Local Farms Trial Tarping for Reduced Tillage Research
As the growing season winds down, Haley Rylander, a masters student working with the reduced tillage project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, has been visiting with farmers who have taken an active role in her research. Haley shares some of these farmers’ experiences and gives insight about using tarps to suppress weeds and reduce … Read More
Small Farms Staff to Present at “Farmer to Farmer” Conference
If you head out to the Homer C. Thompson Research Farm in Freeville, NY, you’ll find a field filled with permanent beds in the organic section of the farm. These beds have been under trial for four years using different combinations of tarps, mulches, and tillage depths to discover the ideal system for an organic … Read More
Today We Celebrate National Farmers Day and #ThankaFarmer
Today, October 12th, is National Farmers Day. While we think every day should be National Farmers Day, the day is meant to raise awareness about the farmers behind our nation’s food. Here at the Small Farms Program, we would like to thank all of the farmers we work with. We recognize the great service you … Read More
Handbook Offers How-To and Tools for Reduced Tillage
If you’re interested in improving your farm’s soil health, reduced tillage may be the answer. Reduced tillage practices can minimize soil disturbance by using less intensity, going shallower, and restricting the width or tilled-area. They can be applied to a bed, within a field or across the whole farm. The practices can take many forms, … Read More
Interested in Raising Deer on Your Farm?
Cervids, such as deer, elk, and moose, are a $3 billion industry in the United States. There are many opportunities for farms to raise deer, but proper care and health management is critical. Recently the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) hosted Dr. Douglas Wagner of Newport Labs to discuss the topic … Read More
Learn About Ecological Design in Online Permaculture Course
Are you ready to build your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design? Permaculture gardens, farms, and backyards balance the provision of human needs with improvement of local ecosystem health. The School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University has opened registration to the online course Permaculture: Fundamentals of Ecological Design, from Nov. 5 to Dec. 20, … Read More
Attention Educators & Service Providers: Let’s Talk Mushrooms
Did you know that the Cornell Small Farms Program has been offering specialty mushroom resources and extension education for 10 years? This has occurred through our website, online courses, and in-person workshops. Now we need your help to continue this important work. To all extension/university or non-profit educators, government agency employees, and private consultants — please complete … Read More
Beef Quality Assurance Month is Here
New York beef farmers, have you considered becoming Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified? This certification is free through the NYS Beef Checkoff Program and is valid for three years. So far, the program has over 1,000 certified producers, educators, and students throughout the state. The training for this free certification provides access to the most … Read More
Register Now for Block 2 Online Courses
Grow Your Business by Growing New Products If you’re not already registered, be sure to check out the next round of online courses. These courses are filling up fast and will close October 28, 2018 at 11:59 p.m EST. Veggie Farming Part 1 – From Planning to Planting This course helps new and aspiring vegetable … Read More
Farmer Funding: SARE Opens Applications for $15,000 Grant
A lot can be done with $15,000. Take it from Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm. She and her team were able to use a previous $15,000 SARE Farmer Grant to explore barriers facing the ability for farmers to sell to low-income consumers without sacrificing profit and create the new resource: Sowing the Seeds of … Read More
