Cornell Small Farms Project

Events

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		1	2	3 * Phone Q & A Series with FDAPhone Q & A Series with FDA Time: 11:00 am The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q&A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions directly to the FDA staff. This session will focus on domestic and wild animals	4 * Basics of Electric FencingBasics of Electric Fencing Time: 10:00 am Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join Stone Barns Center’s Livestock Manager, Craig Haney, to learn how an electric fence works and how to configure a fence to do what you need it to do–psychologically contain different types of livestock or keep out different types of wild animals. Craig will discuss common electric fencing mistakes, focusing on temporary electric fencing used for rotational paddocks.	5
6 * Advanced Cultured Dairy WkshpAdvanced Cultured Dairy Wkshp Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. * Phone Q & A Series with FDAPhone Q & A Series with FDA Time: 11:00 am The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q&A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions directly to the FDA staff. This session will focus on Growing, Harvesting, Packing, & Holding Activities * Building Traction for FarmsBuilding Traction for Farms Time: 12:20 pm Building Traction for Small Farms while Reducing Traction on Vegetable farms: Current and Future Efforts. Cornell Plant Sciences Building, room 404, Ithaca.Anu Rangarajan, Senior Extension Associate, Department of Horticulture. Also available via Polycom in A134 Barton Hall, NYSAES, Geneva, N.YBuilding Traction for Small Farms while Reducing Traction on Vegetable farms: Current and Future Efforts. Cornell Plant Sciences Building, room 404, Ithaca.Anu Rangarajan, Senior Extension Associate, Department of Horticulture. Also available via Polycom in A134 Barton Hall, NYSAES, Geneva, N.Y, Contact Neil Mattsonnsm47@cornell.edu. * Traction for Small FarmsTraction for Small Farms Time: 12:20 pm Building Traction for Small Farms while Reducing Traction on Vegetable Farms: Current and Future Efforts. Cornell Plant Sciences Building, room 404, Ithaca. Anu Rangarajan, Senior Extension Associate, Department of Horticulture. Contact Neil Mattsonn sm47@cornell.edu. * Rural Pond ManagementRural Pond Management Time: 6:00 pm Cornell University’s Arnot Forest; 611 (Schuyler) County Route 13; Van Etten, NY. Current and future pond owners have an excellent opportunity to learn more about managing their ponds from expert instructors. This education program will provide clear advice and answers for ponds owners regarding weeds, water quality, fishing, and wildlife management. The workshop is free and open to the public. For questions or additional information, please contact Schuyler CCE at 607-535-7161, or by email: bjc226@cornell.edu	7 * Advanced Cultured Dairy WkshpAdvanced Cultured Dairy Wkshp Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. * Agricultural Price WebinarAgricultural Price Webinar Time: 10:00 am Based on an extensive review of the theoretical and empirical literature, this webinar will provide a critical assessment of the dominant thinking surrounding the management of agricultural price instability as applied to grains. Using the case of Mali, Mr. Galtier will contend that the current line of thinking underestimates (i) the magnitude of price instability generated by grain markets, (ii) the degree to which farmers and consumers in developing countries are exposed to this instability, and (iii) the resulting effects on welfare (including macroeconomic and long-term consequences). * Winter Forage Field DayWinter Forage Field Day Time: 1:00 pm Foothill Farm (Bill Gorsky) on Vly Summit Rd., 1/10 mile north of Rte 40, in Easton, Washington Co. Discuss the challenges of fall ‘12 harvested oats; winter triticale before spring harvest; forage quality of winter forages; getting good fermentation; getting more yield per acre; utilizing wet fields. Please RSVP so I can print enough handouts, Aaron Gabriel, 518-380-1496, adg12@cornell.edu.	8 * Advanced Cultured Dairy WkshpAdvanced Cultured Dairy Wkshp Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. * Phone Q & A Series