for Reduced Tillage Workshop Series
Are you a vegetable farmer already using tarps? Or are you wondering if and how tarps could work best on your farm? We are excited to announce a series of workshops on tarping for reduced tillage in small-scale vegetable systems, to be held in Maine and New York this fall. Share your own tarping experiences, and walk away with a plan to use tarps with less tillage on your farm. Cost to participate is $35 per person.
Learn more and register.
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Up Next in Our Events Series for Veterans in Agriculture
Our Farm OPS project is providing training workshops throughout 2019 for veterans interested in agriculture. Tomorrow, October 8, learn about the medicinal aspects of mushrooms in our
Mushrooms Workshop III. On November 12 we continue our education on high tunnels, sharing lessons learned from construction to planting in our
High Tunnel Workshop II. These events are held at EquiCenter Farm in Honeoye Falls, NY.
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Upcoming Online Courses: From Berries and Veggies to Pigs and Poultry
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Live webinars start in
next month for these courses. Register now so you don't miss out!
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- If you’re exploring the idea of adding berries and bramble fruits to your farm, this course will help you think through this decision, from varieties and site selection to profit and marketing. This course will be especially useful if you are interested in growing berries for income.
- Pigs can be a profitable single enterprise, or integrate into an existing farm structure. They provide a variety of products and are also ideal for turning agricultural wastes into valuable product. Pigs make use of marginal, unused lands and they can improve that land.
- Maple syrup production is rapidly growing around the Northeast and offers a sound financial opportunity to utilize woodlots. This course explores the range possibilities of maple sugaring on your land. Also discuss "alternative" trees for production, Birch and Black Walnut.
- Many new farmers get started with poultry because it’s a relatively low-investment with a fairly quick revenue turnaround. The margins can be slim though, and this course will help you develop the necessary skills to build a successful poultry enterprise.
- This course helps new and aspiring vegetable producers answer basic questions about site selection, crop rotation, seeding and transplanting, as well as the financial aspects of vegetable crop production.
Courses are offered with tiered pricing from $199 – $299, based on household size and income to make access to the courses more affordable and equitable for everyone. Browse all of our
course offerings on our website and register now to start learning.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@juneberry.farm shared their fig harvest this fall. The superfood is a great source of fiber, full of vitamins and minerals, and are delicious!
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@nova_ridge_farm shared this kind eye of their farm's donkey. And, if you look closely, you can spot the farmer too.
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@wylliefoxfarm shared this edible lawn found in downtown Syracuse and grown from their organic brassica seedlings.
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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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Apply Now for NYS Dairy Advancement Program
Want to position your farm for long-term sustainability? Farms in NYS can apply for the Dairy Advancement Program to earn funds to develop or update farm comprehensive nutrient management plans or improve management practices on farms. The application is on a rolling basis until the funds are depleted.
Learn more and apply.
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Farmers Impacted by Trade War Can Apply for Market Facilitation Program
Enrollment is now open for farmers to receive up to $150 per acre depending on the crop grown and the effects of trade retaliation within the county. Dairy, hogs, and specialty crops are also eligible.
Learn more and apply by December 6.
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$2.25 Million in Grants Available in NYS Conservation Partnership Program
The program is a public-private partnership between the DEC and the Land Trust Alliance that invests in New York land trusts. Funds help conserve farmland, wildlife habitat, recreation areas, and urban open space.
Learn more and apply by December 16.
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USDA Opens Signup for Regional Conservation Partnership Program
USDA is investing up to $300 million to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. Eligible organizations interested in partnering with NRCS can apply for conservation projects including a range of on-the-ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
Learn more and apply by December 3.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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CCE Tompkins Hiring Community Ag and Local Foods Awareness Educator
Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Tompkins is seeking a candidate for this full-time educator position. Some job requirements include relationship building and research for stakeholders of the program, coordinating local food and farm tours, agricultural awareness events and more.
Learn more and apply.
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Horticulture Team Leader Position Open at CCE Monroe
This is a full-time position based out of Rochester, and has scheduling flexibility. The Horticulture Team Leader is responsible for providing leadership in the assessment, development, planning, delivery and evaluation of horticulture educational programming as well as other administrative and coordination duties.
Learn more and apply.
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Register Now for Free Tickets to 2020 Dairy Strong Conference
Farmers can receive two complimentary tickets to Dairy Strong, a dairy industry conference taking place in January 2020 in Madison, WI. Transportation and lodging is on your own, but the conference, workshop, and some meals will be included with complimentary tickets.
Learn more and register by November 1 for free tickets.
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19.2 Acres of Protected Farmland Available in Suffolk County
The Peconic Land Trust is now accepting proposals by qualified farmers for a parcel of protected farmland in Southold, NY. The acreage has been in agricultural use, and includes five structures. The Trust requires that at least 80 percent of the land be used for food production.
Learn more and apply by October 18.
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Food Safety for Small Food Processors
When: Friday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Geneva, NY
Details: This introductory course will review new FSMA regulations in effect as of September 2019, and any exemptions your small business may have. Cost is $25, and space is limited.
Learn more and register.
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Southern Tier Food and Farms Business Expo
When: Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Binghamton, NY
Details: The expo helps cultivate new business relationships within your local community. Vendors can meet buyers and increase visibility and sales with regional businesses.
Learn more and register.
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New York Farm Bureau Summit
When: November 2 and 3,
at various times
Where: Syracuse, NY
Details: This summit focuses on promotion and education. The agenda includes workshops on how to engage with consumers.
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Farmland for a New Generation Ask the Experts Series
This four-part workshop series by Cornell Cooperative Extension will cover finding, affording, marketing, and leasing farmland. Western New York participants will meet in East Aurora and join the workshop via video conference. Participants from across the state will hear a presentation from each expert and then have a chance to ask questions and have time to network with other farmland seekers and owners.
- October 15: "Where Do I Find Farmland and Can I Afford It?"
- October 29: "How Do I Market My Farmland?"
- November 12: "How is Farmland Valued?"
- November 26: "What Is In An Effective Lease Agreement?"
Cost is $10 a session or $30 for all four sessions. Discount available for those currently enrolled in the CCE Erie Ag Program.
Learn more and register.
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Additional Reading & Resources
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Help Improve Cover Crop Incentive Programs
Producers are invited to take
this survey by Cornell University, with support from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), to help improve future cover crop incentive programs.Key findings will be shared widely following the survey.
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How to Estimate Finances from Transitioning to Organic
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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.
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Do you have farm-related questions? Sometimes local questions are best answered by your neighborhood Cornell Cooperative Extension agent.
Find your local contact
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