Capital Area Ag & Hort e-Newsletter CCE – April 8, 2013

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NEW ADDITIONS

April 10, 2013 The 2nd Annual Capital District Garlic School:

Featured Theme: Healthy Soil Grows Healthy Garlic – Bring your pictures and samples!!

Albany County CCE: 24 Martin Rd. Voorheesville, NY, 10:00 a.m. – 2p.m. Featured speakers include Dr. David Stern from the Garlic Seed Foundation, Dr. Abawi and Dr. Steve Reiners, Cornell University Cooperative Extension. The cost is $20 per person if enrolled in the Capital District Vegetable and Small Fruit (aka ENY Commercial Horticulture) Program, and $25 per person if not enrolled in the program. Fee includes lunch. To reserve a seat, please send check to CCE Rensselaer County, 61 State St., Troy, NY 12180, c/o Marcie, or call 518-272-4210, or email mmp74@cornell.edu. You must pre-register, but you can pay at the door.

TOPICS:

• · The relationship between soil health and plant health: George Abawi
• · Garlic Bloat Nematode Update: George Abawi, David Stern
• · Cover crop rotations for garlic: Crystal Stewart, ENY Hort Program & local growers
• · Fertility management for garlic: Steve Reiners
• · Issues and concerns for the future: Interactive session w/audience and speakers
• · Proposed topics include seed certification and future research needs; all topics welcome.

April 17, 2013  Forest Grown Mushrooms for Woodlot Health Webinar: This Forest Connect Webinar is open to the public on April 17 at 12:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. To register, go to http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/web.htm.

Several mushrooms can be grown in the forest and provide woodlot owners an incentive to conduct timber stand improvement thinnings. Mushrooms are an easy crop to grow for a hobby or for commercial use. This webinar will cover the basics of shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane production on logs, totems, and stumps. In addition, discussion of current production research at Cornell and online resources will be offered by Northeast Forest Mushroom Grower Network coordinator Steve Gabriel. Website: http://mushrooms.cals.cornell.edu

April 20, 2013  Quality Fleece Management Workshop from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – FREE

Please pre-register: 518 692 2700. Morning program at Ensign Brook Farm, 1930 Co. Rte 113, Greenwich, NY 12834.  Afternoon program at Battenkill Fibers, 2532 State Rte 40, Greenwich, NY  12834

Join sponsors Battenkill Fibers, Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative, and Cornell Cooperative Extension for an informative 1/2 day program on animal nutrition, pasture management, shearing, fiber care, skirting, and processing options. Based on the positive evaluations we received after holding this session in 2012, we will be offering the same general program again this year. Agenda includes an in-depth, on-farm visit complete with shearing and skirting demos; and also a hands-on fiber mill tour. Please bring your own lunch; and dress for the weather.

April 24, 2013 Adding Value When Marketing Your Livestock from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. At
CCE-Washington County Office Annex II Meeting Room, 411 Lower Main Street, Hudson Fall, New York 12839. There will be a $5.00 charge per farm at the door to cover mailing and handout costs. Please contact Gale Kohler @ 518-765-3500 or gek4@cornell.edu if you plan on attending this meeting.

Topics for discussion will include:

*          Where and how you are currently marketing your livestock

*          How satisfied are you with your current markets

*          Ways to analyze potential new markets

*          How to seek out new markets and how to determine the needs of those      markets

*          Market trends

*          Advertising your product

Speakers and discussion leaders for this meeting will be: Steve Hadcock – Small Farm Specialist, CAAHP; Tom Gallagher – Livestock Specialist, CAAHP; Morgan Hartman – Black Queen Angus Farm, Direct Marketer.

May 4^th, 2013  4-H Regional Poultry School from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at CCE Albany County, 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186. Please call the Albany County 4-H Office at

518-765-3500 to register. *A pizza lunch will be available for purchase* Door Prizes and Giveaways!!!!!

Topics will include: Incubators & Chick Hatching; Housing for Poultry; Laws & Ordinances for Towns; Composting for the Garden; Tips for Fitting & Showmanship; Poultry Care & Feeding; Chicken Care in Community Settings and more!

Help Wanted: Certified Organic Farm looking for part time help to work as part of our farm office team. Our farm is located in Jackson, in Southern Washington County and we raise beef cattle and pigs.

We are looking to fill two positions, so there is flexibility in tasks and days needed.