with FDAPhone Q & A Series with FDA Time: 11:00 am The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q&A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions directly to the FDA staff. This session will focus on Equipment, Tools, Buildings, & Sanitation * Sheep & Goats Parasites WkshpSheep & Goats Parasites Wkshp Time: 12:30 pm Glynwood Center, 362 Glynwood Rd, Cold Spring, NY 10516. This workshop is designed to help sheep and goat farmers develop integrated parasite management (IPM) programs. Dr. tatiana Stanton of Cornell University will cover the basics of internal parasite control (parasite life cycles, effects of nutritional and pasture management) and then move on to serious discussions of dewormer resistance, judicial use of dewormers, and progress on deworming alternatives. The workshop will provide lots of hands-on training in doing fecal egg analyses (bring a refrigerated sample from one animal/farm) and on monitoring techniques such as the FAMACHA© Anemia Guide. If you have your own microscope, you are welcomed to bring it. Farmers completing the workshop will receive FAMACHA© certification. FAMACHA© cards will be available for purchase for $10 each. We will be handling animals to learn how to do FAMACHA scoring so please plan on exercising proper biosecurity measures ( clean clothes, wash hands, disinfect footwear or wear plastic booties – we’ll provide booties and disinfectant) prior to and after handling animals. To register contact: Anita Barber:abarber@glynwood.org, (845) 256-3338 (x101) OR (x129 to leave voicemail). * How to Use Beef EPDsHow to Use Beef EPDs Time: 1:00 pm Drover Hill Farm in Earlville, NY. Producers will hear and see, firsthand, how William and Stephanie Lipsey have successfully used Expected Progeny Differences, better known as EPDs – in their Angus herd and produced the kind of functional cattle their customers want. We will examine several farm scenarios – cow/calf, feeder, or backgrounder with different kinds of facilities and markets – to see if either bull could be a potential herd sire. EPDs are indicators of genetic worth of an individual animal as a parent when compared to another individual of the same breed. For further information, contact Karen Baase at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County. Email kab21@cornell.edu or call 315 684-3001	9 * Basic Cultured Dairy WrkshpBasic Cultured Dairy Wrkshp Cornell University, Ithaca, NY	10 * Basic Cultured Dairy WrkshpBasic Cultured Dairy Wrkshp Cornell University, Ithaca, NY * Phone Q & A Series with FDAPhone Q & A Series with FDA Time: 11:00 am The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q&A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions directly to the FDA staff. This session will focus on Health, Hygiene, & Training of Workers * Raising Pigs WorkshopRaising Pigs Workshop Time: 6:00 pm Cornell University swine specialist, Karl Roneker will be the guest speaker and will address the basics of housing, nutrition and general management concerns. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are necessary. The meeting will be held at the Oneida County Farm and Home Center, located at 121 Second St. Oriskany, NY. Please call 736-3394 ext. 132 to RSVP.	11 * A Walk In The WoodsA Walk In The Woods Time: 9:00 am Stackhouse Farm, 3010 Esperanza Road, Bluff Point, NY. Yates County Woodswalk. Participants will hear about the many threats facing the future forest, including invasive plants and insects, destruction of the young forest by excessive deer populations in some areas, and the degradation that can result from unsustainable harvesting practices. Participants will tour the property with Senior DEC Forester, Jim Bagley and Future Forest Consulting Forester, Corey Figueiredo. Attendance is free, but let us know you are coming so we can plan for parking and handout materials. Everyone is invited. Attendees are asked to dress for the weather and wear boots or shoes suitable for walking on woodland trails, some of which are on hilly terrain. FOR REGISTRATION and more INFORMATION: call Yates County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 315-536-5123. * Mushroom Field DayMushroom Field Day Time: 9:00 am	12
