March 19, 2019
Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
And welcome Spring!

Looking up at the sky, it's clear the great bird migration is underway. Around the Small Farms office, we are approaching the end of winter training and online course season. We've enjoyed interacting with many of you at workshops around the state and hope we can stay in touch as warmer weather creeps in and field work calls. 

Some of you have shared that farm goals made during the quieter winter months get lost during the frenzy of the growing season. We continue to explore ways to facilitate ongoing connection and community for the producers who convene at our winter workshops. As a community, we can offer each other knowledge and resources, and even more importantly, support and companionship. 

Share with us by using #CornellSmallFarms on Instagram. You can also connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , and our website . If you're not on social media, simply send us an email at smallfarmsprogram@cornell.edu.

Happy Spring Equinox, ushered in by a full supermoon!

Until next time, 

Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
Small Farms Program Updates
New Events Series for Veterans in Ag
Farm OPS, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, is pleased to announce a series of agriculture training workshops for veterans. The series includes two week-long intensives covering a range of agricultural enterprises, single-day focused classes, and will connect veterans to other resources and opportunities.

Specific topics in this series will include: mushroom production, high tunnel growing, soil health, pasture management, greenhouse management, maple syrup production. The five-day intensive sessions will support those preparing, or beginning, to launch a farm business enterprise.
The events will begin this month and run through the end of the year. Events will be held at the EquiCenter Farm in Mendon, NY, unless otherwise specified. Veterans interested in these programs can visit the FarmOPS event page for more information.

You can register now for the first event, a workshop on vegetable production in high tunnels, also known as hoop houses.
Tuesday, March 26 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Veterans interested in growing in high tunnels are invited to join CCE Educator and Vegetable Specialist Judson Reid for an engaging workshop on the fundamentals of starting plants in a high tunnel.

Participants will learn how to select and manage appropriate crops via the topics of: varietal selection, crop nutrients, pest and disease management, as well as take a 'nuts-and-bolts' tour to discuss site selection and design considerations.

This workshop will be held at the EquiCenter Farm, and lunch is provided. Register now.
Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
@bottomlandfarm showed how their pigs were so tucked in, you can barely tell that there are two of them
in this picture.
@esinniger shared the humorous farm adventures of her husband in a video. Don't worry, he came away from the fall unscathed. 
@triplegreenjadefarm had hay in the pole barn, but their ladies wanted to spend time in the sunshine and so they dined al fresco.
Share what’s been happening on your farm with #CornellSmallFarms on Instagram and we may feature your image and story in the next newsletter.
Funding Opportunities
Funds Available to Help Farmers Address Climate Change Impacts

Governor Cuomo announced an additional $5 million has been added to the Resilient Farming Program in an effort to combat the effects climate change has on agriculture. There is currently $2.3 million available to help farmers reduce their environmental impact and recover from extreme weather conditions. Eligible projects include waste storage, water management and soil health. Learn more and apply by May 13. 
Northeast SARE Offers Grant for
Ag Service Providers and Educators 

Up to $30,000 in funding is available for a project that serves the needs, interests and expertise of farmers and farming partners in the Northeast. This grant is available for ag service providers, educators, or researchers who are directly working with farmers in the Northeast. Special interest given to projects with multidisciplinary collaboration and complex subject matter. Learn more and apply by April 23. 
NYS Ag and Markets Requests Proposals for Ecosystem Based Management

Funding is available for projects which help improve the water quality in Lake Ontario at the Rochester Embayment. Projects should focus on reducing the incidence of harmful algal blooms in the Genesee River and Finger Lakes Watershed. Project proposals are limited to geographic regions within these watersheds and can include erosion and sediment control. Learn more and apply by April 8. 
Graduate Student Invited to Apply for Northeast SARE Grants

Research grants are available to fund graduate student projects that explore sustainable agriculture themes of environmental stewardship, farm profitability and quality of life for farmers and the farm community. Successful applicants will receive up to $15,000 for their research project. Learn more and apply by May 7.
Funding Available from the Clean Water Infrastructure Act

Concentrated livestock operations are invited to submit proposals for funds to implement waste storage and transfer systems and associated practices. Up to $385,000 in funding is available for farms operating under CAFO general permits that do not currently have a minimum storage capacity of six months for all their livestock. Learn more and apply.
Business & Career Opportunities
NYS Grown & Certified Now Accepting Beer, Wine, Cider and Spirits

Wineries, breweries, distilleries, and NYS craft beverage ingredient producers, can now be included in the NYS Grown and Certified Program. Organizations must meet licensing and inspection requirements and source their ingredients from approved farms which follow Agricultural Environmental Management guidelines. Learn more and apply.
Host Farms Sought for Seed Internship Program 

