February Monthly Update
The Small Farms Update includes small farm announcements, events, job and internship opportunities, grant and loan opportunities, other small farm resources. It is intended for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York and the Northeast. If have an item to be included in the update, please contact Violet Stone at vws7@cornell.edu.
Announcements
- New! Guide to URBAN Farming in NY
- Online Courses: Sharpen Your Farm Business Skills
- LEAD New York Program Accepting Applications for Class 15 – Due March 1st
- Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims – Due March 25
- Northeast Farmer Intern/Apprentice Survey
Upcoming Events
- Grazing Events
- Other Events
Career etc. Opportunities
- Assistant Manager Position for Berry Patch
- SARE/NACAA Sustainable Agriculture Fellows Program Accepting applications
- Agricultural Field Enumerator Position Opening
Funding etc. Opportunities
- USDA Microloans Available
- Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program—Organic Transitions – Due April 5th
- USDA Farm to School Grants – Due April 24th
- Organic Farming Research Foundation Research Grants – Due May 15th
Resources
- New Handbook Helps Livestock Farmers Be Good Mentors
- ATTRA’s New Sustainable Agriculture Catalog Released
- The Organic Seed Grower Just Published!
- New App Helps Farmers Budget for Fuel
| Small Farms Updateis intended as a resource for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York, and is provided to you by Cornell’s Small Farms Program. Our mission is to foster the sustainability of diverse, thriving small farms that contribute to food security, healthy rural communities, and the environment. Our work is made possible by a network of close partnerships among Cornell faculty and staff, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and staff, NYS agriculture support agencies, non profit agriculture organizations and farmers.*Please note: No endorsement is implied for products, businesses, jobs or resources listed in the Small Farms Update. Such resources are listed for informational purposes only. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New! Guide to URBAN Farming in NY
Are you interested in or currently farming in a city? Do you wonder how to access land, how to reclaim a contaminated site, how to maximize use of a small growing space, or how to most successfully target your urban market? The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the release of our new “Guide to URBAN Farming in NYS”. The Guide answers these and many other common questions about farming in urban environments, and can help you launch, continue, or expand your urban farm business. The 105-page resource guide contains fact-sheets on a myriad of topics, including tips for advocating for urban agriculture, engaging communities, dealing with contaminated soils, intensive growing techniques, urban composting, site security, urban livestock, direct marking options, accepting food stamps, grant and financial opportunities, and many more! Also included is an appendix listing services and resources available from several urban farming organizations throughout New York State. The Guide is available as a free download [PDF] or you may view individual fact sheets online (good for dial-up or band-width restricted users). Check it out at http://nebeginningfarmers.org/publications
Online Courses: Sharpen Your Farm Business Skills
The season for online farming courses is winding down, but two opportunities remain to sharpen your farm business skills. Visit http://nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses to register and learn more!
BF 103: Taking Care of Business – Understanding the Business, Regulatory, and Tax Implications of Your Farm. This is an intro-level course for aspiring or beginning farmers living and/or farming in NYS and seeking to learn about the commercial, legal and tax implications of farming. Farmers outside NYS can take the course, but should know that extra legwork will be required on the part of the farmer to determine the parallel agencies and regulations that apply in their state. Starts March 4th.
BF 202: Planning to Stay in Business: Writing Your Business Plan. This course is geared for new farmers as well as those expanding or transitioning from one farm enterprise to another. Before enrolling in this course you should already know the type of farm you want, some short-term and longer-term farm business goals, and the geographic area or state where you intend to farm. You should have at least some first-hand experience with farming, including personal research into the type of farm you will operate. Starts Thursday, February 21st.
LEAD New York Program Accepting Applications for Class 15 – Due March 1st
The Empire State Food and Agricultural Leadership Institute, also known as “LEAD New York”, is now accepting applications for its newest cohort, class 15. Invitations have been sent out to an extensive prospect list, and LEAD is inviting anyone interested in the program to apply. To maximize the networking opportunity and learning experience, we look for candidates from a wide range of interests and background areas. For more information please contact Larry Van De Valk, (607) 255 – 7907, ljv4@cornell.edu. Applications are currently available at www.leadny.org.
Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims – Due March 25th
The USDA urges Hispanic and women farmers who believe they have faced discriminatory practices in the past from the USDA to contact the Claims Administrator for information and mail their claim packages on or before March 25, 2013. For more information, call 1-888-508-4429.
Northeast Farmer Intern/Apprentice Survey
Researchers from Penn State’s Rural Sociology program are conducting a study on interns and apprentices’ experiences on sustainable farms in the Northeast. The study focuses on people who have sought on-farm training in exchange for pay, education and alternative forms of compensation. We are seeking to capture the voices of people who have been trained on sustainable farms to build on lessons learned through this experience. If you are a current OR former farm intern/apprentice, please contribute a few minutes of your time to complete this online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sustainableworkers or join in a Discussion Group at the Just Food conference in New York City. Saturday, March 30, 2013 following the beginning farmer workshop. Light snacks will be provided. Email kfw121@psu.edu to participate.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Grazing Events:
February 22, 2013. 6:30 PM- 9:00 PM. North Country Pasture Meeting I. Grace Episcopal Church, Cataract Street, Copenhagen (Lewis County). Come learn about new techniques to address soil compaction such as planting tillage radishes and keyline subsoil plowing, featuring Jenn Colby, a grazing specialist and Pasture Program Coordinator from the University of Vermont Center for Sustainability. Cost for the program is $15, and includes handouts, dessert and refreshments – please reserve your place by Wednesday, February 20th by contacting Ron Kuck at 315-788-8450 orrak76@cornell.edu.
February 23, 2013. 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM. North Country Pasture Meeting II. Chateaugay Knights of Columbus, Route 374, Chateaugay (Franklin County). The program agenda includes information “from Northern New York farm fields” with either Agronomy Educator Mike Hunter of CCE of Jefferson County or Joe Lawrence of McClelland’s Agronomics discussing how the drought conditions of 2012 will affect pasture productivity in 2013 and the results of the Northern New York on-farm pasture nitrogen research trials. Programs of interest to grazers, information on pasture and forage insurance, and an introduction to silvaculture will also be covered. Register with local CCE office in Clinton/Essex County: 518-561-7450,phh7@cornell.edu; Franklin County: 518-483-7403, drd9@cornell.edu; or St. Lawrence County: 315-379-9192.
February 26, 2013. 10:30 AM- 3:00 PM. Southwestern NY Pasture Expo. The Falcon’s Nest,Falconer (Chautauqua County). The Expo will feature presentations on Rotational Grazing including Cliff Hawbaker, owner and operator of two certified organic dairies milking 300 head using intensive grazing management from South Central Pennsylvania will present “Green Of Grass” and “Business Planning for Grazers”. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit with local agribusiness representatives and view their displays. Cost is $15 per person. Please contact Lisa Kempisty at 716-664-9502 Ext. 203 or ljk4@cornell.eduto register or for more information.
February 27, 2013. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Step It Up in 2013 Winter Grazing Conference. BW’s Restaurant, 11070 Perry Road, Pavilion. Keynote Speaker Cliff Hawbaker will make two presentations “Green is Grass, a Journey of Our Farms and Grazing Experience Focusing on Grass” and “Business Planning for Graziers, Focusing on Where You Are and Where You Want to Go.” Other topics to be addressed at the conference are: Managing the Soil to Manage the Pasture/Planning for Drought: Alternative Water Sources /Pasture Plant Selection/and more! To register please contact Cathy Wallace at 585-343-3040 x138 or e-mail cfw6@cornell.edu. A flyer and registration form is available at www.nwnyteam.org. Please register early – space is limited.
Other Events:
February- March, 2013. NOFA-NY CSA Fairs. Learn more about CSA’s and how to support your local farming community. Various locations and times. Visit https://nofany.org/upcoming-events/ for more information.