13 * Phone Q & A Series with FDAPhone Q & A Series with FDA Time: 11:00 am The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q&A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions directly to the FDA staff. This session will focus on Recordkeeping, Compliance, & Enforcement * SEQR TrainingSEQR Training Time: 6:30 pm State Environmental Quality Review Act Training. Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties, 173 South Grand Street, Cobleskill. The Schoharie County Planning and Development Agency is pleased to have Nan Stolzenburg, AICP, certified planner and founder of Community Planning and Environmental Associates, provide this important training for Schoharie County and surrounding areas. 2.0 credit hours for local officials. For information, contact the Schoharie County Planning Agency, 276 Main Street, Suite 2, P.O. Box 396, Schoharie, NY 12157, 518-295-8770. * SEQRA TrainingSEQRA Training Time: 6:30 pm . Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties, 173 South Grand Street, Cobleskill. The Schoharie County Planning and Development Agency is pleased to have Nan Stolzenburg, AICP, certified planner and founder of Community Planning and Environmental Associates, provide this important training for Schoharie County and surrounding areas. 2.0 credit hours for local officials. For information and/or registration by April 29, contact the Schoharie County Planning Agency, 276 Main Street, Suite 2, P.O. Box 396, Schoharie, NY 12157, 518-295-8770.	14	15	16 * Walk in the WoodsWalk in the Woods Time: 5:00 pm Carantouan Greenway Wildwood Reserve, Barton, NY. Marty Borko will lead a woods walk that will demonstrate the invasion of our woods by exotic species that dominate the herbaceous and shrub layers in the understory, namely garlic mustard and Japanese honeysuckle. Advice will be sought as to how to best restore it to native species and where to best set up an exclosure (sic) to protect new growth from deer. * Equine Pasture Mgmt MeetingEquine Pasture Mgmt Meeting Time: 6:00 pm Placid Hills Stables, 196 Town Office Road, Brunswick, NY 12180. Management topics to be discussed include benefits of horses grazing pasture and improving pastures through management. Enjoy ice cream at the event, while we discuss grazing principles specific to horses and enjoy a pasture walk (weather permitting). Bring your horse grazing questions! Cost of the meeting is $5.00; to register, please RSVP to Marcie Vohnoutka at mmp74@cornell.edu or (518) 272-4210 by May 14th.	17	18 * “Hobnob” Forest“Hobnob” Forest 158 Bailor Rd; Brooktondale, NY 14817. A woods walk through Hobnob Forest by Tim Levatich. Started in 1975 by Tim’s father the 130 acre forest began in 1975 with road building, timber stand improvement, and firewood production. The property was growing a mixed hardwood forest of pole-sized trees – there were very few saw timber-sized trees at that time. Recreation was an early and constant focus, along with growing prime saw timber and firewood. Management planning, NYDEC service foresters, the American Tree Farm System, boundary line maintenance, regeneration work, repeated pre-commercial thinnings, and extensive road building were all part of its development. The TSI worked. The Forest has seen six sawlog sales and one timber sale, plus many cords of firewood produced. The hilltop site has provided challenges through drought, insect infestation, disease vectors and weather damage. For more information, please contact Tim at: tpl10@cornell.edu or by phone at: 607-592-5126. * Beef Producers Field Day WkshpBeef Producers Field Day Wkshp Time: 10:00 am Westendlock Farm, 515 West End Road, Craryville, NY,. This meeting will cover Beef Quality Assurance Certification, Body Condition Scoring of Cattle, How to Choose the Right Bull, Cattle Health. Registration for meeting is $15/person; Beef Quality Assurance Manual is $10/book. Please make check payable to: CCE Albany County. For information and/or registration contact Tom Gallagher at 518-765-3500 or email tjg3@cornell.edu, or Gale Kohler at 518-765-3500 or email gek4@cornell.edu. * Beef Quality Assurance WkshpBeef Quality Assurance Wkshp Time: 10:00 am Log Cabin Restaurant, 2445 W. Walworth Rd, Macedon, NY. Classroom portion will be in the morning with chute side portion