The successful candidates have the following qualifications:

• · Interest in the production, sales, and handling of high quality local and regional farm products.
• · Good people skills
• · Experience with inventory management, handling and order packing
• · Competency using MS Excel spreadsheets, MS Outlook, MS Word, (MS Publisher a plus)
• · Strength to lift up to 40 lb boxes
• · Self-motivated with much focus on attention to detail

Position tasks may include some of the following:

• · Providing exceptional customer service
• · Fulfillment of single orders and two days packing our CSA orders
• · Managing our booth at the farmers market and preparation of the coolers with beef and pork cuts
• · Receiving & check-in of products for our farm and various other farms/producers, both physically and digitally
• · Entry and maintenance of inventory items in our spreadsheets and on our websites
• · Doing a wide variety of office/inventory/boxing/warehouse tasks
• · All of these facets of our operation require focus and attention to details!

The work place is a friendly, productive, very rural environment. Each week and each season has different aspects and there is barely a dull moment. Please email your resume with cover letter to nancy@lewiswaitefarm.com We are accepting applications now and interviewing beginning the first week of April.

Wanted – Weanling Piglets, 20-30 healthy 6 to 8 week piglets, prefer colors, spots, stripes over whites, but we are flexible. Please call Alan at 518-281-4261.

Wanted – Feeder Calves. Please call Alan at 518-281-4261.

Columbia Cty Farmers Market Seeks Vendors–  The Hillsdale Farmers Market is entering into their 7^th season and is seeking vendors for their weekly, Saturday market (9AM-1PM). The season will run for 20 weeks, from June 1^st to October 12^th.

The market will be in a new location: the spacious Roe Jan Park on Route 22, between Hillsdale and Copake. The Roe Jan Park offers many benefits to vendors and customers alike; vendors will enjoy the large space, covered area, great visibility, and access to electricity, while the customers can take advantage of the hiking trails, a dog run, exercise equipment and the Community Garden.

We are looking for vendors to complement our existing, varied list. We are seeking additional produce farmers, and providers of fruits, meats, wine, baked goods, cheese, eggs, and other locally-produced foods. Artisan crafters are also welcome to apply. The fee is $240 for the season ($12 per market). All vendors must be willing to commit to a weekly market.

Interested vendors may contact the Hillsdale Market Manager, Willa Horton, at hillsdalenyfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Alternately, you may contact Hillsdale Market vendors Diane Creed (Hawk Dance Farm, hawkdancefarm@yahoo.com) or Laura Griffin (Your Spice of Life, laura@yourspiceoflife.com) for more information. Please respond so that we can include you in the promotional efforts for this exciting new season.

USDA Announces Crop Insurance Deadline for New York Nursery
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announces New York nursery producers should be aware that the final date for a new applicant to apply for 2014 nursery crop insurance is May 1, 2013.  New applications for crop year 2014 may be accepted until May 1, 2013, with coverage beginning 30 days after receipt of your signed application, a Plant Inventory Value Report (PIVR) for each insured practice, as applicable, and two copies of your most recent wholesale catalogs or price lists.  Premium will be prorated when PIVRs and/or catalogs or price lists are submitted with applications after the sales closing date.  For existing policies, coverage will automatically attach on June 1, 2013.

The crop insurance year runs from June 1 through May 31. Growers may elect to insure field-grown and container grown practices under separate policies; for example, one practice may be insured under the CAT policy and the other practice may be insured under a Buy-up policy.  Crop insurance provides protection for field-grown and containerized nursery plants against losses due to adverse weather conditions, plus losses due to fire and wildlife.  Insurance premium subsidies have been significantly increased in recent years, particularly at the higher levels of coverage.

Producers are strongly urged to contact a local crop insurance agent as soon as possible for a premium quote and additional details.  For a list of crop insurance agents in your area, contact the local USDA, Farm Service Agency office or logon to the following Risk Management Agency web site: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/

For sale –  NH273 Mini Baler. Amish modified to make 8″ x 11″ mini bales. This is a pull type baler, in excellent condition. Mini bales would be a great addition to your fall markets. Retails for $9895 in PA. Asking only $6500. Call Bob 518-527-3552. Also JD #300 grain elevator, 30′ with 10′ extension tray. $850

Wanted – Farm Hands willing to work at our cattle and pig farm full or part-time. Knowledge and experience in fencing skills, weed & brush whacking skills, chain saw operation, rotational grazing, and gentle herding techniques a plus. We are in Jackson, NY between Greenwich, Cambridge and Salem. Please call Alan at 518-281-4261 or reply to nancy@lewiswaitefarm.com

CALENDAR
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 FUNDING WORKSHOP FOR MICROLOAN AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANT PROGRAMS  Time: 1:00 p.m. at the CCE- Saratoga County 4-H Training Center, 556 Middle Line Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020  The event is free; RSVPs are requested for those attending. Please RSVP to Sharon LaPier at 518-885-8995 or STL32@cornell.edu.  Please direct questions to Alyson Kelly at Alyson_Kelly@gillibrand.senate.gov.

The Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County invite you to a workshop on funding opportunities through the USDA Microloan and Value-Added Producer Grant programs. The workshop will provide information about the funding programs and outline who is eligible and how to apply. The program will be presented by Rebecca DeSorbe, David Holck and Gretchen Pinkel of the USDA and the Office of Senator Gillibrand.

In January 2013, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new microloan program designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans.

The Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants program is designed to encourage independent producers of agricultural commodities to process their raw products into marketable goods. By creating value-added products, farmers and businesses can expand economic opportunities, create jobs and keep wealth in rural communities.

April 10, 2013 The 2nd Annual Capital District Garlic School:

Featured Theme: Healthy Soil Grows Healthy Garlic – Bring your pictures and samples!!

Albany County CCE: 24 Martin Rd. Voorheesville, NY, 10:00 a.m. – 2p.m. Featured speakers include Dr. David Stern from the Garlic Seed Foundation, Dr. Abawi and Dr. Steve Reiners, Cornell University Cooperative Extension. The cost is $20 per person if enrolled in the Capital District Vegetable and Small Fruit (aka ENY Commercial Horticulture) Program, and $25 per person if not enrolled in the program. Fee includes lunch. To reserve a seat, please send check to CCE Rensselaer County, 61 State St., Troy, NY 12180, c/o Marcie, or call 518-272-4210, or email mmp74@cornell.edu. You must pre-register, but you can pay at the door.

TOPICS:

• · The relationship between soil health and plant health: George Abawi
• · Garlic Bloat Nematode Update: George Abawi, David Stern
• · Cover crop rotations for garlic: Crystal Stewart, ENY Hort Program & local growers
• · Fertility management for garlic: Steve Reiners
• · Issues and concerns for the future: Interactive session w/audience and speakers
• · Proposed topics include seed certification and future research needs; all topics welcome.

April 10, 2013 Herd Health and Nutrition Conference presented by PRO-Dairy & Northeast Ag & Feed Alliance in Syracuse, NY. For more info, contact Heather Darrow at 607-255-4478 or hh96@cornell.edu .

Program topics include: Recent research on hypocalcemia and immunity; group feeding of calves; economics of farm; advances in corn silage with national speakers.

Thursday, April 11, 2013  Sustainable Agriculture: Thinking Globally, Farming Locally  7:00 pm At Schenectady County Library, McChesney Room, 99 Clinton St. (at corner of Liberty St. downtown) in Schenectady.  Speaker, Kenneth Mulder, Ph.D.  Green Mountain College: Environmental Studies Faculty and Farm Manager.

Sponsored by League of Women Voters, Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council, ECOS:The Environmental Clearinghouse, Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County. For more information, please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension 372-1622

If any farmers would like to put business cards or fliers about their farms out at these lectures we would welcome that.  They could drop off at CCE-Schenectady office or send to: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schenectady County, 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 301, Schenectady, NY 12308 or call 518-372-1622.

April 12, 2013 Open Meeting about Beef Marketing with the Adirondack Grazers Cooperative at CCE Meeting Room, 411 Lower Main St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to discuss how interested farms might join or work with the cooperative for marketing their beef. To learn more about the Adk Grazers Coop and their protocols, please visit www.adkgrazers.com  Board members and others will be present to discuss the future projections currently being discussed.

April 12, 2013 Herd Health and Nutrition Conference presented by PRO-Dairy & Northeast Ag & Feed Alliance in West Lebanon, NH. For more info, contact Heather Darrow at 607-255-4478 or hh96@cornell.edu .

Program topics include: Recent research on hypocalcemia and immunity; group feeding of calves; economics of farm; advances in corn silage with national speakers.

