Welcome back to the Small Farms newsletter!
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Dear friends,
As we draw to the end of another year, we tend to take stock of the past year's events. There are always things that we are glad are over and
done. Nice to put those away!
We also remember events and people that fill us with a sense of gratitude and make us smile at random times. These are the real gifts that keep on giving.
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Even if things have been tough, these are the connections that help us feel buoyed despite it all.
In doing the work of farming, we share gifts of the land and of our own hands. We hope that you find time now for some rest, connecting with loved ones, and reflecting on all the good that is in your life. We are grateful for all you create and share. Bask in that a little!
Happy Holidays from the entire Cornell Small Farms Program team.
Warm regards,
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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New Project Focuses on Caring for Your Farm’s Greatest Asset
Farmers face stress and uncertainty in many aspects of their businesses and livelihoods. It can be hard to take time to rest, relax, and invest in well-being and cultivate supportive relationships within a community. Our
new project looks at the whole health and resilience of farmers and farm employees. Specifically, we’ll be focusing on well-being, equity/fairness, and connection to community.
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Cornell Small Farms Program is
"In the News"
Members of our team are regularly called on to speak about our research and work with small farms, trends in agriculture, and other farming topics that are in the news. Recently, we discussed the growing need for
farm succession plans with the New York Times. Also, our efforts to help NYS farmers implement
reduced tillage systems was recently featured in the American Agriculturalist.
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Start Exploring New Opportunities for Your Farm with Our Online Courses
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Our third block of courses begin in January, and cover a range of topics to help your farm business. 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.
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- Have an idea for a farm enterprise but not sure if it’s feasible? This course will help you explore the potential markets and profitability of your ideas, picking up where BF 101: Starting at Square One left off. (Note: BF 101 is not a prerequisite.)
- If you’ve been struggling to make your farm operation profitable without driving yourself into the ground, this financial planning course is for you. You will learn how to make financial decisions toward farm and family values and goals.
- Whether you are currently keeping honey bees, or are considering adding them to your farm, a basic knowledge of bee biology, diseases, pests, and setting up your colony are essential for success. This course will give you real-world experiences paired with academic concepts.
- Tree fruit are an important component of the agricultural and homeowner landscape. This course trains beginning tree fruit growers in fundamental concepts in orchard planning and management.
- Adding weeks to either end of your growing season can mean attaining a premium for having products available well before (or long after) other local growers. This course will introduce you to unheated plastic-covered "high tunnels" or "hoop houses," and covers cost, management considerations and more.
- Have sheep or thinking about getting a flock? Producers of all experience levels will find something for them in this lively, wide-ranging course. There is no one right way to raise sheep — this course covers many of these different options.
- This course continues where BF 120 ends, covering vegetable production from transplanting to harvest, including: in-season fertility, integrated pest management, weed control, harvesting, and marketing. (Note: BF 120 is not a prerequisite.)
- With a bit of practice, mushrooms can be easily grown in the woods on many products. This course trains new and experienced farmers in the background, techniques, and economics of farm scale woodland mushroom production.
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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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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Enrollment Now Open for Conservation Reserve Program
Farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. The general signup runs from December 9, 2019 to February 28, 2020.
Learn more.
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Grants Available for Training and Education to Support Local Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is accepting applications for Local Food Producer Outreach, Education, and Training for Enhancing Food Safety and FSMA Compliance. The primary objective of this cooperative agreement is to provide training, education, and outreach for local food producers and processors. FDA intends to fund up to $2 million for fiscal year 2020.
Learn more and apply by January 28, 2020.
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Dairy Margin Coverage Deadline Extended to This Friday
Due to the prolonged and extensive impacts of weather events this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the deadline to December 20 for producers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for the 2020 calendar year. USDA announced is also continuing to accept applications for the Market Facilitation Program through December 20.
Learn more and apply.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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New York Farm Bureau Seeking New Chief Executive Officer
NYFB’s Chief Executive Officer is responsible for providing exemplary leadership for the organization’s more than 40 professional staff, and for managing the day-to-day business of NYFB and subsidiary corporations.
Learn more and apply by December 20.
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Grow Your Business Course Offered This Winter
Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming is offering their "Grow Your Farm Business Course" this winter. Classes will be on Wednesdays 6 to 9 p.m. from January 22 to March 25, 2020 at the Just Be Cause Center in Ithaca, NY. Presentations, activities and farmer panels are aimed at teaching students the core pieces of planning a farm business. Session topics include goal setting, assessing financial feasibility, justice in your farm business, marketing, and more in order to create a business plan.
Learn more.
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Survey Asks Dairy Farmers About Alternate Pricing Structures
Cornell University’s Dairy Farmer Pricing Survey will serve as valuable guidance to dairy farmers and milk handlers when considering alternate pricing structures beyond the milk marketing order and the expected results therefrom. Each person completing the survey will be eligible for one of five $100 VISA gift cards.
Take the survey.
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Farmers Involved in Agritourism Asked to Complete Survey
This survey from the University of Vermont will help researchers gauge the scope and impact of the agritourism industry nationwide. The data will be used by cooperative extension and research personnel to develop resources to help increase the success of small- and medium-sized farms that offer on-farm direct sales, education, hospitality, recreation, entertainment, and other types of agritourism.
Take the survey.
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Data Collection Begins for Organic Survey & Horticultural Specialty Census
Those who self-identified as organic producers or transitioning to organic on the 2017 Ag Census will be mailed a survey code by the USDA to participate in a once-every-five-year survey. All self-identified Horticultural Producers will also be mailed a code. Survey codes will allow producers to participate in the online survey. The deadline for the 2019 Organic Survey is January 10, 2020, and February 5, 2020 for the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties. Results will be available for both in the fall of 2020.
Learn more.
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Veterans in Ag: Agroforestry Workshop
When: Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Honeoye Falls, NY
Details: Our Farm OPS project is providing free training workshops for veterans interested in agriculture. This course will cover various agroforestry values and potential in your woods.
Learn more and register.
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Labor Compliance for Local Growers
When: Monday, Dec. 23
Where: Jamestown, NY
Details: Labor laws in NYS for farmers will undergo significant changes next year. This presentation will cover over-time, workers’ compensation, paid family leave, unemployment insurance and short-term disability.
Learn more.
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Veterans in Ag: Agroforestry Workshop
When: Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Syracuse, NY
Details: The annual forum held during the Empire State Producers Expo will this year focus on "Farm Labor: Times of Change." Topics include immigration, H-2A, overtime, managing a union environment, and more.
Learn more and register.
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Additional Reading & Resources
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New Study Details the Promise of Urban Agriculture
Are you an existing or aspiring urban farmer? Building a successful urban farm requires careful consideration of unique issues. Our program director studied commercial farming in urban areas and the USDA Agriculture Marketing service report
"The Promise of Urban Agriculture" is now available online.
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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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