Events Calendar Archive 2003 - South Central New York Agriculture

January 2003

6-10

Cornell Turfgrass Management Short Course, Ithaca, NY
The continuing education series starts off with the original Cornell Turfgrass Management Short Course at Cornell University. Learn the basics of managing lawn, golf and sports turf and the fundamental principles of soil management, grass identification, selection, establishment and primary care, integrated pest management including pest diagnostics and control. As always, participants can expect in-depth information and over 45 hours of instruction including a lively mix of lecture, discussion and hands-on laboratory experiences with the Cornell Turfgrass Team. Offered in cooperation with the New York State Turfgrass Association. Tuition for NYSTA and NYST&LA members $595, all others $645. US$ *A Saturday session will be necessary for those seeking the 30-hr education certificate required for NYS pesticide certification. For more info visit: www.hort.cornell.edu/instruction/short/courses.html or contact Joann Gruttadaurio, at 607-255-1792 or jg17@cornell.edu

7

Marketing to Make a Profit, Newark, NY
10am - 3pm, CCE - Wayne County, Audience: All agriculture producers and growers interested in learning more about how to improve marketing strategies and have the ability to network and share with others. Speakers include: Kristen Parks, Wen-Fei Uva, John Mahar, Brian Henehan, Jim Bittner and Beth Claypoole. Specific agenda and registration will be available shortly. Questions: Beth Claypoole, eac9@cornell.edu

7

New England Fruit Growers Association, Sturbridge, MA
For the first time, this meeting will be associated with the annual Tree Fruit meeting and trade show in Sturbridge, MA. The meeting is sponsored by the NEFGA and the UMass Extension Fruit Program. For info call Dominic Marini at (508) 378-2546.

7

Field Crop Industry Meeting, Liverpool, NY
Featuring Francis Childs, Iowa corn grower and winner of the National Corn Growers Ass'n Yield Contest with 408.2 bu/acre. Topics include: implementing your CAFO plan, ethanol, beodiesel and mathane, risk management, and the mechanics of crop production systems. Call (315)337-7791 or (716)652-2191 for registration and meeting details. Janice Degni also has registration materials and can be contacted at (607)753-5215. Sponsored my Cornell Cooperative Extension, The NYS Corn Growers, and The NYS Agribusiness Association.

Jan. 7-8, 21-22, & Feb. 4-5

Tilling the Soil of Opportunity, Auburn, NY
The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship (NECFE) and Cayuga County Cooperative Extension are offering an agricultural business training program for start-up and expanding businesses called "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" using the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Curriculum by NxLeveL Training Network.
Who Should Attend: This course is for Agricultural Entrepreneurs who have started or are thinking of starting an agriculture-based venture. The materials are specifically designed for people who are searching for innovative ideas and enhanced marketing opportunities in the area of value-added agriculture.
"Tilling the Soil . . . " by NxLeveL_ provides insightful guidance through the business concepts necessary for developing and assessing a business plan for agriculture-based ventures from traditional farm operations to alternative agriculture and food-based businesses. This training will help increase the capacity of farm business operators to enter into and maintain sustainable enterprises by facilitating learning about successful business management and planning. At each session guest speakers such as small business attorneys, bankers, insurance agents and marketing consultants, all with experience in serving the agricultural community, will be available for consultation.
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
Registration is limited to 15 people. The fee is $250, which includes a textbook, workbook, 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts. Spouses and partners are encouraged to attend at a reduced rate of $175. The deadline for registration is Dec. 20, 2001. Scholarships will be available on a limited basis.
For more information, please contact:
Cheryl Leach at 315-787-2622, email: cal35@nysaes.cornell.edu
or Sarah Lincoln at 315-787-2274, email: sjl38@nysaes.cornell.edu.

8

Western New York Bedding Plants School, Amherst, NY
Daemen College, contact: Chris Metz 716-652-5400, ext. 160, or cm74@cornell.edu

9

FRESH MARKET HORTICULTURAL CROPS MEETING (greenhouse, vegetable varieties, etc.)
Finger Lakes Produce Auction, Rt. 14A, south of Penn Yan. Contact Jud Reid, CCE Yates Co. at 315-536-5123.

9

Annual Meeting: New York State Agricultural Society, Liverpool, NY
"Food for Thought, Food for Life" with Jane Brody, Keynote Speaker, 9am-5pm, for more information call 518-584-4129
www.nysagsociety.org

9

Agritourism Grant Workshop, Norwich, NY
A free workshop to provide information on the Upstate New York Agritourism and Education Program will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2003 at the SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus in Norwich, New York. Sponsored by Central New York Resource Conservation and Development in collaboration with SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus, the workshop is designed to educate county farm agents, tourism professionals, area economic developers, and agricultural landowners from the Central New York area about the grant program.
The workshop is scheduled for 10 am to noon on Thursday morning. Pre-registration is requested.
Please call 607.334.3231 x.4 or 1-866-AGTOURS to pre-register and receive program information.

10-11

Ontario Berry Growers Association Annual Meeting, Collingwood, Ontario
Contact Joan Fielden 905-649-2101 or Email ontberries@interhop.net

10-12

Workshop on Ecological Cut Flower Growing and Marketing: The Sixth Annual Farmer to Farmer Workshop for Organic and Ecological Growers, Ballston Spa, near Saratoga Springs, NY. Enrollment is limited to 60, early sign-up is encouraged. Reasonable, sliding-scale workshop fees include delicious catered natural food meals. Inexpensive lodging is also available. For a brochure and for more information, please contact the Regional Farm & Food Project, 148 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206; (518) 427-6537, farmfood@capital.net. The Regional Farm & Food Project is a membership organization of farmers and consumers promoting sustainable opportunities for family-scale agriculture.

11

Cornell Maple School/ V.V.S Winter Conference, Verona, NY
Available on Internet - Using the Internet and live video streaming, maple enthusiasts from across North America will be dialing into maple demonstrations, presentations, and workshops about various maple topics, all part of the NYS Maple Producers Winter Conference. The Conference format will be the first of its kind for the maple industry using the Internet to deliver industry information and practices. The conference will feature 30 presentations related to industry topics and issues. The Internet audience may participate in workshop dialog and ask presenters questions using on-line chats or email, phones, or faxes. Colin Campbell, NYS Maple Specialist Cornell-Uihlein Sugar Maple Field Station, will be the moderator. Highlighting this year’s conference will be guest speaker Dr. Randall Heiligmann of Ohio State University and co-author of the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual. Amongst other topics, Dr. Heiligmann will be discussing the “finishing point" of maple syrup, which explores why finishing syrup at the correct density is important in terms of both quality and economics. His presentation takes a close look at the methods of determining finishing points, from hydrometers to refractometers, and the affects of each on syrup densities. Other conference topics will include forestry management techniques, tubing installation and cleaning, vacuum systems for tubing, marketing strategies, value-added products, Maple Weekend tips, and the latest in maple research.
If you have research, extension, or association information you would like to announce to the maple community during the program, contact Colin Campbell at (518) 523-9337 or e-mail cac49@cornell.edu. For Internet registration information, contact V.V.S. FFA advisor Keith Schiebel at (315) 829-2520 ext. 262, email kschiebel@vvs-csd-high.moric.org, or visit the school’s website below at: Registration forms are available online. Fees for the Internet web cast are $10 per individual, $20 per family, $50 per site access for a group of 5 to 10 individuals, and $100 per site for groups of 10 to 20 participants.
www.vvscentralschools.org

11

Low Input Sustainable Farming Conference, Geneva, NY
Jordan Hall at the Geneva Experiment Station (1 hr. north of Ithaca). Amish farmer, naturalist, and author David Kline will give the keynote "Friendly Farming Now for Future Generations." David and Elsie Kline operate a modest farm in Fredericksburg, Ohio, modest in size that is. There are few farms in the United States that attract more birds per square foot than this one. That occurs by intention. He will be joined by16 other small-scale farmers sharing their experience and ideas with you. The average farm in Holmes County, David Kline's home, is 122 acres and horse powered. The mean household income from these farms beats the mean household income for the county by 26%. A typical observation by a visitor to Holmes County is "a sense of well being". Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County, 315/536-5123 for registration packet. Questions, ask for Bill Henning. Admission is $20 per person plus $10 for each additional immediate family member. Space is limited. This Conference is supported by a Cornell Cooperative Extension Grant for Innovative Small Farm Education from Cornell's Small Farms Program. See www.smallfarms.cornell.edu.

13-17

An Organic Approach to Turfgrass Management
This week learn how to rely less on chemical inputs and use more organic materials and practices in your turf management program. Topics include: understanding and improving soils, establishing and maintaining turf sites, nutrient management, fertilizer products and programs, managing insects, diseases and weeds, building an organic program, communicating your program. Offered in cooperation with the WNY Society for Organic Horticulture and Cooperative Extension Associations of Monroe and Erie Counties. Tuition for WNYSOH members $390, $425 all others. US For more info visit: www.hort.cornell.edu/instruction/short/courses.html or contact Joann Gruttadaurio, at 607-255-1792 or jg17@cornell.edu

14-16

Organic Vegetable Production, Jordan Hall Auditorium, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY
We are repeating a well-received three-day series on organic vegetable production first presented in 2001. These meetings are intended for commercial vegetable growers who are currently growing organically or want to learn more about organic practices, as well as beginners contemplating organic vegetable production. University and farmer speakers will cover the basics of soil and nutrient management, weed management, and insect and disease management. This series is sponsored in part by a grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program, so we are able to offer this series at the low cost of $10.00 per day. Overnight lodging costs in Geneva are quite reasonable. We cannot accommodate more than 75 people so please register early.
For more information and registration material contact Abby Seaman:
NYS IPM Program, NYSAES, Geneva, NY 14456, 315-787-2422, ajs32@cornell.edu
or www.nysipm.cornell.edu/vegetables/org_veg/

15

DAIRY GRAZING CONFERENCE, New York State Grange in Cortland, NY
10:00 am to 3:30 pm Featuring Larry Shearer and Dave Surprenant as keynote speakers. Larry has a dairy farm in Western Massachusetts that has progressed from confinement feeding to grazing to seasonal calving with improvements in profitability and quality of life with each step. Dave is a dairy farmer from Illinois where he grazes on excellent corn and soybean land and has experimented with irrigating pasture. This conference is a part of a statewide series supported by Graze-NY, the Cornell Small Farms program, the New York State Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, and the New York Pasture Association. More details to follow. For more information, please call Dan Demaine at 607-753-5213.

15

Surviving Financial Strain, Owego, NY
Learn survival tips about undergoing financial strain, hear research-based information about how financial strain affects youth and families from Professor Rachel Dunifon, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University. This free seminar is intended to generate insight and discussion about the effects of financial strain on families. All youth, adults, parents, and professionals who feel stress because of financial responsibilities or perhaps have advice on this subject are invited. 7-9 pm at the Tioga County Office Building Auditorium, 56 Main St, Owego. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County. Contact John Farris at 607-687-4020, or e-mail jlf52@cornell.edu, for more information.

15-16

NY Grower Show, Syracuse, NY
Horticulture in New York is a diverse mix of greenhouses, nurseries, fruit and vegetable growers, direct marketers and garden centers. Horticulture businesses are equally diverse, often active in more than one segment of the industry. The dilemma has always been how to get the education and trade contacts without having to attend innumerable small shows. You now have a solution The New York Grower Show! If you are involved in Greenhouses, Garden Centers, Nurseries, Direct Marketing, Fruit Growing or Vegetable Growing you should plan to be at the New York Grower Show.
For more information write to: New York Grower Show, P.O. Box 121, Palatine Bridge NY 13428, call 800-218-5586 Fax 518-673-2699, or email dwren@leepub.com.
www.nygrowershow.com

16-17

OSHA: The Complete Compliance Workshop, Binghamton, NY
This OSHA-approved curriculum is for anyone who wants to meet new regulations, reduce workers' compensation claims, and build employee training programs that fulfull OSHA requirements. Call 1-800-356-5107 or visit the web site for more information. Event number: 1218403
www.keyetrain.com

18-19

Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention (OFVC), Brock University, St Catharines
Theme "Growing Together". Contacts: Chairman: Tony Sgambelluri - 905-945-1713 (Cell 905-651-1264); Vice Chair: Bob Cobbledick - 905-945-9057; Trade Show Chairmen: Ross Parker - 905-562-4136 and Ralph Troup - 905-563-826

21

Long Island Greenhouse and Floriculture Conference, Ronkonkoma, NY
Previously known as the Bedding Plant School, contact Linda Lynch 631-727-7850

21

Making Farm-School Connections: What's in It for Us?, Owego, NY
Are you interested in selling food products to local schools? If you think you might be, plan to attend this meeting on Tuesday, January 21 where farmers and school food service directors will discuss their situations and perspectives. Learn what foods schools need and use. Discuss regulations and costs. Find out whether there are opportunities for you to sell your products.
2-5pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County, 56 Main Street, Owego, NY
If you would like to attend or would like more information about this important meeting, please contact Tyrone Hall, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County. (Email: twh22@cornell.edu or phone: 607-687-4020.)

22

CCTTS WINTER CROP MEETING, Clarion Inn, Ithaca, NY
9 a.m. Registration and Trade Show. Presentations: 10:15-3:15. Topics: Economic Decision Making, Corn Management Tips, Agriculture in the Netherlands The low down on Cover Crops. CCA/DEC credits in application. Contact Janice Degni for more information at (607)753-5215

22

Hudson Valley Bedding Plant School, Fishkill, NY
Rose Baglia 845-344-1234, rsb22@cornell.edu

23

AGRICULTURE ECONOMIC SUMMIT for Cortland County, NY
Featuring: Nathan Rudgers, Commissioner of Agriculture, Keynote as the Speaker. A forum for highlighting resources for agriculture. Contact Cortland County Cornell Cooperative Extension at (607) 753-5077 for more information.

23

Capital District Bedding Plant School, Latham, NY
Chris Logue 518-372-1622, cal20@cornell.edu

24

Breeding and Seed Generation Workshops, Albany, NY
Public Seed Initiative Event as a pre-conference workshop to the NOFA-NY 2003 Annual Conference.
www.nofany.org

25

NOFA-NJ 13th Annual Winter Conference, New Brunswick, NJ
Greener Fields: Growing Value on the Farm. For more information contact NOFA-NJ at 609-737-6848 or email nofanjinfo@nofanj.org

25

Cornell Shearing School - Beginners, Harford, NY
A beginners shearing school will be held on 25 January 2003 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This course will be taught by Jim Baldwin, an experienced shearer from Ithaca. Registration is limited. To register, contact Brian Magee at 607-844-8367 or by email at bhm5@cornell.edu. The registration fee is $25 (cash or check to Jim Baldwin on the day of the school).

25-26

NOFA-NY 2003 Annual Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Albany, New York
Saturday Keynote Speaker: New Hampshire Farmer, Eero Ruuttila
Sunday Keynote Speaker: Anna Lappe, author of Hope's Edge
Special pre-conference seed production and vegetable breeding workshop January 24th.
Or call 518-734-5495 to receive a brochure.
www.nofany.org

27-29

NYS Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference, Saratoga Springs Sheraton
Including Berry Growers, Meat Processors day, Small Scale Food Processors, Farmers' Market Federation Meetings and Trade Show. Agenda will be available by December 1. For a program call Diane Eggert at 315-475-1101.

28

Introduction to Greenhouse Structures, Owego, NY
When: January 28 2003, 2-4 pm
Hosted by: South Central New York Agriculture Team
Where: CCE Tioga County, 56 Main Street, Owego, NY
Who: individuals considering erecting small greenhouse for hobby, extended season gardening or small-scale commercial use.
Why: Greenhouses are potential liabilities, unless correctly utilized. Attendees will gain an understanding of at least 10 'must consider' issues in operating a greenhouse and/or a greenhouse business. A top ten list of hard good items necessary for a greenhouse will also be reviewed. A field trip for attendees is offered another day. We will observe some of the mechanics of several greenhouses.
Fee: $20
Contact: Watler Nelson, CCE-Chemung, (607) 734-4453, e-mail: wnn1@cornell.edu

28-29

Agriculture Innovations, Syracuse, NY
Empire Room, NYS Fairgrounds, For more information contact Tom Feisinger at (866) 697-3732, ext 3218

29

New York State Berry Growers Association - Annual Meeting, (in conjunction w/ NY Farmers Direct Marketing Association) will be held at Sheraton Inn Conference Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. For more information or for registration materials contact the NY Farmers Direct Marketing Association at 315-475-1101. Or send inquiries to 7350 Collamer Road, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

29-31

New York Society of American Foresters (NYSAF): Winter Meeting, Holiday Inn, Liverpool, NY
This years theme is "Keeping New York's Forests Productive". The meeting is open for all individuals interested in the future of New York's forests. Members of NYFOA have attended in the past and their involvement is greatly appreciated and welcome. For more information on registration fees and schedule contact Hugh Canham, Chair-elect NYSAF, at (315) 470-6694 or hocanham@esf.edu

30-31

The 3rd National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment: Education For A Sustainable And Secure Future, Washington, DC
Visit the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) conference website below.
www.NCSEonline.org

30-31

Managing the Hispanic Workforce, Canandaigua, NY
This conference is for agricultural and horticultural employers, and agricultural professionals and cooperative extension staff who work directly with agricultural and horticultural employers. It will be held at two locations on two different dates. The program provides a valuable opportunity to increase your cultural understanding and develop management skills that can help you overcome the challenges and improve your business's working environment. Sponsored by Cornell University PRO-DAIRY and Penn State Dairy Alliance, the speakers include Jorge M. Estrada, David Grusenmeyer, Lawrence M. Lebowitz, Thomas Maloney, Angelo Mino, Matthew Phillips, Vinton Smith and Richard Stup. Register online or contact Robin Huizinga, Cornell University, 272 Morrison Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853; 607-255-4478, dmconf@cornell.edu
www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/

Jan 31-Feb 2

Farmer-to-farmer Workshop Organic Vegetable Farming Systems from Seed to Market, Ballston Spa, NY
This program is a collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Capital District Vegetable Program, with support from Cornell University's Small Farms Program. For a brochure and more information, contact the Regional Farm & Food Project, 148 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206; (518) 427-6537, farmfood@capital.net. The Regional Farm & Food Project is a membership organization of farmers and consumers promoting sustainable opportunities for family-scale agriculture.