The internship program, hosted by Organic Seed Alliance and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA), connects people interested in growing seeds with people experienced in seed growth. This exciting opportunity combines hands on work with small farms and classroom learning. Learn more and apply.
CCE Tompkins Hiring Agriculture Issue Leader

This position includes overseeing program development in the agricultural and horticultural departments, as well as administrative leadership. The person in this role will also run curriculum on specific topics that are of importance to agricultural development. Application review will begin March 28, but applications will stay open until the position is filled.  Learn more and apply.
Groundswell Seeks Farming & Food Justice Program Coordinator

Groundswell, a hub for food justice and agricultural education, is hiring for a new full-time position. The Program Coordinator would primarily be responsible for coordinating farm and food justice training programs and community events, but will also have opportunities to develop and teach curricula. Learn more and apply by April 1. 
Organic Farm in Orange County Hiring Farmer

Goshen Green Farm is looking to hire a farmer with experience in organic, regenerative permaculture farming, to manage and grow the 130 acre historic farm in Goshen, NY. Candidates with experience with collaborative planning, budgeting and marketing, and an interest in developing destination location, educational series and beekeeping, preferred. Housing available as part of compensation if requested. Internships are also available. Send resume to goshengreenfarms@aol.com.
Mark Your Calendars
Check our statewide calendar for events near you. 
Instagram for Farms
and Agribusinesses

When: Thursday, March 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Jamestown, NY 

Details: Learn how instagram can be used to benefit your farm business. Discussions will cover how to create your farm's brand, tell your farm's story, and connect to customers on the image-based social networking app. Cost is $5/person. Register.
Business & Estate Transition Planning

When: Wednesday, March 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Rochester, NY

Details: This workshop for farm and ag business owners will teach the steps necessary to successfully transition a farm or business, strengthening and securing your farm's future. Also learn about resources available to help. Free to attend. Register.
Farm Food Safety School 

When: Wednesday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Geneva, NY

Details: This is a full-day program focusing on putting farm food safety into daily production practices. Participants will learn why and how to clean, sanitize, and dry produce. Hygienic designs and applications will be covered in detail. Cost is $20 or $30. Register.
2019 Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference

This conference and trade show offers breweries and cideries timely educational topics with a focus on marketing, breakout tracks for topics specific to breweries and cideries, and opportunity to network. Held on Tuesday, March 26 in Waterloo, NY. Cost is $100/person which includes a light breakfast, lunch, an evening social hour and a 2019 commemorative glass. Register.
Chapter Convergence: Farmers Meetup & Potluck

Join the convergence of the Leatherstocking and Greater Catskills young farmers chapters on Sunday, March 31 at Star Route Farm in Charlotteville, NY. This is an opportunity to share challenges, discuss what resources are needed, and talk about how local policymakers can incentivize beginning and small-scale sustainable agriculture in the region.  Learn more and RSVP.
Sullivan County Entrepreneurial Training Series for Food Businesses

This eight-class training series offers a step-by-step hands on approach for developing a business plan. It also covers pathways to funding and other support services to help new businesses get off the ground and existing businesses to improve and expand their operations. Classes begin on Monday, April 1 in Liberty, NY. Cost is $50 per person, which covers all eight classes. Learn more and register.
Kunekune Pig Workshop & Networking Event

The Empire Kunekune Pig Association (EKPA)'a herd health assessment and management event will focus on Kunekune pigs, with important topics for general herd health relevant for all. Join for dinner and networking on Friday, April 26, and a full day of education on Saturday, April 27, Trumansburg, NY. Cost ranges based on membership. Register.
Additional Reading & Resources
Get Your Grazing Season Off On the Right Foot with Free Charts

Plan out the 2019 grazing season with one of Troy Bishopp’s personalized grazing schedules now available via On Pasture. These free to download schedules include specific charts for different pasture sizes and grazing periods.
New Cornell Factsheet Compares Dairy Risk Management Programs

The 2018 Farm Bill is affecting dairy risk management programs available to farmers, and so the Cornell Agricultural Risk Program has new fact sheets describing 2019 dairy risk policies and crop insurance availability in each county in New York. 
APHIS Launched New Site for Pests & Diseases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has a new website where users can search all pest and disease programs managed by the service, including how to monitor, report and manage threats.
Cornell Study Reveals NYS Agriculture's Economic Impact

A new framework for understanding economic impact has been rolled out by Cornell researchers. The framework was tested on the NYS apple industry, and it was concluded that apple production has a 21% larger economic impact than previous estimates. 
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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.
Stay Connected
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 .