Capital Area Ag & Hort e-Newsletter – September 25, 2012

For those who are interested in obtaining much more immediate communication with the CAAHP team then they are getting now, we are on Facebook…

Here is the address for our Facebook page:                 http://www.facebook.com/CCECAHP

The e-Newsletter’s goal is to provide a venue for communication about upcoming meetings and other pertinent information.

Calendar

September

September 28, 2012 Hydrofracking: A Discussion on Municipal Preparedness and Planning— Location: Government Law Center of Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information and to register contact Charles at cgottlieb@albanylaw.edu or 518-445-3263. This program is geared towards training and educating municipal officials on the legal and practical aspects of land use and planning for hydrofracking, whether a locality seeks to ban the practice or plan for potential drilling. Moderators and speakers will be from Albany Law School, Pace Law School, NYS DEC, Sive Paget & Riesel, NYS Comptrollers’ Office, U.S. EPA, and Cornell University Cooperative Extension.

Saturday September 29, 2012 Got Drugs? From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Visit www.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539 for more info. Many local Sheriff/police departments are holding a drug drop-off event to help remove drugs from households as well as make sure there is safe disposal of both human and animal drugs of all types which does not hurt the environment. Please bring items to designated locations or watch for the next event.

Albany County – 5 locations including Crossgates Mall Parking lot near food court

Columbia Cty – Sheriff Office, 85 Industrial Tract, Hudson, NY 12534

Greene Cty – Sheriff Office, 80 Bridge St, Catskill, NY 12414

Schenectady Cty – 6 locations

Washington Cty – @ Wash.Co. Public Health Annex parking lot, 415 Lower Main St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 and Whitehall Police, 8 Montcalm Ave, Whitehall, NY 12887

September 29-30, 2012 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, in Saugerties, NY. Open from 10-6 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday at the Cantine Memorial field, Pavilion St, Saugerties, NY. For more info visit www.hudsonvalleygarlic.com or call 845-246-3090.

October

October 1, 2012 Greene County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at Quarry Steakhouse in Climax, NY. Call Bambi @ 518-634-7852 for more info.

October 3-7, 2012 The 10th Semi-Annual Beef Tour with Cornell University’s Dr. Mike Baker.  “We will be traveling by bus to Ohio.  Stops will include commercial and registered cow/calf operations, farmer feeders, and backgrounding operations. Tentative plans also include The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.  There will be several pick up points across NY. These tours are a great way to learn about the beef industry from a different perspective and also get to know other NY beef producers. Please look on http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/beef/events.html for registration forms soon.”

October 4th, 2012 Cornell University Maple Production for the Beginner Training Webinars 7-8 p.m. at www.maple.dnr.cornell.edu/webinar  Registration & high speed internet is required. No cost. Please contact Stephen Childs at slc18@cornell.edu to register

October 4, 2012 Annual Business Showcase hosted by the Washington County Local Development Corp. will hold its event from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Christ The King Center on Burton Road in Easton (off Route 40 or County Rte 74). Sponsorships are still available. To register a business for the event, contact the LDC at 518-746-2290 or through this email address: info@wcldc.org.

This year’s event is an export showcase, which will feature local businesses that grow or manufacture products locally and export them around the world. The event is free for the public to attend. It is put on in partnership with economic development agencies from Warren, Saratoga and Rensselaer counties.

October 4th, 2012 The Dairy Environmental Systems group in PRO DAIRY is holding a workshop titled “Biogas Clean-up and Utilization Systems” at Dutch Hollow Country Club, Skaneateles, NY and Twin Birch Farms, 1839 Benson Rd, Owasco, NY 13021. Registration is required. Cost is $20/person (plus the cost of lunch).  We are targeting farmers and others who are familiar with the basic aspects of AD technology.  Any ag consultants or engineers planning to be involved with an AD project would also find this course useful.  This 1-day workshop will provide participants with information to choose the components of a biogas utilization system, including a biogas clean-up system, to best meet the needs of the farm.  Please contact jlp67@cornell.edu or call 607-227-7943to register or for more information.

October 10, 2012 Basic Farm Business Management Planning 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at CCE-Greene Cty. Acra, NY. Helping your farm business achieve success. Registration is $25. For more info contact Gale at 518-765-3500 or Sandy Buxton 518-380-1498 or sab22@cornell.edu.

Oct. 12, 2012 Brewing and Science Technology CCE Short Course – from 8-4:45, at Jordan Hall, NYS Ag Experiment Station, 630 W. North Street, Geneva, NY 14456. Registration course cost and included meals $100/person. For more info, contact Gemma Osborne at 315-787-2248 or gro2@cornell.edu.

