Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Committee | |
Ed Merry
Chris Comstock
Allison Lavine
Emily Brennan
Charles J Susick II
Kevin Peterson
Joe Castrechino
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Arkport
Bath
Savona
Avoca
Bath
Corning
Prattsburgh
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Legislative Representatives
Hilda Lando
Fred Potter
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Dairy Feeder School
October 31-November 14, 2024
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Program Dates and Locations vary: See the South Central, Central, and Northwest NY location options on the CALS website
Offered in English & Spanish at each site
Featuring stations with mostly hands-on activities and demonstrations
Who should attend
- Currently feeding dairy cows and want to learn more about the how and why of feeding activities
- Interested in becoming a cow feeder and want to increase knowledge of cow feeding
- Interested in learning more about how to improve the feeding process on farm
Topics covered
- Economics and importance of feeding and feed management
- Dry matter and feeder math basics: how to measure DM and refusals, and adjust ration
- Feed consistency and TMR audits
- Troubleshooting mixer wagons
- Bunk silo management, map out bunk, packing density and preservation, and feed out
- Safety
Registration Fee: $50 per person, Includes lunch
Contact: Kathy Barrett, kfb3@cornell.edu, for more information.
Learn more here.
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Did you suffer damage or loss from the recent storms and flash flooding?
The USDA has designated various counties in New York State as primary and contiguous disaster areas due to losses caused by a tornado hurricane, high winds, flash floods, and excessive rain that occurred from July 10th through July 16th, 2024.
Primary NY Counties (7): Cortland, Lewis, Seneca, Wyoming, Erie, Ontario, Tompkins
Contiguous Counties (23): Alleghany, Chemung, Livingston, Onondaga, Steuben, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Oswego, Tioga, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Monroe, St. Lawrence, Wayne, Cayuga, Herkimer, Niagara, Schuyler, Yates, Chautauqua, Jefferson, Oneida Lawrence
Producers can identify what programs they may qualify for by finding more information at our agency link: https://agriculture.ny.gov/emergency-management
All counties in our region are eligible for FSA emergency loans. Our local FSA offices can help you determine eligibility, funding maximum, and complete the process.
Steuben County farms should contact the USDA FSA Bath Service Center, 607-776-7398.
Photo: Mark Squires' flooded potato field in Prattsburgh. (Spectrum News 1/Emily Kenny)
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The Holidays are Approaching...
The Finger Lakes Region has so many local sources for Christmas trees, wreaths, decor, and holiday gifts! Remember to shop local!
Finger Lakes Farm Country (FLFC) also makes it easy to locate farm experiences, farm stays, and trip ideas so you can enjoy time with family during the holiday season.
Christmas Trees | Finger Lakes Farm Country shows a map highlighting some sources for trees from locally owned tree farms.
From family gatherings at a restaurant offering farm-to-table options to various on farm experiences, you can plan a fun holiday break centered around Steuben County Agriculture right from Finger Lakes Farm Country.
Farm producers and agritourism business owners, don't forget to list your events with FLFC! If you aren't a listed producer/farm and would like to be,
Complete The Participation Form
Or if you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country please contact Kevin Peterson at kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544.
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Looking for Pesticide Credits?
Remember to always refer to NYSPAD! All opportunities offering credits must be registered so you can search for upcoming events in Steuben and other nearby Counties to find one that fits your schedule most conveniently!
If you need help contact CCE Agriculture Dept, 607-664-2574.
Steuben County is offering the Crop Symposium with credits on November 14th. See the flyer at the beginning of this newsletter.
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Click the image below to access the full factsheet
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Agritourism Workshops Monthly!
Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?
Join the monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!
Each session will focus on specific topic to help aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs grow their knowledge and profit through this exciting on-farm business.
Pre-registration Required: Register for the Zoom Webinar here!
Price: Free
All workshops will be recorded and links shared. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Sponsor: Cornell Cooperative Extension Agritourism Program Work Team
Past topics and recordings
2024 Schedule:
January 9: Agritourism for Maple Syrup Operations
February 13: Grants for Agritourism Operations
March 12: Staffing your Agritourism Operation
April 9: Working with your Local Tourism Office
May 14: Overview of Agritourism Business Plan in AgPlan
June 11: How To's: Livestock Operations (not a petting zoo)
July 9: Urban Agritourism
August 13: Cut Flower & U-pick Management, Value-Added
September 10: Handling Difficult Customers
October 8: Creating Value-Added
Items/Experiences
November 12: Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm
Please contact Lindsey Pashow lep67@cornell.edu or 518-569-3073 with any questions.
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Are you thinking about starting a small farm? Do you already have a farm that you're looking to expand? Invest in your professional development and you'll see the returns in your business. Cornell Small Farms Program offers in-person trainings, workshops, and online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers.
Some great options are now open for 2024/2025. Topics include vegetable, specialty mushroom, sheep, and goat production, financial and business plans, grazing management, growing uncommon fruit, high tunnel season extension, soil health and many more.
You can read more and enroll HERE.
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The most recent Dairy Market Watch can be accessed here. Past Dairy Market Watch issues can be accessed here.
Dairy Market Watch is an educational newsletter to keep producers informed of changing market factors affecting the dairy industry. Dairy Market Watch is published at the end of every month, funded in part by Cornell Pro-Dairy, and is compiled by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Business Management Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program.