at a nearby farm. Cost is $30 for the first person from the farm/family, $20 for each additional members from the same farm/family. To register call Judy Glann at 315.331.8415 or email her atjmg358@cornell.edu. For more information contact Nancy Glazier at585.315.7746 or nig3@cornell.edu. With attending this workshop, a beef producer will become Level 1 certified. With a signed VCPR (Veterinary Client Patient Relationship) form, producers will be Level 2 certified, and have the opportunity to purchase a BQA farm sign. Youth over 14 may participate and become fully certified. This workshop is sponsored by the Beef Checkoff. * Beef Producers’ Field DayBeef Producers’ Field Day Time: 10:00 am Westendlock Farm, 515 West End Road, Craryville, NY,. This meeting will cover Beef Quality Assurance Certification, Body Condition Scoring of Cattle, How to Choose the Right Bull, Cattle Health. Registration for meeting is $15/person; Beef Quality Assurance Manual is $10/book. Please make check payable to: CCE Albany County. For information and/or registration contact Tom Gallagher at 518-765-3500 or email tjg3@cornell.edu, or Gale Kohler at 518-765-3500 or email gek4@cornell.edu.	19
20	21 * IPM WorkshopIPM Workshop Time: 9:45 am Keep your fruits, veggies, ornamentals and orchards safe from hungry bugs, invasive weeds and biological impacts through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Join us on May 21 at Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown Heights, for this full spectrum workshop, "Integrated Pest Management for Fruits, Vegetables, Nurseries & Greenhouses" from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.	22 * Pasture-Based Beef GeneticsPasture-Based Beef Genetics Time: 6:30 pm 4536 Winton Road; Montour Falls, NY. With the cost of many production inputs on the rise, more beef producers are turning towards strains of cattle within the many beef breeds that can “do it all well” on a year-round diet of just pasture and hay. Come join the Tri-County Graziers for a twilight pasture walk at Winton Road Farm and Livestock to discuss just what makes an ideal beef cow for low-input pasture-based operations. The walk will be led by Kathy Engel (www.puregrassbeef.com) and Morgan Hartman (www.blackqueenangus.com). RSVP’s are appreciated by calling Steuben CCE at 607-664-2300, or by emailing Brett at:bjc226@cornell.edu. Light refreshments will be served. Support for this educational event is provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben and Schuyler Counties, the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, and the NRCS NYS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.	23 * Food & Health Network MeetingFood & Health Network Meeting Time: 2:00 pm	24 * Lamb Butchery IntensiveLamb Butchery Intensive Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod * Lamb Butchery for FarmersLamb Butchery for Farmers Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod. Registration closes May 1.	25 * Lamb Butchery IntensiveLamb Butchery Intensive Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod * Lamb Butchery for FarmersLamb Butchery for Farmers Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod. Registration closes May 1.	26 * Lamb Butchery IntensiveLamb Butchery Intensive Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod * Lamb Butchery for FarmersLamb Butchery for Farmers Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod. Registration closes May 1.
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May 6, 2013. 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Pond Management for Rural Landowners. Cornell University’s Arnot Forest; 611 (Schuyler) County Route 13; Van Etten, NY.  Current and future pond owners have an excellent opportunity to learn more about managing their ponds from expert instructors. This education program will provide clear advice and answers for ponds owners regarding weeds, water quality, fishing, and wildlife management.  The workshop is free and open to the public.  For questions or additional information, please contact Schuyler CCE at 607-535-7161, or by email: bjc226@cornell.edu  Please meet at the Arnot Forest Lodge by 6 p.m.  For detailed driving instructions, please visit: www.arnotforest.info.

