Cornell Small Farms Program Update- Summer 2011

Message from the Managing Editor
Happy Summer!  I hope this season brings you restful lunch breaks under shady trees and afternoon swims in wild ponds.  I also hope you have some quiet evening moments to read through our summer issue of Small Farm Quarterly!  This issue features a wide variety of content, from spinning wool to making cheese to design and construction of a farm pond!   In the seasonal theme of ‘growing’, we hear the latest news from the Greenhorns, the expanding national network of young farmers.  We also hear from an organization supporting young farmers called the Glywood Center (Hudson Valley, NY) and their research toward a farm incubator program to support and mentor new farmers in their area.  As always, drop us a line at smallfarmsprogram@cornell.edu anytime.  I hope you enjoy this issue and hope your fields are already full of bounty!
-Violet Stone, Managing Editor

2010 Small Farm Summit Report Published

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2010 Summit Report. Courtesy of the Small Farms Program.

We are pleased to report that the 2010 Small Farm Summit Report has been published.  The Summit was a very interactive meeting for farmers, educators, farm agency and anyone else concerned or invested in a vibrant and thriving small farm sector in New York.  The Report summarizes priorities that need to be addressed over the next two years to enhance the viability of NY small farms.  These priorities have both local and statewide impacts on research, extension and policy efforts.  Thanks to all those attendees who provided their opinions and creative thinking to help us shape future efforts supporting NY Small Farms.

Small Farms Program is on Facebook!
You can now receive small farm news and events on Facebook!  This venue will help us to continue providing great resources to the Northeast community without cluttering your email inbox!  Visit Cornell Small Farms Program on Facebook and click the “Like” button to see our resources pop up in your newsfeed.  We are looking forward to conversing with more of you in this interactive media format.

Urban Farmers: How Can We Serve You?
Over the last several months The Cornell Small Farms Program has begun to understand and look for ways to address the needs of urban farmers.  Although there are numerous Extension and University programs designed to support urban gardening, community gardens and horticulture the needs of an urban farm differ with issues of scale, economics, marketing, storage, distribution, and a host of other topics that are unique challenges to urban farmers.  In response we have begun several projects to support this growing base of farmers.  First we would like to update and revise sections of the Guide to Farming in New York State to include specific resources for urban farmers.  The link can be found at smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/guides/guide-to-farming-in-ny/.  Additionally, we will update our production information for urban farmers on our website links page smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/guides/urban-guide-to-farming-in-ny/.
If you are an urban farmer or service provider and feel that there are resources we should add to either the guide or our website please contact Matthew Goldfarb, mg682@cornell.edu.

Violet Stone

Violet's work focuses on creating retreats, workshops and programs for the agricultural community centered on themes of connection, wellness, purpose, integrity and courage. She sees this work as contributing to a more inclusive ‘culture’ of agriculture where all voices are warmly welcomed, honored and celebrated, including the voices of our ‘inner teachers’, sometimes referred to as 'spirit' or 'soul'. Violet serves as the NY SARE Coordinator and can help farmers and educators navigate NESARE grant opportunities.

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