February 2003

1

Western New York Maple School, Poineer Senior High School, Arcade, NY
Trade show opens at 9am program from 9:45 to 3:45. THere is no charge for this program. A pancake and sausage lunch may be purchased from teh FFA's of Pioneer and Letchworth schools. For more information call Steve Childs, CCE-Wyoming County at 716-786-2251.

3-10

North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show Pre-and Post-conference tours. Adam's Mark, Charlotte, NC Contact: Jonathan Bates, 413-529-0386 or check the website at www.NAFDMA.com

4

Introduction to Nutrition of Floriculture and Ornamental Crops, Owego, NY
When: February 4, 2003, 2-4 pm
Hosted by: South Central New York Agriculture Team
Where: CCE Tioga County, 56 Main Street, Owego, NY
Who: individuals growing flowers and ornamentals in containers and in-ground.
Why: Good crop nutrition not only improves crop quality but also reduces disease and some believe pressure from damaging insect. Attendees will review crop deficiency and toxicity signs and symptoms, developing crop fertility programs and sampling & interpretation of test results. Discussion of attendee's individual soil and water tests carries an additional fee and is optional.
Fee: program $20
Contact: Watler Nelson, CCE-Chemung, (607) 734-4453, e-mail: wnn1@cornell.edu

4

New York State Turfgrass Association: 2003 Turfgrass Advocacy NYSTA's Lobby Day, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
Meet influential policymakers and government officials, get legislative updates, learn lobbying techniques, and more. Contact NYSTA, PO Box 612, Latham, NY 12110 for more information

4-6

The Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference, Hershey, PA
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. For More Information contact Maureen Irvin, (717) 677-4184

6-7

New York Chapter of the Wildlife Society: 2003 Annual Meeting, Radisson Inn, Utica, New York
"Feeding Wildlife-What do we know?", The supplemental feeding of animals has a long history in human interaction with wildlife. Reasons have included attracting animals to be hunted, pleasure in viewing animals, perceived animal welfare, maintenance of large numbers of animals, and assisting rare species. Arguments against supplemental feeding include risks to wildlife health, human health and safety and environmental quality. Speakers from Cornell University, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology and others have been invited. Both invited speakers and submitted papers will address the dynamics of the supplemental feeding of birds, bears, deer, waterfowl and other wildlife. A panel discussion will follow.
Registration starts at 9:30 AM February 6, 2003
Feeding Wildlife program - 10:00 AM to 5:00, February 6, 2003
Evening Soiree - 6:00 - 8:00 February 6, 2003
Submitted Papers will be given on February 7, 2003
Meeting ends Noon on February 7, 2003
Contact Kristi Sullivan at 607-255-5508, or e-mail kls20@cornell.edu, for more information.
Registration Form

7-8

North American Bramble Growers' Association Annual Meeting, Leesburg, Virginia
The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn at the Historic Carradoc Hall. Contact Jason Murray, Commercial Horticulture Agent, for further information, at jamurray@vt.edu or 703-737-8978. You can view the program at www.ento.vt.edu/Fruitfiles/NABGAProgram03.pdf

7-8

PASA's 12th Annual Farming for the Future Conference: Local Food Systems, Local Decisions - In Search of True Security, State College, PA
Keynotes by Mark Ritchie, president of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; Cheryl Tevis, Farm Issues Editor for Successful Farming; and noted author Jo Robinson (Why Grassfed is Best and When Your Body Gets the Blues). Over 40 workshops. Contact Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, 814/349-9856 or see
www.pasafarming.org

8

"Balancing Your Money and Your Forest" and "Wildlife Tracks and Signs", Spencer-Van Etten High School, NY
This workshop is for families and individuals interested in exploring the possibilities of their forest more closely. Presentations include: “How NYFOA Helps Forest Owners”, “A Forest Owner’s Guide to Using the Farm Bill”, “Arranging a Timber Sale”, and “Non-Timber Forest Products.” Naturalist Marysa Nicholson of the Rogers DEC Environmental Education Center will explain how to identify and explore wildlife through winter time tracks and animal signs. Workshop sponsored by the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA), Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team, Cotton-Hanlon Inc., NYS - DEC Division of Lands and Forests, and the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University.
1:00 P.M. to 4:00 PM, Spencer-Van Etten High School, No fee for the workshop; refreshments available, Please pre-register by calling NYFOA member Ernie Von Borstel at 589-4372. In case of weather changes, we want to inform participants.

10-13

NYS Vegetable Conference and Trade Show, Holiday Inn, Syracuse
The conference begins with the Becker Forum on Monday, February 10. The Forum, entitled, "Preparing for Changing: Securing Your Place and Profit in the Food Chain", will bring together experts from around the US and Canada. This past growing season has proved to be an exceptionally challenging one, and this timely topic will provide a wealth of information to attendees regarding how to make critical changes in a profession that is dependent on many factors that are out of the control of the grower. This forum is for growers, policy makers, legislators, and educators-anyone concerned with the risks involved in agriculture and the challenges facing growers today. The meeting runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free to individuals who register for any part of the 2003 conference or for members of the New York State Vegetable Growers Association. For all others, there is a $15 registration fee.

The commodity sessions and trade show portion of the statewide conference begin on Tuesday, February 11 and run through Thursday, February 13. Processing, storage and fresh market vegetables produced in New York State are the focus of this conference. It is sponsored by the New York State Vegetable Growers Association, Empire State Potato Growers, Cornell Cooperative Extension/NYS College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and Associated NYS Food Processors Association. More than 500 people typically attend this event each day. University specialists, industry leaders, and growers will present more than 100 talks in 15 sessions throughout the three-day conference.

Full day sessions on fresh market and processing sweet corn, potatoes, onions, and cabbage are scheduled during the three days of education meetings. Other sessions planned include tomatoes and peppers, pumpkins, vine crops and melons, and beans and peas. Some new sessions added this year include transitioning to organic vegetable production and adding cut flowers to your vegetable growing operation.

The Trade Show opens on Tuesday, February 11, and is open to registered attendees every day, starting at 8 a.m. Over 70 exhibitors will display the latest available in equipment, packaging, bio-controls, supplies, irrigation, seed varieties, chemicals, products and services for those in the produce industry.

Pre-registration prior to February 3 is $30.00 per person per day; walk-in registration is $40.00. Registration includes admittance to all of the educational sessions and trade show, lunch, a copy of the Conference Proceedings, and refreshments. Walk-in registration begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. in the Convention Center lobby each day with the educational sessions beginning at 9:00 a.m.

For a program contact NYSVGA at 315-687-5734 or email nysvga@twcny.rr.com

11

SOIL HEALTH - VEGETABLES WORK TEAM MEETING, Holiday Inn & Convention Center, Liverpool, NY
Contact Carol R. MacNeil at 585-394-3977 ext. 33 for more information.

11

Undo Stress Workshop, Newark Valley Fire Station, Newark Valley, NY
Tioga County Farm Bureau cordially invites the farmers of your county to our "Undo Stress Workshop". We are concerned about the emotional, physical and financial health of our farm families. These are trying times for all of agriculture, not only in our county and New York but for all of the U.S. Our goal is to offer support and help to all of agriculture, to help farm families realize they need not go through the tough times alone. This is about the farmer and how we can help, please join us for a day of relaxing stress relief.
Please contact Karen Gunther at 687-5148 or e-mail tiogafb@clarityconnect.com for your lunch reservation numbers by February 5th!

15

Legal and Insurance Issues in the Equine Industry, Cortland, NY
This workshop is for equine business owners including riding stables, breeding farms, boarding operations, etc. Our speakers are not only professionals in the equine field but have a personal interest in horses. They will cover the key issues that business owners need to address to protect themselves and their businesses.

For more information call Heather Birdsall, Cortland County Cooperative Ext., at 753-5222.
Click to view the agenda

15

21st Annual NOFA-VT Winter Conference You Are What You Eat: Healthy Farms and Healthy Communities, VT Technical College, Randolph, VT
Keynote by Sister Miriam MacGillis, from Genesis Farm. 30 workshops taught by experienced farmers and agriculture specialists on topics such as medicinal herb cultivation, pastured poultry, grape production, organic certification, dowsing, perennial flowers, and social justice standards. Children's conference. Fee is $35 (members), $45 (non-members), $5 discount for farmers. For conference brochure, contact NOFA-VT, 802/434-4122.

15-16

IDFTA Pre-Conference Workshop on Apple Orchard Systems & Economics, Syracuse, NY
Register through IDFTA (International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association) www.idfta.org. The workshop will be taught by Dr. Stuart Tustin (N.Zealand), Kurt Werth (Italy), Dr. Bruce Barritt (WA) and from New York, Dr. Terence Robinson, Steve Hoying, and Alison De-Marree. The workshopt will present the basic principles for selecting apple orchard systems. Rootstocks, tree density, tree support, pruning and training, and economics will be discussed. This workshop is limited to 50 participants.

17-19

International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, 46th Annual Conference, Syracuse, NY
For more information contact IDFTA (315) 457-1122
www.idfta.org

18

Pesticide Training Review, Van Etten, NY
Review session for those wishing to become certified pesticide applicators. Pesticide recertification credits available. Fee: $10/person. Exam will be given same time and place, February 25. Call Walter Nelson for details at 607-734-4453, or e-mail wnn1@cornell.edu.

18

ONTARIO FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONVENTION, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario
For more information: Joanne Archer at 905-688-0990 ext. 231.

18-19, 25-26

Weed Control Strategies, Various Locations
February 18, 2003 - Jamestown, NY:
February 19, 2003 - Cuba, NY
February 25, 2003 - Wyoming County
February 26, 2003 - Erie County
This program will give an estimated two Pesticide Re-certification credits category specific to: 1a-Agriculture Plant, 10-Demonstration and Research, and 21-Field and Forage. Topics include:

- Sharpening Your Weed Identification Skills
- Selecting Effective Herbicide Combinations that make the Difference
- Boom Sprayer Calibration
- Group Discussion

Cost $15 per farm, contact Dean Sprague, CCE - Cattaraugus County, 800-897-9189, ext. 123.

18-20

Building Freestall Barns and Milking Centers: Methods and Materials, Camp Hill, PA (near Harrisburg)
More than 25 speakers will share their knowledge and answer your questions at this conference. Speakers will discuss cow needs, construction contracting, pre-construction considerations, materials, building methods, environmental control systems, and building case studies. The conference is for builders, dairy producers considering new facilities, producer advisors, veterinarians, agribusiness, educators, and others interested in dairy building construction. Several special events are being planned as well. The conference is being coordinated by NRAES, the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service. For more information about registration fees, the conference program, sponsorship, and travel/accommodations, visit the conference web page or contact NRAES, PO Box 4557, Ithaca, NY 14852-4557; phone (607) 255-7654; fax (607) 254-8770; e-mail NRAES@CORNELL.EDU.
www.nraes.org/conferences/building.html

19-20

Farmstead Dairy Processing Workshop for Farmers, Tioga County, NY
Join Vermont cheesemaker Peter Dixon for hands on instruction making artisinal cheeses and other specialty dairy products in Tioga County, NY on February 19 and 20. Course is tailored to meet the expressed needs of dairy producers considering value-added opportunities for their milk. Class size limited. Pre-registration deadline: January 31. Sponsored by the New York State Pasture Association (NYPA)
Fee: $100 for NYPA members, $125 for non-members.
Call (607)699-7968 for more information.

20

Developing a High-Performance People Oriented Team, Syracuse, NY
Taught by Tom Maloney and Bob Milligan, Cornell University. This Course is also designed to attract fruit growers attending the IDFTA annual meeting. This exciting workshop is designed to allow growers from all over the US to discuss and compare human resource management on fruit farms. The topics will include:
- Understanding the value of synergy
- Building a cross-cultural team
- Coaching team members to succeed
- Managing a multicultural workforce
- "Chalking the field" to empower people
- Developing an employer/employee motivation partnership
- Creating a common frame by commitment to common organizational philosophy
Register thru IDFTA
www.idfta.org

20-22

New York Forest Owners Association: 41st Annual Spring Program, Syracuse, NY
The New York Forest Owners Assocaition is holding its annual membership meeting in conjunction with the three day New York Farm Show on February 20-22 at the NY Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Workshops topics include deer management, timber taxes, timber theft, forest management, timber sales, landowner liability, and much more. Workshops held in the DEC Log Cabin.

20-22

Viticulture 2003, Buffalo, NY
This three-day conference will be held at the Buffalo Convention Center and is intended to provide grape growers the opportunity to hear the latest information on production practices, pest management strategies, farm economics, the status of the national and international grape markets, and the opportunities available to them to influence the economic and political climate in which they operate. The program will feature some of the most widely known and respected names in the grape industry. Researchers from around the world including Australia, California, Michigan and Ontario, in addition to Cornell and Penn State Universities, will present a wide variety of topics intended to help growers overcome the productivity and quality limitations that they run up against. The program includes a New Grower Workshop, which will focus on the basics of establishing a new winegrape vineyard, taught by extension viticulturists from Cornell, Penn State and the University of Maryland. An excellent 2-day Wine Marketing and Business Management Workshop will also be held alongside the main conference, taught by faculty from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Attendees will also be able to wander through an expansive trade show featuring over 75 vendors. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation's annual Unity Banquet will be held on Friday night, February 21st, featuring New York food products, wines and juices. For program, hotel and registration information, please visit the conference website, or call the New York Wine and Grape Foundation at (315) 536-7442.
www.viticulture2003.org

21-24

National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture's Annual Meeting & Conference, Syracuse, NY
For information call 845-744-8448, e-mail sheilah@sustainableagriculture.net or see www.SustainableAgriculture.net
To join the campaign's FREE Action Alert Network, email your name, address, phone, fax, and e-mail.

22

Introduction to Farming Opportunities, Ithaca, NY
Interested in learning about farming opportunities or ways to use your land for production? If so, Cornell Cooperative Extension has a workshop for you. The fourth annual Introduction to Farming Opportunities workshop will be held on Saturday, February 22 at the Ithaca High School located on Cayuga Street off Route 13.

The daylong workshop will cover general farm business planning topics in the morning including what you should know about getting started in farming and who can help, business planning considerations, understanding your soil resources and marketing options for beginning farmers. The afternoon features concurrent sessions to choose from depending on your interests. Selections include: livestock production, forest farming, herbs and cut flowers, greenhouse and nursery crops, vegetables, fruit culture, organic certification and grazing. Extension specialists with the South Central NY Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture Program will provide instruction.

The program begins at 9:30 am with registration and concludes at 4 pm. A $15 includes the cost of program materials and lunch. A second person from the same farm is admitted for $10. Half-day options are also available for $10. To register, request a brochure from the Tompkins County Extension office at 607-272-2292 or email klc39@cornell.edu. Deadline to register is February 20.

25

Meeting for Organic Farmers and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Candor, NY
Organic farmers in the Southern Tier are invited to share their ideas for organic educational programs. In cooperation with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), Cornell Cooperative Extension invites organic farmers to share ideas on ways that Cooperative Extension might be able to assist in meeting the unique needs of organic farms.

Consumers are purchasing a greater proportion of their food produced on organic farms. However, many organic food products sold in New York have been transported great distances. This trend undermines the spirit of organic farming, which is to produce fresh and ecologically-sound foods on small, local farms. The new National Organic Program standard is changing the way in which organic products are grown, harvested, labelled and marketed.

Cornell Cooperative Extension and NOFA-NY are striving to help organic farms and consumers make the best choices for profitability, ecological health, and nutrition. To this end, this meeting is intended to build a closer working partnership between Extension, the organic farming community, and ultimately consumers in the Southern Tier for mutual benefit.

3:00 P.M. to 5:00 PM, Candor Fire Hall, Route 96B in the Village of Candor
Contacts: Jim Ochterski -Schuyler County (607) 535-7161; Monika Roth - Tompkins County (607) 272-2292; or Tyrone Hall - Tioga County (607) 687-4020

25-27

Farmstead Cheese Production, SUNY Cobleskill (Schoharie County), NY
A hands-on course in artisanal cheese primarily for dairy farmers interested in adding value to their milk
Instructor: Peter Dixon (Vermont Cheese Maker). Enrollment limited to 12.
Pre-registration required: Contact Regional Farm & Food Project, 518/ 427-6537, farmfood@capital.net.

