Study Measures Maple Syrup Production in a Changing Climate
A changing climate is expected to change the seasonality of crops, largely affecting farmers’ production patterns and yearly cycles. This impact on crops also includes maple syrup production, according to a new study from Dartmouth College. Maple syrup production is especially dependent on temperature, and even in the best conditions has a very short seasonal…
Read MoreSFP Program News
The New Online Home of Cornell Small Farms Program As we first announced in the Summer 2019 issue of the Small Farms Quarterly, we have been working on some major updates to our communications efforts, and are excited to finally share the results! In August we launched our new website, designed with our new logo…
Read MoreConfidently Hosting a Farm Tour – What’s Your “Why Bother”?
Let’s face it. You probably didn’t go into farming to wear 25+ hats every day – ranging from accountant to mechanic, nutritionist to human resources manager, and electrician to professional “Google-er”. It’s likely that “Consumer Relations and Marketing Expert” didn’t even make it into your pile of hats. You might even be rolling your eyes…
Read MoreHow to Determine Fair Farmland Rental Rates
Three approaches to help you answer the question: what is the right rental rate for farmland? Agricultural renters and landowners alike seem to struggle with the same question: what is the right rental rate for agricultural property? I commonly hear this question from beginning farmers seeking land. Yet, just as frequently, it comes from landowners…
Read MoreManaging Woodlands to Improve Wildlife Habitat
Manipulations of the trees can create new and varied habitats for wildlife. Most landowners own their land for a variety of reasons, though at any point in time one objective might be of more interest than other objectives. For many woodland owners, they are interested in seeing more wildlife, whether as birds or game species,…
Read MoreDeveloping a community of ocean farmers for healthy seas, healthy food, and healthy economies
Small-scale ocean farming is restorative and provides valuable ecosystem services through nutrient extraction and carbon sequestration. There are opportunities to put skilled, entrepreneurial people to work for a more sustainable, less exploiting use of the sea. I boarded the skiff with my camera strapped to my neck to keep it from plunging into the depths…
Read MoreSpecialty Mushroom Project Expands to Serve Diverse Urban and Rural Growers
Interest in specialty mushrooms (defined as any non-button variety) from both farmers and consumers is growing rapidly, with demand increasing by 4% annually in the U.S. Given the flexible scale of production systems, mushrooms are well positioned for production by a diverse range of small and mid-sized farmers in urban and rural settings. With funding…
Read MoreNew software helps plant breeders bring out their best
Broccoli is in the eye of the beholder. A head of broccoli that might appeal to one person – perhaps because of its deep green color – may leave another cold, due to an asymmetrical shape or too-large buds. Cornell researchers participating in the Eastern Broccoli Project, which aims to produce broccoli varieties suited to grow…
Read MoreFood for Thought: Farm-to-School Feeds Students, Communities
Cornell Cooperative Extension is part of a statewide network working to bring fresh, locally-sourced food to students while supporting local farmers and food producers. In counties across New York, farm-to-school (F2S) programs are connecting K-12 students with much-needed healthy food. Through F2S, students have reliable access to fresh, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables and other farm…
Read MoreA Brief History of the Pig in the United States
From a few pigs brought over on a ship to the estimated 5 million pigs currently residing in the U.S., we explore the brief and fascinating history of how and why the hog has become an integral part of our agricultural landscape and why there has been a resurgence in demand for pasture raised pork.…
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