February 20, 2013. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM. Good Ag Practices (GAPs) Farm Food Safety Update Webinar. Luke LaBorde, Penn State Dept. Food Science. Penn State’s Extension Vegetable & Small Fruit Program Team presents a series of webinars to keep you informed on critical production issues. These webinars are most relevant for those involved in commercial production (production for sale) of vegetables on any scale. Webinars may be viewed by groups at one location, but the expectation is that each participant is registered separately for the webinar series. There are no group or site registrations. Visit https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/fruit/2012/12/04/penn-state-webinars/ for more information.
February 20, 2013. 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM. Overview of Employment and Labor Law for Farms and Ranches Webinar. The faculty will discuss a myriad of employment and labor law issues affecting U.S. farms and ranches, including use of unpaid labor, various immigration issues including work authorization, I-9 compliance, and H2A applications, and the Family Medical Leave Act. For more information: http://apps.americanbar.org/cle/programs/t13oel1.html.
February 20, 2013. 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM. Tax Abatement Programs for Rural Landowners. Silver Spoon Café (north side entrance) of the Human Services Complex; 323 Owego St; Montour Falls, NY. This program will feature speakers who will cover the property and tax credit programs that can potentially help rural landowners reduce their tax liabilities; two key programs that will be discussed will be the Ag Assessment Program and the 480-A Forest Tax Law. For more information, contact Brett Chedzoy at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County: 607-535-7161, or by email: bjc226@cornell.edu.
February 20 & 25 and March 18, 25, 2013. Marketing NY Farm Products to Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Workshop Series. Various CCE locations. Seven workshops will be held throughout New York State, each designed to bring Bed &Breakfast Innkeepers together with farmers with products for sale. The project’s goal is to give innkeepers and farmers a chance to meet, get acquainted, and encourage transactions. For more information, visit https://madisoncountycourier.com/?p=41120.
February 21, 2013. 6:30 PM– 9:00 PM. Lambing and Kidding Workshop. CCE Center, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY. Cornell Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, tatiana Stanton, will start out covering the basics of lambing and kidding. After that, the topic will switch to methods to manage birthing efficiently without sacrificing animal wellbeing. Successful methods to foster kids and lambs and also labor saving practices for artificially rearing will be discussed. To register or for more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 585-394-3977 x 427 or email nea8@cornell.edu with your name, address and phone number.
February 21-23, 2013. Got Trees? Farmers: Get More from Your Woodlot. The New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) has announced free workshops designed to help all New York landowners to get the most out of their woodlots. Fifteen free programs to help owners realize greater benefits from their woodlands are scheduled for the 2013 Farm Show in Syracuse. Learn from experts. Come with your questions. For more information, contact Hugh Canham at 315-457-4972 or visit https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2C05d2BR_zhdGlVZ1lJbDIwaTQ/edit?pli=1.
February 23, 2013. 9:00 AM– 3:00 PM. Honeybee Health, a Bee Wellness Workshop. Cayuga Nature Center. Join the Finger Lakes Beekeeping Club and learn about major honeybee pests and their life cycles, how to check hives for mites, how to treat mite-infected hives, and more! For more information, email president@flbeeclub.com or visithttp://events.cornell.edu/event/honey_bee_health_-_a_bee_wellness_workshop.
February 23-24, 2013. 9:00 AM. 2 Day Aquaponic Training Course. 104 E. Seneca St., Sherrill, NY 13461. Are you interested in opening an Aquaponic farm, building a back yard system, or just curious to learn more about this exciting farming method? Then this is the perfect opportunity for you! This training course will focus on hydroponic horticulture, aquaculture, and how to successfully merge aquaculture and hydroponics to get a fully functioning Aquaponic system! Space is limited for these classes! For more information, visit the website or email mark@aquavitafarms.com.
February 24, 2013. 11:00 AM– 3:00 PM. Community Seed Swap. CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. Join us for the first ever Seedy Sunday in Ithaca! Bring your extra seeds to swap and share with others – they can be home-saved seeds or purchased seeds that you have in surplus. Plus talks and workshops on seed saving and community seed libraries. For more info, visit https://ccetompkins.org/events/.