March 2003

1

11th Annual Rural Landowner Workshop, Yorkshire, NY
The NYS DEC, Cornell Cooperative Extension, USDA, and NYFOA are sponsoring this workshop at the Pioneer Center School in Yorkshire, NY. Cost of $20 per person includes lunch, a copy of the seminar proceedings, and all handout material. Please register by Friday, February 7, 2003. For more information or questions about registration, call Desiree Ottley at (716) 699-2377. ext 125. Limited to the first 400 people. No walk-ins.

3

Farmers Market Information Days, Holiday Inn Riverview, Elmira, NY
This meeting is intended to provide vendors with information and required training for the 2003 WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP, inform vendors about Farmers Market Federation Programs, and to offer an exciting networking opportunity to promote local farmers markets. Contact Daine Eggert for more information at (315) 475-1101 or e-mail diane99@dreamscape.com

3

16th Annual Cornell Conference on Dairy Markets and Product Research, Wyndham Hotel, Syracuse, NY
This year's program has several items we think will be of interest to dairy product manufacturers and others interested in the dairy foods sector. The program will begin with a presentation on Dairy Plant Location Decisions. As we have done in previous programs, during the remainder of the morning and the first part of the afternoon, we will have split, concurrent sessions. Participants will be able to select and attend four of six presentations related to raw milk quality, dairy technology, and dairy market economics. The closing session brings all participants back together for a look at a Direct Payments to Dairy Producers, a product of our recent farm bill.

Lodging is available through the Wyndham Hotel. Contact David Barbano at 607-255-2899 or Andrew Novakovic at 607-255-7602 for an agenda and regestration materials.

3-4

The New York State Cheese Manufacturers Association: 2003 Annual Meeting, Wyndham Hotel, Syracuse, NY
Contact David Barbano at 607-255-2899 or Andrew Novakovic at 607-255-7602 for an agenda and regestration materials.

4-5

2003 Illinois Small Fruit & Strawberry School, Holiday Inn, Mt. Vernon, IL
For exhibit and program information, contact Bronwyn Aly, University of Illinois, Rt.1 Box 256, Simpson, IL 62985, Phone: 618-695-2444, Fax: 618-695-2492

5

Precision Agriculture Roundtable Meeting and Progress Report, Geneva, NY
The day will begin with updates and presentations by researchers, industry representatives, and producers in a variety of fields. Interested participants will have the opportunity to speak to the group about their experiences during an open forum. The afternoon will feature presentations on GIS tools for improved nutrient management, record keeping and planning for hands-on field activities in 2003. Lunch will be provided with the $15 registration fee.

Interested in speaking or presenting? contact:jek15@cornell.edu

For more information or to register contact Jason Kahabka ( jek15@cornell.edu ) 607-255-1706.

6

Pesticide Training Review, McLean Fire Hall (West of Cortland), NY
Review session for those wishing to become certified pesticide applicators. Pesticide recertification credits available. Fee: $10/person. Exam will be given same time and place, February 14. Call Cortland County CCE for registration at 607-272-2292.

8

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Tree Fruit Production:
Workshop 1 - Orchard Establishment Workshop, Ithaca, NY
Interested in starting a small-scale orchard as a business? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of stone fruit (peach, plum, cherry, and apricot) and pome fruit (apple and pear) production.

This is the first workshop in the series titled, "Orchard Establishment Workshop", and will cover basic farm requirements, site preparation, cultivar selection, and planting. A panel of small fruit farmers will be present for questions and there will be an opportunity to take a farmer mentor for the 2003 growing season. A small fee of $10 will cover all handout materials and lunch.

Register early for the entire workshop series and receive a $10 discount. Deadline for early registration is March 13th. Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

8-9

2003 Cornell Shearing School, Harford, NY
A professional shearing school will be held on 8 and 9 March 2003 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Registration is limited and the fee is $100. This course will be taught by Doug Rathke an award-winning professional shearer from Hutchinson, MN. The information taught in the course will include: the shearing pattern, blade sharpening techniques, physical fitness, handpiece maintenance and more. To register, contact Doug at, Liberty Land & Livestock, 61231 Minnesota Highway 7, Hutchinson, MN 55350, by phone at 320-587-6094 or by email at lambshop@hutchtel.net.

10-12

American Farmland Trust's National Conference, Pacific Grove, CA
Farming the Edge and Finding the Balance! Conference themes include:
- Enacting Effective Planning and Growth Management Practices
- Protecting Land with Agricultural Conservation Easements
- Improving Stewardship of Agricultural Land
- Increasing Agricultural Economic Viability
For additional information visit the National Conference Web Site www.farmland.org, call (800) 370-4879, or e-mail dmittasch@farmland.org.

12-13

New England Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show, Boxborough, Massachusetts
Call 413-529-9100 or send e-mail to info@massfarmstands.com for additional information.

14

TOMATO, PEPPER & EGGPLANT IPM WORKSHOP
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Lake Plains Vegetable Program. Call Alan Erb at 716-652-5400 ext. 139.

14-20

2003 Southern Tier Home & Garden Show, Coach USA Center, Elmira, NY
Friday 2 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. $6 admission

Thousands of square feet of exhibitors. Get ready for the premier home and gardening event of the season. See the latest products, garden products and much more. It's the one place to shop, compare, and purchase for all your home and garden projects, all under one roof. Meet celebrity guest Tom Sylva from This Old House. See beautiful garden landscapes. One admission good for all three days. Fun for the entire family - kids are FREE!

Almost every exhibitor is a home or garden-related business. Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand at the Star-Gazette and Landscape Nursery Association booths throughout the weekend. There will be exhibits including beautiful garden landscapes, how-to clinics, and many other exciting products and services by professional exhibitors. Expect to see cutting-edge household products and gardening tools to help you create your dream home or outdoor environment. See everything for your home and garden... spas, pools, decks, building materials, landscaping materials, plants, window treatments, security systems, cooking utensils, storage, furniture, wallcoverings, and so much more.

For more information visit the following website: www.showtechnology.com/shows2003/elmiraspring2003.html

15

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Small Fruit Production:
Workshop 1 - Getting Started with Small Fruit, Ithaca, NY
Interested in starting a small fruit u-pick operation on your land? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Three workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of small fruit production including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and other miscellaneous small fruits. Learn from the experts and get first-hand advice from local successful farmers!

This is the first workshop in the series titled, "Getting started with small fruits". Participants will get instruction on everything it takes to get a successful small fruit plantation started. A panel of small fruit farmers will be present for questions and there will be an opportunity to take a farmer mentor for the 2003 growing season. A small fee of $10 will cover all handout materials and lunch.

Register early for the entire workshop series and receive a $10 discount. Deadline for early registration is March 13th. Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

17

Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty: Third Annual Trade Show, Holiday Inn, Waterloo-Seneca Falls, NY
Mark your calendars for St. Patrick's Day and the third annual Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty Trade Show! This year's event will focus on pairing foods and wines from the Finger Lakes…and showcase wine-inspired cuisine that is prepared by some of the region's best chefs who specialize in using local products in their dishes.

The Trade Show will be held at the Holiday Inn on Route 414 north between the Thruway and Route 20 in Waterloo-Seneca Falls. The show is scheduled to open at 10 am and will continue until 3 pm with a program and lunch in between. Featured speaker, Jim Tresize, President of the NY Wine & Grape Foundation, will discuss NY Cuisine program success stories. NY Cuisine is an effort to increase use of NY wines on NY restaurant menus. Deb Whiting, owner of Red Newt Cellars Bistro, and incoming President of Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty, will provide an update of Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty activities and introduce the Local Foods Luncheon.

Trade Show vendors are now being recruited. Vendors can include farmers producing any agricultural product that might be used by restaurants or sold in specialty foods stores. Food processors, wineries and other beverage makers from the Finger Lakes counties are also encouraged to attend. This year as an added benefit for attendees, on site sales will be permitted. Over 40 exhibitors have been featured in previous shows.

The local foods luncheon is a highlight of this event. This year, in keeping with the theme of pairing food and wine, the wineries and other area beverage makers are being paired with our chefs for an ultimate dining experience and for only $25. You won't find a meal at this price and quality anywhere else. Eight to ten serving stations will feature an area chef with area wines to complement the dish that has been prepared.

Trade Show hours will be 10-11:30 AM and again from 2-3 PM. The Program and lunch will be from 11:30 am until 2 pm on Monday, March 17. For information on how to register as an exhibitor or just to attend the event, call 607-272-2292 for a flyer or email flcb@cornell.edu.

March 17 - April 2

New York Natural Beef Cooperative Forming
- March 17, Cuba, Cuba Library, 7:00 p.m. Call 716-699-2377 for directions.
- March 18, Batavia, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, 7:00 p.m. Call 585-343-3040 for directions.
- March 20, Malone, Franklin County Courthouse kitchen conference room, 7:00 p.m. Call 518-483-7403 for directions.
- March 24, Auburn, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, 7:00 p.m. Call 315-255-1183 for directions.
- March 25, Binghamton, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, 7:00 p.m. Call 607-772-8953 for directions.
- March 26, Voorheesville, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, 7:00 p.m. Call 518-765-3512 for directions.
- April 1, Bath, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, Steuben County Office Building, Call 607-664-2300 for directions.
- April 2, Ithaca, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, 7:30 p.m. Call 607-753-5222 for directions.

The newly created New York Natural Beef Cooperative is now offering membership shares for the first time. This cooperative has markets established for beef finished without antibiotics or growth promoting implants. Members of the cooperative can sell beef into this market, obtaining premiums on the sale in addition to receiving annual dividends. The Cooperative is forming for the mutual benefit of its members, and offers the opportunity for members to market their products collectively through the Cooperative, thereby gaining access to new and larger markets.

Eight regional meetings will be held around the state between March 17th and April 2nd to allow producers to ask questions about the Cooperative and share offering. During the meeting, member(s) of the board of directors and the interim general manager will answer questions about the Cooperative and the share offering. New York beef producers of naturally grown beef breed animals with at least 50% Angus or Hereford genetics are eligible to join

Contact Chris Bailey at 607-592-9628 or email clb49@cornell.edu with any questions.

18

NYS Dry Bean Meeting, DiPacific's Restaurant, Farmington, NY
The annual NYS Dry Bean Meeting will be held March 18th at DiPacific's Restaurant, Farmington, from 9 am until 3:40 pm. Topics will include production guidelines, collaborative efforts on deer management, farm risk management suggestions, and information on markets, as well as the results of industry funded research.

Register at the door. Lunch and registration are $15. Pesticide recertification credits and Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available. If you have questions or if you'd like to be a sponsor contact Carol MacNeil at 585-394-3977 ext. 33 or crm6@cornell.edu, or Arlie McFaul at 585-461-1000 ext. 241 or acm29@cornell.edu.

18

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FEEDING PROGRAM: Adaptable to Component Feeding Systems or TMR's in Tie-Stall Barns
More information to follow or contact Janice Degni at 607-753-5215.

18

National Agriculture Day Celebration, Cortland, NY
Agriculture is not only America’s largest industry but also Cortland County’s largest industry. Whether you produce the food and fiber or just consume or enjoy them, you can take enormous pride in American agriculture. You are invited to join the Cortland County community in celebrating agriculture by attending a special evening dinner and program at the NYS Grange Building, 100 Grange Place. The evening will begin with a milk punch reception at 6:30 PM. The guest speaker for the evening will be Agriculture Humorist Joe Peck and he will be spreading some agriculture cheer. Recognitions and Awards will follow. There will be a $10.00 fee for the dinner and program. To make reservations, call Sharon VanDeuson at 753-5078 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County. Reservations are requested by 3/14/03.

18-19

Field Crop Pest Management, Little Falls & Pittsfield, NY
DEC Approved recertification credits (2 credits) categories 1a, 10, 21,23. Participants must arrive by 11am to receive full credit. Program includes corn weed control updates, updates for potato leafhopper and corn rootworm control. Contact: Kevin Ganoe, CCE Herkimer County, 315-866-7920.

19

On-Farm Breeding & Seed Saving Workshop, Ithaca, NY
Breeding and Seed Saving techniques on Wednesday March 19, 2003. Come learn more about how to breed your own varieties that are adapted to your conditions! The workshop will build on previous workshops and offers opportunities for growers to learn more about breeding and seed saving.

The program runs from 9am 5pm at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and will include presentations on:
· The importance of regionally developed varieties.
· Breeding methods suitable for using on-farm.
· How to improve a vegetable variety you like, or create a new one.
· Replicated trial management.
· Hands-on pollination techniques for various crops.

The cost of the workshop is $15, which includes lunch. For registration information call Michael Glos at 607-657-2860, or email michaelglos@nofany.org. Registrations must be received by March 10.

19

Self-Employment Training Workshop, Ithaca, NY
Sponsored by the New York AgrAbility Project at the Cornell Veterinary College. The workshop is designed for both agency staff who assist people to become self-employed, as well as those wishing to start their own small businesses. The training will introduce, through the use of substantial case studies, the wide variety of self employment options available to people. The session will also introduce a variety of funding possibilities, briefly discuss Social Security issues and opportunities, examine community resources for business owners, the role of human service agencies and personnel, and will present a functional model for small business planning. For more information or to register contact Priscilla Berggren-Thomas at the New York AgrAbility Project, 607-257-9716, or email plb22@cornell.edu

19-20

Forum Focuses on-The Right Combination to Unlocking the Future, Syracuse, NY
Farmer cooperative leaders and those interested in cooperative affairs have a great opportunity to learn more about key industry trends and cutting-edge strategies. The Northeast Cooperative Council will hold it's Cooperative Leaders Forum and 54th Annual Meeting on at The Wyndham Hotel in Syracuse, NY. This year's theme is "The Right Combination to Unlocking the Future". The Forum is held in conjunction with CoBANK's regional customer meeting.

Bill Hale, President of the Hale Group, will kick off the Forum with a presentation on the "Changing Food Service Industry". He is an acknowledged food industry expert and is well known for ability to identify emerging trends and new opportunities within the food system. Other speakers include: David Hayes & Joe Getman, attorneys with Bond, Schoeneck & King, LLP addressing the subject of "Best Practices for Governance"; Steve Wright, CEO of Pro-Fac Cooperative will discuss "Restructuring Pro-Fac"and Don Schriver, COO of Dairy Farmers of America will review "DFA - Investing in Market Access for Member Milk". Speakers on the CoBANK segment of the program include: Doug Sims reviewing operating results for CoBANK, Prof. Dave Kohl speaking about "Megatrends in Agriculture", and Prof. Ed Seifried addressing the "The Road to Economic Recovery". For more information visit the NECC website or contact Brian Henehan at 607/255-8800 or bmh5@cornell.edu.
cooperatives.aem.cornell.edu/events1.html

19-20

Community Decision Making: Conflict and Constructive Public Involvement, Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson, NY
This training workshop will be both participatory and interactive. Learn from the diverse perspectives of other participants. Facilitation roles will be both modeled and discussed. General principles and concepts will be explored through case studies. Training begins 10:30 am on March 19th and ends at 2:30 pm on March 20th. The full agenda will be available at www.cardi.cornell.edu. Contact David Kay at 607-255-2123, or e-mail dlk2@cornell.edu, for more information and registration form.

Mar 20, April 8 & 9

Organic Dairy Production Meeting, NY
A series of three meetings on Organic Dairy Production will be held across New York State, sponsored by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) and Cornell Cooperative Extension. They will be held on March 20 the Civil Defense Center in Bath, NY, April 8 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Watertown, and April 9 in Richfield Springs at the Tally Ho Restaurant.

Lisa McCrory, Dairy Technical Assistance Coordinator for NOFA-VT and staff person for the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA), will be featured in the morning program of each event. Ms McCrory has extensive experience with organic dairy producers throughout the Northeast, and edits the NODPA Newsletter which is sent to all organic dairy farmers in Maine, Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York. Ms McCrory will provide valuable information on how the new Federal Organic Standards affect production practices and regional organic dairy market prospects.

In the afternoon, panels of NYS or Pennsylvania organic dairy farmers will discuss issues of particular local and audience interest with plenty of time for questions and answers. Finally, researchers and educators from Cornell and NOFA-NY will solicit input on future research needs and educational efforts.

An attendance fee will be charged. Lunch will be provided. To pre-register and for more information and directions, please call 607-664-2300 for the Bath meeting, 315-788-8450 for the Watertown meeting, or 607-334-5841 for the Richfield Springs meeting. These meetings are funded in part by Cornell's Funding for Research in Organic Agriculture Program.

21

2003 NY Farms! Annual Meeting, Cortland, NY
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the annual meeting from 10-4 at the NYS Grange Headquarters. By attending the annual meeting:

You'll help to shape the future of NYF! -- sharing your needs, programs and services and discussing how NY Farms! can support you as a member organization or affiliate.
You'll participate in a meeting workshop on "Developing a Consumer Movement in Support of New York Agriculture and Food"
You'll network with, showcase your program to, and hear program updates from other members.
You'll be entered into a raffle to win great NY farm and food products and more!

