Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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Here in the Finger Lakes, the forecast is looking prime for sugaring season. The brighter sun, longer days and daffodils cautiously emerging tell us the growing season has arrived. Many of you will be seeding in the greenhouse soon, or scanning pastures for signs of that fresh green buffet. Others will be gearing up to welcome new staff to the farm. Another cycle begins…
In anticipation of spring,
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Labor Ready Project Offers Farm Management Master Classes
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The Labor Ready Farmer Project of the Cornell Small Farms Program has opened registration for two hands-on "Farm Management Master Classes." These two-day intensive workshops will give farm owners and managers the skills they need to effectively hire, train and supervise farm employees. An Eastern NY workshop will be held March 5 and 6 and a Western NY workshop will be held March 13 and 14.
Learn more and register.
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New Resources Available for Refugee Farmers in New York
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This past year, the Cornell Small Farms Program developed new resources for refugee farmers and the agricultural service providers who support refugee communities. This includes a video now available in "Karen," a language spoken in Burma and Thailand, to support the refugee farming community in Central NY. The project also developed a directory of farm service provider organizations.
Explore these new resources.
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Get Ready For New Markets: Registration Now Open
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Looking to diversify sales beyond the farmers market, CSA or farm stand? Farmers interested in seeking new markets are invited to join us for "Baskets to Pallets." The comprehensive two-day introduction to selling wholesale is designed for farmers of all enterprises, and will be held March 14 and 15 in Rochester, NY.
Learn more and register.
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Apply Now for HR and Management Support Grant
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The Cornell Small Farms Program through the Labor Ready Farmer project has grant funding available through 2020 to offer one-on-one technical assistance on human resource and managerial skills to beginning farmers, including next generation farmers on family farms.
Learn more and apply.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@abundanceacresfarm shared that their Amish neighbors bring draft horses to pull logs from the woods.
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@avery.bryce shared pink oyster mushrooms that look like the petals of a rose, just in time for Valentines Day.
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@bottomlandfarm's pigs enjoyed a delicious apple snack thanks to @underthetreefarms.
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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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CCE Podcast Breaks Down Impact of 2018 Farm Bill
This year’s Farm Bill has important provisions regarding commercial hemp, urban agriculture, and more. CALS Associate Dean of Governmental and Community Relations, Julie Suarez, joined the show to talk about the
implications of the bill, Cornell’s role in the new hemp industry, and continued innovation in the farming community.
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Aren’t They All Just Pines? How to ID Needle-Bearing Trees
Winter is a great time to learn about the trees that most people call "pines." But they aren't all pine trees. Learn how to
identify needle-bearing trees with this how-to prepared by NYS extension forester and director, Peter Smallidge.
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Wild Farm Alliance Released New Bird Resource
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Learn How to Teach Cattle To Graze Like Goats from On Pasture
A ranch manager in Alberta, Canada, is teaching cattle to control woody species invasion on native rangelands. By using strategic placement of salt and mineral feeders in brush patches, you can
teach cattle that they can aggressively browse the brush as well.
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Tips for Pruning Grapevines from Modern Farmer
Grapevines are fully dormant in the winter, making this the best time to prune. Maximize the number of grape clusters each plant produces with these
ten steps that take you from the first year of growth to pruning established vines.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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$18.4 Million Available for Water Quality Projects on Livestock Farms
The program funds projects that will allow NY livestock farms to better manage and store nutrients, such as manure, and to protect ground water and waterways. The maximum award per proposal is $385,000, which includes funding for engineering and construction expenses.
Learn more and apply by April 16.
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Beginning Farmer Institute Now Accepting Applications
National Farmers Union's Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) is a free training programs for new producers of all ages and operation type/size. Participants attend three in-person learning sessions over the course of the year, one each in D.C., Northern California, and Georgia.
Learn more and apply by April 15.
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Free Seedlings Available to Landowners for Streamside Plantings
The NYS DEC announced new "Buffer in a Bag" program, which provides qualifying public and private landowners a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting along streams, rivers, or lakes to help stabilize banks, decrease erosion, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat.
