Cornell Small Farms Program

02/19/2021

Join Our Farmer Focus Groups and Discuss New Approaches to Farm Labor - Cornell Small Farms

NYS farm owners and employees, we want to hear from you!

Join one of our farmer focus groups, “Exploring Novel Approaches to Farm Labor,” and work with other farmers to design solutions to labor challenges.

We're facilitating engaging conversations for two separate groups – farm employees (2/25) and farm owners (3/18) — to discuss and provide feedback on potential farm labor models and the opportunities, challenges, and interests of producers to engage with these models. A gift card of $50 will be provided for participation.

Learn more and register now, as space is limited: http://ow.ly/HsMj50DEN2n

Do you struggle with getting all the work done on your farm? Do you have challenges attracting and retaining employees? Are you interested in working with other farmers to design solutions to labor challenges? If so, consider attending one of our farmer focus groups, “Exploring Novel Approaches to...

02/18/2021

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Applications are being accepted for New York State’s 2021 Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Leopold Conservation Award, which honors a farm and its nominating Soil and Water Conservation District for their extraordinary achievement in environmental stewardship.

The $10,000 award is provided by the Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the NYS Department of Ag and Markets, American Farmland Trust, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Applications are now open for the AEM-Leopold Conservation Award, which recognizes farmers who are committed to protecting the environment through the preservation of soil and water and leaving the land better than they found it. Learn more about the award and how to apply: https://agriculture.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-agriculture-commissioner-announces-application-open-aem-leopold-conservation

We thank the Sand County Foundation for collaborating with us to host this most distinguished award and look forward to honoring this year’s winners.

02/17/2021

State Agriculture Commissioner Announces $150,000 Available For Projects That Strengthen New York Agricultural Industry

Farmers and service providers: if you work with a nonprofit to market farm products, this resource might help.

There is $150,000 in grant funding available for promotion and marketing projects to strengthen the NYS agricultural industry. A portion of the funding, $50,000, will support projects that engage BIPOC communities in agriculture.

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions. The deadline for applications is 3 p.m., Monday, March 1, 2021.

Learn more and apply: http://ow.ly/Dks450DCUFM

$150,000 is available for projects to strengthen New York's diverse agricultural industry and spur economic growth.

02/16/2021

Remaining vigilant in the pandemic, upcoming veteran workshops, new opportunities, and more.

In this week's #CornellSmallFarms newsletter we discuss remaining vigilant in our pandemic practices as vaccines are being distributed.

Our courses on farm business, grazing management, soil health, and mushroom production start live content next week. We also shared that we're launching veteran learning cohort workshops, upcoming farmer listening sessions on farm labor, and more.

Read the newsletter for more small farm news, opportunities and events: https://ckarchive.com/b/e5uph7ho9k9k

​ ​ ​ Dear farmers and friends, Times like this require us all to practice patience. I would like to think we are closing in on some sort of end to the COVID-19 pandemic. My eld...

02/15/2021

Understand the business of farming with our online course!

Are you trying to navigate the legalities of owning a farm? Our online course Taking Care of Business helps early stage farmers assess and manage a variety of risks that they will face, including the business, tax, and regulatory implications of your farm.

In this course, you’ll discuss topics essential for operating a viable farm business, including insurance coverage, business structures and tax information.

Live webinars begin next week for this and the rest of our final block of courses on grazing management, soil health, and mushroom production. Learn more and register now: https://ckarchive.com/b/mvu7h5h5r2w5

​ ​ ​ Learn How to 'Take Care of Business' on Your Farm ​ Are you trying to navigate the legalities of owning a farm? Our online course Taking Care of Business helps early stage...

02/12/2021

Speciality Mushrooms Project Launches Survey for Growers - Cornell Small Farms

Attention mushroom growers, there are four days left to complete our survey and be entered to win one of five $100 gift certificates for mushroom supplies from several companies around the U.S.

If you grew and sold at least $100 worth of mushrooms in the 2020 growing season, then our Specialty Mushrooms project wants to hear from you!

We launched this grower survey for specialty mushroom producers to collect information such as basic production figures, marketing strategy, and research and education needs from universities and cooperative extension.

Learn more and take the survey now: http://ow.ly/2v3z50Dy0TE

Did you grow and sell at least $100 worth of mushrooms in the 2020 growing season? Then our Specialty Mushrooms project wants to hear from you. Specialty Mushrooms are defined by the USDA as any species other than Agaricus bisporus (Button/Crimini/Portobello) produced in the USA. Our project is a un...