May 6, 2013. 12:20 PM- 1:10 PM. Building Traction for Small Farms while Reducing Traction on Vegetable Farms: Current and Future Efforts. Cornell Plant Sciences Building, room 404, Ithaca.Anu Rangarajan, Senior Extension Associate, Department of Horticulture. Also available via Polycom in A134 Barton Hall, NYSAES, Geneva, N.Y.http://hort.cals.cornell.edu/cals/hor… Contact Neil Mattsonn sm47@cornell.edu.

May 6-8, 2013.  Advanced Cultured Dairy Products Workshop. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Visithttp://foodscience.cornell.edu/cals/foodsci/extension/extension-calendar.cfm for more information and registration forms.

May 7, 2013. 10:00 AM- 11:15 AM. Managing Agricultural Price Instability Webinar. Based on an extensive review of the theoretical and empirical literature, this webinar will provide a critical assessment of the dominant thinking surrounding the management of agricultural price instability as applied to grains. Using the case of Mali, Mr. Galtier will contend that the current line of thinking underestimates (i) the magnitude of price instability generated by grain markets, (ii) the degree to which farmers and consumers in developing countries are exposed to this instability, and (iii) the resulting effects on welfare (including macroeconomic and long-term consequences).

May 7, 2013. 1:00 PM —2:30 PM. Winter Forage Field Day. Foothill Farm (Bill Gorsky) on Vly Summit Rd., 1/10 mile north of Rte 40, in Easton, Washington Co.  Discuss the challenges of fall ‘12 harvested oats; winter triticale before spring harvest; forage quality of winter forages; getting good fermentation; getting more yield per acre; utilizing wet fields.  Please RSVP so I can print enough handouts, Aaron Gabriel, 518-380-1496, adg12@cornell.edu.

May 8, 2013. 1:00 PM. How to Use Beef EPDs. Drover Hill Farm in Earlville, NY. Producers will hear and see, firsthand, how William and Stephanie Lipsey have successfully used Expected Progeny Differences, better known as EPDs – in their Angus herd and produced the kind of functional cattle their customers want. We will examine several farm scenarios – cow/calf, feeder, or backgrounder with different kinds of facilities and markets – to see if either bull could be a potential herd sire. EPDs are indicators of genetic worth of an individual animal as a parent when compared to another individual of the same breed. For further information, contact Karen Baase at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County. Email kab21@cornell.edu or call 315 684-3001.

May 8, 2013. 12:30 PM – 5:15 PM. Internal Parasites in Sheep & Goats FAMACHA Workshop. Glynwood Center, 362 Glynwood Rd, Cold Spring, NY 10516. This workshop is designed to help sheep and goat farmers develop integrated parasite management (IPM) programs. Dr. tatiana Stanton of Cornell University will cover the basics of internal parasite control (parasite life cycles, effects of nutritional and pasture management) and then move on to serious discussions of dewormer resistance, judicial use of dewormers, and progress on deworming alternatives. The workshop will provide lots of hands-on training in doing fecal egg analyses (bring a refrigerated sample from one animal/farm) and on monitoring techniques such as the FAMACHA© Anemia Guide. If you have your own microscope, you are welcomed to bring it. Farmers completing the workshop will receive FAMACHA© certification. FAMACHA© cards will be available for purchase for $10 each. We will be handling animals to learn how to do FAMACHA scoring so please plan on exercising proper biosecurity measures ( clean clothes, wash hands, disinfect footwear or wear plastic booties – we’ll provide booties and disinfectant) prior to and after handling animals. To register contact: Anita Barber: abarber@glynwood.org, (845) 256-3338 (x101) OR (x129 to leave voicemail).

May 8, 2013. 1:00 PM—2:30 PM. Winter Forage Field Day. Stanton (Dairy) Farms, Coeyman’s Hollow.  Triticale field is on Rte 32, just eas of LeGrange Ln, at the intersection of Rte 32 and Winne Ln.  Discuss triticale and other winter forages; forage quality; getting more per acre; getting good fermentation; utilizing wet fields.  Please RSVP so I can print enough handouts, Aaron Gabriel, 518-380-1496,adg12@cornell.edu.

May 9-10, 2013. Basic Cultured Products Workshop. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Visithttp://foodscience.cornell.edu/cals/foodsci/extension/extension-calendar.cfm for more information and registration forms.

May 10, 2013. 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM. Raising Pigs Workshop. Cornell University swine specialist, Karl Roneker will be the guest speaker and will address the basics of housing, nutrition and general management concerns.  There is no charge to attend, but reservations are necessary.  The meeting will be held at the Oneida County Farm and Home Center, located at 121 Second St. Oriskany, NY. Please call 736-3394 ext. 132 to RSVP.