October 16, 2012. Taking Stock: Evaluating Your Resources and Choosing an Enterprise Webinar Series. This five-week an online course series for new and aspiring farmers seeking guidance in the development of a farm enterprise begins on Oct. 16. For more information and to register, visit http://hort.cals.cornell.edu/news-events/beginning_farmer_payment.cfm, www.nybeginningfarmers.org/, or contact ejf5@cornell.edu.

October 16, 2012- October 17, 2012. Growing Health 2012, Cultivating Common Ground: Farms, Food & Health. Riverwalk Hotel in downtown Binghamton, NY. Participants will focus on four critical issues which impact the effectiveness of accessing NYS food products to maximize nutrition and health. Register online atgrowinghealth.rhnscny.org or call 888-603-5973. Space is limited.

Oct. 16-18, 2012 74th Annual Cornell Nutrition Conference at Doubletree Hotel Syracuse, East Syracuse, New York. Registration Fee: $150.00 Late Registration: $175.00 (Postmarked after October 1, 2012) For more information contact: Heather (Howland) Darrow, Conference Coordinator, 272 Morrison Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853. Phone: (607) 255-4478, or dmconf@cornell.edu

October 17, 2012 Schenectady County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at Turf Tavern in Scotia, NY. Call Jaclyn @ 518-390-6152 for more info.

Thursday, October 18, 2012 Pass it On: Estate Planning to Preserve Family Wealth
Presented by:  Thomas Donahue, Donahue Financial Management Group & Marion Hancock Fish, Partner; Hancock Estabrook LLP presented by NY Family Business Center. Time: 8:00 a.m. Registration; 8:15 – 9:30 a.m. Program. Location: 445 Electronics Parkway, Suite 206, Liverpool, NY 13088.   Registration Fee: NYFBC members Prepaid; Non Members $25.00. Registrations: Contact NYFBC at 315-579-2871 or dherlihy@nyfbc.org

October 19, 2012 Washington County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at B & B on the Green in Hudson Falls, NY. Call Bill @ 518-935-8569 for more info.

Saturday, October 20th, Farming 101 For all Weekend Warrior and Part-Time farming operations. 9:00 am – 3:30 at Saratoga CCE, 50 West High Street Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Cornell Cooperative Extension will provide information on a wide range of topics for smaller operations from farm business management, tax exemptions and laws, business development, proper animal selection and care, and proper pasture and field management and much more. There will be several agents on hand to answer all or your questions. For more information contact Kirk Shoen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County at (518-272-4210) ex 113 kjs264@cornell.edu

October 20, 2012- October 21, 2012. Farm Hack Ithaca. Ithaca, NY. Topics covered will include grain production and small-scale processing, on-farm innovations from Ithaca area farmers. There will also be a demo build of Scrap Laundry Greens Spinner and CoolBot Cooler. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.youngfarmers.org/practical/farm-hack/events/ithaca/.

October 25, 2012 Apple Jelly and Pie Filling – Food Preservation Workshops at CCE-Westport, NY. Registration is $10/person, class size is limited. Call 518-962-4810 ext. 401

October 26-27, 2012. Value Added Institute: Food Processing Workshops. Canajoharie, NY. NY Small Scale Food Processors Association, in conjunction with Montgomery County Agriculture Development, is offering a variety of workshops focused on increasing the value of produce and meat products. For more information, contact Toni Christman at mcswcd4001@frontier.com.

October 27th and 28th, 2012 Game of Logging: Professional level chainsaw safety training for farmers and landowners being sponsored by Washington County SWCD and Ag Stewardship Association and funded in part with a Farm Credit East Ag Enhancement grant.  Class will meet from 8 am to 4 pm at 190 North Road in Greenwich, NY.  Lunch will be provided as well as hot and cold beverages. The sizes of the classes are restricted to ten people per instructor so we will have the capacity for 20 trainees per day. So, if you plan on attending this valuable training, register early at agstewardship.org to reserve your place. For those without computer access you may call the District at 518-692-9940 ext 123 or ASA at 518-692-7285.

October 30, 2012 Cornell University’s Feed Dealer’s Meeting at CCE-Saratoga’s Training Center, Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, NY. Registration fee. For more info or to register contact Richard Smith at 518-885-8995.

Oct. 31, 2012 Vat Pasteurizer Workshop, CCE with NYS Ag & Mkts, in Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY. Contact Rob Ralya 607-255-7643 or Janene Lucia 607-255-2892 for more info.