February 24- 25, 2013. Field and Fork Network Conference. Niagara Falls Culinary Institute. The conference is open to all local food stakeholders from across the Western New York region and beyond. The two-day event will feature a variety of speakers, workshops, and demonstrations, all focused on the important connections in building a sustainable food system in Western New York. Please contact Lisa Tucker at 716-465-5704 or visit https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2013/02/12/109703/field-fork-reconnects-with-farm-and-food for more information.
February 25, 2013. 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM. Small Scale Poultry Class. Big Flats Community Building, 476 Maple St., Big Flats, NY. Thinking about raising chickens? Already have a flock and want to sell eggs or pastured poultry? Heather Birdsall, Extension Livestock Specialist, will teach a class for families and individuals who would like to raise poultry for sale or family use. Housing, health concerns, and flock expansion will be described as will retailing regulations regarding poultry products. Please pre-register by calling (607) 753-5078. For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County at (607) 753-5078 or email Heather Birdsall at hhb6@cornell.edu.
February 26, 2013. 9:15 AM-2:00 PM. Women in Agriculture Discussion Group. Dryden Fire Hall, 26 North Street, Dryden, 1305. Join this monthly women’s discussion group to discuss “Balance Sheets, Income Statements & Cash Flow Statements” with Betsey Howland, Extension Support Specialist with the PRO-DAIRY program at Cornell University, and “What Your Employees Expect from You” with Tom Maloney, Sr. Extension Associate, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University. Contact Sharon VanDeuson at CCE-Cortland to register today! (607) 753-5078; Contact Janice Degni at (607) 753-5215 with questions. More details here: https://ccetompkins.org/events/.
February 27, 2013. 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM. 2013 Steuben County Crop Symposium. Civil Defense Center; SR 54; Bath, NY. Pre-registration is requested by Monday February 25th, contact Steuben CCE at 607-664-2300. Cost to attend is $10 per person. Lunch will be provided.
February 28, 2013. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM. Pre-Conference Field Day /Organic Cereal Grains Seed Production and NYS Certified Foundation Seed Program. Cornell University, 791 Dryden Rd (Rt 366), Ithaca, NY 14850. This program will detail the process of growing, selecting, and grading seed varieties for possible foundation seed certification. The unique challenges organic seed production creates for certifying and labeling as certified foundation seed in New York State will be addressed. To register please visit http://tinyurl.com/nofanyevents, call 585-271-1979 or email register@nofany.org.
March 1, 2013. 10:00 AM– 5:00 PM. Organic Cereal Grains Seed Production And NYS Certified Foundation Seed Program. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. This program will detail the process of growing, selecting, and grading seed varieties for possible foundation seed certification. The unique challenges organic seed production creates for certifying and labeling as certified foundation seed in New York State will be addressed. This is being offered as a stand-alone pre-conference workshop to the NOFA-NY field crops and dairy conference. To register please visit www.nofany.org/dairyconference and click “register” on the left sidebar, call 585-271-1979 or email register@nofany.org.
March 1, 2013. Organic Dairy & Field Crop Conference. Holiday Inn, 75 North St., Auburn, NY. NOFA-NY’s Dairy Conference, featuring keynote speaker Jerry Brunetti, founder of Agri-Dynamics and crusader for sustainable farming practices, offers nearly a dozen workshops including a half-day intensive on transitioning to organic dairy management. To register, download our registration form. Registration Deadline: February 15
March 2, 2013. 8:00 AM– 3:30 PM. Garlic Growing Workshop and Roundtable. Room 120, Human Services Complex, 323 Owego St, Montour Falls, NY. Join us for a workshop about growing garlic! David Stern from Rose Valley Farm is our guest speaker. He has produced garlic for over 30 years and was co-founder of the Garlic Seed Foundation. Rose Valley was one of the first farms to be certified “organic” in New York State. Please pre-register by February 28 online athttps://reg.cce.cornell.edu/garlic_244. For questions or more information, contact Roger Ort at rlo28@cornell.edu or call 607-535-7161, or visithttps://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2C05d2BR_zhZzRTeXBIVXZSMFU/edit.
March 2, 2013. Shearing School. Dryden, NY. Doug Rathke from Minnesota will instruct on topics including shearing pattern, blade sharpening techniques, physical fitness, handpiece maintenance and more. Rathke is one of the top shearers in the United States and has had extensive training from the New Zealand Wools. For more information and to register:http://www.sheep.cornell.edu/calendar/shearingschool.html.