May 11, 2013. 9:00 AM- 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM. Mushroom Field Day. Cornell’s Arnot Forest, 611 Schuyler County Route 13; Van Etten. Morning session: Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation. .  Learn how to successfully grow Shiitake mushrooms with Dr. Ken Mudge of Cornell University, and take home your own inoculated logs afterwards!  There is a $30 fee for the course  to cover materials, and space is limited to 30 people.  Please pre-register on-line hereby Wednesday May 8. Afternoon session: Wild Mushroom and Forest Health Walk.  1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Dr. George Hudler of Cornell University will lead a walk through portions of the Arnot Forest to identify wild mushrooms and discuss how to interpret signs of forest health.  This walk is free and open to the public.  Please dress for the weather and expect to hike in moderately rough terrain.  Tick and bug spray is recommended.  No pre-registration is required for the afternoon session.  Please meet at the Arnot Forest Sugarhouse by 1 pm. Please bring water, and lunch if staying for the day. Please visit: www.arnotforest.info for detailed driving information.  For additional information, please contact Brett Chedzoy, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County, at bjc226@cornell.edu(phone 607-535-7161).

May 11, 2013. 9:00 AM. – 12:00 PM. Public Invited For A Walk In The Woods! Stackhouse Farm, 3010 Esperanza Road, Bluff Point, NY. Yates County Woodswalk.  Participants will hear about the many threats facing the future forest, including invasive plants and insects, destruction of the young forest by excessive deer populations in some areas, and the degradation that can result from unsustainable harvesting practices. Participants will tour the property with Senior DEC Forester, Jim Bagley and Future Forest Consulting Forester, Corey Figueiredo. Attendance is free, but let us know you are coming so we can plan for parking and handout materials.  Everyone is invited.  Attendees are asked to dress for the weather and wear boots or shoes suitable for walking on woodland trails, some of which are on hilly terrain.   FOR REGISTRATION and more INFORMATION: call Yates County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 315-536-5123.

May 13, 2013. 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. State Environmental Quality Review Act Training. Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties, 173 South Grand Street, Cobleskill.  The Schoharie County Planning and Development Agency is pleased to have Nan Stolzenburg, AICP, certified planner and founder of Community Planning and Environmental Associates, provide this important training for Schoharie County and surrounding areas. 2.0 credit hours for local officials.  For information and/or registration by April 29, contact the Schoharie County Planning Agency, 276 Main Street, Suite 2, P.O. Box 396, Schoharie, NY 12157, 518-295-8770.

May 16, 2013. 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM. Walk in the Woods. Carantouan Greenway Wildwood Reserve, Barton, NY.  Marty Borko will lead a woods walk that will demonstrate the invasion of our woods by exotic species that dominate the herbaceous and shrub layers in the understory, namely garlic mustard and Japanese honeysuckle. Advice will be sought as to how to best restore it to native species and where to best set up an exclosure (sic) to protect new growth from deer.  Please visit: www.carantouangreenway.org for directions.  Meet at property entrance at 5:00 p.m.

May 16, 2013.6:00 PM- 8:00 PM. Equine Pasture Management Meeting. Placid Hills Stables, 196 Town Office Road, Brunswick, NY 12180. Management topics to be discussed include benefits of horses grazing pasture and improving pastures through management. Enjoy ice cream at the event, while we discuss grazing principles specific to horses and enjoy a pasture walk (weather permitting). Bring your horse grazing questions! Cost of the meeting is $5.00; to register, please RSVP to Marcie Vohnoutka at mmp74@cornell.edu or (518) 272-4210 by May 14th.

