Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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It is officially holiday season, and we hope you all find the time to enjoy a slice of pie. It is also the season of giving thanks. So thank you to all the farmers —
we admire your dedication to producing healthy food.
We also want to thank all those who have served. For this edition's feature we're highlighting the work of farmer veterans. In honor of Veterans Day last week, our Farm Ops project and some of the veteran alums were featured in a number of news stories.
What does the holiday season look like on your farm? Share
with us by using
#CornellSmallFarms.
Also, let us know how we can support your farm business as you close out another harvest season and begin to look ahead to next year.
You can connect with us through our
Instagram
, as well as on
Facebook
,
Twitter
, or our
website
.
If you have a story idea, event, or announcement for an upcoming newsletter, y
ou 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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Veterans Corner:
Farm Ops, Grant Spotlight, & Meet Our New Staff
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In celebration of Veterans Day, a number of news outlets reported on the work of our Farm Ops program, including a feature story by the
Cornell Chronicle
.
The
Farm Ops
project of the Cornell Small Farms Program provides expertise and community for veterans interested in agriculture across New York State. Connecting veterans with the
Armed to Farm
conference is often a first step in providing agricultural training and farm tours. If veterans want to make the transition into farming, the Small Farms Program provides a central location of resources with Marine Veteran
Dean Koyanagi
heading up the Farm Ops project.
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Welcome to Our New Veteran Program Associate
Shaun Bluethenthal is from NC, and served in the USMC infantry. Ten years after returning to civilian life, Shaun began a new career path in farming. He returned to school and graduated Cornell with a B.S. in agricultural sciences. He is now working with the Small Farms Program to broaden our work with farmer-veterans.
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AgVets Projects Enhance Opportunities for Veterans
Interested in
programming that will help military veterans gain farm and ranch knowledge and skills? N
onprofit organizations are eligible to apply for AgVets grants to bring onsite, hands-on training and classroom education for veterans, leading to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector.
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Additional Reading & Resources
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The Buzz Over High Tech Beehives
Last winter, 30 percent of honeybee colonies perished. You can better protect your hives thanks to a number of new technologies. There are microphones that pick up on populations of bees, sensors within beehives, thermosolar options to track your colony, and more.
Read more
.
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Four Principles of Soil Health Applied to Forages
Many farmers can get in the habit of accidentally providing monoculture forages for livestock. Follow this advice to successfully apply soil health principles and diversify the forages you’re planting.
Read more
.
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Ecological Collaboratory Learns from Wellspring Forest Farm and School
Agroforestry extension specialist,
Steve Gabriel
, works for the Cornell Small Farms Program in addition to owning and operating
Wellspring Forest Farm and School
with his wife, Elizabeth. Their farm and school run on ecologically conscious agroforestry principles, where each final product they sell is dependent on another aspect of their farm.
Read more
.
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How to Help Lambs Beat the Cold
Mature sheep can usually handle winter weather, but lambs have more trouble when the temperature dips below 45 degrees F. You can help your lambs thrive by following a few tips: keep them out of cold; provide proper nutrition; watch for hypothermia; ensure adequate water access; and offer a clean, dry place for lambing.
Read more
.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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NOFA-NY Hiring Full-Time
Dairy Assistant
NOFA-NY Certified Organic is hiring a Dairy Certification Coordinator Assistant. The full time position requires a college degree or equivalent by training or experience, knowledge of dairy production, excellent communication skills, and the ability to do detail-oriented work in a fast paced environment. Training will be provided.
Learn more and apply
.
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New Pond Farm Hiring Full-Time Farm Hand
New Pond Farm seeks a candidate with good communication skills, an agricultural degree or previous farm experience, light carpentry skills, and knowledge of machine maintenance. Competitive salary, a two bedroom apartment on-site, health insurance, and retirement plan provided. For more info or to send your resume,
contact Ann Taylor
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Genesee Valley Conservancy Hiring Full-Time Land Conservationist
The Conservancy seeks an individual to serve in maintaining and continuing their farmland protection program and proactive acquisition of conservation easements within the Genesee River watershed. The position requires an experienced professional who can work both independently and collaboratively.
Learn more and apply
.
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Deadline Reminder: Pro*Act Grant
The
Cultivating Change Grant
has $85,000 available in grants. In addition to a panel of industry experts reviewing the grants, the general public is able to vote on their favorites. Applications can be submitted through
December 15
; review and voting will conclude on January 31. Grant winners will be announced on February 4, 2019.
Apply or vote now.
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FAMACHA and Parasite Workshop
When:
Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where:
Rensselaer County
Details:
Improve your sheep or goat herd's parasite management. Pre-register by Monday, December 3rd.
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Legal Agreements for Farm Management
When:
Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where:
Tioga County
Details:
Whether large or small, all farm businesses face a variety of risks. Have your questions answered.
Register here
.
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Western NY Maple School & Trade Show
When:
Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where:
Attica, NY
Details:
Trade show and twelve classes offered all in one day for NY maple producers, large or small.
Learn more
.
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Dairy Farm Programs Offered by CCE Chautauqua
A series of upcoming educational programs are being offered for local dairy farm owners, their family members and farm employees, as well as agribusiness representatives working in the dairy industry. Events will focus on topics such as dairy calf management and health (Nov. 30) and issues facing the dairy industry.
Learn more and register
.
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Farmer Training on Produce Safety & Safety Plan Writing Workshop
This two-day course (Dec. 6 and 7) is for all fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, FSMA, GAPs, and co-management of natural resources & food safety. The course can satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c).
Learn more and register.
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Agenda Released for Veteran Service Provider Education Conference
Our last newsletter included this conference taking place in Binghamton, NY on Nov. 27. The
conference agenda
is now available. Help plot the road to farming using some veteran archetypes, hear from veteran farmers who have utilized local support, and discuss policy and programmatic changes that may need to be implemented.
Learn more and register
.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@juneberry.farm
shared that with this colder weather it's nice to kick up your cooking with these winter warming peppers.
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@cfet_
shared their story in the Small Farm Quarterly about a student entrepreneurship program making
hot sauce
.
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@ox_creek_farm
shared their dog Raffy helping move a group of turkeys but warned no tasting until Thanksgiving!
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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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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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