November

November 8, 2012 Basic Farm Business Management Planning 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at CCE-Albany Cty. 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY. Helping your farm business achieve success. Registration is $25. For more info contact Gale at 518-765-3500 or Sandy Buxton 518-380-1498 or sab22@cornell.edu.

Nov. 15, 2012 4th Annual Cover Crop Tour and Workshop, at the USDA NRCS Big Flats Plant Materials Center.  For additional information contact paul.salon@ny.usda.gov or by calling 607-562-8404. There will be a morning field tour. Let us know if you have special needs. Please bring $10.00 to cover the cost of lunch. 4.00 CCA credits available Registration will start at 9:15am, and the field tour begins at 9:45am.

There may be a (to be confirmed) demonstration of an innovative, no-till inter-row cover crop seeder from Penn. State. Supported by an NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant. As in the year’s past, we will have a morning tour at the Plant Materials Center, 3266 State Route 352, Big Flats, NY, and then travel to the Big Flats Community Center, immediately after. 

REGISTRATION LIN: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7ex5qzeab&oeidk=a07e6elpb3817b400b3

 Hosted by the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Program in cooperation with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, Empire State Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

November 15th 2012  Harvesting Opportunities: Growing Local Food Economies & Protecting Farmland.  Hotel Albany, Albany, NY. For more details go to:  www.farmland.org/newyork. Or call 518-581-0078. A Conference to Inspire and Educate New Yorkers to Support Agriculture, Strengthen Local Farm and Food Economies and Get Involved in Protecting Farmland.  Keynote Speaker: Verlyn Klinkenborg, author The Rural Life and Making Hay.  This conference will bring together farmers, public officials, land trusts and local food and public health leaders to take a serious look at the potential to grow New York’s economy by strengthening connections between farmers and local consumers and protecting our state’s irreplaceable farmland.

December

December 4, 2012 Basic Farm Business Management Planning 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at CCE-Columbia Cty. 479 Route 66, Hudson, NY. Helping your farm business achieve success. Registration is $25. For more info contact Gale at 518-765-3500 or Sandy Buxton 518-380-1498 or sab22@cornell.edu.

December 3-7, 2012 Cider and Perry Production class with Cornell Cooperative Extension and NYS Ag Exp. Station, 630 W. North Street, Geneva, NY 14456. Registration for whole event is $950, or Part 1 is $400. Contact Gemma Osborne at 315-787-2248 or gro2@cornell.edu . The class is taught by world’s leading experts in cider production.

December 11, 2012 Labor Issues for Ag Employers from 9:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. at Century House, Latham, NY. Registration is $65/person with and early discount ($55 if received by 11/28/2012). To register call Gale at 518-765-3500 or Sandy 518-380-1498 or sab22@cornell.edu . The link to the registration form and flyer  is:  http://bit.ly/2012Labor

December 12, 2012 Field Crop Dealer Meeting, Genesee Grand Hotel, Syracuse, NY, 1 -5pm
This meeting is for industry representatives, consultants and retail dealers to provide information on Cornell field crops research and recommendations. Pre-register for the Field Crop Dealer Meeting online at http://nysaba.com/meeting_registration. There is a $15 registration fee for the meeting. DEC pesticide applicator credits and CCA continuing education credits will be requested.    A tentative agenda for the 2012 Field Crop Dealer Meeting can be found at: http://fieldcrops.org/Calendar/Documents/2012%20FCDM%20Agenda.pdf.

Please contact Mary McKellar at mem40@cornell.edu if you have any questions.

Thursday, December 13, 2012 Annual Tax Law Update – Changes Affecting Privately Owned Business from NY Family Business Center. Time: 8:00 a.m. Registration; 8:15 – 9:30 a.m. Program. Location: 445 Electronics Parkway, Suite 206, Liverpool, NY 13088.   Registration Fee: NYFBC members Prepaid; Non Members $25.00. Registrations: Contact NYFBC at 315-579-2871 or dherlihy@nyfbc.org

December 12-13, 2012 Group-Housed Dairy Calf Systems Conference at Doubletree Hotel, Syracuse, New York.      Hold the date for this innovative symposium designed to provide progressive dairy producers and agriservice personnel the opportunity to increase their knowledge of dairy calf group housing systems and feeding technologies. An evening session on December 12 is designed specifically for producers who have just converted to a group feeding system.       For more information, visit www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/calfsystems

Tuesday, December 18, 2012,– Improving Your Business With On-Farm Research at The Century House, Rte 9 Latham from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.  Learn how to do your own on-farm research and how to participate in state-wide research projects with Cornell faculty.  We will discuss the skills, knowledge, and management it takes to do on-farm research.  Put on by Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program.  Mark your calendars.  Registration information is forthcoming.  Contact Aaron Gabriel if you have questions, adg12@cornell.edu, 518-380-1496.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Cornell’s Agri-Business Outlook Conference at Statler Ballroom, Ithaca, NY. For more info contact: Carol Thomson at 607-255-5464 or cmt8@cornell.edu. .