For more information, contact Phil Yacuk, NY Farms! acting director, 845-639-9302 or e-mail phily@bestweb.net

21-22

Passive Solar Greenhouse Workshop: Design, Construction and Year-Round Production, Spring Grove, PA
Steve Moore, at his farm and greenhouses, will share 30 years of organic farming and greenhouse experiences. Steve is currently farmer at Sonnewald Natural Foods. He is the former Director of the Center for Sustainable Living, Wilson College, and Co-founder of Harmony Essentials. Workshop limited to 25, organic lunches and breaks and free housing, on 55 year old organic homestead, farm and natural foods store. Ask for course outline. Contact Steve and Carol Moore, 1522 Lefever Lane, Spring Grove, PA 17362, 717/225-2489, sandcmoore@juno.com

22

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, Watkins Glen, NY
Have you been putting off pruning that old apple tree because you aren't sure how? Do you know the difference between pruning an apple tree and pruning a peach tree? The South Central New York Agriculture Program and the Cornell Horticulture Department are sponsoring this Tree Pruning Workshop to help home owners, small-scale orchardists, and professionals learn how to successfully prune fruit trees for improved fruit production and tree health. Join Rick Reisinger at his family farm, Reisinger's Apple Country, to learn about pruning your fruit trees with a first-hand demonstration in an actual fruit tree orchard! Learn the importance of pruning and all it entails. The workshop will be held on March 22nd, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon, at Reisinger's Apple Country, 2750 Apple Lane, Watkins Glen, NY. A small fee of $5 will include workshop handouts and refreshments. For registration and directions to the farm, contact Tina Murphy by phone at (607) 687-4020, or by email at tlm8@cornell.edu. Please pre-register before March 20th.

22

GROWING FOREST MUSHROOMS: A New Hobby or Supplemental Income!, Van Etten, NY
This class is for farmers or landholders who are interested in growing wild mushrooms as an alternative crop in their woodlands. Participants will learn what is required to plant and grow mushrooms as a hobby or business. This will include costs, marketing, and potential profits. We will cover edible and medicinal mushrooms and discuss why some are fairly safe investments while others can offer high profits along with risks. After this session, you will have enough information to decide if growing mushrooms is a worthwhile option for you. The class will include a demonstration of proper substrate inoculation. Space is very limited, pre-registration required. Additional information available through Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension (607) 535-7161 or email Jim Ochterski at jao14@cornell.edu.

22

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Small Fruit Production:
Workshop 2 - Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, Watkins Glen, NY
Interested in starting a small fruit u-pick operation on your land? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Three workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of small fruit production including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and other miscellaneous small fruits. Learn from the experts and get first-hand advice from local successful farmers!

This is the Second workshop in the series titled, "Tree Fruit Pruning Workshop". This hands-on workshop will cover all aspects of tree fruit pruning. This workshop is offered as a half day workshop (1:00 to 4:00 PM) and a small fee of $5 will cover all handout materials and refreshments.

Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

24

Briefing on the 2002 Farm Bill & USDA Programs and Services, Liverpool, New York
A briefing designed to connect USDA customers to agency programs and services while highlighting changes and new provisions in the 2002 Farm Bill. Special emphasis will be placed on how USDA can better serve non-traditional and traditionally under served customers. There is no cost to attend. For more information and to register check website below, or call 1-800-880-4183
www.usda.gov/da/briefings/briefing.htm

25

GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF FRESH COW PROBLEMS: The Interaction of Feeding, Housing, and Management
More information to follow or contact Janice Degni at 607-753-5215.

25-26

Dairy Comp 305 & Scout - An Introduction to Herd Management Software, Lowville, NY
Sponsored by CCE - Lewis County, in cooperation with Dairy One this workshop is tailored for those with little or no experience using computers for managing herd records or for those with an interest in learning to use herd management software. A more advanced workshop for current users of Dairy Comp 305 will be offered at a later date. $10 registration fee covers the cost of lunch and seminar materials. Pre-registration for either workshop is required no later than 3/21/03. Class size is limited. Contact CCE - Lewis County at 315-376-5270.

27

Growing Raspberries in Greenhouses, Simcoe, Ontario
Research and grower experiences. Contact Adam Dale at (519) 426-7127 ext 333 or email: adale@uoguelph.ca for more information

29

Promising Opportunities for Northeast Processing Berry Production, Hudson, NY
What: A workshop to help growers and potential growers select from a group of possible berry crops to be sold for processing. Although lower priced, one can expect higher yields and lower production costs than with fresh market berries. Technical and economic information will be provided as well as a tour of the local processing plant.

When: March 29, 2003 8:30 am- 5:30 pm

Where: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County, 479 Route 66, Hudson, NY 12534, (518) 828-3346

Cost: $25 per person including a gourmet lunch

29

Broome County Annual Grazing Workshop, Binghamton, NY
Sponsored by CCE Broome County, in cooperation with Broome County Soil & Water Conservation, Graze NY, NRCE, and Congressman James Walsh. This interesting and informative workshop will cover livestock nutrition, funding opportunities, 2002 grazing season review, high-tensile fencing and a general discussion and Q&A. Contact Janet Allard 607-772-8954 ext. 151 or Dan Vredenburgh 724-9268 for information and to register.

April 2003

2-4

2003 Spring Ag In-Depth, Ithaca, NY
Registration is now accessible for the Ag & Food Systems 2003 Spring Ag In-Depth to be held April 2-4, 2003 in 401 Warren Hall on the Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY. The three-day program hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension begins on Tuesday with an all day workshop on Agriculture and the Environment Status and Emerging Issues with Nelson Bills, Tom Hirschl, Greg Poe, Lee Telega, Mark Twentyman, Bob Somers, Kim Blot, and Monika Roth. On Wednesday a Facilitation Round Table will be led by Mike Duttweiler to provide an informal forum for sharing facilitation strategies and tools applicable to the daily work of extension educators. The final session on Friday, titled Natural Resource and Economic Opportunities for Farms, is a one-day introduction to the integration of natural resource management and agriculture on New York farms for supplemental income and environmental health. For full details, agendas for each day's sessions and to registration go to the website below. Early Bird Deadline is March 15th. Questions e-mail Nicki Nedrow, nln1@cornell.edu, or call 607-255-2291.
www.cce.cornell.edu/admin/ag/AgIndepth2003/index.htm

3

Natural Gas Drilling Workshop for Landowners: Spring 2003 Update, Watkins Glen High School Auditorium, Watkins Glen, NY
Find out what's happening now and what's expected in the future with gas drilling in the Southern Tier. Learn about compulsory pooling, take a close look at lease contracts, and learn questions to ask a leasing agency. This workshop will focus on the choices and decisions private landowners make regarding natural gas exploration, extraction, and transit on their property. Speakers include Randy Nemecek (DEC), John Lacey (NYS Ag & Mkts), West Long (Fortuna Gas Company), and Christopher Denton (Attorney).
No fee.
Pre-registration is REQUIRED by calling (607) 535-7161

3-4

Dairy Goat Tour, Ontario, Canada
While the rest of the dairy industry struggles with the supply/demand balance there is a segment that is experiencing opportunities for growth. You are invited to observe, first hand, what a small group of entrepreneurs in Ontario is doing to meet a growing demand for goat cheeses and goat milk.

On Thursday, April 3rd the Dairy Goat Tour will travel to Stratford, Ontario, leaving Ithaca, NY early morning with pickup points between Ithaca and Lewiston. We will tour two dairy goat farms in the afternoon. Then we will host our tour hosts for dinner at the Victorian Inn in Stratford. We will learn more about their co-op and their marketing. This is also a chance to visit with less time pressure. We will spend the night at the Victoria Inn.

On Friday, April 4th we'll tour Momington's cheese plant, and then tour two more goat farms before traveling back to New York in the afternoon. Specific travel information will be made available when we learn exactly who plans on participating.

$100 per person includes travel, hotel room, continental breakfast, and the April 3 evening meal. Registration is required. Make checks payable to CCE-Yates County and send to CCE - Yates, 417 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Checks must be receive by March 18th. Contact Bill Henning at 315-536-5123 or Tro Bui at 607-255-4505 for more information.

4

Premier Wine Country Auction, FAIRPORT, NY
Celebrate a marriage of fine food and wine and bid on some of New York's best at Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport, NY, during the Sixth Annual Gala Dinner and Wine Country Auction, on April 4, 2003. The event benefits the Cornell Vinification and Brewing Technology Laboratory that opened at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, on March 31, 2000.

The gourmet dinner is preceded by a reception at 6:30 p.m. that features fine New York State sparkling wines and specialty beers. More than 20 different wines and 10 beers are available throughout the evening. After dinner, auctioneer Harris Wilcox puts cases of premium New York State wine, delectable comestibles from local restaurants, and overnight B&B packages from Finger Lakes establishments to the gavel. Susan A. Henry, Ronald A. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is the master of ceremonies for what has proved to be a fun-filled evening in the past.

"The gala is our main fundraising event of the year," said Thomas Henick-Kling, enology program leader at the Agricultural Experiment Station. "The goal of the lab is economic development through applied science and technology combined with training programs for the wine and brewing industries. The result is higher quality wine and beer for consumers, and increased viability for New York State wineries and breweries."

The Lab is a university/industry partnership on the part of Cornell University and the Experiment Station. Funding comes from Cornell, the state legislature, industry and local wine trails. The 2,000 sq. ft. laboratory builds on the Station's well-established programs in viticulture, enology, and fermentation science.

Currently, the V&B Lab is used by faculty and staff, as well as wineries, breweries, suppliers, equipment manufacturers, educators, consumers, national associations, and students testing new technologies and piloting procedures. Workshops, experimental research projects, and certification programs at the Lab help integrate the brewers' and winemakers' experiences.

Dinner is $100 per reservation ($50 is tax deductible). Black tie is optional. Entrees include a choice of: chargrilled Asian tenderloing of beef with spieced aioli and chantrelles, noisettes of venison with cranberries and polenta, filet of trout with macademia nuts and fried capers, or baked portebello mushrooms stuffed with spinach frittata and polenta. Dessert will be fresh blueberry crème brulee. Overnight accommodations are available at the premier WoodCliff Lodge nearby. Bus transportation will be provided to Casa Larga from Woodcliff throughout the evening. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Nancy Long, at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Dept. of FS&T, Geneva, NY 14456, by calling 315-787-2288, or emailing npl1@cornell.edu
The related web site is linked at www.nysaes.cornell.edu/fst/vb/

5

Forestry Workshop Money Does Grow On Trees, Lange's Grove Side Resort, Acra, NY
Space limited to first 125 registrants. $30/individual or $45/couple includes breaks, lunch, and a Crop Tree Field Guide valued at $25. Concurrent sessions (indoor and outdoor) aimed at new and experienced forest owners alike. Topics range from developing goals and gaining a forest management plan, selling timber, protecting against timber theft and liability, saving on real property taxes through the forest tax law, protecting property with conservation easements, handling timber income, managing for other uses (including wildlife habitat and agroforestry), and selecting trees for pre-commercial thinning. Contact Renee Bouplon, Columbia Land Conservancy, 518/392-5252 x 208 or renee@clctrust.org

5

Equipment Repair for Farmers, Thistle Downes Farm, Greenwich (Washington County), NY
This hands-on workshop will introduce farmers to the tools and skills needed for keeping their equipment in top shape without resorting to expensive repair shops. The instructor is a livestock farmer with an extensive background as a machinist.
Instructor: Milton Rodewald (Thistle Downes Farm). Enrollment limited to 20. Pre-registration required: Contact Regional Farm & Food Project, 518/ 427-6537, farmfood@capital.net.

6

Woods Walk at Jimmy and Micaela Bulich's Pathfinder Farms, Catskill, NY
The walk will feature a selection harvest three years after the trees were sold under a sustainable forest management project. Sponsored by the Capital District Chapter of the New York Forest Owners Association. Contact Jimmy Bulich, jimmy@mhonline.net

8

Tioga County Working On Wellness (WOW) Day!, Owego, NY
This 7th Annual Health Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Owego United Methodist Church located at 261 Main Street, Owego, NY. All Tioga residents, friends and family are welcome! There is no admission fee.

The theme of WOW Day this year is A Healthier Me in 2003 ! Our event will feature local businesses and agencies who will provide opportunities for visitors to take part in free demonstrations, activities, taste tests, etc. as well as access valuable information on various related topics. Participants will be able to discuss and evaluate their lifestyles with professionals in numerous health, education and nutrition related fields.

Our day will include free health screening which will include: hearing tests, bone density screening, oral cancer screening, diabetes foot screening, body mass index measurements and stress tests. The Lourdes Mission in Motion Van will be offering mammograms to women with a physician order. We will offer free car seat safe installation, a chair massage, tips on nutrition & exercise, tips on how to quit smoking, how to create a healthy home/office environment, emergency preparedness, kids activities from the Family Enrichment Network van, prizes, gifts, free food & drinks all day and free information and handouts from all vendors.

We welcome members of our local farming community to share about the Food Security and buying local goods. The fair can also be used to promote the Farmer s Markets and or other topics of importance to you.

For more information, contact Margaret Sullivan at the Tioga County Health Department 687-8607.

Mar 20, April 8 & 9

Organic Dairy Production Meeting, NY
A series of three meetings on Organic Dairy Production will be held across New York State, sponsored by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) and Cornell Cooperative Extension. They will be held on March 20 the Civil Defense Center in Bath, NY, April 8 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Watertown, and April 9 in Richfield Springs at the Tally Ho Restaurant.

Lisa McCrory, Dairy Technical Assistance Coordinator for NOFA-VT and staff person for the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA), will be featured in the morning program of each event. Ms McCrory has extensive experience with organic dairy producers throughout the Northeast, and edits the NODPA Newsletter which is sent to all organic dairy farmers in Maine, Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York. Ms McCrory will provide valuable information on how the new Federal Organic Standards affect production practices and regional organic dairy market prospects.

In the afternoon, panels of NYS or Pennsylvania organic dairy farmers will discuss issues of particular local and audience interest with plenty of time for questions and answers. Finally, researchers and educators from Cornell and NOFA-NY will solicit input on future research needs and educational efforts.

An attendance fee will be charged. Lunch will be provided. To pre-register and for more information and directions, please call 607-664-2300 for the Bath meeting, 315-788-8450 for the Watertown meeting, or 607-334-5841 for the Richfield Springs meeting. These meetings are funded in part by Cornell's Funding for Research in Organic Agriculture Program.

8-10

Fourth National Integrated Pest Management Symposium/Workshop, Westin Indianapolis, Indiana
An exciting opportunity to learn about the latest developments in agricultural and urban IPM, and to share your IPM experiences with others. The symposium includes over 60 breakout sessions (workshop, debate and presentation formats) encompassing almost all aspects of IPM, as well as plenary speakers talking about their experiences in building alliances. In addition, several IPM-related organizations are convening their meetings before or after the Symposium making this a full week of IPM in Indianapolis.
www.conted.uiuc.edu/ipm

10

Fruit, Vegetable, and Herb Dehydration Workshop, NYSAES, Geneva, NY
We are often looking for ways to extend the shelf life of our very perishable fruit and vegetable crops, and the use of dehydration (drying) can offer opportunities to small-scale producers. If you are interested in the drying of your produce for extended sales and new marketing opportunities, you will want to go the DEHYDRATION WORKSHOP at the Food Science Department at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva on April 10.

The workshop will teach you the principles of dehydration, sanitary concerns, packaging options, and a look at small-scale drying equipment. The workshop begins at 8:00 am and runs until 3:30 pm. Registration is $45, registration deadline is March 28. For information call Nancy at 315-787-2288 or John Roberts at 315-787-2496.
For a copy of the program you can contact our own Karen Meyers at 315-963-7286.

11

Grass-Fed Beef Production, Seneca Falls, NY
Informative evening to hear about an opportunity in the Northeast to finish cattle on grass and forages. Ridgway Shinn, Director of the New England Livestock Alliance will talk more about the mission of NELA and the direction they are moving to help producers in the NE. Gerald Fry will also talk about the selection of genetics for grass feeding. Contact Martha Wright, 585-394-3977 ext. 36, maw32@cornell.edu

9-11

Stray Voltage & Dairy Farms: A conference for farm advisors, educators, utilities, and public policy advisors, Camp Hill, PA
This conference is being coordinated by NRAES, the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service. Objectives of the conference are to:
· Provide an overview of the fundamentals of electricity, power distribution, and farm and home wiring systems
· Present research accomplished since the 1991 publication of Effects of Electrical Voltage/Current on Farm Animals: How to Detect and Remedy Problems, the most current USDA handbook on the topic
· Discuss on-farm and off-farm sources of stray voltage, the National Electric Code, measurement of stray voltage, data interpretation, and mitigation technology
· Define a multidisciplinary approach to determine whether problems attributed to stray voltage have another cause
· Summarize state and utility responses to stray voltage concerns and explore the need for improved standards
· Publish a conference proceedings that will be useful to educators, dairy advisors, utilities, and others involved in stray voltage issues.
Registration fee is $275 (by 3/25/03). To register contact NRAES, PO Box 4557, Ithaca, NY 14852-4557, 607-255-7654, or e-mail NRAES@cornell.edu
www.NRAES.org/conferences/voltage.html

12

Pastured Poultry Workshop, Clifton Park, NY (between Albany and Saratoga Springs)
Three Great Sessions on Pastured Poultry Production and Marketing!
Informal Lunch Discussion Roundtables! Diversifying Poultry Production with Ducks/Building Relationships with Chefs - Robert Rosenthal. With his wife Noella, Robert runs Stone Church Farm and The Duck Farm at Stone Church, located on 12 acres in Greene County. The Rosenthals enjoy a strong reputation among their chef clientele for high standards, flavorful poultry, and outstanding service. They raise 20 breeds of duck, including many heritage breeds, Gascon roosters, guinea fowl and other specialty poultry.

Turkey and Duck Production at Kingbird Farm - Michael Glos. Michael and Karma Glos run Kingbird Farm, a diversified organic vegetable, herb and livestock farm located in Berkshire, NY, southeast of Ithaca. They have mastered successful techniques for raising a wide variety of poultry types as well as beef and pork. Michael and Karma are widely sought after trainers and writers in the field.