Learn more and apply by April 3.
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Feeding Better Futures Scholars Program Awards Young Innovators $50,000
General Mills' Feeding Better Futures Scholars Program encourages today’s youth to share their solutions to fight hunger, reduce food waste, and grow food more sustainably. Young innovators across North America are invited to submit their ideas for a chance to win $50,000 to further their program, and receive industry mentorship and exposure at the prestigious Aspen Ideas Festival.
Learn more and apply by February 26.
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$12 Million Available for Farmland Protection Implementation Grant
The grant program helps to ensure dairy farms' opportunity to diversify their operations or transition their farms to the next generation at more affordable costs, while ensuring the land forever remains used for agricultural purposes. The state accepts applications on a rolling basis for grants of up to $2 million from eligible entities.
Learn more and apply.
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Certified Organic Farm in Suffolk County Available for Lease
Located in Mattituck, NY, MarGene Farms five-acres and certified organic. It features two high tunnels, a chicken coop that can hold up to 150 chickens who can free range on the farm, and two rototillers. If interested, contact Gene or Maryann Krupski at 631-298-7688.
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Vermont Dairy and Creamery Business for Sale
The Larson Farm is a 100% grass-fed, certified organic dairy and creamery located in Wells, Vermont. Raw milk sales support growing pasteurized product sales that include whole milk, yogurt, skyr, butter, ghee and gelato. For sale is the 30-cow A2A2 Jersey herd with replacements, basic farm equipment and lease of the farm and creamery. Housing available. Contact 802-645-0865 for more information.
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Capital Region Direct Marketing Conference
When: Thursday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Voorheesville, NY
Details: Learn ways to enhance direct market sales from Farm Roots, who will share what they have learned in assisting farmers. Cost is $30.
Register.
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27th Annual Rural Landowner Workshop
When: Saturday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Yorkshire, NY
Details: The workshop will bring together presenters from private and public sectors to provide up-to-date information on forestry issues. Cost is $30.
Register.
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Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
When: Saturday, March 2, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lafayette, NY
Details: Hands-on learning of fruit tree pruning from expert orchardist at Apple Acres’ orchards. Free to attend, with limited number of attendees.
Register.
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B.E.V. Conference for NY Wineries
B.E.V. NY is New York's annual conference for the grape and wine industry, combining the resources of Cornell's Extension Enology Lab, the Finger Lakes Grape Program, and the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Cost is $175. The conference will be held Feb. 27 to March 1 in Rochester, NY.
Register now.
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NYC Agriculture Collective's Annual Fresh in February
The event is an opportunity to engage with NYC's urban farms, and learn how farms such as Square Roots, Farm.One, Smallhold and Aerofarms are able to grow your leafy greens in below-freezing weather, year-round. Cost is $25. The event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Project Farmhouse in NYC.
Register now.
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NOFA-NY’s 2019 Organic Dairy & Field Crop Conference
The 8th annual conference presents a networking opportunity for farmers, consumers, and vendors, with a focus on soil health and diversification. The conference is held at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool in Syracuse, NY on March 6. Cost is $95.
Register now.
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Blueberry Intensive Workshop
NYS Berry Growers and Cornell CCE are hosting the region’s first-ever blueberry intensive, an in-depth look at blueberry growing techniques, pests and diseases, marketing, and an afternoon demonstration on working farms. Cost is $35. Offered in two locations: March 5 in Cattaraugus County; March 14 in Dutchess County.
Register now.
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Winter 2019 Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Gain tools to create an on-farm food safety plan, complete one of the requirements for either FSMA or the New York State Grown and Certified branding, and discuss funding streams to make upgrades. Training held at CCE Broome on March 11 and 12. Cost starts at $100/farm, includes 2 registrations, meals, manual and AFDO certificate.
Register now.
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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.
If you have a story idea, event, or announcement for an upcoming newsletter, you can always submit to us through our
online form
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