Posts by Kacey Deamer
Cooperative Extension Dairy Update Despite the economic concerns stemming from several years of low farm gate prices of milk, some New York dairy operations have adopted a proactive approach by investing in farm improvements to increase efficiency, cow comfort, overall animal welfare, and, ultimately, milk quality. Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York Farm Strategic Planning…
Read More
A Profit Team Case Study Featherbed Lane Farm is a diversified vegetable operation offering a full-year CSA to members. The farm is also home to a flock of hens that produces eggs for CSA members, and two draft horses, Bear and Duke, who support production. Sited on 60 acres of mixed woods, wetlands and fields,…
Read More
New Events Series for Veterans Now that the Northeast is beginning to warm from the winter months, the Cornell Small Farms Program team is preparing for an exciting series of events to support veterans in agriculture. Farm OPS, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, will be providing series of training workshops for veterans…
Read More
The Cornell-led New York Soil Health Initiative has just released its Soil Health Roadmap, which identifies ways farmers and land managers can adopt better soil health practices. There is a revolution of sorts going on in farming today, triggered by discoveries in plant and soil ecology, and a recognition that we will need to restore…
Read MoreBy Farm Commons Educational or recreational activities on your farm, u-pick operations, wedding facilities, and other events can be wonderful ways to deepen the connection between farmers, customers, and community. Agritourism ventures can build buyer loyalty, increase sales, and increase peoples’ understanding of where their food comes from—all while helping the public understand why sustainable…
Read MoreRecently the Cornell Small Farms Program welcomed Leah Penniman to campus to lead a seminar describing her work, as well as her newly published book, “Farming While Black.” Farmer, educator, food justice activist, and now writer, Leah does it all. Well known in the NY farming community, as the co-founding of Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY, Leah has been an…
Read More
The Cornell Small Farms Program’s “Labor Ready Farmer” project works to ensure that new farmers and advancing employees in our region can access high-quality information, supportive networks and proven tactics essential to effective management of labor. These efforts support new farmers scaling up and Latino agricultural employees to move up the ladder of management on existing…
Read MoreAre you working with refugees in agriculture? This past year, the Cornell Small Farms Program developed new resources for refugee farmers and the agricultural service providers who support refugee communities. A key barrier refugee beginning farmers encounter when seeking resources is language. In Central NY, one of the largest refugee farming communities speaks “Karen,” a…
Read More
New research has found that orchards in natural habitats draw bee diversity which improves apple production. The Cornell University-led study, published recently in the journal Science, shows that apple orchards surrounded by agricultural lands are visited by a less diverse collection of bee species than orchards surrounded by natural habitats. When fewer, more closely-related species of bees…
Read MoreRegister now to learn about business management, soil health, specialty mushrooms, beekeeping, business plans, high tunnels, and grazing. Courses fill up quickly and registration closes for block four in just one month. Block Four Courses Start the Week of February 25 Registration closes for block four on Sunday, February 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST. We…
Read More