NEPPA Pilots Local Pastured Broiler Hatchery- Ken Gies and Bill Beckman. NEPPA, with Ken Gies as the hatcher, and support from a SARE grant and Heifer Project International, is piloting the feasibility of a local hatchery featuring the Corndel Cross broiler developed by Tim Shell specifically for pastured production. A limited supply of locally bred Corndel chicks will be available this year as well as locally hatched traditional Cornish Cross chicks.

REGISTRATION FEE: $8.00 POT LUCK LUNCH

When registering, please advise whether you will bring:(a) morning coffee munchie,(b) lunch dish, or (c) dessert. BEVERAGES, PLATES AND SILVERWARE PROVIDED

To register, contact: Regional Farm & Food Project, 518-427-6537, farmfood@capital.net

DIRECTIONS: From Adirondack Northway (route 87) Exit 8 in Clifton Park, drive west on Vischer Ferry Rd. toward Vischer Ferry. The Fire Hall is approximately 3 miles from the exit in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry.

16

Growing American Ginseng in the Southern Tier, Van Etten, NY
Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension South Central New York Agriculture Team and the Empire State Ginseng Growers Association
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. at the Arnot Forest Lodge, on Jackson Hollow Road (Schuyler County Route 13); 1 mile north of NY Route 224 (Town of Cayuta). The workshop will teach individuals how to get started growing American ginseng on forested land. It will cover basic ginseng botany, economics of ginseng production, site selection, harvesting, marketing, and rules and regulations regarding wild ginseng in NY State. It will also introduce attendees to the Empire State Ginseng Growers Association (ESGGA). Aimed at landowners who are looking for alternative forest income opportunities as well as individuals who are interested in growing small quantities of ginseng for personal use, it will not discuss the medicinal effects of ginseng or ginseng products. Speakers are Bob Beyfuss, Cornell Cooperative Extension Ginseng Specialist and Jim Ochterski, Cornell Cooperative Extension Natural Resources Specialist. Workshop fee: $20 per person or family and includes new membership in the Empire State Ginseng Growers Association. Current ESGGA member fee for workshop is $5. Please bring your own lunch; locally-harvested fruit and cider provided. Space is limited, pre-registration required. Additional information available through Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension (607) 535-7161.

17

"Reconnecting People through Sustainable Food and Farming Systems", Oneontat, NY
The Sustainability Program at Hartwick College invites you to a public presentation by Dr. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, on Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. The talk, entitled "Reconnecting People through Sustainable Food and Farming Systems," will be in Eaton Lounge, Bresee Hall, on the Hartwick College campus in Oneontat, NY. The program is free and open to the community, and we hope you will plan on attending.

Dr. Ikerd has written extensively on how sustainable farming practices affect and are affected by industrialization, the environment, economics, and communities. Biographical information on John Ikerd is below.

Please feel free to contact me for further information by calling 607-431-4883 or emailing quinne@hartwick.edu

19

Fencing Basics for Livestock & Dairy Producers, Morrisville, NY
Examine permanent and temporary fencing systems, their installation and maintenance, fencers and other necessary hardware and equipment at Two Hearts Farm on Route 20. Call Madison County CCE for more information at 315-684-3001

21

PESTICIDE APPLICATION EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION & ADJUSTMENT: Yates County, NY
Andrew Landers, Cornell, 1 pm, Yates County. Place to be determined. Call Jud Reid at 315-536-5123 for details.

22

Pasture Poultry Production: The Next Step, Penn Yan, NY
Full day workshop for beginning and/or experienced poultry producers. Space is limited to 25. Pre-registration is required. Registration fee of $10 includes lunch and is due at time of pre-registration. Send registration to CCE-Yates, 114 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Contact Bill Henning at 315-536-5123 or Tro Bui at 607-255-4505 for more information.

25

Arbor Day
Plant a tree for the future!

25-26

Tools for Building Sustainable Rural Communities, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Contact Rural LISC for information at (202) 739-0883, or e-mail info@ruralisc.org

25-27

FARMEDIC Instructor Course, Ithaca, NY
Held at Cornell University this program includes the provider program therefore participants need not have taken the FARMEDIC course prior to this April program. The three-day program includes all the didactic and practical sessions of the FARMEDIC course, plus information about teaching the courses. The $450 dollar tuition includes all instructional materials, plus all breakfasts and lunches. More information, including registration forms, can be found on our website, or contact Ted Halpin, Extension Support Specialist at twh9@cornell.edu, 800-437-6010, 607-257-9700.
www.farmedic.com

26

Chain Saw Safety and Productivity, Candor, NY
Classroom training combined with woods training emphasizing saw preparation and maintenance, safety techniques and apparel, mechanics of tree falling, and much much more. Training is from 1:00 to 6:30 PM at Route 96 Power and Paddle. Hard hats are required, so bring your own as only limited numbers can be provided. $40 fee includes training and refreshments. Dress for the weather. Contact Jim Signs at 607-687-7697 for more information.

April 30 & May 1

Fencing & Watering Workshops
Cornell Cooperative Extension Presents: Rob DeClue, NYSGLCI, Area Grazing Lands Management Specialist

Fencing Topics:
* Material & Component Comparisons
* Construction Techniques & Tips
* Building Do's & Don'ts

Water Topics:
* Determining Livestock Needs
* Source Options, Site Requirements, and Limitations
* How to Use Water as a Management Tool

We will offer two different dates in two different locations for this workshop:
April 30th - 7-9 pm at the NYS Grange, Downstairs in Suite B-100 Grange Place, Cortland, NY
May 1st - 7-9 pm at the Tioga CCE Office Building, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County -Room 107-109, 56 Main St. Owego
If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, you MUST pre-register with Sharon VanDeuson, CCE Cortland County, at 607-753-5078 by April 28, 2003. No Fee.

April 29 - May 1

2003 Natural Resources Management Extension In-service (NRMEI), Ithaca, NY
This in-service will be held at the Arnot Forest near Ithaca. The program emphasizes managing natural resources for ecosystem services, and brings together a diverse and talented cadre of specialists to guide technical sessions and collaborative research. As before, NRMEI provides intensive field-based instruction on both technical content and educational programming ideas. Pricing options are available to allow single or multiple day participation. The agenda and registration form are available on the NRMEI web site below.
www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/nrmei

May 2003

2-3

Organic Beekeeping Workshop, Chestnut Ridge, NY
Practical advice and demonstration will give novices enough information to get started with their own hive, and encourage experienced beekeepers to adopt organic procedures. Contact The Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY (845) 352-5020, ext. 20; info@pfeiffercenter.org
www.pfeiffercenter.org

3

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Small Fruit Production:
Workshop 3 - Pest Management for Tree Fruits Workshop, Watkins Glen, NY
Interested in starting a small fruit u-pick operation on your land? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Three workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of small fruit production including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and other miscellaneous small fruits. Learn from the experts and get first-hand advice from local successful farmers!

This is the third workshop in the series titled, "Pest Management for Tree Fruits Workshop", and will cover pest management in tree fruit orchards. Managing all those pests can be a daunting task! Participants will learn pest management from the experts and identify pests on an orchard walk. A small fee of $10 will cover all handout materials and lunch.

Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

3, 10, 11

Game of Logging Chainsaw Safety Classes, Arnot Forest, Van Etten, NY
Game of Logging classes are held at Arnot Forest, Jackson Hollow Road (Schuyler County Route 13), 1 mile north of NY Route 224 in Van Etten, NY. Only 10 participants per class, so register early! Call (607) 535-7161 to register or for information.
Participants must bring their own lunch, chainsaw (if available), and all available safety equipment — helmet, ear/eye protection, boots, gloves, and chaps. This is an outdoor, all-weather, interactive class. Classes are taught by Bill Lindloff, Professional Logger.

Fee: $135 per person; discount for NYFOA members.

Co-hosted by: Southern Finger Lakes Chapter of the New York Forest Owners Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team

Game of Logging 1, Saturday, May 3, 2003, 8:00 A.M.—4:30 P.M.
For forest owners new to chainsaw use or the Game of Logging classes. Covers all basics, including sharpening, notching, proper tree felling, and working safely.

Game of Logging 2, Sunday, May 11, 2003, 8:00 A.M.—4:30 P.M.
For people who have completed Game of Logging 1. Intermediate-level, building on techniques from GoL 1.

Game of Logging 3, Saturday, May 10, 2003, 8:00 A.M.—4:30 P.M.
Advanced level class for people who have completed Game of Logging 2. Participants may enter regional and national competitions.

5-6

2003 Northeast Extension Land Use Workshop, State College, PA
The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development is hosting the "2003 Northeast Extension Land Use Workshop" on May 5-6, 2003, in State College, PA. At the multi-state hands-on workshop, extension faculty and staff working on land use issues will share program ideas, learn more about land use educational programming in other northeast states, identify common programming needs, and find ways to support each other and collaborate. The workshop will include small group work, discussion, a poster session, and resource sharing tables.

For more information contact the conference co-chairs, TIM KELSEY (tkelsey@psu.edu) and STEPHAN GOETZ (nercrd@psu.edu) or 814-863-4656 or visit the Web site at www.cas.nercrd.psu.edu/LUW.htm

8

Building and Maintaining a Pond, Arnot Forest Main Lodge, Van Etten, NY
If you are interested in improving an existing pond, or building a new pond, Cornell Cooperative Extension will host a workshop to offer pond maintenance information. Natural resource specialists from Cornell University will address pond construction, fish stocking, aquatic weed control, and wildlife management. This is a good opportunity for people who have wondered whether a pond will be a practical addition to their property. Pond information packets will be available to take home.
6:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Arnot Forest Main Lodge - On Jackson Creek Road (Schuyler CR 13) 1 mile north of NY Route 224 in Van Etten, NY
Pre-registration required by calling (607) 535-7161 or send your name, address, phone number, and number attending to schuyler@cornell.edu.
$5.00 per participant, payable at the door.
Questions and details available by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County at (607) 535-7161.

13

Small Farm Business Startup, Candor, NY
Are you thinking of starting a farm business? What steps do you need to take to get your small farm business going? The Small Farm Business Startup workshop is intended for people who are not sure what is involved with starting a small farm business. By taking this workshop, you will learn about:

* The types of business entities are suitable for your farm business
* The basic process of starting a sole proprietorship
* Whether or not you need and how to get NY sales tax authority
* Income and employee taxes
* Tax Filing and record keeping for farms
* Agricultural property tax assessment and agricultural districts
* Farm Insurance

Small Farm Business Startup will be held on Tuesday, May 13th, at the Candor Fire Hall from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Candor Fire Hall is located on Route 96B in the town of Candor, NY. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension and the South Central New York Agriculture Team. A small fee of $5 will cover refreshments and handouts. Please call 687-4020 for more information and to register.

14-16

Timber Cruising and GPS/GIS Application, Bethesda, MD
The Society of American Foresters is holding a seminar at Paul Smith's College, Paul Smiths, NY that will focus on the latest technologies and techniques in timber cruising. integrated GIS/GPS, and mapping solutions. The seminar is cosponsored by the Society of American Foresters, American Tree Farm System, Haglof, Inc. and LandMark Systems, Inc. Cost is $185 for members of SAF and the American Tree Farm System; $230 for nonmembers. Cost includes accommodations and meals. For information on the SAF Field Seminar Series, contact Terry Clark, SAF's science and education manager, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198; (301) 897-8720, ext. 123; fax (301) 897-3690; clarkt@safnet.org, or visit the SAP website at www.safnet.org/meetings/fsspmg.htm.

16

Sustaining New York Communities in Times of Financial Crisis: Tools and Best Practices, Syracuse, NY
Full details available at www.cardi.cornell.edu/events/03STOC/index.cfm

21-22

Financial Decision Making In Forestry Made Easy, Syracuse, NY
Sponsored by ESF Faculty of Forest and Natural Resources Management and SUNY - ESF Outreach. This program is intended for foresters, loggers and landowners. Instructors are: John Wagner, Rene Germain, Eddie Bevilacqua, Faculty of Forest & Natural Resources Management, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. Questions contact: ESF Outreach at 315/470-6817. To register contact: Kathy Cole, ESF Outreach, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, 219 Bray Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210-2784, Fax: 315/470-6890. Deadline: May 7, 2003

May 15 - June 11

Regional Farm-to-school Meetings, NY
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has organized six regional meetings throughout the State to help further advance the States Farm-to-School efforts. The intent of these meetings is to strengthen the link between New York farmers and food distributors and school food service directors, who are prioritizing the purchase of New York produced foods in school menus.

State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers said, Since Governor Pataki signed the Farm-to-School law last year, New York has been able to develop a stronger working relationship between farmers and school food service directors. These meetings will further advance that partnership, leading to greater New York food sales and healthier school children.

The meetings will involve school food service directors, local farmers and food producers, processors and distributors, as well as State representatives, all of whom will share their experiences and challenges, while discussing ways to get more New York State products into school cafeterias and on school menus. The six meetings will be held in the following regions:
* May 15 Central New York Jamesville/Dewitt
* May 28 Capital District Cohoes
* May 29 Finger Lakes Geneva
* June 3 Long Island South Huntington
* June 4 New York City
* June 11 Western New York Depew

Betsey Bacelli, Food Service Director for the Owego Apalachin Central School District, and a statewide leader in Farm-to-School efforts explains, "We have worked diligently to improve the menus at our schools around the State by including more New York produced food items. Once the farm to school connection in made, children eat better and healthier, farmers make more of the food dollars we spend, and an important education link is established, which teaches children who grows their food."

Tim Martens, partner of Martens Companies, a family business of growers, packers, processors and shippers of quality potato products based out of Port Byron, New York, said, "The Department of Agriculture and Markets helped convene a meeting with Betsey and other food service directors to talk about sourcing potato products, and since that meeting, we have worked together with the directors who have developed and tested menu items from potatoes we have provided. The children seem to like what they are tasting and we are very interested in providing quality New York potato products to New York schools."

In addition to these six regional meetings, the New York State Farm-to-School Coordinating Committee will meet on June 6 in Auburn to share information about statewide Farm-to-School efforts, such as the upcoming New York Harvest for New York Kids Week, scheduled for September 27 through October 5, 2003.

To find out more about the regional meetings, contact Glenda Neff at 315-255-6958; or to inquire about the State's Farm-to-School efforts, contact Bill Jordan at 518-457-0752.

June 2003

June is "Dairy Month"
1st week of June is Milk Week: If you normally purchase 2 quarts of milk a week-purchase 3; if you normally purchase 4 gallons a week-purchase 5 gallons.
2nd week of June is Butter Week: Purchase an additional pound of butter.
3rd week of June is Cheese Week: Purchase an extra pound of your favorite cheese.
4th week is Treat Week: Buy the dairy product you like, but seldom purchase.
Farmers have no say in the price of their milk. The milk is shipped out to the manufacturer with the dairyman paying the shipping. A month later, the dairyman is paid for his milk. The price farmers receive for their milk is the same as it was in the 1970's, but with 2003 costs.
To help the dairy farmer, we need to move as many dairy products from store shelves and warehouses as possible. Be sure the product you buy is American made, not imported. If the people of the U.S. don't support the American dairyman, then in time, America will depend on foreign countries for their food. Just as we support our troops during their time in Iraq, now is the time to support and help the American Farmer.

5

Small Grains Management Field Day, Aurora, NY
This will be an informal meeting of persons involved in small grains production/processing/extension in New York State. All interested persons are welcome to attend. The focus of the meeting will be to view and discuss winter wheat management research in progress at the Musgrave Research Farm and its effect on future recommendations. There will be recertification credits for commercial pesticide applicators and certified crop advisors. From 9:30 am to noon at the Musgrave Research Farm (Cornell University), Poplar Ridge Road, contact: Nancy Bell (607) 255-3284 or nch5@cornell.edu

6-7

3rd Annual Sustainable Hog Farming Summit, Gettysburg, PA
This year's event will feature a forum on sustainable solutions - both on the farm and in the marketplace - as well as panels focusing on various social, environmental, and community concerns arising from industrial livestock production. The 2003 Hog Summit is co-sponsored by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, PennFuture, White Dog Cafe Foundation, Animal Welfare Institute and GRACE.
More information is available on our website at: www.waterkeeper.org/mainarticledetails.aspx?articleid=115

7

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Small Fruit Production:
Workshop 2 - Strawberry Harvest and Marketing Small Fruits, Ithaca, NY
Interested in starting a small fruit u-pick operation on your land? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Three workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of small fruit production including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and other miscellaneous small fruits. Learn from the experts and get first-hand advice from local successful farmers!

This is the second workshop in the series titled, "Strawberry Harvest and Marketing Small Fruits". Participants will take a tour of Cornell Orchards to see different small fruit plantings, variety selections, and management techniques during strawberry harvest. Lecture topics will include strawberry pest management, marketing small fruits, and the production of value added products. Finally, participants will tour a local area strawberry producer to explore strawberry production, harvest, and marketing first hand. A small fee of $10 will cover all handout materials and lunch.

Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

13-14

Timber 2003, Harrisburg, PA
The Hardwood Lumber Manufacturers Association of Pennsylvania (HLMA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture invite you to attend Timber 2003, the Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition. It is being held in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg June 13 - 14, 2003. Information on the exibitors and seminars will be posted on their website in the near future at www.hlma.org/timber2003

14

Amphibians and Reptiles 101 - Introduction to NY Amphibians and Reptiles, Arnot Forest, NY
How many salamanders live in an acre of forest? What is the difference between an amphibian and a reptile? Which salamander lives on land for up to seven years or more before becoming a water animal? Wildlife enthusiasts, families, teachers, and others are invited to discover the answers to these questions during a course about amphibians and reptiles at Cornell University’s Arnot Forest. Learn about the unique life cycles of these animals and the habitats they need to survive, and explore the important roles they play in the ecosystem. This event has a classroom session as well as hands-on interactions with a variety of incredible animals outdoors!

On-line: www.dnr.cornell.edu/arnot/acep

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM, Pre-registration required by calling (607) 255-5508, $15 per person

Arnot Forest - On Jackson Creek Road (Schuyler CR 13) 1 mile north of NY Route 224 between Cayuta and Van Etten, NY

For More Information:
Kristi Sullivan, Cornell Dept. of Natural Resources, 109 Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, (607) 273-0428 Fax-2815, kls20@cornell.edu
or
Jim Ochterski, Cornell Cooperative Extension South Central New York Agriculture Team, 208 Broadway, Montour Falls, NY 14865, (607) 535-7161; Fax -6270, jao14@cornell.edu

Sponsored by:
Cornell University Department of Natural Resources
Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team

17

Cornell Turf Grass Field Day, Ithaca, NY
For more information, cantact Joann Gruttadaurio at 607-255-1792 or e-mail jg17@cornell.edu

18

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR RUMINANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS
DR. PAUL DETLOFF, DVM
Wednesday June 18 10 AM - 3 PM
Ramada Inn, Ithaca (N.Triphammer Rd., near Ithaca Airport)

Co-sponsored by Lakeview Organic Grain and CROPP

Noted natural veterinarian, Dr. Paul Detloff of Arcadia, Wisconsin, will discuss a broad scope of alternative veterinary medicine, focusing on dairy cattle, beef, goats and sheep.

Dr. Detloff will discuss the many tools available to farmers seeking a more natural form of medicine, including tinctures, homeopathic remedies, aloe vera, botanicals, and more. Moreover, he will explain why true sustainable treatment involves more than simply chasing and treating symptoms . Indeed, effective treatment should enhance and support animal HEALTH, not simply treat animal sickness . Dr. Detloff will discuss the core of preventative medicine, which includes soil, crop and animal management and diet, and he will arm attendees with specific tools and techniques to try on their own farms.

Raised on a small diversified farm in southern Minnesota, Dr. Paul Detloff graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in veterinary medicine in 1967. Since then, he has worked in solo and multiple veterinarian practices, focusing primarily on dairy animals. In 1982, he returned to solo ruminant practice in Arcadia, WI where he currently practices. Dr. Detloff has specialized in biological/alternative care of livestock since the mid-1990¹s. Dr. Detloff also conducts periodic hands-on workshops in Wisconsin to intensively train farmers and others working with sustainable and organic farmers in natural ways to handle common animal health problems.

Dr. Detloff also operates ŒDr. Paul¹s Lab¹, producing tinctures and other products that he, through his long experience, has developed for effective treatment of many health conditions.

With Dan and Jan Leiterman, Dr. Detloff founded of Crystal Creek, a firm that provides natural organically- approved animal health supplements and he is strongly involved in the development of Crystal Creek products.

Here is your chance to discuss your animal health concerns with a real expert!

THIS WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO ALL, but we request that you register in advance by Monday, June 9, 2003! Lakeview Organic Grain will pay for lunch and registration for all our current feed customers (those who purchased feed from Lakeview within the past 3 months) CROPP will be pay for lunch and registration for all CROPP producers. All other are requested to pay $13 in advance to cover lunch and registration materials. PLEASE CALL OR MAIL IN REGISTRATION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION contact: Mary-Howell Martens, Lakeview Organic Grain at 315-531-1038 or Sally Brown at 607- 898-4401. Lakeview Organic Grain sells Crystal Creek products in New York, and most of the products in the Crystal Creek catalog are available at our feed mill in Penn Yan, NY or from our dealers at or below catalog prices. Although many New York organic dairy farmers are very pleased by the performance of these products, Lakeview and CROPP take no responsibility for the efficacy, safety or organic certification of these products.
*** Always, obtain your certifier¹s approval before using any inputs ***

19-20

Entrepreneurship, and Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Instructor Certification in-service, State College, PA
Penn State Cooperative Extension is completing the second year of utilizing entrepreneurship educational curriculum that was developed by NxLeveL™, the University of Colorado, and the University of Nebraska. Program participants state " . . this class offers a concise, affordable tool which enables a new or existing business to develop a business plan or strengthen its operations . ."

NxLeveL™ is designed to do just that—help entrepreneurs learn the skills needed to create, develop and strengthen successful business ventures. Unlike other education programs, NxLeveL™ addresses the special needs of the entrepreneur by providing a practical, hands-on, common sense approach to developing their small business—whether just starting out or ready to grow. Learning from what people like about entrepreneurial training courses, NxLeveL™ incorporates the following:

• Experienced business educators, with prominent business leaders as guest speakers for each teaching module
• Networking and learning opportunities with local business leaders and participants
• Comprehensive textbooks, workbooks, and resource guides
• Learning environment to practice creative problem solving

By combining education, and networking, NxLeveL™ helps entrepreneurs reach their next level of success. NxLeveL™’s goal was to produce the best, most comprehensive, practical-based business training courses available, but at an affordable price.
For some insight into this curriculum - www.NxLevel.org Questions should be directed to the Pennsylvania state coordinator at 610-391-9840, or jwb15@psu.edu

20

Transitioning to Organic Vegetable Production in South Jersey, Muth Farm, Williamstown, NJ
NEON FIELD DAYS - 2003

Co-sponsored with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ), The Rodale Institute and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County, this field day will include a tour by Bob and Leda Muth of their 27-acre farm, one-third of which is now certified organic. They will describe how they have adjusted their marketing, equipment, and soil management strategies as they have made the transition from conventional to organic vegetable production. Other speakers include Dr. Anu Rangarajan of Cornell University's Department of Horticulture on "Ramping Up Research and Education in Organic Agriculture," Gloucester County Extension Agent Michelle Infante-Casella on "Cover Crops and Crop Rotations," Erich Bremer of NOFA-NJ on "Complying with the National Organic Program," and David Wilson and Matt Ryan of The Rodale Institute on "Research Results from the Farming Systems Trials" and "Using Compost Teas." Lunch will be available. Registration for this event is requested by June 16th. Call 609-737-6848.

25

2003 NYS Farmers' Direct Marketing Association Summer Bus Tour to Hudson Valley Farm Markets
June 25, pre-tour BBQ-June 24 at Hurd Family Homestead in Clintondale NY. Bus Tour leaves Wed. 9 AM, June 25 from Walkill View Farm in New Paltz, Peter and Carol Ferrante are the owners. Tour departs at 10 AM for the following stops: Hodgson Farm and Garden Center, Montgomery; Twin Ponds Greenhouse and Landscaping, Montgomery; Harness Racing Museum in Goshen-lunch stop; Bellvale Farm dairy (only 50 miles from NYC); Scheuermann Farm & Greenhouses, Pine Island; Warwick Valley Winery--and back to Walkill View Farm. For more details on what you will see at each stop and to register contact Diane Eggert, NYS Farm Direct Marketing Assoc. at 315-475-1101 or email diane99@dreamscape.com or visit www.nysfdma.com for further info. This is a great opportunity to break away and get new ideas for increasing the potential of your roadside market operation and network with other farm marketers from around the state.

28

PASTURED POULTRY PRODUCTION - The Next Step, Cortland, NY
The next step takes us beyond an introduction to pastured poultry and all its benefits. However, if you are new to pastured poultry, you can still learn a lot from this workshop.
If you have already experienced pastured poultry production, you have, no doubt, run into some questions to which you still don't have answers. While we don't claim to have all of the answers, perhaps you can find some answers that you are still looking for. You may also find some answers to questions you don't yet have. If that is the case, you will avoid the question all together.
Nature's Way Farm, 1186 Bennie Road, Cortland, NY, 8:30am to 2:50pm
Pre-registration required and space is limited to 25 participants, so register early! Registration of $10 includes lunch.

Make checks payable to: Cornell Cooperative Extension
Mail to: Attn: Sharon VanDeuson, Cornell Cooperative Extension,
Cortland County, 60 Central Ave., Cortland, NY 13045.

30

Connecting Local Organic Farms to Institutions and Wholesale Markets., Upper Forty Farm, Cromwell, CT
NEON FIELD DAYS - 2003

Farmer Kathy Caruso will give a tour of Upper Forty Farm, a NEON focal farm specializing in heirloom vegetable varieties. Tony Norris of Urban Oaks, a grower and distributor of organic produce, will talk about what it takes to get food from small organic farms to chefs and groceries across the state. A panel will discuss their efforts to meet the increasing demand for local organic food in universities and other institutions and in wholesale markets across the region. Lunch will be available. Reservations are required - call 203-974-8473.

30

Ag Marketing Telephone Seminar To Focus On Profits
Jane Eckert, expert direct farm marketer, will teach the top 10 tips for success in her inaugural telephone seminar (teleseminar), "Increase Profits During Your Fall Season," on June 30 from 8-9 pm. Participants can be in their own home, on the telephone, directly connected to the live seminar. They can speak directly to Jane during the hour-long presentation and hear the questions and comments from everyone participating. Teleseminars are offered at $39.95, to register for this or future seminars or get more information, call 314/862-6288 or visit the website below.
www.eckertagrimarketing.com

July 2003

8

2003 Cornell Seedgrowers Field Day, Ithaca, NY
Located at the NYSIP Foundation Seed Barn from 9-noon. Topics covered will include:
- Update on foundation & cerfified seed
- Wheat varieties that provide disease resistance and yield
- Spring grains
- Disease situation on NY crops
- Forage breeding progress
DEC and CCA CEU credits will be available. Contact Margaret Smith 607-255-1654, mes25@cornell.edu

9

An Organic Success Story, Spiral Path Farm, Loysville, PA
NEON FIELD DAYS - 2003

NOFA-NJ and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). Spiral Path is part of the NEON Focal Farm Study. Farmers Mike and Terra Brownback will give a tour of their 60 acres in vegetables , while NEON researchers Anu Rangarajan, David Conner, Chuck Mohler, and Brian Caldwell will summarize NEON findings with regard to farm budgeting, crop rotations, and pest management. Lunch will be available. Attendees should register with the NOFA-NJ office (609) 737-6848 by July 2nd.

9

Cornell Potato Field Day, Thompson Vegetable Research Farm, Freeville, NY
Learn more about breeding, variety trials, pest management, IPM Elements, and the Northeast Weather Assoc. The June issue of Veg Notes has details. Contact Don Halseth at 607-255-5460 or deh3@cornell.edu.

July 10 - October 4

Regional Farm & Food Project's 8th Annual Farm Tour Series (Summer 2003)
All farm tours are free thanks to the generosity of the farmer hosts. Contact RFFP at 518/4271-0744 or farmfood@capital.net to reserve your place. (Reservations are always appreciated, but not required.)
Click here for farm tour schedule (DOC)

12

Saturday Woods Walk, Alpine, NY (southeast of Odessa, NY)
9:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Join local forest owners and consulting forester Dave Tetz for a walk through two forests in Schuyler County. See how a 14-acre forest looks after a sustainable timber harvest. We will also look at a forest that is being managed according to New York's Forest Tax Law (480-a). Gain an understanding of how your woodlot options are affected while easing forested property taxes. The walk will cover about a quarter mile at the first site, and a half-mile at the second site. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and woodland insects. Meet at Alpine Forestry, 5510 County Route 14, Alpine, NY. Bring a lunch . . . light refreshments available.

Please pre-register and get directions by calling NYFOA member Ernie Von Borstel at (607) 589-4372. Woods walk sponsored by the Southern Finger Lakes Chapter - New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team.

13-17

2003 NACAA Conference (National Association of County Agricultural Agents), Green Bay, WI
Hosted by the Wisconsin Assoc. of County Ag Agents along with the University of Wisconsin - Extension, the conference will be both educational and interesting. For details visit the website below.
www.uwex.edu/ces/nacaa2003/

15

Weed Science Field Day, Musgrave Farm, Aurora, NY
Dr. Russ Hahn, Extension Weed Scientist and Dept. of Crops & Soil Science.

16

Vegetable Weed Science Field Day, Thompson Vegetable Research Farm, Freeville, NY
Call Sue at 607-255-7889 by July 8th to register.

17-19

NY Summer Maple Tour, Mohawk Valley, NY
This two-and-a-half day event will highlight eight local maple producers and will showcase techniques and trends for the maple industry. Just a few of the many segments are listed below.
· An industry trade show
· A tour of the Vernon-Verona Sherrill FFA maple retail outlet and processing facility
· Guided tour in the sugarbush featuring a live demonstration of a state-of-the-art tubing and vacuum sap collection system
· Visits to area maple operations/retailers/saphouses
Pre-registration is required by June 20th. Contact Keith Schiebel 315/829-2520 ext. 262, or e-mail kschiebel@vvs-csd-high.moric.org.

18

Getting to the Bottom of Fresh Cow Problems:
The Interaction of Feeding, Housing, and Management, Ithaca, NY
This workshop will review management principles for transition cows to get at the root causes of fresh cow problems. It will look at both the physical facility and management strategies to address Transition Cow Management. The important role of records for troubleshooting will be discussed.
Contact Janice Degni at 607-753-5215 for details and to pre-register
Fresh Cow Problems Flier

19-20

Finger Lakes Wine Festival, Watkins Glen
Featuring Finger Lakes Wines and cooking demonstrations by Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty Chefs cooking up some seasonal local foods. Enjoy the flavors of the Finger Lakes.

20-23

Community Development Society 2003, Ithaca, NY
CDS 2003...Early Registration deadline March 31...register now to get the best price! Major credit cards accepted over a secure connection. Contact Joan Lewis for details, jl154@cornell.edu.

21

Apple Cider Workshop, Geneva, NY
Apple cider producers, operators, and owners, food manufacturers, small-scale food processors and farmer who are interested in improving the safety and quality of cider production should attend this workshop. This training session will cover the latest information available on methods proven and/or approved for the production of dicer. It will also address the FDA juice regulations and their impact on the cider industry. The demonstration session is intended to provide an understanding of the critical control points in pathogen reduction as well as proper mechanisms to continuously monitor and control the entire operation. In addition, current approaches regarding sanitation methods will be covered.
Cost: $65.00/person
Deadline to Register is July 10, 2003
Contact: Sarah J. Lincoln @ 315.787.2274 or sjl38@nysaes.cornell.edu

24

FLY WORKSHOPS: Problems & Solutions on Pasture, Groton, NY
Spend some time with two of Cornell's Fly Guy's:
J. Keith Waldron has statewide responsibilities for coordinating livestock and field crop IPM extension efforts for Cornell's New York State Integrated Pest Management Program. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a system which utilizes all suitable pest control techniques and methods to keep pest populations below economically injurious levels in a way that optimizes net profits and minimizes impact on the environment. www.nysipm.cornell.edu/lfc/

Dr. Phil Kaufman is a veterinary entomologist in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University. The veterinary entomology program provides leadership in research and extension for New York's livestock and poultry stakeholders. More information on the program and extension materials are available at www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/Vet/index.html

Who are the culprits and what can you do about them? In this workshop you will:
- Learn to correctly identify the most important fly pest problems affecting animals on pasture in NY.
- Learn techniques to determine if fly populations are at numbers that can cause economic injury.
- Learn the options available for controlling fly pests affecting animals on pasture including the latest on natural control measures, use of effective fly catching traps suitable for use on pasture.
- Learn what you should know about making insecticide use decisions regarding pests on your animals
- Become familiar with resources available to help you with your fly management questions...

Bring your selves, your observations and your fly management questions to this pasture-oriented meeting.
Weather permitting we will visit the field - dress appropriately! NYS-DEC Pesticide Recertification Credits for Categories 1b, 10 & 21 (2 Credits each)

Where:
Simme Valley Ranch
Ken & Jeanne White
6493 Stauber Road, Groton, NY 13073
(Ken and Jeanne have a Pruebred Simmental cow herd)

When:
July 24, 2003
Twilight Walk
6:30 to 8:30pm

For more information, directions, and to pre-register contact Sharon VanDeuson at CCE-Cortland County at 607-753-5078.

29

Dairy Pasture Walks
10:30 AM Rob & Darlene Holland’s Farm, 178 Barren Rd. Candor
12:45 PM Lunch at, Kirby Park, Nichols ($5 or bring your own)
1:15 PM Kevin & Lisa Englbert’s Farm, Sunnyside Rd., Nichols

These are two successful dairy farms, which use different management philosophies. We will tour their farms and ask questions of Rob and Kevin and get an understanding of how two different approaches can end up in right directions.

Contact: Sharon Van Deuson at Cornell Cooperative Ext-Cortland County-60 Central Ave-Cortland NY at 753 5078 for more information.

These Pasture walks are sponsored by Graze NY a partnership with Congressman James Walsh, NRCS and local Ag. Agencies.

30

Storage Workshop 2003, Ithaca, NY
Get up to date information on MCP, DPA, Honeycrisp apples, Disease Control, and Apple Quality. For more information contact Maxine Welcome, Dept. of Horticulture, Cornell University at 607-255-5439.