April 17, 2013  Forest Grown Mushrooms for Woodlot Health Webinar: This Forest Connect Webinar is open to the public on April 17 at 12:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. To register, go to http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/web.htm.

Several mushrooms can be grown in the forest and provide woodlot owners an incentive to conduct timber stand improvement thinnings. Mushrooms are an easy crop to grow for a hobby or for commercial use. This webinar will cover the basics of shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane production on logs, totems, and stumps. In addition, discussion of current production research at Cornell and online resources will be offered by Northeast Forest Mushroom Grower Network coordinator Steve Gabriel. Website: http://mushrooms.cals.cornell.edu

April 20, 2013 Quality Fleece Management Workshop, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – FREE. Please pre-register: 518.692.2700. Over 30 people participated in last year’s workshop sponsored by Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative with support from Farm Credit East and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Based on the positive evaluations we received (and numerous requests since then), we will be offering the same program again this year. Agenda includes an in-depth, on-farm visit and also a hands-on mill tour.

April 24, 2013 Adding Value When Marketing Your Livestock from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. At
CCE-Washington County Office Annex II Meeting Room, 411 Lower Main Street, Hudson Fall, New York 12839. There will be a $5.00 charge per farm at the door to cover mailing and handout costs. Please contact Gale Kohler @ 518-765-3500 or gek4@cornell.edu if you plan on attending this meeting.

Topics for discussion will include:

*          Where and how you are currently marketing your livestock

*          How satisfied are you with your current markets

*          Ways to analyze potential new markets

*          How to seek out new markets and how to determine the needs of those      markets

*          Market trends

*          Advertising your product

Speakers and discussion leaders for this meeting will be: Steve Hadcock – Small Farm Specialist, CAAHP; Tom Gallagher – Livestock Specialist, CAAHP; Morgan Hartman – Black Queen Angus Farm, Direct Marketer.

April 27-28, 2013 Open House at Battenkill Fibers. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days – FREE. 2532 State Rte 40, Greenwich, NY. Battenkill Fibers is proud to have been invited back to the Washington County Fiber Tour this year; and we will be offering mill tours, door prizes, and specials in our factory store both days.

May 4^th, 2013  4-H Regional Poultry School from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at CCE Albany County, 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186. Please call the Albany County 4-H Office at

518-765-3500 to register. *A pizza lunch will be available for purchase* Door Prizes and Giveaways!!!!!

Topics will include: Incubators & Chick Hatching; Housing for Poultry; Laws & Ordinances for Towns; Composting for the Garden; Tips for Fitting & Showmanship; Poultry Care & Feeding; Chicken Care in Community Settings and more!

Saturday, May 18, 2013  BEEF PRODUCERS FIELD DAY WORKSHOP, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm at Westendlock Farm, 515 West End Road, Craryville, NY. Registration for meeting is $15/person. BQA Manual is $10/book. Please make check payable to: CCE Albany County. Send registration and payment to: CCE Albany County, Attn: Gale Kohler 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186. Only one manual per farm is needed. For more information on this meeting, contact Tom Gallagher at 518-765-3500 or tjg3@cornell.edu .

Topics for the meeting: Beef Quality Assurance Certification, Body Condition Scoring of Cattle, How to Choose the Right Bull, Cattle Health. These will be covered by Dr. Mike Baker, Cornell University, Tom Gallagher, CCE CAAHP Livestock Specialist, Bonnie Bargstedt from Merial and Phil Trowbridge, Trowbridge Farms.

June 3 – 6, 2013 Cornell University’s 2013 Dairy Nutrition Shortcourse at Miner Institute, Chazy, New York.  Registration opens: Monday, April 15, please visit http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/dm/dncourse/index.html. The Dairy Nutrition and Management shortcourse is designed to expose nutritionists, allied industry professionals, and veterinarians to the latest research and its application within dairy nutrition and management. This shortcourse is taught in odd-numbered years at Miner Institute by Cornell faculty, Miner Institute staff, and guest speakers from other Universities.

June 8, 2013 Spring Herb & Garden Day at McLane Audubon Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord NH 03301. Please visit www.nofanh.org for more info.

June 13-15, 2013 The 3rd Annual Wool Pool, at Washington County Fairgrounds, just off Route 29, Greenwich, NY. The Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative will again be accepting clean white wool, white offsorts, and natural colored fleeces for re-sale to a large international wool buyer. More details will follow.  Large farms, please plan to bring your wool on Thursday. Farms of all sizes are asked to send a representative to help with the sorting and baling – this event is put on by a member-owned cooperative; and your help is needed!

OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted: Certified Organic Farm looking for part time help to work as part of our farm office team. Our farm is located in Jackson, in Southern Washington County and we raise beef cattle and pigs.

We are looking to fill two positions, so there is flexibility in tasks and days needed.

The successful candidates have the following qualifications:

• · Interest in the production, sales, and handling of high quality local and regional farm products.
• · Good people skills
• · Experience with inventory management, handling and order packing
• · Competency using MS Excel spreadsheets, MS Outlook, MS Word, (MS Publisher a plus)
• · Strength to lift up to 40 lb boxes
• · Self-motivated with much focus on attention to detail

Position tasks may include some of the following:

• · Providing exceptional customer service
• · Fulfillment of single orders and two days packing our CSA orders
• · Managing our booth at the farmers market and preparation of the coolers with beef and pork cuts
• · Receiving & check-in of products for our farm and various other farms/producers, both physically and digitally
• · Entry and maintenance of inventory items in our spreadsheets and on our websites
• · Doing a wide variety of office/inventory/boxing/warehouse tasks
• · All of these facets of our operation require focus and attention to details!

 

The work place is a friendly, productive, very rural environment. Each week and each season has different aspects and there is barely a dull moment. Please email your resume with cover letter to nancy@lewiswaitefarm.com We are accepting applications now and interviewing beginning the first week of April.

Wanted – Weanling Piglets, 20-30 healthy 6 to 8 week piglets, prefer colors, spots, stripes over whites, but we are flexible. Please call Alan at 518-281-4261.

Wanted – Feeder Calves. Please call Alan at 518-281-4261.

Columbia Cty Farmers Market Seeks Vendors–  The Hillsdale Farmers Market is entering into their 7^th season and is seeking vendors for their weekly, Saturday market (9AM-1PM). The season will run for 20 weeks, from June 1^st to October 12^th.

The market will be in a new location: the spacious Roe Jan Park on Route 22, between Hillsdale and Copake. The Roe Jan Park offers many benefits to vendors and customers alike; vendors will enjoy the large space, covered area, great visibility, and access to electricity, while the customers can take advantage of the hiking trails, a dog run, exercise equipment and the Community Garden.
We are looking for vendors to complement our existing, varied list. We are seeking additional produce farmers, and providers of fruits, meats, wine, baked goods, cheese, eggs, and other locally-produced foods. Artisan crafters are also welcome to apply. The fee is $240 for the season ($12 per market). All vendors must be willing to commit to a weekly market.

Interested vendors may contact the Hillsdale Market Manager, Willa Horton, at hillsdalenyfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Alternately, you may contact Hillsdale Market vendors Diane Creed (Hawk Dance Farm, hawkdancefarm@yahoo.com) or Laura Griffin (Your Spice of Life, laura@yourspiceoflife.com) for more information. Please respond so that we can include you in the promotional efforts for this exciting new season.

USDA Announces Crop Insurance Deadline for New York Nursery

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announces New York nursery producers should be aware that the final date for a new applicant to apply for 2014 nursery crop insurance is May 1, 2013.  New applications for crop year 2014 may be accepted until May 1, 2013, with coverage beginning 30 days after receipt of your signed application, a Plant Inventory Value Report (PIVR) for each insured practice, as applicable, and two copies of your most recent wholesale catalogs or price lists.  Premium will be prorated when PIVRs and/or catalogs or price lists are submitted with applications after the sales closing date.  For existing policies, coverage will automatically attach on June 1, 2013.

The crop insurance year runs from June 1 through May 31. Growers may elect to insure field-grown and container grown practices under separate policies; for example, one practice may be insured under the CAT policy and the other practice may be insured under a Buy-up policy.  Crop insurance provides protection for field-grown and containerized nursery plants against losses due to adverse weather conditions, plus losses due to fire and wildlife.  Insurance premium subsidies have been significantly increased in recent years, particularly at the higher levels of coverage.

