Happy New Year!

Removal of significant snow accumulations off of a barn roof is best performed in a systematic way to reduce the risk of injury or death to both barn occupants and those working on the roof. Removing roof snow without a proper approach may actually cause more damage than if left alone in some cases by creating an unbalanced and/or concentrated roof loads. Lake effect snowstorms dump feet of snow causing many barns to be in danger of failure. Rain events, along with warming temperatures increase the weight of the current snow on barn roofs, thus further increasing the risk of barn failure. Before accessing a barn roof, first assess the barn’s current structural situation. Wood frame structures generally will provide clues that failure is interment before they fail.
For a wood structure, some or all of the following audible and/or visual signs may be noticed prior to failure:
• Creaking or moaning in the building
• Bowing of truss bottom chords or compression web members
• Bowing of rafters or purlins
• Bowing of headers or columns
Note: For pre-engineered metal structures, the above list does not apply, as these structures will more likely fail without warning. If any of the above items are observed, then careful assessment of the situation is needed. Consider removing livestock from the barn, if possible, using cab tractors and skid loaders to provide workers some level of safety. If in doubt, do not enter the barn or go on the roof. Farms that do decide to remove snow from barn roofs must be very aware of the dangers that are present and refrain from becoming complacent after working hours on end removing snow.
Below are some recommendations for removing snow from barn roofs in the form of Do’s and Don’ts.
Do’s:
The best way to remove roof snow is by using a systematic, zone removal, approach. The number of zones depends on the width of the barn or the span of the trusses, but in all cases, the snow removal starts with the eave areas. Remove snow from both sides of the barn as equally as possible. As snow is removed from the roof, also be sure to remove snow away from the barn sidewalls as deep snow piled against the walls may cause barn failure and ventilation challenges. Continue working towards the roof peak, removing snow in a systematic and balanced approach until all snow is removed.
Don’t:
• Remove snow unequally from a barn roof. Unbalanced loads can cause the unloaded side of a truss to lift, possibly compromising the connection at the post. Rather, work back and forth from side to side as you remove snow, or a crew on each side simultaneously if possible.
• Pile large piles of moved snow atop the roof. A structure may be able to support a snow load when it is spread equally across, but once loads are combined over smaller portions of the roof, failure may occur in those areas. Remove snow gradually from the roof to the ground, starting with lower zones and working up to the peak.

Sourcing Rice Farming Equipment for American Small Farms
Friday, February 7 / 2:30-4:30pm EST
Rice production for small farms can be scalable and profitable with the right equipment. Erik Andrus
(Rice Farmer at Boundbrook Farm in Vermont) will provide an overview of rice nursery, transplanting,
weeding, harvesting, and grain processing equipment that is optimal for rice production from a scale of 1
to 20 tons of harvestable rice grain. The webinar will include ways to source affordable equipment at the
beginner to more advanced levels of rice farming.

Growing Rice as a Vegetable: Drip-Irrigation Methods versus Flooded Fields
Friday, March 7 / 2:30-4:30pm EST
Rice is a flood-tolerant crop that can be grown in upland, dry soils. Learn how Nazirahk Amen (Rice
Farmer at Purple Mountain Organics in Maryland) diversified his organic vegetable, fruit, and grain
farm to include upland, drip irrigation rice production. This method involves cultivating rice plants
under biodegradable mulch which provides effective weed control and healthy root growth, while
conserving water through precision irrigation with drip tape. Jared Gulliford (Cornell Cooperative
Extension Tioga County Agricultural Extension Educator) will share his experience in adopting the “rice
as a vegetable” farming method at a hilltop farm in New York.

All presentations will be recorded and available to attendees for future reference.
Fee: $75 for all three sessions
Online registration at: https://riceconference.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay
For more information contact Shari Romar at sr369@cornell.edu