30

Diversified Farming: HOW TO GROW SUCCESS On a Pasture Based System, Berkshire, NY
TOPICS:
- Fencing and shelter for different species of livestock
- Rotating multi species of livestock on shared pasture
- Planning grazing needs to coincide with marketing

Where:
Michael & Karma Glos
9398 W. Creek Road
Berkshire, NY

When:
July 30, 2003-Twilight Walk 6 to 9pm

For more information and to pre-register contact Sharon VanDeuson at CCE-Cortland County at 607-753-5078.

31

FLY WORKSHOPS: Problems & Solutions on Pasture, Owego, NY
Spend some time with two of Cornell's Fly Guy's:
J. Keith Waldron has statewide responsibilities for coordinating livestock and field crop IPM extension efforts for Cornell's New York State Integrated Pest Management Program. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a system which utilizes all suitable pest control techniques and methods to keep pest populations below economically injurious levels in a way that optimizes net profits and minimizes impact on the environment. www.nysipm.cornell.edu/lfc/

Dr. Phil Kaufman is a veterinary entomologist in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University. The veterinary entomology program provides leadership in research and extension for New York's livestock and poultry stakeholders. More information on the program and extension materials are available at www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/Vet/index.html

Who are the culprits and what can you do about them? In this workshop you will:
- Learn to correctly identify the most important fly pest problems affecting animals on pasture in NY.
- Learn techniques to determine if fly populations are at numbers that can cause economic injury.
- Learn the options available for controlling fly pests affecting animals on pasture including the latest on natural control measures, use of effective fly catching traps suitable for use on pasture.
- Learn what you should know about making insecticide use decisions regarding pests on your animals
- Become familiar with resources available to help you with your fly management questions...

Bring your selves, your observations and your fly management questions to this pasture-oriented meeting.
Weather permitting we will visit the field - dress appropriately! NYS-DEC Pesticide Recertification Credits for Categories 1b, 10 & 21 (2 Credits each)

Where:
Ron Bell
41 Powell Road, Owego, NY 13827
(Ron has a Purebred Angus and commercial Angus cross herd)

When:
July 31, 2003
Twilight Walk
6:30 to 8:30pm

For more information, directions, and to pre-register contact Sharon VanDeuson at CCE-Cortland County at 607-753-5078.

August 2003

2

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Small Fruit Production:
Workshop 3 - Blueberry and Bramble Harvest, Ithaca, NY
Interested in starting a small fruit u-pick operation on your land? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Three workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of small fruit production including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and other miscellaneous small fruits. Learn from the experts and get first-hand advice from local successful farmers!

This is the third workshop in the series titled, "Blueberry and Bramble Harvest". Participants will take a tour of Cornell Orchards to see different small fruit plantings, variety selections, and management techniques during blueberry and raspberry harvest. Lecture topics will include blueberry and raspberry pest management, and an introduction of several miscellaneous, or novelty, small fruits. Finally, participants will tour a local area blueberry and raspberry producer to explore production, harvest, and marketing first hand. A small fee of $10 will cover all handout materials and lunch.

Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

5-7

Empire Farm Days, Seneca Falls, NY
Rodman Lott & Son Farms, Seneca Falls. Contact Melanie Wickham at 877-697-7837 or visit www.empirefarmdays.com.

6

Beef Producers Summer Social, Fleur de Lis Farms, Seneca Falls, NY
Leo MeDonnell, Jr, founder of R-Calf USA (Ranchers- Cattlemens Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America) will be the guest speaker. Call Robert Groom at 315-946-8204 or 315-573-2569 with questions.

7

Twilight Meeting on Vine Crops and Sweet Corn, Stanton Farm,
Professor Tom Zitter will focus on disease problems. If you have a specific disease problem, bring plant samples for disease ID. Call Rosalie at 518-462-2553 for more information.

7

Workshop on Spider Mites, Ithaca, NY
Presented by Dr. John Sanderson, Cornell University, 8:45 am to noon, B146 Comstock Hall. Recertification credits pending for categories 1A, 3A, 10 & 24. Pre-register with Aimee Roberts abr6@cornell.edu or 255-6978 by July 28th.

7-10

NOFA 29th Summer Conference, Amherst, MA
For more information or to obtain fliers contact NOFA Summer Conference, 411 Sheldon Road, Barre, MA 01005, 978-355-2853, nofa@nofamass.org
www.nofamass.org

9

SHEEP PASTURE WALKS: Sheep Management Perspectives from New-Comers to Veterans
12:15 pm to 3:30 pm
Richard Ehrhards Farm, 66 Hilltop Road, Ithaca, NY
Tim Willsallan Farm, 603 Hayts Road, Ithaca, NY

Topics to be discussed at Ehrhards Farm are: Health Concerns for Starting up a New Flock, Beginning Phases of Fencing-New Fencing, Flexibility in Pasture Fencing / Management-Getting the Most Out of His Land Resources.

Topics to be discussed at Willsallan’s Farm are: Herding & Working sheep Techniques, Use of Dairy Heifers to Help Manage Spring Growth of Grass, Pasture Management, and Innovative Approaches to Year Round Pasture.

These pasture walks are Co-Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, SCNY Area Ag Team & SARE.

For more information, directions, and to pre-register contact Sharon VanDeuson at CCE-Cortland County at 607-753-5078.

9

Western New York Garlic Harvest Festival. Pontillo’s Pizzeria Restaurant, Batavia, New York
Admission is free. 11:00AM to 5:00PM. Pontillo’s will have available a number of garlic flavored dishes for your dining pleasure. This year’s activities will feature two cooking demonstrations: 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There will also be two talks on growing garlic: 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Live music throughout the day. Five area growers will have seed garlic, braids, tied bundles, gift items, free information and lots of tasty eating garlic for sale. Learn directly from these farmers how to grow, harvest and preserve garlic. Herbly Wonderful, a local herb farm will have plenty of fresh herbs and flowers on hand. Fox Run Vineyards from Penn Yan, will be selling their different wines and providing wine tastings. Bring the whole family and enjoy the harvest celebration! For more information call any of the following gorlic farms: Fraser’s (585) 494-2679, Mele’s 638-8591, Piedmonte’s 638-6461, Spamer’s 637-6275, Skoog’s 637-6586 or Pontillo’s 343-3303 and 768-6660.

11-14

Dairy Nutrition 2003, Miner Institute, Chazy, NY.
For questions on course content contact Dr. Tom Overton, Cornell University, 607-255-2878. To register contact Robin Huizinga, Cornell University, 607-255-4478.

12

BEEF CATTLE TWILIGHT MEETINGS - Preconditioning, Cornell beef Teaching and Research Center
Agenda topics to include:
Vaccination strategies - why, what, who, when and where?
Beef Quality Assurance highlights
Demonstration of health management procedures
"Animal Health toolbox" essentials
For more information contact Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at mjb28@cornell.edu, 607-255-5923 or Heather Birdsall, Senior Extension Resource Educator at hhb6@cornell.edu, 607-753-5222.

12

2nd Organic Field Crops Field Day, Geneva, NY
NEON FIELD DAYS - 2003

New York Certified Organic (NYCO) and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY). 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Meet at Jordan Hall at the Geneva Experiment Station in Geneva, NY where regional organic field crop farmers and researchers will share their expertise in roundtable discussions, presentations, and bus tour demonstrations at select farm fields in Seneca and Yates counties. Outstanding organic crop and livestock farmer, Tom Frantzen, from Alta Vista, Iowa is guest speaker. Weed management, soil health, organic grain markets and the beneficial connections between livestock and crop production will be the primary topics of this field day. Lunch will be available. Fee is $25 per person; $15 for additional participants from the same farm. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact Maxine Welcome at 607-255-5439 for details.

16

Cornell Floriculture Open House and Field Day, Ithaca, NY
Floricutlure program members at Cornell University will highlight recent research and education projects. For more inflormation, contact Angelica Hammer at 607-255-4568, or by visiting:
www.hort.cornell.edu/department/news_events/floriday.html

16

6th Annual Tompkins County Farm City Day, Jerry Dell Farm in Dryden, New York
Farm City Day offers the public an opportunity learn about agriculture today by visiting a working farm. Over 40 different hands-on, interactive exhibits and displays provide a wide range of activities for the day. Highlights include the guided farm tour wagon rides, farm animals, milk mustaches with the Dairy Princess, organic production, the Border Collie and sheep exhibition and a huge Silent Auction featuring local goods and services to benefit the Ag in the Classroom program. The Sherman family looks forward to welcoming visitors to their 300 cow certified organic dairy farm for the event.

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., near the intersection of Simms Hill Road and Gee Hill Road, just off Route 13 between Cortland and Dryden

Sponsored by the Tompkins County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and area agricultural businesses and organizations.

For more information call Tompkins County CCE at 607-272-2292, or see web site:
www.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/farmcityday

16

Growing American Ginseng in the Southern Tier, Arnot Forest Lodge
This workshop will teach individuals how to get started growing American ginseng on forested land. The workshop will cover basic ginseng botany, economics of ginseng production, site selection, harvesting, marketing, and rules and regulations regarding American ginseng in NY State. It will also introduce you to the Empire State Ginseng Growers Association (ESGGA). It is aimed at farmers and other landowners who are looking for alternative forest income opportunities as well as individuals who are interested in growing small quantities of ginseng for personal use. This seminar will not discuss the medicinal effects of ginseng or ginseng products.

9:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M., Arnot Forest Lodge, On Jackson Hollow Road (Schuyler County Route 13) 1 mile north of NY Route 224 between Cayuta and Van Etten, NY

Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Cornell Cooperative Extension Ginseng Specialist

Space is limited and the workshop will be filled on a first-in basis.

Workshop fee: $15 per participant, special discount for current ESGGA members.

Lunch: Please bring your own lunch; locally-harvested fruit and juice provided.

Pre-registration required by calling Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension (607) 535-7161. E-mail registration: Send name, postal address, telephone, and number attending to schuyler@cornell.edu.

19

Processing Sweet Corn & Snap Bean Field Day, NYS Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY
Registration at 12:30 pm. Plot tours start at 1 pm.

19

Vegetable Ag-business Picnic, Jordan Hall Pavilion, NYS Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva
Social hour from 5 – 6 pm with the steak roast at 6 pm.

19

2003 Northeast Buckwheat Field Day, Batavia, NY
Demonstrations are planned for comparing some older and new varieties, the effect of seeding depth, and the role of buckwheat is a tilth improvement plan.

The field day will be in the west this year to provide an opportunity for growers from western Pennsylvania, Ontario, and the Lake Erie growing area to take advantage of this experience. The area from Batavia to Lockport was a major buckwheat production area in the 1970s and '80s.

The field day will be held at the New York Crop Research Facility, a grower-owned research station that has close ties to Cornell vegetable researchers. It is located just east of the Batavia airport, north of the Thruway. The facility is managed, as of this year, by ACDS Research. The buckwheat field day was hosted by them in 2000 and 2001 at their buckwheat trials in Waterloo.

Aug. 21 - Sept 1

The Great New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY

22-23

NODPA’s 3rd Annual Field Days and Producer Meeting, Bull Ridge Farm in Albion, Maine
Producer Annual Meeting: Aug 22nd, from 6-9 PM
Field Days: August 23rd, 2003 from 9 AM 4 PM

The Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) will be holding its 3rd annual field days event and producer meeting in central Maine this year. Henry Perkins and Herietta Beaufait, organic dairy producers, will be hosting the event at their Farm in Albion on Friday & Saturday, August 22nd & 23rd.

All Northeast organic milk producers are invited and encouraged to attend the Annual Producer Meeting August 22nd. By-laws will be approved, nominations made for officers, and other business matters will be discussed. The meeting will be followed by a lobster fest. Pre-registration for the annual meeting is required.

The Field Day on August 23rd is open to producers, resource people and other interested parties. The day will start with opening remarks by one or more of NODPA’s farmer representatives covering NODPA’s year in review and thoughts for future directions. The day’s first educational session will be led by Anne Lazor and Henrietta Beaufait. Discussion will focus on methods of dry off and reproductive problems. Anne is co-owner of Butterworks Farm organic dairy and has extensive knowledge and experience in alternative treatments for dairy animals including homeopathy, herbs and nutritional supplements. Henrietta is a naturopathic veterinarian in Maine, focusing on homeopathy and works with Henry on overall herd health and management.

Jerry Brunetti will follow this session with information pertaining to soil quality. Jerry is managing director of Agri-Dynamics, a 22 year old firm that specializes in the formulation and production of products for farm and livestock as well as pests. He consults on wide-ranging topics and contends that there are curiously similar dynamics at work though nature and across breeds. Jerry works with such materials as seaweeds, herbs, enzymes, probiotics, vitamins, chelated minerals, "rare-earth" minerals and more.

Lunch will be local, organic fare with plenty of time to discuss the morning sessions. This will be an opportunity for farmers to network with farmers from other states and discuss local and regional problems and opportunities. There will also be a tradeshow with approved products for animal health care, fencing supplies, and other milking and farm equipment. This midday break will be an opportunity to meet and network with local and non-local producers, learn about resources and resource people in the organic dairy industry, provide feedback on NODPA’s direction, and enjoy local, organic food.

The afternoon session will focus on alternative forage systems. Jack Lazor will share his experiences growing barley, oats, alfalfa, and green manure crops. A diverse forage program offers a diverse diet and more variables for nutritional needs and ration balancing. It also offers some insurance during years of specific crop failure. Jack’s talk will be followed by a pasture walk. Henry will share his ideas on pasturing, crops, and nutrition. He will show us his sorghum sudan, alfalfa, and corn fields, as well as share what experience has taught him about growing corn organically.

For more information, or to receive a Field Days Brochure, contact Lisa McCrory: 802-728-4416 , email: lmccrory@together.net or Stephanie Meyers at the NOFA-VT office; 802-434-4122. The brochure will be available on our web site very soon! www.organicmilk.org or www.nodpa.com .

26

ZONE TILLAGE AND SOIL HEALTH FIELD DAY FOR VEGETABLE GROWERS, Farmington, NY
How well does your soil support your crops? A healthy, high quality soil will get your crops through the extremes of either drought or excess rainfall much better than an over-tilled, over-cropped soil. Limiting tillage and controlling traffic limits soil compaction. Waiting to plow until the soil is crumbly, right down to the bottom of the furrow, will significantly reduce compaction and enable your crops to root deep. The “glue” produced by fresh organic matter helps stabilize and maintain a good, loose soil structure. The decaying roots of soil-building crops and the holes of earthworms channel excess water through the sub-soil and allow crop roots to go deep as well. Good levels of organic matter act as a sponge to hold soil water in reserve to get crops through dry spells. How does your soil measure up?

Cornell faculty and local Cooperative Extension staff have been working with several local interested vegetable growers in evaluating their tillage, crop rotations and soils. A field day is planned on Tuesday, August 26th from 3 7 pm to show all area vegetable growers what we’ve been up to. Our host is George Ayres, Freshayr Farm, in Farmington. George has been doing zone tillage with field crops, sweet corn and pumpkins for several years. He's had considerable success in working through the equipment and crop challenges because of his commitment to the idea. We in extension have provided assistance sampling and testing soils. This spring we did compaction testing, collected samples for aggregate stability testing, collected soil cores for determining percent pore space, and checked the water infiltration rate in sweet corn and pumpkin fields. Samples were analyzed at Cornell labs.

At the August 26th field day Anu Rangarajan, Cornell, will present information on the potential for, and challenges of, reduced tillage for vegetables in the Northeast. She’ll also describe how she’s fostering an information exchange between growers. George Ayres will run the deep-tiller in a harvested rye field. He’ll show how he determines whether there’s a compaction layer and will describe how he decides whether deep-tillage is necessary. In deep-tilled strips made in advance George will run his zone till planter. Zone-tilled sweet corn and soybeans will be viewed. Robin Bellinder, Cornell, and George Ayres will describe how to control weeds in vegetables grown under reduced tillage. There will be lots of time for questions and discussion.

George Abawi, Cornell, will describe the project on improving soil health on NYS vegetable farms. Bob Schindelbeck and Jason Kahabka, Cornell, will demonstrate compaction testing, checking the water infiltration rate, evaluating soil aggregate stability with “rainfall”, examining soil layers in a pit, and more. Dave Wolfe and George Abawi, Cornell, will describe both the beneficial soil organisms and the plant pathogens, and how to test for them. Results of evaluations of soil health on local vegetable farms will be reported by Carol MacNeil and John Gibbons, Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program, Ontario, Wayne, Yates and Steuben Cos. Our work and the field day are supported in part by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension (SARE) grants in soil health and reduced tillage for vegetables.

There’s no pre-registration or fee for the field day. We hope all growers and agribusiness people interested in tillage and soil health for vegetable crops will attend. Hot dogs, cookies and beverages will be provided. DEC pesticide recertification credits and Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available. For more information on the August 26th field day contact Carol MacNeil at 585-394-3977 ext. 33 or at crm6@cornell.edu.

Directions: From NYS Thruway Exit 43, Manchester, at the intersection of Rt. 21 and Rt. 96: Proceed west on Rt. 96 for about 3 miles; turn right onto Co. Rd. 28 and cross over the Thruway; turn left onto Herendeen Rd. and then turn immediately right onto a farm lane and to the U-Pick strawberry field parking area.

