Spring 2018

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If you’d rather flip through the articles in a magazine format, feel free to download the PDF version of the Quarterly, or alternatively take a look at our online reader to peruse this issue.

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Book Review

Book Review for “The Lean Farm: Guide to Growing Vegetables” by Ben Hartman by Karen Vesper
This book is different from others on the same topic because of the intricate nature of the directions….Read More

Extension News

Cornell Group Explores Future of Indoor Farming by Jill Monti
Indoor farming entrepreneurs and experts came to Cornell in early November with a goal: leverage the innovation at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences…Read More

Fruitful Friendship: Jim Bittner is 2017 Friend of Extension by RJ Anderson
Through his involvement with agriculture organizations across New York state and as owner and general manager of Bittner-Singer Orchards, Jim Bittner has developed many strong friendships through the years…Read More

Forest, Field, and Woodlot

Vermont’s Forest Products Industry: In Transition and Hopeful for the Future by Christine McGowan
Healthy and productive forests are inherent to Vermont’s culture and heritage. Yet, the industry responsible for bringing us countless valuable forest products is in decline…Read More

What Happened to the New York ROPS Rebate Program? by Matthew Alfultis

Within agriculture, tractor rollovers account for the most fatalities (approximately 125 per year), as older tractor models lack proper protection…Read More

Stinging Nettles: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore by Paul Hetzler
One of my favorite plants is either highly versatile, or very confused. On the one hand, professional herbivores like rabbits and deer refuse to even touch it, but many people, myself included, will gladly eat it every day it is available…Read More

Chainsaw Safety, Part III: Unsafe Practices by Rich Taber
We have been encouraging farmers and woodland owners to develop forest based enterprises, many of which at one time or another require the safe use of chainsaws.  In this article we will discuss some of the specific unsafe and hazardous practices which commonly lead to chainsaw and tree felling injuries…Read More

Call the Dogs Off the Lions by Paul Hetzler
April showers bring May flowers, but not all posies are a welcome sight. Although it is quite possible they arrived on the Mayflower, dandelions do not get the esteem they deserve…Read More

Grazing Management

Low Cost Seeding Methods for Improving Pastures and Haylands by Rich Taber and Ken Smith
Methods to improve old unproductive pastures and hayfields that are both effective and economical are a common challenge for farmers, and especially so for new and beginning farmers…Read More

Practice the Grazing you Preach by Amy Overstreet 
Marc and Cheryl Cesario own and operate Meeting Place Pastures in Cornwall, Vermont, where they raise grass-fed beef and certified organic eggs. With 500-acres of certified organic pastureland, they harness solar energy that is converted into a wholesome and nutritious feed (grass) for their animals…Read More

Livestock and Poultry

Concerned Citizens and Vilified Farmers: Thoughts on Animal Welfare Complaints by Jason Detzel
The growing divide between farmer and citizen intersects at the topic of animal welfare. Read More

Local Food and Markets

Can Small Farmers Join the Artisan Food Movement? by Maria Grimaldi
American consumers have created a sophisticated demand for locally produced Artisan foods that rival imported and industrially produced products. The 2018 NOFA-NY Winter Conference held in January presented a unique educational opportunity for farmers and food processors to understand the techniques of food preservation and production…Read More

Seed Stories

Seeds, Stories, and Infographics by Petra Page-Mann
There are so many ways to tell a story. Over tea, reading a book, at the theater, or in the Small Farm Quarterly. In the 21st Century, ‘infographics’ are a fresh way of telling your story…Read More

New Crops

Frequently Asked Questions When Started Up a Hop Farm in New York by Steve Miller
The following is some information that I have put together for people interested in getting started in hops.  This information is a general primer to answer commonly asked questions…Read More

Soil Health

Take Me Out to a Tarped Field by Ryan Maher
Baseball fans know tarps are critical for keeping fields clean. Heavy rain falling on the diamond can quickly spoil a game. When you’re running for cover, turn your eyes to the field and you will see a crew working in unison to unroll a tarp over two-thirds of an acre…Small-scale organic vegetable farmers don’t have it so easy, but increasingly they too are using tarps. Read More

Resource Spotlight

Announcing NYFC’s New Guidebook on FSA loans! 
The National Young Farmers Coalition just released Farm Service Agency Loans: The Ins and Outs of Growing a Farm with Federal Loans, an illustrated guidebook for farmers looking to secure credit from USDA. Read More

News & Notes for New York Farmers from the New York Farm Bureau
Tax credit is available to New York Farmers for charitable food donations, and grant money is available to support farmland protection. Read More

Farmers.gov Website Launched
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently unveiled Farmers.gov, the new interactive one-stop website for producers maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Read More