March 6, 2013. 12:45 PM ‐5:00 PM. Funding Sources for Agricultural Producers and Beginning Farmers. Auditorium, second floor CCE of Erie Co. Farm & Home Center 21 South Grove Street; East Aurora, NY. Registration from 12:45 ‐1:00 pm Free; Pre‐registration requested. Workshop will cover programs available through: USDA Farm Service Agency; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Erie County Soil & Water Conservation District; NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets – Crop Insurance Program; Northeast SARE; Cornell Small Farms and Beginning Farmer Programs; Regional Economic Development Council Funds. Contact Sharon Bachman atsin2@cornell.edu
March 6 & 7, 2013. 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM. 2013 Winter Dairy Management Programs. March 6- Carthage Elks Club, Carthage; March 7- Moe’s Pub & Grill, Malone. The CCE associations of Northern NY are offering these programs to encourage regional dairy farmers to act now to prepare their businesses for a future upswing in the price of milk. Those interested in attending the Malone program are asked to register by February 20 with Kimberley Morrill, 315-379-9192,kmm434@cornell.edu. Those interested in attending the Carthage program may pre-register by Monday, February 25 with Ron Kuck at 315-788-8450, rak76@cornell.edu.
March 6-7, 2013. 8:30 AM– 3:30 PM. General Gaps Training For All Fresh Produce Growers. CCE of Yates County, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan. In recent years, several food borne illness outbreaks in produce have made national news. Both the produce industry and the federal government have stepped up demands for fruit and vegetable farms to meet food safety practice standards. These standards are known as GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices). Find out what GAPS is and how it works. Register online at http://cvp.cce.cornell.edu. For more information about these trainings, contact Craig Kahlke, Lake Ontario Fruit Team, at cjk37@cornell.edu or 585-735-5448.
March 9, 2013, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Sustainable Landscaping. Watkins Glen Library on North Decator St. Dan Segal of the Plantsmen Nursery in Ithaca will be presenting a talk on sustainable landscaping at the on Saturday. The program is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Progressives and is free and open to all. For more information call 607-387-9224.
March 11, 2013. 6:00 PM- 8:30 PM. Pig Butchering Demo & Sustainable Agriculture Overview. The Piggery, 423 Franklin Street, Ithaca. Curious about where the pork chop comes from? Wonder what the difference is between sirloin, rib and center cut chops?? How to cook a rib tip or pork jowl??? We’ll start the evening with a detailed history of the pig, sustainable pastured farming techniques and finish with an in-depth demonstration of how a half a pig is broken down into the cuts you see in your butcher’s meat case. Register here!
March 11, 2013. 12:00PM- 1:00 PM. Invertebrate pests and their natural enemies in high-residue, conservation tillage cropping systems Webinar. Dr. Mary Barbercheck will teach you the basics about key early season insect and slug pests that can pose problems in conservation tillage systems with high amounts of cover crop residues and how crop management practices can help reduce pest damage. Also, learn about ongoing research into naturally-occurring predators of early season insects and slugs and how best to conserve them. For more info, and to register:http://extension.psu.edu/cover-crops/webinars/2013-webinar-series#registrationform
March 11‐12, 2013. Annual Cooperative Leaders Forum. Doubletree Hotel, East Syracuse, NY. CCE and the Northeast Cooperative Council will host this dynamic program, focused on how cooperative businesses can adapt and thrive in a constantly changing world. There will be presentations on changing demographics and what that means for agricultural cooperative businesses and their farmer members; updates on federal government regulatory and policy issues surrounding commodities, international trade, and transportation; and more. To register for the conference, visit the following website: http://cooperatives.dyson.cornell.edu/pdf/CoopNotes/cn_26_4.pdf or contact Bobbie Severson at rmh27@cornell.edu or phone 607/255‐1987.
March 11 – April 25, 2013. Permaculture II: Cornell Online Course. Want to learn more about Permaculture? Cornell’s Horticulture Department offers a three-part online course. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete portions of design for a site of their choosing. More info and registration at: https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/permaculture/online.
