Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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Dear friends,
I think summer is here. Days are getting longer and I have been outside working, like most of you, sun up to sundown when the rain stops. I have never raised chickens, but I understand that hens tune into daylight as well.
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A couple of years ago, I started buying eggs from Erica Frenay (on SFP staff), who runs
Shelterbelt Farm. Her daughter Rowan had started the egg business to earn money for her other pet projects. Rowan would deliver eggs in plain egg cartons. I would send the cartons back decorated, since such beautiful eggs needed more celebration!
Every week, I look forward to these eggs and their sunny side up, even in the rain. They nourish me and even give me a chance to exercise my creative side.
Here is wishing you dry, sunny days, to warm up and catch up.
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Last week some of the Cornell Small Farms Program staff had a "team meeting" at the Cornell University research farm where we conduct reduced tillage trials. The team worked together from staging lettuce plants on trays, to no till transplanting of lettuce in tarped beds.
With the help of students, the site will be monitored throughout the summer. The data collected will help inform our research on developing reduced tillage methods to successfully manage weeds, integrate cover crops, and build soil productivity.
Learn more about the project.
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Up Next in Our Events Series for Veterans in Agriculture
Farm OPS, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, is providing series of training workshops throughout 2019 for veterans interested in agriculture. These events will be held at EquiCenter Farm in Honeoye Falls, NY.
Tuesday, June 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The second part of the mushroom course offerings, this course will provide practical instruction for designing and building controlled atmosphere mushroom production spaces. Learn the basic techniques and equipment required to start producing mushrooms on a small scale commercially.
Learn more and register.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@rainwaterfarms shared their first shiitake mushrooms, grown after taking our workshop.
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@littlesalmonfarm lights a fire in the wood stove when putting their plants to bed to keep the greenhouse cozy.
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@impseeder showed that you never what you are going to find when you turn over a rotten log.
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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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USDA Helps Cover Costs for Organic Certification
Organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). The reimbursement is for up to 75 percent of certification costs each year, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope.
Learn more and apply by October 31.
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AFRI Funding Up to $500,000 for Projects Supporting Small Farms
Agriculture and Food Research Initiatives (AFRI) is requesting applications for FY 2019 funding. The small and medium sized farms program area (code A1601) supports projects that assist farmer decision making on scale management strategies and technologies to enhance economic efficiency and sustainability.
Learn more and apply by July 18.
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$25 Million Available for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of $25 million in funding per year over the next five years to help support the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. Participating farmers and ranchers will receive payments to offset the risk and investments for testing out new and innovative conservation approaches.
Learn more and apply by July 15.
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Farm Credit East Offers Small Grants to Northeast Farmers’ Markets
Up to $1,000 in grant funding is available to assist farmers’ markets in their efforts to support participating farmers, complete market enhancements, conduct marketing efforts, or host programs that support disadvantaged communities or improve access to fresh, local food. Any farmers’ market located within Farm Credit East’s territory is eligible.
Learn more and apply by June 3.
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Northeast SARE Invites Preproposals for Three Grant Programs
The Northeast SARE Program released calls for preproposals for 2020 projects through three grant programs: Research and Education, Professional Development, and Research for Novel Approaches in Sustainable Agriculture. Preproposals are due by June 25, with applicants selected in mid-August and final proposals due by October 29.
Learn more.
The
Research and Education Program funds applied research and farmer education projects on sustainable farming and food system topics. Awards range from $30,000 to $250,000.
The
Professional Development Program awards funds to train-the-trainer projects involving sustainable agriculture concepts and techniques for Cooperative Extension educators, non-profit organization personnel and other agricultural service providers. Awards range from $30,000 to $150,000.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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New York State Grown & Certified Expands to Include Seafood
New York State Grown & Certified promotes the state’s farmers and food producers who adhere to higher food safety practices and environmental standards. The program was recently expanded to include New York seafood producers, including wild caught fisheries and aquaculture.
Learn more.
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CCE Sullivan County Hiring Two Program Coordinators
The Ag Business Program Coordinator is a full-time position, providing education and resources in business management and development related topics to agricultural producers. The Horticulture Program Coordinator is a part-time position, delivering programs to help the general public and horticulture service industry in areas of horticulture and integrated pest management.
