Posts by Sarah Diana Nechamen

During the past decade, major federal conservation programs that help farmers and ranchers maintain and enhance sustainable practices have increased dramatically. Access to these resources can open new opportunities to preserve agricultural lands, develop sustainable practices, and open new markets. A new ATTRA publication, Federal Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching,  is an overview of…

PickACarrot.com offers a free innovative and efficient way to locate, compare and purchase seeds from dozens of seed catalogs.  It’s easy to filter for certified organic or conventional seed, treated or untreated, hybrid or open-pollinated, or by price, quantity, days-to-maturity, and a number of other categories. For 2015, they have improved their search and added many…

New York State’s agricultural, food, and beverage industries are world-class, and are increasingly recognized by consumers around the world for safety, quality, and innovation. In support of those industries, under a program funded by New York’s Empire State Development Corporation, Cornell Cooperative Extension is conducting a survey of these businesses’ export market experience and potential.…

The FruitGuys Community Fund offers small grants up to $5000 to support sustainability projects for small to mid-size farms. A primary goal of the fund is to help farms and orchards operate more sustainably and to promote advocacy that, over the long term, creates a more sustainable food system and healthier planet. Apply at http://fruitguyscommunityfund.org/apply/.

According to an announcement by Senators Schumer, Gillibrand, Higgins, and Collins, the USDA has issued a Secretarial Disaster Area for 7 Counties in Western New York that were devastated by the November snow storm: Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming. The programs available with a USDA disaster declaration include Farm Service Agency emergency loans, the…

Farmer Veteran Coalition has released Veteran Careers in Agriculture: A Resource Guide. The 40-page PDF publication introduces the Farmer Veteran Coalition and its work, profiles veteran farmers, discusses opportunities for veterans to find employment in agriculture, and offers resources for business planning. It also serves as a directory of agricultural organizations and educational opportunities for…

With another foot of snow expected in the next few days in some parts of New York, it’s time to read up on some tips for dealing with severe winter weather on farms. To Minimize Wind Damage to Greenhouses: Remove loose objects from the area (including weak tree limbs) Close all openings to the greenhouse…

With new Local Food Promotion Program funding, the Lucky Dog Food Hub will scale-up their offerings to encourage agricultural entrepreneurship and help local farmers expand into high-quality, high-value markets through personalized buyer and producer activities. During this workshop, producers will learn more about the activities made possible through LFPP and how be become part of…