Producers are strongly urged to contact a local crop insurance agent as soon as possible for a premium quote and additional details.  For a list of crop insurance agents in your area, contact the local USDA, Farm Service Agency office or logon to the following Risk Management Agency web site: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/

For sale –  NH273 Mini Baler. Amish modified to make 8″ x 11″ mini bales. This is a pull type baler, in excellent condition. Mini bales would be a great addition to your fall markets. Retails for $9895 in PA. Asking only $6500. Call Bob 518-527-3552. Also JD #300 grain elevator, 30′ with 10′ extension tray. $850

Wanted – Farm Hands willing to work at our cattle and pig farm full or part-time. Knowledge and experience in fencing skills, weed & brush whacking skills, chain saw operation, rotational grazing, and gentle herding techniques a plus. We are in Jackson, NY between Greenwich, Cambridge and Salem. Please call Alan at 518-281-4261 or reply to nancy@lewiswaitefarm.com

New Generation Energy: Sustainable Power for Your Farm or Homestead Webinar Series

The series will run from noon-12:45pm every Friday from March 29th through April 19th. All of the webinars are free and open to the public. To sign up, visit to register http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2013/03/18/new-generation-energy-sustainable-power-for-your-farm-or-homestead/orm . You will receive an email approximately one week before your chosen webinar(s) providing a link and instructions for you to access the series.

Sponsored by NE SARE (Northeast Sustainable Ag Research and Education) and the Cornell Small Farms Program. To learn about funding opportunities available from NE SARE, visit www.nesare.org. To learn more about sustainable energy resources visit http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-energy/

March 29: Dreaming of Local Lemons – Solar Energy Virtual Tour. Noon – 12:45pm with Leo Siemion of Summit Naturals Organic Farm, Summit, NY

April 5: Powering Your Farm Off the Grid – Virtual Tour. Noon – 12:45pm

with Raymond Luhrman of Fox Creek Farm, Schoharie, NY

April 12: Compost Power! Noon – 12:45pm

with Sam Gorton, Compost Power, Systems Engineer and Design Consultant

April 19: Ask an Installer: Wind, Solar and Geothermal. Noon – 12:45pm

with Conor Kays, Alternative Power Solutions

Dairy goats for sale – Gillis Acres Farm – final herd dispersal. We have 11 excellent quality milking Alpine does. All have freshened between Feb. 20 and today. Serious inquiries only please respond via e-mail Thank you, Ave Maria Gillis, Gillis Acres Farm. gillisacres@hvwisp.net

North Dakota State   University Extension Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension   Service have teamed up to release a new program, “Marketing Agritourism   Online,” to help agritourism enterprises attract business. This   self-directed course and resource guide focuses on helping the agribusiness   owner understand and plan for being online, getting found, being customer   focused, and getting customers to pass on the word. The program is available   at http://go.unl.edu/agritourism.

NYSERDA’s Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program (AEEP) Now Open!  We are pleased to inform you that the AEEP has officially opened for new applications.  This program offers assistance to identify and implement electric and natural gas energy efficiency measures for eligible farms and on-farm producers.  Farms must be a customer of a New York State investor-owned utility and contribute to the Systems Benefit Charge (SBC) in order to be admitted to the program.

Eligible applicants to the AEEP can receive one or both of the following:

*         Farm Energy Audit free of charge up to a $2,500 cost.  For energy audits that exceed this amount, cost-sharing is required.

*         Implementation Funding for installation of approved energy efficiency projects.  Projects are approved based on the amount of energy saved and their cost.  NYSERDA will pay up to 75% of approved project costs.

A program flyer and application, and more information, are also available on the Agriculture page of NYSERDA’s website<http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Commercial-and-Industrial/Sectors/Agriculture>.

Please note: NYSERDA accepts completed AEEP applications ONLY through postal mail.  Please submit your application to the following address: NYSERDA, Attn: AEEP Coordinator,

17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399.

If you have questions, or need additional guidance with completing your application, please call a Program Representative on the AEEP implementation team (contractors to NYSERDA) at 1.800.732.1399.  We look forward to assisting you!

The Walden Farmers Market (Ulster County) is looking for vendors. Market is Fridays from 1:00pm to 5:30pm. Rain or Shine market. Market season is June 14^th to October 25^th.

Market fee is $15.00 a week or if paid on a monthly basis it is $40.00.  The market is held right in the middle of the village at the Village Square.  If you are interested in going to this market or have any questions please contact Kerri-Ann Lynch at email waldenfarmersmarket@yahoo.com, cell 845-476-6241

Hay for sale– 3000 bales (45-50 lb) $3/ea. Alf/tim mix of 2&3 cutting. Bulk purchase price available. Call Coeymans Hollow 518-767-2020.