02/11/2021

COVID-19 Update on NYS Agricultural Assessment Revenue Threshold Exception - Cornell Small Farms

NYS farmland owners participate in Agricultural Assessment to reduce their real property tax costs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the revenue of some farms may have fallen below the qualifying threshold. Affected farms can apply for an exception to the revenue requirement by filing an additional form (RP-305-f) with their application or renewal.

Applications must be filed with the local assessor for the municipality in which the property is located prior to the taxable status date — March 1, 2021, in most NYS communities.

Learn more and start your NYS agricultural assessment: http://ow.ly/NMgT50DxVdy

Farmland owners across New York State participate in Agricultural Assessment to reduce their real property tax costs. Each year an application(RP-305) or renewal(RP-305-r) must be filed for each eligible parcel with the local assessor in the municipality where the property is located in order to rec...

02/08/2021

Learn how better grazing can improve your farm's triple bottom line!

Learn how better grazing can improve your farm's triple bottom line with our upcoming online course, Grazing Management.

In this course, you’ll learn the key concepts of successful grazing operations that can be adapted and successfully implemented on your own farm. The course focus will be on grazing ruminant livestock, but most of the information will be relevant to non-ruminant animals as well.

Live webinars begin at the end of the month. Learn more and register now: https://ckarchive.com/b/n4uohvhq7qp2

​ ​ ​ Reduce Your Workload with Grazing Systems ​ Grazing is more than simply turning livestock out onto a green pasture and hoping for the best. With sound grazing management, ...

02/04/2021

Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey announces listening tour

NYS agriculture businesses, workers, organizations, and advocacy groups are invited to share their thoughts and concerns as part of a virtual listening tour.

The tour is hosted by the newly appointed Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, and will help the Senator and members of the Agriculture Committee create a roadmap to strengthen New York agriculture.

Those interested in participating should register by Monday, February 8. The tour will take place virtually during the weeks of February 15 and February 22.

Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/QW0s50Dru1N

ALBANY -- As the newly appointed Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, State Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) invites agriculture businesses, workers, organizations, and advocacy groups...

02/03/2021

Share your farm's story, new learning opportunities, farm job openings and more.

In this week's #CornellSmallFarms newsletter we share the winter issue of our Small Farms Quarterly magazine, and ask if you have farming stories to share.

Also, our courses on farm business, grazing management, soil health, and mushroom production start live content at the end of the month. For more learning opportunities, our specialty mushrooms project has upcoming webinars, and there are a number of other events happening in the next few weeks.

Read the newsletter for more small farm news, opportunities and events: https://ckarchive.com/b/zlughnh62n5m

​ ​ ​ Dear farmers and friends, We are pleased to announce the arrival of the Winter 2021 edition of the Small Farms Quarterly. In this issue, we featured part three in our “Wha...

01/27/2021

Speciality Mushrooms Project Launches Survey for Growers - Cornell Small Farms

Did you grow and sell at least $100 worth of mushrooms in the 2020 growing season? Then our Specialty Mushrooms project wants to hear from you.

We have launched this grower survey for specialty mushroom producers to collect information on active specialty mushroom enterprises in the United States. Complete this survey by February 15 to be entered to win one of five $100 gift certificates for mushroom supplies from several companies around the U.S.

All responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregated data will be shared publicly. This survey should take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Learn more and take the survey: http://ow.ly/FpZE50DjWyO

Did you grow and sell at least $100 worth of mushrooms in the 2020 growing season? Then our Specialty Mushrooms project wants to hear from you. Specialty Mushrooms are defined by the USDA as any species other than Agaricus bisporus (Button/Crimini/Portobello) produced in the USA. Our project is a un...

01/25/2021

Learn Ways to Boost Your Farm Business with Our Final Block of Online Courses - Cornell Small Farms

Our current season of online courses is underway, and the last block of courses will start live content at the end of February. With courses on business, grazing management, soil health, and mushroom production, this is a great opportunity to learn before the growing season begins.

Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/yM3r50DhOD1

Our current season of online courses is underway, and the last block of courses will start live content at the end of February. With courses on business, grazing management, soil health, and mushroom production, this is a great opportunity to learn before the growing season begins. Our suite of onli...

01/22/2021

Happy new year, upcoming workshops, COVID resilience, and more.

In this week's #CornellSmallFarms newsletter we wish you a happy new year, and reflect on our program's 20th anniversary.

Also in this issue, we share upcoming wellness workshops from our Be Well Farming project, a mushroom grower survey from our Specialty Mushrooms project, and more information on the COVID-19 vaccine in NYS.

Read the newsletter for more small farm news, opportunities and events: https://ckarchive.com/b/o8ukhqh9xr22

​ ​ ​ Dear farmers and friends,​ Happy New Year! ​ We are all ready for a fresh start this 2021, and looking forward to hopefully putting the pandemic behind us.​ For us at the ...

