Focus on Skills for New Farmers at the 2013 Empire State Producers Expo

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Realize your farm’s potential with this full day comprehensive training


All-day session on January 22 in Syracuse, NY
Beginning and small-scale farmers interested in improving marketing, management and profitability on the farm should be sure to attend the all-day Beginning Farmer session at the 2013 Empire State Producers Expo on Tuesday, January 22 at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, NY. Moderated by Anu Rangarajan, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program, the day will feature successful growers, Cooperative Extension educators, and ag business owners sharing their experiences and information on the following topics:
Planning for Success: 9:00am – 11:00am
Grower-panelists Nancy Grove of Old Path Farm (Sauquoit, N.Y.), Sue Decker of Blue Star Farm (Stuyvesant, N.Y.) and Luke Deikis and Cara Fraver of Quincy Farm (Easton, N.Y.) will discuss their experiences planning and maintaining small, profitable farms in New York State. Following the panel, Matt Leroux (Tompkins County, Cornell Cooperative Extension) will speak about appropriate marketing channel selection and assessment for small-scale farmers, and Melissa Madden of Good Life Farm in Interlaken, NY will discuss how to plan for scaling-up a small farm business.
Optimizing Equipment Choice and Management: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Dr. Andrew Landers of Cornell University will present small sprayer options for small-scale vegetable farmers, followed by a presentation of equipment for small-scale and beginning farmers by Charles Bornt of Cooperative Extension’s Capital District Vegetable Program. Lee Strivers of Penn State Extension in Washington County will conclude the session with a discussion of how to calculate pesticide and fertilizer applications for small-scale applications.
Planning for Profitability on a Diversified Vegetable Farm: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Grower Liz Martin will discuss her approach to assessing the profitability of each crop grown at Muddy Fingers Farm in Hector, N.Y. Jeff Froikin-Gordon, co-founder of AgSquared, will offer an overview of this record-keeping software tailored to small-scale producers. Crystal Stewart of Cooperative Extension’s Capital District Vegetable Program will end the session and day with real-world stories of how small farmers have successfully planned for profit.
About the 2013 Empire State Producers Expo
The Beginning Farmers session is part of the larger 2013 Empire State Producers Expo, which unites New York State’s fruit, flower, vegetable and direct marketing associations in a trade show and educational conference for growers in New York and surrounding states. The Expo, to be held at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, N.Y. on January 21-24, will feature a variety of speakers and presentations of interest to beginning and seasoned farmers alike. Pre-register for $45 for single day attendance, $90 for three day attendance or register at the door for $60 for single day, $125 for three day. More information about the Expo, including registration information and a full schedule, is available at http://www.nysvga.org/expo/info.

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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