Monthly Archives: October 2014

Earlier today, the USDA Climate Hubs web site was launched. The new site provides a portal for farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and others to find useful, practical information to help cope with the challenges and stressors caused by a changing climate. The site provides resources related to drought, fire risks, pests and diseases, climate variability, and heat stress, and links users to the network of USDA conservation programs and resources that provide producers with technical and financial assistance to manage risks.

Each region also has its own site. Visit the USDA Climate Hubs web site at http://climatehubs.oce.usda.gov/.

Raise Pigs Outdoors? Join the Outdoorpig listserve! Northeast producers of pigs raised outside or on pasture can ask questions of other producers, learn about relevant events, and buy and sell pigs on the outdoorpig listserve. To join, simply send an email to: cce-outdoorpig-L-request@cornell.edu and type the word “join” in the body of the message. Once subscribed, simply send a message to “cce-outdoorpig-L@cornell.edu” to connect with other pastured pig producers in the Northeast.

Are you a young farmer or know a young farmer with outstanding student loans? The Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program may be able to help.

Through the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, the Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program is offered to encourage recent college graduates to pursue careers in farming in New York State. This program provides up to $10,000 annually in loan forgiveness awards to individuals who obtain an undergraduate degree from an approved New York State college or university and agree to operate or manage a farm in New York State, on a full-time basis, for five years.

To apply, an applicant must complete and submit the New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program Web Supplement.  Web Supplements and supporting documents must be submitted by December 15, 2014 to be considered for the award.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and to submit an application visit the Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program website or contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at1-888-697-4372.

The Fall edition of the Small Farm Quarterly has been released!  Read up on CSAs and wholesale marketing, hay storage and grazing cycles, finding the perfect tractor and breeding the perfect goat at http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/quarterly/archive-2/fall-2014/.

 

 

 

 

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, NY.

About the Veterans in Ag Summit
The Veterans Summit will offer an opportunity to meet others interested in supporting veterans getting into agriculture; better understand the support services available to veterans and those interested in agriculture; and design programs and pathways to help veterans enter agriculture.

About the Organizers
The Summit is presented by a diverse team of collaborators:

• Cornell Small Farms Program
• NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
• Division of Veterans Affairs
• Farmer Veteran Coalition of New York
• New York Farm Viability Institute
• National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Jefferson, Monroe & Erie Counties

Agenda
The day will begin with ‘lightning’ introductions from organizations in NY that serve farmer veterans.

Featured speaker Jamie Critelli will describe the rewards of entering farming after serving in the military. Critelli will touch on the unique skill sets of veterans that compliment farming, highlight the challenges of reintegration into communities and outline basic strategies to improve support of veterans who want to start farming.

Following the morning presentations, attendees will be invited to participate in two of four ‘working groups’ to engage in facilitated discussion around the following topics:

• Veterans Starting Farms
• Veterans Employed on Farms
• Communication and Outreach Strategies to reach NY Veterans
• Training for Service Providers

These working group discussions will build the foundation for generating a NYS Work Plan for Veterans in Agriculture and a NY Veterans in Agriculture Task Force.

Who Should Attend? 
If you live in New York State and you…

• Are a veteran who is farming in NY and want to help other veterans to do the same
• Are a veteran who wants to farm or work in agriculture
• Currently work with veterans who are interested in starting farms or working in agriculture
• Want to employ veterans in your agriculture business

Space is Limited: Register Early
To register for the NY Veterans in Agriculture Summit, click here.  The meeting is free and lunch will be provided.  Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.Registration closes on October 26th.  If you prefer, you may also register via phone by calling .
General questions about the Veterans Summit should be directed to .

Sign up for the “Veterans in Agriculture” Listserve
Interested in future programs and resources for Veterans in Agriculture?  Fill out our short Interest Form to be added to the listserve.

Is your recipe ready to go to market? If your goal is to launch a specialty food business, then this program is for you.  Bob Weybright, an Extension Agricultural Development Specialist with the Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture program, will present this one-day seminar providing future food entrepreneurs with instruction in food business basics and knowledge of the critical issues to consider before starting a food processing business.  Topics include:

• Food Business Basics
• Marketing: Developing a Strategy, Objectives, Research, and Communication Plan
• The NYS Food Venture Center
• Market Trends and Product Development
• Regulatory Agencies and Requirements
• Food Safety, Processing, Packaging and Labeling

Bob Weybright has a strong agricultural economic development and marketing background. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his graduate degree from California State University in New Business / Small Business Management, Bob has been actively involved in a number of development projects. He has experience in all phases of agriculture, including production, processing, marketing and sales. He is engaging in methods that help producers develop innovative new products and increase their marketing opportunities, especially in the local foods area.

• Cost is $75 and includes lunch and all educational materials.  Deadline for registration is October 15.

• To register for the Sackets Harbor location contact Steve Ledoux at 315-788-8450 or .  Or register and pay online at reg.cce.cornell.edu/20CKitchen_222
• To register for the Whallonsburgh location contact Laurie Davis at 518-962-4810 x404 or .  Or register and pay online at reg.cce.cornell.edu/recipe2market_215

Presented in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Jefferson and Essex Counties, The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program, the New York State Food Venture Center, the Whallonsburgh Grange and Madison Barracks Kitchen

 

Saturday, October 18
Madison Barracks Shared-Use Kitchen
85 Worth Road, Sackets Harbor, NY
Jefferson County
8:00am to 4:00pm

OR

Sunday, October 19
Whallonsburgh Grange Kitchen,
1610 NYS Route 22, Whallonsburgh, NY
Essex County
8:30am to 4:30pm