Small Farm Grants Program
For several years, we awarded grants of 3-5K to organizations in New York that presented compelling projects to serve and support small farms. Unfortunately, there is currently no funding available for the Small Farm Grant Program. An extensive library of small farm funding opportunities can be found at https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/funding/ and projects that were awarded funding in the past can be seen below.
Chenango Regional Video and Social Media Grazing Outreach Program
This project was led by Ken Smith, CCE of Chenango County. The purpose of the project was to provide grazing farmers with information on grazing best practices, and to create forums where grazing farmers can share questions or successes with other farmers or agricultural educators. 12 short videos of grazing best practices from around the region were developed and shared through websites and social media platforms. In these videos, grazing farmers and educators share best practice examples of grazing topics such as watering systems, laneways, permanent fencing systems, portable fencing systems, pasture growth measurement systems, shade and nutrient management, and other grazing topics. Read project successes, outcomes and lessons learned in this short report. To view the videos, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/cornellsmallfarms and scroll down to “Featured Playlists”.
Assessing Local Foods Distribution Systems: Farmer Experiences and Models for Building Successful Farmer-Distributor Relationships
This project was led by Monica Roth of CCE Tompkins County and Becca Jablonski a PhD. Candidate in City & Regional Planning. The project was a continuation of a study funded by the Cornell Small Farms program where NY Distribution Companies were interviewed to assess their experiences with purchasing from NY Farmers. A total of 19 companies were interviewed and profiles developed. This second part of the project consisted of interviews with farmers that sell to these distribution companies to assess their experiences selling to NY distribution companies. The goal was to identify what farmers need to do to comply with distributor purchasing requirements, how it impacts marketing practices, cost of marketing, risk management, product pricing, and overall farm viability. The aim was to be able to better inform small farmers about how to successfully conduct wholesale sales and gather some benchmark data about impacts of wholesale sales on small farms. Read project successes, outcomes and lessons learned in this short report. In addition, you can download the survey used to poll farmers and a compilation of the survey results.
Promoting Workplace CSA in the Southern Adirondacks
This project was led by Laura McDermott, CCE CDVSFP Regional Agriculture Educator and Teresa Whalen, Adirondack Harvest Southern Chapter Coordinator. This project sought to help businesses and community centers within the greater Glens Falls region investigate the feasibility of sponsoring a CSA. The southern Adirondack region (the counties of Warren, Washington and Saratoga) has many fruit and vegetable farms and successful Farmers’ markets. Expanding non‐traditional markets, such as the business CSA, is one method to assist local growers in finding new marketing outlets. A series of promotional events, surveys, farmer/business/and consumer meeting trialed the best approach to developing this model. Read project successes, outcomes and lessons learned in this short report. Download the “CSA in the Workplace” supplemental materials generated by the project to adapt for your region!
| Brochure | Powerpoint Presentation | Factsheet |
Bringing the sheep goat marketing website back home
This project focused on modernizing and updating the popular marketing directory located at http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.info. Project leaders Michael Thonney and tatiana Stanton, from the Cornell Animal Science Department, reinstated an interactive producer listing useful to direct marketers, market pools, buyers and distributers. The site has additional educational resources on marketing and processing. Renovating the website has helped identify new markets and will facilitate communication between producers and buyers. Read project successes, outcomes and lessons learned in this short report.
Dairy Innovation Field Days
Six individual field days were held between June 1st and September 20th in regions across the state on dairy farms milking under 100 head. Field days highlighted innovative production or marketing strategies that represent new opportunities to enhance small dairy viability in NY. To view the schedule, visit https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2012/04/24/announcing-2012-small-dairy-field-days/