January 2013

Jan. 2, 2013  Meat Processing and Food Safety Certificate Program at SUNY Cobleskill. For more info, contact 518.255.5528 or email serdyml@cobleskill.edu . This 4-unit, intensive hands-on training program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills students require to enter employment in the meat processing industry. Students will be skilled in sanitation, food safety, slaughter, meat cutting and processing. As part of the students’ preparation for the industry, the program consists of specialized training in the accuracy of cutting, knife handling, portion control, merchandising and the utilization of all products. Hands-on training in meat animal slaughter, primal fabrication, retail cutting, value-added products (sausage), wrapping and storage of finished product. Safety, sanitation including USDA HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), customer relations from custom cutting to product pick up and invoicing will be part of this program.

January 12, 2012 Basic Farm Business Management Planning 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at CCE-Washington Cty. 415 Lower Main St, Hudson Falls, NY. Helping your farm business achieve success. Registration is $25. For more info contact Gale at 518-765-3500 or Sandy Buxton 518-380-1498 or sab22@cornell.edu.

January 16 – 17, 2013 Operations Managers Conference “Managing for Consistency and Continuous Improvement” at RIT Inn and Conference Center, Henrietta, New York 
This conference provides an opportunity for people responsible for day to day activities to increase their management and operations skills while interacting with other managers. Sessions on January 16 will be followed by a tour and interaction with a local dairy operations team on January 17.  For more information, visit www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/OMC/

January 22-24, 2013 Empire State Producers Expo, OnCenter, Syracuse, NY. For more info visit: www.nysvga.org/expo/info 

January 25-26, 2013 5th Annual Winter Green-up Grazing Conference at the Century House Conference Center, Latham, NY. For more information, please contact Gale Kohler at CCE Albany County by phone at (518) 765-3500 or gek4@cornell.edu.  You can also reach Morgan Hartman at blackqueenangus@yahoo.com

There is a terrific lineup of informed and informative, experienced practitioner/speakers:

  • Steve Kenyon, a Holistic Management Educator/practitioner from Saskatchewan, Canada.  Steve will discuss, in two separate sessions, the business and the practice of custom grazing cattle for profit.  Additionally, Steve will touch upon Winter Management techniques that will have direct application to those of us in the cold Northeast. 
  • Jerry Brunetti, one of the original organizers of the PASA conference and founder of Agri-Dynamics, a dairy nutritionist and an expert in human nutrition too, is going to discuss these two intimately related topics of animal and human health.  If we are what we eat, then we are what our animals eat. 
  • Jeremy Engh owns and runs Lakota Ranch in Virginia as well as running the Lakota Bull Test, an all-forage/grazing test for beef breed bulls.  While Jeremy is a Red Devon breeder and grass-finisher, the Lakota Bull Test accepts bulls from all beef breeds and measures their performance in contemporary groups, while also conducting Breeding Soundness Exams and other pertinent pre-breeding season data collection.  All this data is then provided to the bull owner/consignors and to the prospective customers of the Lakota Bull Test Sale.
  • Paul and Phyllis Van Amburgh, who own and operate Dharma Lea Farm in Sharon Springs, NY will discuss their approach to animal production on their Certified Organic, 100% grass-fed farm where they produce grass-fed beef along side their year round grass-fed dairy. 
  • Dr. tatiana Stanton, NY State’s Small Ruminant Specialist will talk about her initial research into applied pasture lambing and how the results compare to jug lambing.  tatiana will talk about these and other matters relating specifically to the pasture rearing and finishing of goats and sheep.

Opportunities

Seed garlic for sale. Certified organic, Spanish Roja hard-neck variety. Ten pound minimum order. Contact freebirdfarm@frontiernet.net

 UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture is Hiring – The UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture invites applications for our new Farming and Climate Change Coordinator position. The Coordinator will provide leadership for the Center’s new Climate Change program by developing, implementing and evaluating programmatic efforts.  This will require engaging in outreach and applied research with Vermont farmers to support their efforts to implement relevant practices (both adaptation and mitigation) related to climate change, with a particular emphasis on farming in the floodplains; and 2)working in collaboration with other agencies, organizations, and UVM departments. Demonstrated skills in program development and design, program implementation and evaluation, collaboration, applied research, grant writing and leadership desired.

