Posts by Violet Stone

Violet's work focuses on creating retreats, workshops and programs for the agricultural community centered on themes of connection, wellness, purpose, integrity and courage. She sees this work as contributing to a more inclusive ‘culture’ of agriculture where all voices are warmly welcomed, honored and celebrated, including the voices of our ‘inner teachers’, sometimes referred to as 'spirit' or 'soul'. Violet serves as the NY SARE Coordinator and can help farmers and educators navigate NESARE grant opportunities.

Are You a Farmer Seeking New Markets? Join us in Cooperstown, NY

By Violet Stone / November 28, 2016

Are You a Farmer Seeking New Markets? Start Selling to Food Hubs, Groceries, Restaurants and Cooperatives Are you looking to diversify sales beyond the farmers market, CSA and farm stand?    Food hubs, grocery stores, restaurants and cooperatives are looking for your products to meet growing consumer demand for local and sustainably-grown food.  Yet, doing successful…

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2016-17 Baskets to Pallets Farmer Trainings

By Violet Stone / September 29, 2016

Farmer Buyer Mixer, Brown’s Brewing, Troy, NY March 6th, 2017.  3:00pm – 6:00pm Farmers that complete either a Baskets to Pallets trainings or a FINYS training will be invited to meet wholesale buyers at a Farmer-Buyer Mixer at Revolution Hall (Brown’s Brewery) in Troy, NY on March 6th from 3:00pm – 6:00pm.  The Mixer will provide…

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On-Farm Poultry Processing Workshop June 7th

By Violet Stone / May 23, 2016

Consumer interest in locally raised pastured poultry is high, and many small-scale farmers are working to meet this demand. One challenge these farmers encounter is that there are no federally-inspected slaughterhouses in NY and state-inspected plants are few and far between. So most small commercial producers take advantage of federal legislation allowing producers raising less than 1,000 chickens/year (or less…

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Educators: Register Now for 'Baskets to Pallets' Statewide Training

By Violet Stone / March 7, 2016

Are you an agricultural educator or service provider in New York State interested in supporting farmers seeking to enter food hubs, groceries, restaurants or cooperatives? The Cornell Small Farms Program and Northeast SARE are pleased to announce a new statewide professional development opportunity. ‘Baskets to Pallets: Preparing Small and Mid-sized Farmers to Enter Food Hubs,…

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Apply Now for Small Farms Program Summer Internship

By Violet Stone / January 20, 2016

Applications Due February 7th The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce a job opening for a full time Summer Intern. This position is for a Cornell undergraduate, continuing student and is based in 15A Plant Science Building on the Cornell University Campus with 1 day/week of field work at McDaniel’s Nut Grove.   Stipend ranges from $10 – $12/hour depending on experience.…

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2014 News Archive

By Violet Stone / April 24, 2015

Veterans in Ag Summit Registration Open Are you a veteran farming in New York State, or an organization serving farmer veterans? The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce an interactive meeting just for you — the NY Veterans in Agriculture Summit will take place on Thursday, November 6th, 2014 from 9:00am – 3:30pm at the NYS State Fairgrounds in Syracuse,…

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Small Farms, New Markets: Webinar Series Illuminates how Farmers and Buyers Connect

By Violet Stone / March 30, 2015

Webinar Series Illuminates how Farmers and Buyers Connect In recent years, a variety of new wholesale opportunities have opened to small and mid-sized farmers.  Whether its a brick and mortar venue such as a food hub, distributor or grocery store, or a virtual venue such as an online marketplace, these new avenues provide countless new…

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Veterans in Ag Working Group Summaries

By Violet Stone / February 4, 2015

Click on a Vets in Ag Summit working group to view the summary! Communication & Outreach | Training for Service Providers | Vets Starting Farms | Vets Employed on Farms Communication & Outreach Strategies to Reach NY Veterans Reaching veterans about agricultural opportunities will require several strategies, based upon their age and internet connectivity.  A…

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New Support for Veterans and Advanced Beginning Farmers

By Violet Stone / February 3, 2015

The Cornell Small Farms Program is excited to announce that we have been awarded a 3-year grant from the USDA’s Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) that will enable us to provide new support services for military veterans seeking to farm, and for “advanced beginning” farmers who have 3-9 years of farming experience. Matching…

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Cornell Small Farms Program Update

By Violet Stone / January 14, 2015

Message from the Editor Happy New Year! As I write this message, delicate ice formations decorate the window and the pines outside are swaying gracefully in a swirl of snowflakes.  As I checked the weather report this morning to find out how much snow this storm is expected to bring, I was not surprised to…

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