Learn more and apply.
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CSA Farm in Ontario County Hiring Farm Crew Member
The full-time seasonal worker (April-Nov) will participate in all aspects of growing high-quality vegetables using ecological practices for Wild Hill Farm, a 200-member CSA farm in Bloomfield, NY. Applicants don’t necessarily need tons of farm experience, but should be seriously considering a career in farming.
Learn more and apply.
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Organic Dairy in Catskills Seeks Herd Manager
Bethel Creamery is a small, family owned, certified organic dairy farm with an on site dairy processing facility. They're seeking a motivated, knowledgeable herd manager who can care for the animals at all stages of development and milk them. Housing is available, a brand new tiny house for a single person or couple. Email resume with references to
bethelcreamery1@gmail.com or leave message at 845-866-1776.
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NOFA-NY Looking for Farmers' Market Data Collectors
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York is working to improve their Price Index tool. As part of this effort, they are looking for individuals to collect Certified Organic prices at the Brighton Farmers’ Market in Rochester and the Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market.
Learn more and apply.
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Land Reconciliation & Reparations Potluck
When: Wednesday, May 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Ithaca, NY
Details: Join a discussion of Leah Penniman’s recent Farming While Black book tour and Land Access and Reparations workshops, including action planning for next steps in this work. Free too attend; bring dish to share, and if possible, also a place setting.
RSVP.
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Southern Tier Industry Summit: Ag & Food
When: Thursday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Binghamton, NY
Details: This economic conference is focused on connecting and maximizing opportunities within the agriculture and food service industries throughout the Southern Tier of New York. Cost is $69; refreshments and lunch provided.
Register.
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Food Safety from Farm to Fork Webinar
When: Friday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Online
Details: Learn how Cornell is working to address food safety challenges through applied research, offering trainings, and providing services. Hear from food safety experts in produce, dairy, and food processing and manufacturing. Free to attend.
Register.
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Eastern U.S. Hemp Conference & Expo
The second annual event will continue to educate and celebrate the hemp industry of New York. Production workshops, research seminars, policy discussions and more are featured on the conference schedule. The event will be held June 2-4 in Albany, NY. Cost ranges based on registration package.
Learn more and register.
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CCE Niagara Beginning Farmer Training Program
This new, hands-on certificate program for aspiring and beginning farmers will will teach the business of profitable market gardening and give experience in taking a crop from seed to sale. Students will learn by growing produce in CCE’s Field Lab and from experienced farmers and industry experts in the classroom. The season-long program begins June 4 and ends November 19. Cost is $275.
Learn more and apply by May 28.
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Additional Reading & Resources
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USDA Organic Program Launches Organic Integrity Learning Center
The National Organic Program is providing free training for organic professionals through the new online
Organic Integrity Learning Center. The learning center offers an initial suite of courses ranging from certification to compliance, and more, with additional courses being added. Each training lesson includes assessments to track learning progress.
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Tips for Springing into Soil Health this Season
American Farmland Trust shared how you can improve the health of their soil in a way that improves your farm’s resiliency and bottom-line. The
five tips from the field include: knowing your soil, find your local partners, test new practices, track your results, and evaluate and plan for next year.
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National Young Farmers Coalition Offers Finding Farmland Course
The
free course features nine lessons to help prepare farmers to confidently approach the financial decisions related to land access and acquiring their own farm. Over the next month, the experts who helped create this resource will be available to answer your questions and respond to feedback. Check it out on our website here.
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Enterprise Budget for Cherry Tomato Production
Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) has published an enterprise budget for cherry tomato production based on the experiences of two farms in 2018. Each farm reported on yield, revenue, net income, expenses, and labor. The
enterprise budget details these factors, and also shows how differences in production methods affect yields per square foot.
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Video Series to Help Train Next Generation of Vegetable Growers
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is newly offering a weekly, 26-episode
video series on its YouTube channel to spark interest and begin training future farmers and ag workers. The series of 7-minute to 47-minute videos will cover sound agronomic, economic, and environmental stewardship skills.
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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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