Requires excellent written and oral communication skills, networking skills, ability to travel in the region, experience working with all types of farms including fruit, vegetable, livestock and crop farms, in-depth knowledge of sustainable agriculture issues relevant to small diversified farms, and ability to work and understand the multi-faceted nature of farming from economic, social and environmental perspectives. Desirable candidates will have a minimum of Master’s degree in Plant and Soil Sciences, Agroecology, Community Development and Applied Economics, Horticulture, Natural Resources, environmental sciences or related field and 3-5 years of relevant experience. Must be familiar with climate change issues affecting Northeast farming systems. Should be aware of other programmatic efforts to reach farmers in the state. Applications from women and people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged. Applicants must submit the following materials online at the UVM jobs website:  Resume, a cover letter outlining interest and relevant experiences, and the names and contact information for three references.  Applications due by October 5th, 2012.

For more information contact  mailto:sustainable.agriculture@uvm.edusustainable.agriculture@uvm.edu

USDA Announces Hispanic and Women Farmer and Rancher Claims Period Now Open – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades can file claims between September 24, 2012 and March 25, 2013.

The process offers a voluntary alternative to litigation for each Hispanic or female farmer and rancher who can prove that USDA denied their applications for loan or loan servicing assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000.

As announced in February 2011, the voluntary claims process will make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. There are no filing fees to participate in the program.

The Department will continue reaching out to potential Hispanic and female claimants, around the country to get the word out to individuals who may be eligible for this program so they have the opportunity to participate.

Call center representatives can be reached at 1-888-508-4429. Claimants must register for a claims package (by calling the number or visiting the website) and the claims package will be mailed to claimants. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims process and claims packages are encouraged to attend meetings in your communities about the claims process and contact www.farmerclaims.gov or phone: 1-888-508-4429.

Claims Period: September 24, 2012 – March 25, 2013.  Independent legal services companies will administer the claims process and adjudicate the claims. Although there are no filing fees to participate and a lawyer is not required to participate in the claims process, persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.

To read Secretary Tom Vilsack’s entire news release issued today (9/24/12) click on the following link:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2012/09/0309.xml&contentidonly=true

Columbia County Grower seeks unsprayed straw or mulch hay to purchase. If you have such a product, please respond to alana.schwartz7@gmail.com or sab22@cornell.edu                   

Horse drawn farm equipment for sale: Pony carts & fore carts, harnesses, Horse drawn sickle bar mower, Horse drawn plow in mint condition, Hay wagons, manure spreader, Horse drawn silo filler, Model 461 New Holland Bailer, Belt driven saw, horse drawn rake, and Horse drawn sleigh (needs rebuilding). All Reasonably priced! Please contact Ed at 518-235-6121 or 518-237-0588

Oneida County Large Grazing Group –  A group of grazers is starting a large herd grazing group centered in Oneida County.  The group is looking for farms that are grazing more than 100 milking dairy cows, would be interested in looking at other operations around the state, willing to host a pasture walk or a meeting at their farm once every 2-4 years, and meet 1-2 times per year.  Interested farms would be required to participate in the Dairy Profit Monitor (DPM) program or the Dairy Farm Business Summary, through Cornell University.  If you would be interested in this group please contact Bill Paddock of Oneida County Soil & Water Conservation District at (315)736-3334 or by e-mail at william-paddock@oneidaswcd.org .   The plan is to have an organization meeting in late September or early October 2012 with any interested farmers. 

Need Help Marketing Your Sheep & Goat Products? We are pleased to announce that the popular online resource center for sheep and goat marketing at www.sheepandgoatmarketing.info is up and running! After a redesign by Dr. Tatiana Stanton, Cornell Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, and funding from the Cornell Small Farms Program, the site is again a great resource for current sheep and goat production information as well as a great tool to help connect producers with potential buyers. The site includes a wide variety of resources:

  • Marketing Directory: Farmers can network with sheep and goat buyers, processor, auction barns, and livestock haulers.
  • Producer Directory: Farmers can promote their products and animals.
  • Classified Ad Section: Advertising market animals for sale or orders that buyers need to fill.
  • Calendar: Dates and marketing information for holidays.
  • Education: Wide range of information on marketing and processing, evaluating animas, management, and more.

Visit the site at www.sheepandgoatmarketing.info!

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You are receiving this newsletter as a service of the ENY area covered by the Capital Area Ag & Horticulture Program – Albany, Columbia, Greene, Schenectady and Washington Counties.  Every effort has been made to provide complete, accurate and timely information. No endorsement of products or businesses are implied. No solicitation allowed.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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