Welcome back to the Small Farms newsletter!
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Dear friends,
Thanksgiving, for many New York farmers, marks the end of the season. The final markets, the last load of squash, the finish of harvests, and the straw on the strawberries (yes, that was my big chore when I was farming). One more season is complete.
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So we begin our thanks and send out our gratefulness to all who work hard to feed and fiber us, fill our landscapes with beauty, help our farmers with seeds and supplies, and support agriculture as a viable and meaningful vocation. Your combined efforts continue to bring bounty to our tables.
I also want to express gratitude to all of you who have participated in the Cornell Small Farms Program in any way, big or small. Your interest, hunger for knowledge and commitment to small farms is what feeds and motivates us.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, because it is about family, friends and FOOD! The goal is to slow down, sit with those you love, and share. Maybe even watch some football (I am a Detroiter — go Lions!). No pressure, unless you burn dinner.
Wishing you all a wonderful start to your holiday season, whatever way you should choose to celebrate.
Warm regards,
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Don’t Miss Our Last Monthly Mushroom Webinar of the Year
There is still time to join one more installment of our Specialty Mushroom project’s free monthly webinar series. On Tuesday, November 19, the topic of financial planning for mushroom enterprises will be covered with our mushroom project specialist, Steve Gabriel, and Faith Gilbert of Letterbox Farm Collective. Review the basics of building an enterprise budget, and discover how mushrooms can fit within a larger whole farm plan.
Learn more and register.
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In the News: Farm Ops Featured in Veteran’s Day Podcast
In honor of Veteran’s Day, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) podcast Extension Out Loud sat down with our own Dean Koyanagi to discuss the myriad programs and resources available to veterans interested in agriculture. Veterans are often drawn to farming post-service because of the opportunity for entrepreneurship and a chance to continue their strong work ethic. With new farms come new challenges, and this is where Farm Ops comes in.
Read more and listen.
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Start the New Year by Exploring New Opportunities with Online Courses
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It's already time to start planning for the new year. Our third block of courses begin in January, and cover a range of topics to help your farm business.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
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. 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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John May Farm Safety Fund Helps Farmers Make Safety Upgrades
The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) is offering financial assistance to farm operations for repairs and upgrades that help make for a safer workplace. Funds of up to $5,000 are available first come, first serve. Applicants must be a NYS resident actively farming with an annual farm gross income of $10,000 to $350,000 for non-dairy operations or fewer than 700 milking cows for a dairy.
Learn more and apply.
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NE SARE Accepting Applications for Farmer Grants
Farmer Grants provide research funds for commercial farms to explore new ideas in almost any aspect of production, marketing and other topics that influence successful farming in the 12 Northeast states and D.C.
Learn more and apply by December 3.
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Lake Champlain-Area Farmers Can Apply for Farm Equipment Upgrades
Do you farm in the Lake Champlain area desiring to reduce tillage? The Lake Champlain Basin Area is requesting proposals for a grant to retrofit conventional machinery (e.g. corn planters) to allow for no-till practices and reduce One grant, up to $50,000, will be awarded to an applicant.
Learn more and apply by December 20.
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Applications Open for School-Based Agricultural Education Program Grant
Cornell University’s Agriculture Education and Outreach program is accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Agricultural Education Incentive Grant for New and Growing Programs. This program will provide local school-based agricultural education programs with grant awards to secure necessary resources for a high-quality agricultural education program.
Learn more and apply by December 20.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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Food System Organization VINES Hiring Multiple Positions
Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments (VINES) is a Binghamton, NY, organization with a focus on community gardens, urban agriculture and community green spaces. VINES is hiring for one full-time Community Garden Manager, one part-time Program Assistant, and has three Americorp positions open.
Learn more and apply.
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Cornell University Hiring Brooklyn-Based Urban IPM Extension Associate
This senior extension associate position will facilitate and lead statewide data-driven Urban Grassland Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management demonstration, implementation, and research activities. The position also includes impact documentation, evaluation of nutrient and pest management practices, applied research, and development of educational programs and materials.
Learn more and apply.
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Cornell University Hiring Geneva-Based Food Safety Extension Associate
As Director and Senior Extension Associate for the Institute for Food Safety, this position will lead a dynamic team to continue to build and strengthen the IFS@CU extension, research and outreach program. This position will lead the development, delivery and marketing of new food safety extension, education, and outreach programming in collaboration with internal and external constituents.
Learn more and apply.
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What is an Effective Lease Agreement?
When: Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Online
Details: Part of the "Ask the Experts" series of Farmland for a New Generation events, participants will hear a presentation from each expert, ask questions, and network with other farmland seekers and owners. Cost is $10.
Learn more and register.
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Access to Capital: Food, Beverage and Ag
When: Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Cobleskill, NY
Details: Are you in the food, beverage or agricultural industry in or near Cobleskill, NY? This workshop will cover types of financing, what lenders look for, alternatives to bank loans, and more.
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Veterans in Ag: Microgreens Workshop
When: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 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 intro course on microgreens will explore the basics of production through lecture and hands-on learning.
Learn more and register.
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Western New York Maple School and Trade Show
This educational meeting for commercial and hobby maple producers will cover tapping trees, maple tubing, marketing maple products, how sap moves through the trees, chemical safety for equipment, and much more. The trade show will be held on Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Attica, NY. Cost to attend is $15, which includes classroom instruction and lunch.
Learn more and register.
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Ag Workforce Development Council's Labor Roadshow III
Learn about various new labor laws affecting farmers in New York State. The Ag Workforce Development Council will be hosting a workshop in five different locations across the state. Sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost $55 per person, payable at the door.
Learn more and register.
- November 19: The Lodge at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg, NY
- November 20: Ramada by Wyndham in Watertown, NY
- November 21: Hilton Garden Inn Clifton Park in Clifton Park, NY
- November 22: Cayuga‐Onondaga BOCES in Auburn, NY
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Additional Reading & Resources
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Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Established in Northeast
A new network for farmers has been established in the Northeast with funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This
new program will work to improve behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers. The program is currently being developed to link networks and build connection and collaboration.
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Research Surveys Non-Operator Landowners
Little data exists on the millions of Americans who own and lease agricultural land but do not farm it themselves — known as “non-operator landowners” or NOLs. American Farmland Trust has
conducted research and found that NOLs are keenly interested in stewarding their land well, even if they aren’t farming it themselves.This fact sheet presents select survey findings for New York.
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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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