May 18, 2013.  10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. BQA in a Day, Beef Quality Assurance Workshop. Log Cabin Restaurant, 2445 W. Walworth Rd, Macedon, NY. Classroom portion will be in the morning with chute side portion at a nearby farm. Cost is $30 for the first person from the farm/family, $20 for each additional members from the same farm/family. To register call Judy Glann at 315.331.8415 or email her atjmg358@cornell.edu. For more information contact Nancy Glazier at585.315.7746 or nig3@cornell.edu. With attending this workshop, a beef producer will become Level 1 certified. With a signed VCPR (Veterinary Client Patient Relationship) form, producers will be Level 2 certified, and have the opportunity to purchase a BQA farm sign. Youth over 14 may participate and become fully certified. This workshop is sponsored by the Beef Checkoff.

May 18, 2013. 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Beef Producers’ Field Day Workshop. Westendlock Farm, 515 West End Road, Craryville, NY,. This meeting will cover Beef Quality Assurance Certification, Body Condition Scoring of Cattle, How to Choose the Right Bull, Cattle Health. Registration for meeting is $15/person; Beef Quality Assurance Manual is $10/book.  Please make check payable to: CCE Albany County. For information and/or registration contact Tom Gallagher at 518-765-3500 or email tjg3@cornell.edu, or Gale Kohler at 518-765-3500 or email gek4@cornell.edu.

May 18, 2013. Peter Levatich’s “Hobnob” Forest. 158 Bailor Rd; Brooktondale, NY 14817. A woods walk through Hobnob Forest by Tim Levatich. Started in 1975 by Tim’s father the 130 acre forest began in 1975 with road building, timber stand improvement, and firewood production. The property was growing a mixed hardwood forest of pole-sized trees – there were very few saw timber-sized trees at that time. Recreation was an early and constant focus, along with growing prime saw timber and firewood. Management planning, NYDEC service foresters, the American Tree Farm System, boundary line maintenance, regeneration work, repeated pre-commercial thinnings, and extensive road building were all part of its development.  The TSI worked. The Forest has seen six sawlog sales and one timber sale, plus many cords of firewood produced. The hilltop site has provided challenges through drought, insect infestation, disease vectors and weather damage. In spite if these events, Peter Levatich got to see his work of over 30 years come to fruition. There are many things to see and topics to discuss!  Dress for the weather! For more information, please contact Tim at: tpl10@cornell.edu or by phone at: 607-592-5126.

May 22, 2013. 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM. Pasture-Based Beef Genetics. 4536 Winton Road; Montour Falls, NY. With the cost of many production inputs on the rise, more beef producers are turning towards strains of cattle within the many beef breeds that can “do it all well” on a year-round diet of just pasture and hay. Come join the Tri-County Graziers for a twilight pasture walk at Winton Road Farm and Livestock to discuss just what makes an ideal beef cow for low-input pasture-based operations. The walk will be led by Kathy Engel (www.puregrassbeef.com) and Morgan Hartman (www.blackqueenangus.com). RSVP’s are appreciated by calling Steuben CCE at 607-664-2300, or by emailing Brett at:bjc226@cornell.edu. Light refreshments will be served. Support for this educational event is provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben and Schuyler Counties, the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, and the NRCS NYS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

May 23, 2013. 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM. Food and Health Network Meeting: Farm to Institution in NYS and the Northeast. For more information, visit http://www.foodandhealthnetwork.org/events.

May 24-26, 2013. Lamb Butchery Intensive for Farmers. Stone Barns Center, 630 Bedford Rd., Pcantico Hills, NY 10591. Join the Growing Farmers Initiative for a unique, three-day butchery intensive. This multi-day workshop will introduce a small group of farmers to on-farm slaughtering and provide hands-on instruction for breaking down whole lamb carcasses. Adam Danforth, a renowned butcher and writer, will guide participants through the entire process, from slaughter to packaged cuts. Topics covered will include: basic knife skills, personal and food safety techniques, ovine anatomy, full carcass breakdown, qualities and characteristics of cuts, and marketing strategies. Participating farmers will leave the workshop with a solid foundation of lamb breakdown, as well as informational handouts and basic butchery supplies, including a knife, bone saw, and honing rod. Registration closes May 1. For more information, click here.