For those that get printed newsletters, it is included as an insert with each edition.
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Interested in NYSERDA’s Agriculture Programs?
Below you will find a brief overview of these three programs:
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Agriculture Energy Audit Program (AEAP): This program offers NY state farmers no-cost energy audits to help identify energy efficiency opportunities on their farm.
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REAP Technical Assistance Program (RTAP): This program has been designed to assist farmers at no-cost to make applications to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). If awarded, farmers can receive up to 50% of the total project cost.
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Energy Best Practices for Agriculture: The best practices have been developed to help educate producers with energy-efficient technologies, how they function, the average cost, and the average payback in years.
To learn more about these programs and eligibility, you can scan the QR code on the image above, or click here: Agriculture Energy Assistance - NYSERDA.
Contact us now: 800-732-1399
Thank you so much for your support in ensuring the viability and growth of New York's agriculture!
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Ag Energy NY website has been updated making it easier to access guidance for different types of farm's needs!
Now offering one-on-one consultations for all your ag energy needs, including Solar and Wind Energy! If you are thinking about leasing land to alternative energy, set up a consultation to learn more about how your decisions impact you in the long run!
Contact Gabriel Gurley, rg523@cornell.edu for assistance and additional information!
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Best Practices for Tree Seed Handling: What Happens After I Collect?
November 8, 2024, 1:00 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar
Speakers:
Victor Vankus, Director USFS National Seed Laboratory (NSL)
Kayla Herriman, National Seed Specialist USFS
Reforestation is a high priority, and seed is often the basis. Seed availability is one of the biggest bottlenecks we face in ramping up reforestation across the US. When collecting seed it is important to remember that seed is living tissue and it needs to be cared for after collection. To maximize germination rates in the nursery, seed must be maintained at proper temperatures and humidity from the time it is collected until it is sowed in a nursery bed. This presentation will include guidance on best practices for collection windows, temporary storage, transportation, processing, and storage. This session is the fifth in a series of eight webinars on Tree Improvement.
Advance registration is NOT required for this event.
Register/Join Here
CEU Credits/Certificate Offered:
- New York Logger Training - Trained Logger Certification (NYLT-TLC) - .25 hour NYLT TLC Credit [credits applied for]
- Certificate of Participation
- Georgia Master Timber Harvester - Continuing Logger Ed. (GaMTH CLE) - 1 hour CLE - MTH Category B Credit
- Society of American Foresters - Certified Forester Education (SAF-CFE) - 1 hour Category 1 Credit
More information on obtaining credits available here.
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Bee Breeding and IPM for Better Pollinator Health
November 20, 2024
11:00 AM
Register here.
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Dr. Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Associate Professor, Central State University will be discussing recently published and current research on the genetics and breeding of mite-resistant stocks in honey bees, and a recent study using a sustainable method to manage varroa mites in bee hives.
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What's Bugging You?
Join Live, on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.
Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.
Watch the past Event presentations Here. Register for the 2024 events Here.
The 2024 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule is now available on the program’s website, and you can register for multiple events using our registration form. We look forward to seeing you in 2024!
November 1st: 2024 Tick Blitz Results | No Spray Needed
December 6th: Feed the Birds | Repurposing a Holiday Tree
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Plant Propagation Workshop Series: January 22 - March 19, 2025
Learn basics of sexual propagation, vegetative propagation, and micropropagation via Zoom
Presenter:
Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Horticulture, Cornell University
Bridgen has taught plant propagation & micropropagation for over 30 years.
Dates/Times:
Wednesdays, January 22-March 19, 2025
2-4pm (EST)
3 modules, with 3 two-hour sessions within each module
Participants can attend all modules or register for individual modules.
Fee:
$150 per person/per module. All three modules: $400. Save $50!
Participants must have access to Zoom to participate in real time. Lectures will be recorded and available to participants after live sessions.
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Dear Readers,
FLFC is a collaborative effort between the regional CCE offices and their respective counties' visitor centers. You may have seen the logo or heard of the Agritourism Trail project in the last year or so. We are continually building and adding visitor information to the website at no cost to you. If you are interested in having your farm listed on the site, please complete the survey, or reach out to Kevin Peterson, contact information below.
Did You Know?
Finger Lakes Farm Country is a regional agritourism program that combines agriculture and tourism to promote the abundance of agricultural resources in the southern Finger Lakes. Through a collaborative approach to marketing and promotion, the program creates a memorable brand for agritourism attractions and businesses in the area, while showcasing educational and recreational activities for visitors to the region.
In an effort to sustain local farms and create an environment for entrepreneurism, Finger Lakes Farm Country will promote the region’s abundant agritourism resources through a variety of marketing strategies. The Finger Lakes Farm Country region includes the counties of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates.
Interested in Joining?
Complete this survey
If you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country please contact Kevin Peterson: kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544
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NY FarmNet Services: Always Free, Always Confidential |
NY FarmNet is here to support farmers, farm families, agricultural service providers, veterinarians,
milk truck drivers, and others involved in the agricultural industry in New York State.
Call today 1-800-547-3276.
Reach out to them for business or personal consulting.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality,
ecological sustainability and social well-being. We bring local experience and
research based solutions together, helping New York State families and
communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.
Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
CCE does not endorse or recommend any specific product or service.
This newsletter is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.
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