Team Updates - February 2023 |
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Happy rainy February!
Our year has gotten off to a productive start, with hiring underway for four positions on the team (including two postings that close tomorrow, Feb. 9!) and exciting plans for in-person programming upcoming, including a grazing discussion group and a farmer meetup. We are also working alongside partners at CCE Tioga, CCE Schuyler, CCE Cortland and the Harvest NY team to offer a six-part series on 'Farming in a Changing World'.
You can find details about all of these programs and position openings below. I hope you get to take advantage of some of them, and hope they give us a chance to meet and discuss how things are going on your operation and how CCE might be of assistance.
As always, if you have items of interest to the Tompkins farming community, please send them along and we'll include them in the next edition. And please reach out and let us know what you'd like to see from the Ag Team here at CCETC!
~ The Ag Team at CCE Tompkins
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Upcoming Classes and Events |
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Opportunities for reducing greenhouse gases in dairy and beef systems
Thursday, February 9, 3:00pm - 4:00pm online
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The Cornell Civic Ecology Lab and CCE are sponsoring a webinar discussion on food systems solutions to reduce climate emissions. The goal is to foster a learning community around food systems and climate solutions. This week's webinar features Jenifer Wightman, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Soil and Crop Sciences Section. Register here.
Next week's topic will be Farm to School programs in New York State. You can register for next week's session here, and learn more about the series here. |
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Story Brand Marketing for Local Meat
Tuesday, February 14, 2:00pm online
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In this webinar from FACT, Pork Rhyne will coach you on exactly how to properly market to your ideal customer without compromising on your prices or integrity. Learn more and register here. Find more FACT webinars here. |
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Planning with Agrivoltaics in Mind
Thursday, February 16, 12:00 – 1:15pm online
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The solar development opportunities for dual-use of solar and agriculture are increasing, but how, exactly, can local and municipal officials develop siting and zoning ordinances to effectively guide and manage this new way of using land, and what opportunities are still in development?
Hosted by CCE, Penn State, and NY and PA Farm Bureaus, this is the last webinar in the series and will include speakers from previous sessions who will be available to answer audience questions. Previous topics included "Preserving Agriculture in the Face of Growing Solar Development," "Overview of Agrivoltaics," and "Planning with Agrivoltaics in Mind."
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Katahdin Sheep: A Versatile Breed for Pasture and Silvopasture
Monday, February 20, 3:00pm online
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This webinar from FACT will feature several farmers speaking on their experience with Katahdin sheep and recommendations for starting your own flock successfully. Learn more and register here. Find more FACT webinars here. |
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Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
Tuesday, February 21, 8:15 am - 5:00 pm in Albany
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Do you or someone on your operation need FSMA training and certification? Join us the day before the Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Fruit and Vegetable Conference for a full day of food safety programming, buffet lunch, coffee break, course manual ($50 value), certificate ($35 value), and pesticide credits. Register here. |
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Getting the Most Out of Your Pastures
Tuesday, February 21, 6:00pm - 7:30pm at CCE Tompkins
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Graziers of all types of livestock are invited to this discussion series on understanding the complexities of the simple practice of grazing. Facilitated and led by the SCNY Regional Dairy Team's grazing specialist, Fay Benson, and hosted by CCE Tompkins.
This is the second of three monthly meetings. These meetings are free to attend. Donations of cash or soup ingredients would be appreciated. Register here. |
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Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Fruit and Vegetable Conference
Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 23 in Albany
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The conference is back in-person after three years with two full days of informative sessions, many of which will offer DEC credits. Program includes Tree Fruit Sessions, Small Fruit Sessions and Vegetable Sessions. See full program here and register here. |
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Soils: The Foundation of Production
Tuesday, February 28, 12:00pm - 1:00pm online
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Soils have some inherent properties that are not changeable and some properties that can be changed through management and soil amendments. This seminar will provide an overview of landscape principles, soils, and their management in a production system.
This is the first of six weekly webinars in a series hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties and the Harvest New York Climate Resiliency Team entitled 'Farming in a Changing World'. Later in the year, a farm tour series that complements these discussions will be available and virtual series registrants will receive a discounted price. Learn more about the series and register here. |
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5 Steps to Protect Your Farm, Legally Speaking
Tuesday, February 28, 3:00pm online
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This webinar from FACT will build knowledge and confidence around essential farm law issues. Led by staff from Farm Commons. Learn more and register here. Find more FACT webinars here. |
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Agroforestry & USDA Webinar Series
Friday, March 3, 3:00pm - 4:00pm online
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Join the USDA National Agroforestry Center and guest speakers for the next in a unique 10 part webinar series on how different USDA programs can be used to advance agroforestry adoption.
Register here for the March 3rd webinar, Agroforestry & the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program .
