Welcome back to the Cornell Small Farms newsletter!
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Dear friends,
Last week we released a
flash poll on farm insurance. After many of you shared challenges with finding insurance for parts of your business, we wanted to understand more about the unmet needs in insurance for small farms.
If you haven't had the opportunity yet, please do take the time to
share your experiences. We want to know what types of insurance you purchase, challenges you face, and if you need more support for making insurance decisions. We are particularly curious about your interest in novel insurance packages for small farms that could better support your needs.
Please feel free to share openly and honestly in the poll. It should take you less than 10 minutes to complete, and we appreciate your response by Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
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The results of this poll will be summarized to inspire new ways to better support small farm risk management. Thank you for helping us understand if we should further explore this concept.
Warmly,
Anu Rangarajan
Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program
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Small Farms Program Updates
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Small Farms Quarterly Magazine: Summer 2019
The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the arrival of the Summer 2019 edition of the Small Farms Quarterly. SFQ is a magazine for farmers and farm families across the Northeast who value the quality of life that smaller farms provide.
In this issue, we feature stories about selling farm products in a virtual marketplace, top tips for beginning farmers, an introduction to almond mushrooms, and more.
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Upcoming Mushroom Webinar Highlights Safety and Regulations
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Cornell Small Farms Program’s specialty mushrooms project is holding free monthly webinars and the next webinar will occur on Wednesday, July 3, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. This month's webinar will focus on the safe harvesting and handling of mushrooms on the farm, as well as state and federal regulations those selling mushrooms need to consider. Also, Gina Gohl will talk about the food security initiative in Peace Corps Nepal, including why mushrooms are part of food security.
Learn more and register.
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Featured From #CornellSmallFarms
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@abundanceacresfarm shared their pollination partners / honey producers moving in about 20 hives.
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@grayslateholsteins shared that when it’s milking time for the dairy cows, they get up close and personal.
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@somenonamefarm shared their recent Preschool Graduate helping start a three sisters space.
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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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Grants Available to Improve
U.S. Sheep Industry
The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center is accepting grant proposals that will strengthen and improve the lamb and wool industry. Projects should accomplish at least one of the following: increase production numbers, provide performance and production data, offer leadership training and education, improve infrastructure, promote marketing, or coordinate information exchange.
Learn more and apply by September 15.
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Brooklyn Mobile Farmers Markets Grant Program Now Open
Launched last year as part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative, this program funds mobile farmers' markets and food pantries supplying fresh produce and other foods to increase food access and address chronic food insecurity for residents in Central Brooklyn communities. Eligible not-for-profit organizations operating mobile farmers' markets or serving as mobile emergency food providers are encouraged to apply.
Learn more and apply by July 31.
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Funding Available to Develop Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
The purpose of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Program is to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. The network will offer a conduit to improving behavioral health awareness, literacy, and outcomes for agricultural producers, workers and their families.
Learn more and apply by July 25.
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USDA Adds Flexibility for Cover Crop Management in 2020
The 2018 Farm Bill mandated more flexibility to when cover crops must be terminated while remaining eligible for crop insurance. With new guidelines and policy provisions to enact these changes, producers will now know up front that insurance will attach at time of planting the insured crop.
Learn more.
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Project Funding for Nutrition Paraprofessional Training in FDPIR
USDA’s Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) invites eligible institutions to apply for this competitive award to develop and deliver a project that teaches FDPIR local agency staff to provide basic nutrition information to program recipients.
Learn more and apply by July 8.
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Upcoming Deadlines for 2019 New York State Fair Competitions
New Yorkers can enter hundreds of competitions in more than 50 major categories, many relating to agriculture from livestock to winemaking. Entrants could win a cash prize, blue ribbon or bragging rights. Most competitions are open for anyone to enter, with a few reserved for professionals.
Learn more and apply.
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Business & Career Opportunities
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Agriculture Program Coordinator Opening at CCE Sullivan County
This full-time position has a focus on agriculture programming, educational workshops, trainings and technical assistance to farmers. Applicants should have work experience and an educational background related to the role of the position.