01/11/2021

Don't Miss Our Next Block of Online Courses — Live Webinars Start Soon!

The third block of our online courses begin live webinars this week, and there's so much to learn! Upcoming courses include our new offering on social media and online marketing, farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, vegetables, sheep and more.

Our suite of online courses is offered on a user-friendly platform, which grants registrants permanent access to their course content. Also, courses have tiered pricing based on household size and income, to make the courses more affordable and equitable for everyone.

Registration is open for all courses, with live content starting as soon as this evening for our third block of courses. Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/Nz0y50D5n64

​ ​ ​ Dear farmers and friends, ​ The third block of our online courses begin live webinars next week, and there's so much to learn! Upcoming courses include our new offering on...

01/08/2021

COVID-19 Update on NYS Phased Vaccination Plan - Cornell Small Farms

This week New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the latest prioritization for New Yorkers eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The state is currently in Phase 1a.

When NYS enters Phase 1b, “food and agricultural essential workers” will be designated employers to receive the vaccine under the CDC’s guidelines. As soon as the Governor announces the beginning of Phase 1b, we will provide an update and any additional information.

In preparation for vaccine distribution, NYS has also launched a new “Am I Eligible" app to help New Yorkers determine their eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, connect them with administration centers, and schedule appointments.

Learn more: http://ow.ly/XQV650D3B6t

This week New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the latest prioritization for New Yorkers eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The state is currently in Phase 1a. “While we’re trying to control COVID with one hand, we’re trying to defeat it with the other and the vaccine is the weap...

01/05/2021

Learn About Soil Health at SFP-Organized Sessions During 2021 Empire State Producers Expo - Cornell Small Farms

Join us for the Soil Health Sessions at the virtual #EmpireProducersExpo2021 next week to hear farmer experiences and research on cover cropping and no-till practices from around the region.

#CornellSmallFarms' own Ryan Maher, the coordinator of our Reduced Tillage project, organized these sessions on soil health, cover crops and reduced tillage.

These sessions will take place on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/qztQ50D0JZn

Join us on January 12, 2021, to hear farmer experiences and research on cover cropping and no-till practices from around the region during the Soil Health Sessions at the virtual 2021 Empire State Producers Expo. Our own Ryan Maher, the coordinator of our Reduced Tillage project, organized these ses...

01/01/2021

Is your New Year's resolution to grow your farm business? Consider registering for our next block of online farming courses, which begin in just two weeks and cover a range of topics.

Upcoming courses include our new offering on social media and online marketing, farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep and more.

The courses are offered on a user-friendly platform, and have tiered pricing based on household size and income to make the courses more affordable and equitable for everyone.

Registration is open for all courses, with live content starting in January 2021 for this third block of courses. Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/MYTa50CXJjF

12/29/2020

Livestock Webinar Will Share Creative Slaughterhouse Workarounds - Cornell Small Farms

Learn how, when and where to get your livestock processed with upcoming webinar.

Many slaughterhouses report being completely booked up for 2021. The Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Livestock Program Work Team is sponsoring a webinar to help you regain some sense of control.

"What Now?! Creative Slaughterhouse Workarounds" will be held on Wednesday, January 6, from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Join for an interactive discussion with Heather Sandford, founding farmer and butcher at The Piggery, now with Empire Food Consultants, and Shannon Hayes of Sap Bush Hollow Farm and Cafe.

Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/d7E650CWpbe

Many slaughterhouses report being completely booked up for 2021. What’s a livestock farmer to do? The Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Livestock Program Work Team is sponsoring a webinar to help you regain some sense of control over how, when and where you get your livestock processed, and how yo...

12/24/2020

In this week's #CornellSmallFarms newsletter we wish you a happy holiday season, and thank you today and everyday for all that you do.

Also in this issue, we share opportunities coming up in the new year. This includes our upcoming online courses, which include farm business and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep and more. There are also a number of other courses, webinars, and conference sessions ranging from soil health to livestock.

Read the newsletter for more small farm news, opportunities and events: https://ckarchive.com/b/4zuvhehlpw69

12/21/2020

Learn how to grow your customer base and sell more product with social media and online marketing!

Are webpages still useful? Does Facebook drive sales in real life? What do hashtags do? What photos do customers respond to? If you’ve been struggling with questions like these for your business, our Social Media & Online Marketing online course is a great place to start.

Also explore our other block three courses beginning in the new year, including farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep and more.

Learn more and register: https://ckarchive.com/b/8kuqhohd09e3