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Bale and Regenerative Grazing
Tuesday, March 7, 12:00pm - 1:30pm online
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What exactly is regenerative grazing, why is it so important for our changing world, and what is needed to implement this practice into your operation? Brett Chedzoy, owner and manager of Angus Glen Farm in Watkins Glen NY will share from his 20+ years’ experience in regenerative pastures highlighting his most recent work with Bale Grazing to extend the pasture season.
This is the second of six weekly webinars in a series hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties and the Harvest New York Climate Resiliency Team entitled 'Farming in a Changing World'. Later in the year, a farm tour series that complements these discussions will be available and virtual series registrants will receive a discounted price. Learn more about the series and register here. |
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*Save the Date* Tompkins County Farmer meetup!
Tuesday, March 7, 5:30pm - 7:30pm at South Hill Cider
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Tompkins Food Future and Groundswell Center are excited to share that we are collaborating to host a series of farmer meet-ups to provide opportunities to come together, meet new faces, share information and resources, build connections and strengthen community ties.
Please save the date for our first gathering, at South Hill Cider! We'll be hosting a casual, lightly structured evening event with snacks provided. Meals and drinks will be available for purchase from South Hill Cider.
Stay tuned for this event on the CCE Tompkins events page and your other farm news channels. Share your thoughts here about what you'd like to see in future farmer meetups.
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Cornell Small Farms Program courses |
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CCE Tompkins Ag/Hort Team Hiring |
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The CCE Tompkins Agriculture and Horticulture program is hiring four new positions to start in early 2023: a Horticulture Team Leader, a Farmland Protection and Ag Marketing Educator, a Tompkins Food Future Communications Assistant, and an Agroforestry Educator. Check them all out on our listings page here. |
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Ag district applications due |
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In addition to a full review of the Ag Districts in the County every fours years, the Tompkins County Ag Farmland Protection Board reviews specific requests from property owners to be added to the Agricultural District each year during the month of February. All requests for inclusion must be received by February 22. See this page for more information. |
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Ag assessment paperwork due |
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Soil Group Worksheets should be requested from the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) as soon as possible, and Form RP-305 is due to the County Assessor's office by March 1. For more information, see this resource page, or contact SWCD or the County Assessor's office. |
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Used solar panels available |
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A group of students from Cornell University is working to distribute used solar panels to community members who might find second-life uses for the panels and remove them from the landfill. These solar panels are free but require some refurbishment. After refurbishment, each panel can produce about 165 watts of energy. If you would like to use these panels for any reason, please contact Anant Gupta here. More information about the panels is available in this graphic. |
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State and National Farm News |
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The latest on saturated riparian buffers and how to optimize their design is the focus of an Iowa Nutrient Research Center (INRC) water quality research seminar, set for Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 3:10-4 p.m. Register here. A saturated riparian buffer (SRB) is an edge-of-field conservation practice that reduces nitrate export from agricultural lands. The SRB intercepts tile drainage and reroutes the flow through soils and vegetation that treat the water before it exits into an adjacent waterway. Read more here. |
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During the past two years, NRCS provided targeted funding for climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation practices through its conservation programs and made improvements in nutrient management that will be bolstered by funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, all while prioritizing assistance for underserved producers and urban and innovative production. Read more here. |
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New York Farm Bureau thanks the governor for additional proposed funding for agriculture, including increased state procurement of local food, $10 million to eliminate food scarcity which would support farm markets and supply chain improvements, support for NY FarmNet to address mental health needs in the farming community, and $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund which includes assistance for farmers to implement sustainable best management practices. Read more here. |
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CCE Tompkins Ag Program seeking input |
Share your thoughts here as Tompkins Food Future seeks to support grant applications from Tompkins food system stakeholders. |
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Submit a nomination for a Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award
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The Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award aims to recognize innovative and transformational efforts to revitalize rural communities in the Northeast. For the 2023 award, Farm Credit East and its strategic partner CoBank have committed a combined $50,000 to these individuals, organizations or institutions. The nomination deadline has been extended to February 15. Apply here. |
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Grant Listings for Farmers |
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Join the Farmer 2 Farmer Discussion Group - Ithaca Area on facebook
BuyLocalNY.org: List your farm so that consumers can find you!
Cornell Small Farms Program: Find Classes and Support to Build New Ventures
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (HR and labor laws)
FarmNet: Coaching, Business Planning, Farm Succession Planning, Referrals to Resources and more!
CCE South Central Dairy and Field Crops Team
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/ne-dbic-funding-calendar-0
Cornell Livestock Team
Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE)
NY Farm Bureau
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA)
NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program FREE
New York Farm Land Finder - Find or Post Farm Land
USDA Farmer Resources
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