Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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It is officially Autumn this weekend, and with it comes the start of our online course season. In case you missed the news, we are offering a range of courses for farmers of every level. Don't miss our first round of courses, which includes
"Farm Woodlot Management"
and
"Quickbooks for Farmers."
Through this newsletter we want to help inform your week with
news stories, announcements, resources, opportunities and upcoming events relevant to small farms
. You can always submit a story idea, event, or announcement for an upcoming newsletter using our
online form
.
Also, don’t forget to
subscribe.
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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Meet the Pawpaw: America's Forgotten Fruit
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The largest edible fruit native to the United States tastes like a cross between a banana and a mango. It grows wild in twenty-six states, gracing Eastern forests each fall with sweet-smelling, tropical-flavored abundance. Historically, it fed and sustained Native Americans and European explorers, presidents, inspiring folk songs, poetry, and scores of place names from Georgia to Illinois.
Learn more about this forgotten fruit during a
special lecture
at Cornell on Saturday, Oct. 13.
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Two New Berry Varieties Available Next Season
A cold-hardy variety of strawberry, “the Dickens” and a variety of raspberry, “Crimson Treasure” have been released by Courtney Weber, associate professor at Cornell College of Ag. and Life Sciences. The Dickens strawberry has high yields and holds well to the plant and in containers. Crimson Treasure is fall-bearing and the fruit is the largest in the region — typically double the size of other varieties.
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Your Guide to Grants in the Northeast
You can now search a comprehensive report of grants offered in the northeast, compiled by Farm Credit East. The report is organized by first listing federal/regional grants, and then by state. Specific states include: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. However, federal resources are applicable to all farmers.
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Deciding the Future of Seafood in NYS
New York State has approved roundtables to discuss the seafood industry. Some of the goals for the roundtable meetings include: potential methods to increase resources and information for seafood industry members; potential methods to promote the marketing and sustainability of New York seafood; and potential educational opportunities for seafood consumers.
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Now Accepting Proposals: NY Farm Viability Institute Grants
Educators, researchers, farmer groups, agencies, organizations, and businesses within New York State are eligible to apply for grants from $15,000 to $125,000. The proposals should be six months to two years, and funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis each quarter. For more information regarding eligibility and proposal details,
visit the NYFVI website
.
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$2 Million Available in Grants for Food Pantries and Emergency Relief
The NY Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced a new funding opportunity for food pantries and municipalities to reach the goal of both food insecurity and reducing food waste. Applications are
due February 1, 2019,
for food rescue organizations and
March 1, 2019,
for municipalities.
Apply through the
Grants Gateway website.
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Opportunity to Rent Organic Farm and Apartment
A
njali Farm, located in South Londonderry, Vermont, is a Zone 4 7-acre property available for rent. There are three acres of tillable land, two acres of pastures, three hoop houses, a 500 sq. ft. greenhouse, and 19th century restored barns. There is also a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment on-site with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and office available. Visit the
Anjali Farm website
for m
ore information about the farm, and
contact Emmett Dunbar at (508) 237-4046 or
info@anjalifarm.com
for more information on renting the property.
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Hands-On Garlic Planting Workshop
When:
September 27, 2018 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Where:
Community Gardens by Tioga Opportunties Center
Details
:
Come learn about the dos and don'ts of garlic planting, then get your hands dirty actually planting a bed of garlic! You will have the knowledge and experience to plant your own crop this fall. Rain date is the following day.
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Sheep and Goat Symposium
When:
Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14
Where:
Morrison Hall at Cornell University, Ithaca campus
Details:
This event includes f
ormal presentations as well as
hands-on activities where f
armers will have the opportunity to practice important livestock skills under the guidance of trained professionals.
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Go Nuts at Upcoming Nut Workshop
When:
October 2, 2018 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where
: Schuyler County Human Services Complex, Montour Falls
Details
: Join Akiva Silver. owner of Twisted Tree Farm, in a nut growing workshop that will cover cultivation, propagation, natural history, harvesting, processing, and marketing of chestnuts, hazelnuts, acorns, and walnuts.
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Putting Down Roots
Three-Part Series
This workshop series will provide advanced training on how to find farmland in New York State. Farmers will learn farm tenure options, how to evaluate personal readiness and farmland requirements, financial statements and planning, as well as tools for finding and making decisions about farmland. Follow-up support is available to farmers that complete the workshop series. This is a free workshop series,
but the application process is competitive.
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Learn to Grow a Successful Agritourism Business
Agritourism has the potential to be a stream of profit for your farm, but it can carry many risks. Delaware County CCE is hosting five lunchtime seminars on the topic, which can be attended in person or accessed online. The seminars will be every Friday, from Sept. 28 to Nov. 2. Topics include risk management, managing your production, legal risk, marketing, human resources, and more. The final seminar on Nov. 2 will feature an Agritourism Farmer Panel.
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Webinars for
Ranchers and Grazers
The Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is hosting two webinars for ranchers and grazers focused on successfully applying for a BFRDP grant. Part 1 will be held on Sept. 18 at 1:00 p.m. EST and Part 2 on Oct. 9 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The webinars will describe past successful project webinars and instruct how to create your own project. Register for Part 1
he
re
and Part 2
here.
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Extending the Grazing Season for Livestock
The First Annual Fall Roundup Grazier Meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 1, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Diamond Hills Farm in Hudson, NY. This workshop will address appropriate crops for winter grazing, forage testing, and how to manage both feces and livestock over winter. Register for the $10 meeting
here.
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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. We envision 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 Cornell Small Farms Program (SFP) 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 an 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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