Learn more and apply.
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Indoor Vertical Farm Hiring General Manager of Farm Operations
Bowery Farming is a high-tech indoor vertical farming operation in New York, NY. They’re looking for a general manager to oversee and be responsible for the complete operation from end to end. This includes team development, PnL, crop health, people and food safety, and more.
Learn more and apply.
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The Center for Discovery Seeks a Farm Integration Specialist
This magnet institution in Sullivan County is hiring this farm position to bring program and farm production together to ultimately enhance the skill set of all participants. Applicants should have experience working within program. Interest in farming is necessary and experience with farm related activities a plus.
Learn more and apply.
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Mixed-Use Trumansburg Farm for Sale
The 103-acre family farm seeks a buyer who cares about soil conservation, organic farming, animal rights, and social justice. The property includes an 1850 farmhouse, four barns, and rich acres used as hay fields, pastures and crop fields. Review the
MLS listing to learn more.
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For Other Farm Buying & Selling Opportunities, Check NY Farmland Finder
Farmland for a New Generation New York helps farmers seeking land and landowners wanting to keep their land in farming. On their NY Farmland Finder website, you can register to post a farmer or a farm property profile, search for farmers or search for farmland, learn about upcoming events, browse resources, and contact organizations throughout New York State.
Learn more.
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NYS Invasive Species Awareness Week
When: July 7 to 13, various times and days
Where: Statewide
Details: Join in various outreach initiatives and events statewide, including: interpretive hikes, invasive plant removal and restoration projects, webinars, TV programming, and more.
Learn more and find events near you.
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Pasture Walk: Custom Grazing Dairy Heifers
When: Tuesday, July 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Fabius, NY
Details: Join dairy farmer Tim Virgil and CCE grazing educator Fay Benson for a pasture walk at Tim's 40-heifer custom grazing operation. The program will cover all aspects of grazing dairy heifers. Free to attend.
Learn more.
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All About Stockers: Production & Marketing
When: Thursday, July 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Hudson, NY
Details: Interested in purchasing a group of cattle in the spring, feeding them all summer, and selling them in the fall? Learn key points to consider for healthy animals and profitability. Cost is $10.
Learn more and register.
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Grasstravaganza Grazing Conference
This in-season grazing conference is hosted by SUNY Cobleskill. Health and resiliency from soil to table is the theme, with the conference program featuring both regional and national speakers, as well as workshops, hands-on learning at the college farm, and local farm tours. The events will take place Thursday to Saturday, July 25 - 27, in Cobleskill, NY. Cost to attend ranges.
Learn more and register by July 12.
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Finger Lakes' First Local Fiber Conference
Fiber artisans and producers from across the Finger Lakes will gather for a day of discussions, demonstrations and networking at “Navigating the Fiber Supply Chain: The Animals, The Process, The Products,” the region’s first conference of this kind. The event will be held in Trumansburg on Saturday, July 27. Cost is $30.
Learn more and register.
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Additional Reading & Resources
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Alfalfa-Grass Forage Trials Improve Choices for Farmers & Cows
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) released their findings on
growing alfalfa in combination with grass species to provide dairy farmers the opportunity to enhance forage yield, quality, and digestibility.
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Onion IPM Program Fights Pests and Cuts Chemical Sprays
Cornell researchers' extension-focused work to promote an integrated pest management program for onion growers resulted in many NYS growers changing their
IPM practices. Over time, growers decreased insecticide applications between 12 and 15 percent, saving an average of $148 per acre.
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Free DIY Plans for Mobile Chicken Coop
As part of their Slow Tools projects, the Stone Barns Center has made available plans for farmers to build their own
mobile chicken coop. The coops are built with easily accessible materials and designed to be customizable for each farmer’s particular operation.
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New Checklists Help Agritourism Operators Measure Risk
Opening your farm property to the public raises unique risks and responsibilities. To help ensure best practices, a group of agritourism experts with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach put together
six checklists covering many types of liability.
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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.
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