March 12, 2013. 10:00 AM. Soil and Crop Nutrition. Jordan Hall, the Geneva Experiment Station. How can we best manage the soil in order to produce healthy, top quality crops? How can we understand what makes robust, healthy plants? We will hear 3 farmers who have put a great deal of thought into these questions. No registration required, but bring a dish to pass for lunch. For more information, contact Fay Benson 607-753-5213 orafb3@cornell.edu.
March 12, 2013. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. The Art Of Beekeeping – What’s All The Buzz About? Silver Spoon Cafe, Human Services Building, 323 Owego St, Montour Falls. Presenter Paul Marcellus will discuss beekeeping for all. Topics of Discussion:Bees – Basics/Assembly of equipment/Supply Sources/Best Management Practices/What To Do When Your Bees Arrive/Harvesting Honey/Seasonal Transitions For The Hive/Keeping Healthy Bees. Register online at:http://reg.cce.cornell.edu/bee_244. For questions or more information, contact Roger Ort, CCE Schuyler County Horticulture Program Educator at rlo28@cornell.edu or call 607-535-7161.
March 13, 20 & 27, 2013. 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Taking Stock- a UVM Extension New Farmer Project class. On farms in Chittenden County. Taking Stock leads participants, namely people with 5 or more years of experience operating a farm business, through a progress check, allowing each individual to assess how the farm is supporting his or her personal, financial and business goals. Registration deadline: March 1. For more information and to register visit http://www.uvm.edu/newfarmer and click on “Classes.” You can also email or call Jessie Schmidt at newfarmer@uvm.edu, 802-223-2389 x 203.
March 16, 2013. 8:30 AM– 3:00 PM. Southern Tier Spring Grazing Conference. Oxford Memorial Library, Oxford, NY. A conference designed to give dairy and livestock producers some of the latest information in preparing for the 2013 grazing season. A veritable “Who’s Who” from New York’s grazing and agriculture industries have been lined up to provide conference attendees the latest information to help make their dairy and livestock operations more profitable. More information and registration info here. If you wish to register by phone, call 607-334-5841, or you may e-mail to cag255@cornell.edu.
March 16 & 23, 2013. 9:00 AM– 2:30 PM or 1:00 PM-2:30 PM. Fruit Tree Workshops. Reisinger’s Apple Country, 2750 Apple Lane, Watkins Glen. Topics include: Grafting onto an older tree/Pruning stone fruits, pears, apples and berries/Pruning younger trees up to mature trees/Renovating an older fruit tree for better production (off site)/General fruit tree care/wildlife control. Remember to dress for the weather! Light refreshments will be provided (bring a bagged lunch). No tools will be needed for this workshop. Pre-registration required by March 15, 2013. Register online for the March 16 workshop here: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/FruitTree1_244. Register online for the March 23 workshop here:https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/FruitTree2_244. For questions or more information, contact Roger Ort, CCE Schuyler County Horticulture Program Educator at rlo28@cornell.edu or call 607-535-7161.
March 18, 2013. 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM. “Optimizing weed suppression and nutrient use efficiency in cover crop-based no-till organic corn” Webinar. In this webinar led by Dr. Steven Mirsky, University of Maryland and USDA-ARS researchers discuss optimizing cover crop mixture composition and manure application to achieve weed suppression and adequate, efficient nitrogen delivery in a cover crop-based no-till corn system. For more info, and to register: http://extension.psu.edu/cover-crops/webinars/2013-webinar-series#registrationform.
March 20, 2013. 9:00 AM-3:45 PM. 4th Rural Issues – Community Leadership Conference. Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer, NY. A special one-day educational opportunity for municipal officials, farmers, economic developers, and planners. This conference will cover food hubs, farm brewery legislature, and how communities can benefit from cleaner greener grants program. The cost is $35.00 by March 1, 2013; $45.00 afterwards and at the door. To register, email the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE) at info@cadefarms.org.
CAREER, ETC. OPPORTUNITIES
Assistant Manager Position for Berry Patch – Stephentown, NY
The Berry Patch, a small scale family farm in Stephentown, NY, is recruiting for an assistant manager whose primary responsibilities will be to manage the on-farm store, coordinate restaurant orders, and coordinate farmer’s market needs. Ability to drive, or learn to drive, manual transmission vehicles is desired. Initial employment is seasonal, up to full time. For the right person, this position could become a year round salaried position, with housing allowance, paid vacation, and contributions towards Healthy NY or other health insurance plan. For more information or for the full job listing, please email Dale-Ila Riggs at rberriesrgreat@fairpoint.net.
SARE/NACAA Sustainable Agriculture Fellows Program Accepting applications
This program is designed to provide hands-on experience and materials for selected NACAA members to study and become familiar with the basics of sustainable agriculture and alternative farm systems as currently practiced within the four regions of the USDA.
Applications are due March 15. The Fellows program is open to NACAA members in good standing with their state associations and with responsibility in agricultural production systems. Find complete eligibility and entry details online.
Agricultural Field Enumerator Position Opening – NE New York
Northeastern NY area. Part-time, intermittent employment interviewing farm operators in Clinton and Essex counties. Must have: agricultural background, be comfortable with computers, good people skills, good phone skills, a reliable car. Work is part-time and intermittent; position is suitable as a supplemental income. Looking for a candidate with good attention to detail, outgoing personality, willing to be flexible, and interested in being involved in the collection of agricultural data. Please direct
inquiries to anne.ross@nass.usda.gov.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
USDA Microloans Available
Microloans are direct farm operating loans with a shortened application process and reduced paperwork, designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche-type operations. Microloans can be used for all approved operating expenses as authorized by the FSA Operating Loan Program. The maximum loan amount for a microloan is $35,000. Additional information on the USDA Farm Service Agency Microloan program may be obtained at local FSA offices: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=dflop.
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program—Organic Transitions – Due April 5th
The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program is to support the development and implementation of research, extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. Colleges and universities are eligible to submit applications. Prospective applicants are asked to email a notice of intent to submit an application by March 1, 2013. Applications are due April 5, 2013. Applications will be available here later this month.
USDA Farm to School Grants – Due April 24th
This year, three different USDA Farm to School grant types will be available. Planning grants are intended for schools just getting started on farm to school activities, while implementation grants are available for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts. Additionally, eligible non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support service grants in order to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum, or further develop supply chains, among other activities. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding up to $5 million in grants. Proposals are due April 24, 2013. For more information, visit http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/02/0020.xml.
Organic Farming Research Foundation Research Grants – Due May 15th
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) offers funding of up to $15,000 per year for organic seed-quality or crops-breeding projects in certified organic settings. Visit http://www.ofrf.org/proposal-information-research-projects for more information. The deadline for the next granting cycle is May 15, 2013.
RESOURCES
New Handbook Helps Livestock Farmers Be Good Mentors
The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has released Passing Along Farm Knowledge: A Mentor-Intern Handbook for Dairy and Livestock Farmers. This handbook will help mentors develop their teaching skills as they progress through an internship. The 36-page publication is available free online.
ATTRA’s New Sustainable Agriculture Catalog Released
ATTRA’s 2012 “catalog” includes more than 50 new and updated sustainable agriculture publications, including eight Spanish-language publications. Visit https://attra.ncat.org/publication-library/ to find a list of ATTRA’s 2012 publications, webinars, and videos as well as direct links to each.
The Organic Seed Grower Just Published!
The Organic Seed Grower, a new book that is the result of a three-way partnership among author John Navazio, Chelsea Green Publishing, and Northeast SARE, is the most up-to-date and useful guide to best practices in this exciting and important field. You can order The Organic Seed Grower by calling 800-638-4099 or from https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-organic-seed-grower-paperback/.
New App Helps Farmers Budget for Fuel
Farmers can use a new Farm Fuel Budget cell phone app to plan their farm fuel budgets and use. A North Dakota State University Extension Service specialist developed the Android app for crop producers to compare projected fuel costs and use for their farming operations based on alternate crop acreages, tillage systems, and crop rotations. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