26-27

"Farm Management & Business Challenges for the Future”, Albany, New York
An agricultural risk and business management training opportunity for extension educators and agri-service providers in the Northeast. The workshops will cover topics on modern farm business management topics and methods that are useful in this region. For registration information, please contact Dr. Wes Musser at 301-405-0017 or e-mail wmusser@arec.umd.edu

September 2003

New York Cuisine
A celebration of New York wines, foods and restaurants through special dishes or menus using New York agricultural ingredients and paired with New York wines, New York City. New York Wine & Grape Foundation has created and is orchestrating the program with support from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, the New York State Restaurant Association, and other organizations, businesses and individuals. The promotion will include 33 New York wineries, over 50 top New York City restaurants, and over 20 top wine shops. Restaurants and wine shops will feature New York wines throughout September. Promotional support includes advertising, public relations, a special web site (newyorkcuisine.org), point-of-sale materials, and other elements. The purpose of the event is to create awareness that New York is a major agricultural state, and agriculture is a major part of New York’s economy; to stimulate trial and sales of New York products; to create business relationships among New York farmers, wineries, restaurants and retailers; to get consumers to “think New York and buy New York” to unite New Yorkers upstate and downstate, country and city, producer and consumer; to celebrate the harvest; and to showcase the bounty and spirit of New York. FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Jim Trezise, President, New York Wine & Grape Foundation (JimTrezise@nywgf.org, 315-536-7442, ext. 11) or Dana Alexander, Market Development Manager (DanaAlexander@nywgf.org, ext. 10)

3

Certifying Your Dairy Farm Organic?
Place: Tally Ho Restaurant in Richfield Springs
Time: 10:30 am - 2 pm
Cost: $20 for the first person from a farm and $10 for each person after. - This includes lunch for each person and a workbook per farm.

Are you one of the many people weighing the option of having your dairy farm certified for organic milk production? Uncertain of the standards set for certification? Not sure how to budget the transition from conventional to organic production. Wondering if the goals and values you hold for your farm will match the certification standards? This meeting should provide the information needed to help you make a decision that is right for your farm.

Featured Speaker
Organic Standards - What Changes will you need to make to be Certified Organic
Diane Schivera
For the past 5 years Diane has been the Assistant Director of Technical Services for Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Service, MOFGA. She focuses on working with livestock farmers and MOFGA educational programs.

Other topics to be covered will include the current organic milk market situation and how to budget for the transition of your farm to organic production.

To register make checks payable and mail to:
Cornell Cooperative Extension-Herkimer County
5657 State Route 5, Herkimer, NY 13350
or call 315-866-7920 by Friday, August 29

3-5

Commercial Cheesemaking for Beginners, Burlington, Vermont
This is a hands-on practical training workshop designed to provide participants with an understanding of the cheese manufacturing process. Registration fee: $200 includes instruction and comprehensive binder of materials, snacks, and lunch. Contact Jody Farnham at 802-656-8300 for more information.

6

Introduction to Successful Small-Scale Small Fruit Production:
Workshop 4 - Harvest and Marketing Tree Fruits Workshop, Ithaca, NY
Interested in starting a small fruit u-pick operation on your land? Want to expand your farms' current offerings? This comprehensive set of workshops is intended to address the needs of beginning small-scale farmers/homeowners and established small-scale farmers interested in diversifying their current farming activities. Three workshops will be conducted throughout the growing season to provide an in-depth overview of small fruit production including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and other miscellaneous small fruits. Learn from the experts and get first-hand advice from local successful farmers!

This is the forth workshop in the series titled, "Harvest and Marketing Tree Fruits Workshop". This workshop will focus on tree fruit harvesting, marketing, and opportunities for value added products. Participants will also tour a local tree fruit farm and receive a holistic review of the entire tree fruit production process. A small fee of $10 will cover all handout materials and lunch.

Contact your County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, or Tyrone Hall at 607-687-4020 (twh22@cornell.edu), for registration materials and additional information:
- Chemung County CCE: 607-734-4453
- Cortland County CCE: 607-753-5077
- Schuyler County CCE: 607-535-7161
- Tioga County CCE: 607-687-4020
- Tompkins County CCE: 607-272-2292

8-9

Building Community Strengths to Address Biohazards: Role & Responsibilities of the Land Grant System, Ithaca, NY
The purpose of this symposium is to strengthen Land Grand system capacity to work with communities in preparing and recovering from natural and man-made biohazards. Contact Sylvia Moravia, 607/255-9510, sdm9@cornell.edu.

10

Sharpen Your Selling Skills, Geneva, NY
The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship and the Department of Food Science and Technology, Cornell University is sponsoring this seminar for anyone involved in the selling process. Specialty food producers who have started or are thinking of starting an agriculturally based venture will particularly benefit. The materials are specifically designed for people who are searching for innovative ideas and enhanced marketing opportunities in the area of value-added agriculture. This is an opportunity for small businesses to get some quality training in a shorter period of time. The one-day seminar will begin to explain the nuts and bolts of the selling process. Discussions will cover exactly what one can expect in a variety of sales situations and offer suggestions on how to manage them. Having worked both sides of the selling table, as salesperson and buyer the presenters experiences will provide the basis of presentation as we explore and explain the process of selling from initial contact to the ultimate object -getting the sale. The presenters include:

Bob Weybright - an Extension Support Specialist with Cornell University's NECFE (Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship) project.

Brian Norder - Project Director of the Vermont Food Venture Center and Product Development Specialist for NECFE at the University of Vermont.

Register before Wednesday, September 3, 2003 by contacting Cheryl Leach at 315.787.2622 or cal35@cornell.edu, or Sarah Lincoln at 315.787.2274 or sjl38@cornell.edu. Cost of the Course is $50 per registrant, payment is due at the time of registration by cash, check, money order (made payable to Cornell University/NECFE), American Express, Master Card, or Visa. Lunch and materials will be provided.

10

BEEF CATTLE TWILIGHT MEETINGS - Weaning, Cornell beef Teaching and Research Center
Agenda topics to include:
Strategies
Nutrition
Bunk management
Health
For more information contact Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at mjb28@cornell.edu, 607-255-5923 or Heather Birdsall, Senior Extension Resource Educator at hhb6@cornell.edu, 607-753-5222.

12

Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty Harvest Dinner, Logan Ridge Winery, Rt. 414, Hector, NY

13

Learn the Basic Principles of Biodynamic Farming & Gardening, Chestnut Ridge, NY
A one year part-time program presented by the Pfeiffer Center consisting of eight Saturday workshops and a final one-week intensive. Taught by leading practitioners including Will Brinton, Steffen Schneider, Jennifer Greene, Craig Holdrege, Mac Mead and Pfeiffer Center Director Gunther Hauk. For information contact The Pfeiffer Center, 260 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977. Tel: 845-352-5020 ext. 20. Email: info@pfeiffercenter.org. Website: www.pfeiffercenter.org

16-17

2003 Cornell Strategic Marketing Professional In-Service Workshop, Ithaca, NY
It’s here again! You are invited to attend the annual strategic marketing education workshop designed for extension educators and agri-service providers in the Northeast on September 16 & 17, 2003 in Ithaca, New York. Please share the information to others who might be interested in the workshop.

As U.S. agricultural industries become more market oriented and more buyer dominant, it is appropriate to step back and examine the role of price. More important, the new role of price has major implications on the way farmers manage their operations. During this 2-day workshop, we will study a multitude of pricing issues facing agricultural industries, explore ways Northeast producers can price for profitability and success, and learn how extension specialists can work with clients to cope with these issues.

Workshop Title: Pricing for Success -- Selecting an Optimum Pricing Strategy in the Buyer Dominant Market
Dates: 10 am on Tuesday September 16, 2003 to 1 pm Wednesday September 17, 2003
Location: Clarion Hotel in Ithaca, New York
Invited Audience: Agricultural Extension Educators, Farm Management Specialists, Agricultural Economics Development Specialists, Agri-service Providers
Objectives:
· Understand what is happening in the market, what challenges agricultural producers and marketers are facing when pricing their products, and how they could integrate pricing tactics with strategic decisions to improve profitability and use product and service value to position against competitors.
· Learn from agricultural producers, marketers and food retailers who have developed successful pricing strategies how they ensure that their pricing strategy follows their market-focus, and how they balance the trade-offs of maintaining market share, sustaining growth and improving profit.
· Learn from the experiences of other extension educators and agri-service providers who work with producers and marketers to develop marketing strategies to obtain/maintain market access in this competitive, global sourcing environment.
Registration Information:
The workshop registration fee is $75 if registered by September 1, 2003 and $95 after that. The registration fee will cover two lunches, breaks, resource materials, and meeting rooms. An optional Tuesday evening dinner at a local winery or restaurant will be $35. The workshop will be limited to 60 participants.
Lodging Information:
Participants should contact the Clarion Hotel (607-257-2000 or 1-800-CLARION (1-800-252-7466)) to make their own hotel reservations. When making your reservation, be sure to mention that you are with the "Strategic Marketing" group to get the specially negotiated rate of $69 single, $79 double.

For more information, contact Dr. Wen-fei Uva, Senior Extension Associate, 456 Warren Hall, Dept. of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Phone: 607-255-3688, or e-mail: WL32@CORNELL.EDU.

You can also find update information on the workshop at http://hortmgt.aem.cornell.edu/.

17

Preventing Drug Residues in Dairy Animals, Morrisville, NY
Sponsored by the Food & Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Representatives from the SUNY Morrisville, NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets and Food & Drug Administrail will be available to discuss and answer questions about treatment and recordkeeping requirements. Pre-registration is preferrred, but walk-ins are welcome. Register with Gail Strain, 315-684-6083, or e-mail StrainGM@Morrisville.edu.

20

Taste of Tioga, Owego, NY
Come sample local food prepared by local chefs. Join Tioga County and support locally produced foods from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at the Tioga County Fair Ground's 4-H Youth Pavilion. Contact Susannah Reese for more information at 607-687-4020.

20

HIGH FALLS GARDENS FIELD DAY
10am-5pm. High Falls Gardens is an educational and research initiative that cultivates Asian medicinal plants in support of traditional Oriental medicine training and practice. Their programs serve both herbal practitioners and growers/farmers. This annual event is an opportunity for the community to tour the garden at Hillview Farm, Stevers Crossing Road, in Claverack (Columbia County), NY. For directions, email hfg@capital.net.

20

Second Annual Catskill Mountain Ginseng Festival, Catskill Point, Village of Catskill NY (Greene County), Exit 21 NYS Thruway. 10 AM to 5 PM (rain or shine). Join us for the Second Annual Catskill Mountain Ginseng Festival in beautiful Greene County NY. Learn about the history and folklore of Catskill Ginseng as well as how it is grown in our forests. Sample ginseng foods, snacks, teas and other ginseng beverages. Examine 100+ year old wild ginseng roots. Taste freshly harvested wild ginseng. Purchase the highest quality wild ginseng available anywhere in North America. Stratified (ready to plant) ginseng seeds and rootlets will be offered for sale. Enjoy live music and view spectacular fall foliage as you look out on the Hudson River from the Festival Dock. Two educational workshops on how to grow ginseng in a forested environment will be presented at 11 AM and 4 PM by Bob Beyfuss of Cornell Cooperative Extension-Greene County. At 12:30 there will be a lecture on how ginseng is used in Traditional Chinese medicine by a representative of Yat Chau USA. For more information contact Bob Beyfuss at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County at (518) 622-9820 or email rlb14@cornell.edu.

20

Goat Field Day, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Adult and teen workshops on genetics and reproduction. For more information contact Tatiana Stanton at 607-254-5009 or by email at tls7@cornell.edu.

20-21

THE 2003 NORTHEAST SMALL FARM & RURAL LIVING EXPO, Warren County Farmers’ Fairgrounds, Rt. 519, Harmony Township, NJ, four miles north of Rt. 22 and about 60 miles south of the NY/NJ border.
The Expo features 75 workshops, demonstrations, country crafts, and farm market. The events will cover organic and traditional small farm fruit, vegetable and livestock production, small farm equipment, and woodlot management. On Saturday, a special workshop on Exploring the Small Farm Dream will be offered by the New England Small Farm Institute and Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey. The Small Farm Expo is sponsored by Cornell, Rutgers and Penn State Cooperative Extension. For more detailed information on the schedule of events, lodging and directions visit www.smallfarmexpo.org or call 800-554-8540.

21-25

Galaxy II National Conference for Cooperative Extension Educators, Salt Lake City, UT
www.jcep.org/galaxy2.pdf

24

Pasture Walk - Contract Dairy Heifer Grazing, George Bulin’s Farm, Watkins Glen, NY
10:30 AM This pasture walk will be of interest to dairyman, beef farmers, and landowners looking for a viable use for their land. George worked with the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District to install a managed pasture system. His plan was to develop a beef stocker operation. After 5 years of tight profit margins he was looking for alternatives. Marty and John Seymour, nearby dairy farmers, were looking for a better way to raise their heifers. The two farms worked out a deal and now six seasons later, they are still happy with the arrangement. George and the Seymour’s will discuss the pros and cons of contract heifer grazing. Dr Bill Stone DVM, with Cornell’s Pro Dairy program, will speak about the nutritional needs of heifers while on pasture. Dr. Stone, a contract heifer grazer himself, will share his experience.
DIRECTIONS TO BULIN’S FARM:
Take Rt 14 North out of Watkins, about a mile out, look for Lane’s Yamaha, get into the left lane. Look for Lakeview Assembly of God, turn left onto Abrams Rd. Travel ¾ of a mile, turn right on to CR 28 travel another ¾ mile. Turn left on to Jennings Rd. George’s is 1 mile down on right. Look for Graziers signs!!
For more information contact Sharon VanDeuson, CCE Cortland County, at 607-753-5078.

Sept 25 - Oct 5

New York Harvest for New York Kids Week
http://www.prideofny.com/Farm2School.html

26

NYS AGRICULTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- A ONE DAY WORKSHOP AND PLANNING SESSION, SYRACUSE, NY
Sponsored by Cornell's Agriculture Community and Economic Development Program Work Team (ACED), the agenda will include:
An Overview of "Opportunities for NYS in the Federal Farm Bill" - Kathy Lawrence, National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
Ag Economic Development Research Presentations - Cornell Faculty & Staff
ACED Updates from Regional Practitioners and Other Participants
A Planning Session for ACED PWT Priorities in 2004

For more information and to rsvp, contact Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman at hmm1@cornell.edu

27

CU Master Beekeeper Program -- The Cornell University Master Beekeeper Program will conduct a one-day Apprentice Level Fall Workshop in Ithaca, NY, on Saturday, September 27. This is a comprehensive course covering fall and winter honey bee management; honey extraction and processing; as well as integrated pest management for bee pests and parasites. Experienced beekeepers and those interested in starting with bees are encouraged to attend. The cost of the course is $75.00. This includes a workshop manual to complement the lecture. Classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and include one hour of field work. For more information, please call 607-255-3280 or visit the Master Beekeeper web site at www.masterbeekeeper.org.

27

First Annual Grass Fed Meats Festival, Epworth Farm, High Falls, NY
Chef competition, heritage breeds of chickens, beef, and sheep, tasting, farmer "marketplace", children's activities, hay rides and more. The event coordinators are seeking vendors for the marketplace, and grass fed beef and lamb producers who would like to have their product featured in the chef competition. Contact Dina Falconi at 845/687-8938, or Jen Prosser at 845/657-6059.

30

Establishing native warm season grasses: linking appled research to extension, Ithaca, NY
Thomas G Barnes, Extension Professor and Wildlife Specialist, will present at at 3:30 in room 304 Fernow Hall on the Cornell University Campus.

October 2003

1

Transition Cow “Paramedic” Training, T & R Center
A cow’s suppressed immune system is nature’s way of protecting the calf during the birthing process, but it puts Mom at significant risk for metabolic disorders and disease. An on-farm “early responder” can be the eyes, ears and hands of the herd Veterinarian and mitigate the risk of complications with the post-parturient dairy cow. Training by Veterinarians in observing and identifying cows at risk, conducting a comprehensive physical exam and administering some routine treatments will help employees know when to call in the Veterinarian early on in the process and prevent discomfort for the cow and losses for the business.

Drs. Bill Stone (Cornell, PRO-DAIRY), Frank Welcome (Cornell, QMPS), Steve Bulkley (Pennfield Feed) and Paul Coen (Midstate Veterinary Associates) will work with 5 participants each in the one-day workshop scheduled for October 1st at the Cornell T & R Center near Harford. Dr. Coen’s group of five will be trained in Spanish, a positive combination of his language skills and an increasing number of excellent dairy employees in the area from Spanish speaking countries. The day begins at 9:15 a.m. and concludes at 2:45 p.m. Cost, which includes lunch, materials (including stethoscope and heavy-duty thermometer) and one-on-five hands-on instruction is $75.00 per participant, $45.00 for additional participants from the same farm.

The 20 available registrations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Overflow will trigger a second workshop in November. A brochure detailing the day’s agenda, a map to get you there and registration form is available by contacting Robin Huizinga, 607-255-4285 or dmconf@cornell.edu.

1-2

Agricultural Health Care Summit, Holiday Inn, Auburn NY
Audience: Agricultural service providers. This includes: Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY FarmNet, NY FarmLink, Farm Credit, Farm Service Agency, and other agricultural services and programs.

Focus: The senior generation of farmers-how health care planning effects retirement, estate planning, and farm transfer.

Objectives:
1. New York agricultural service providers obtain a better understanding of the personal and financial risks that agricultural businesses are exposed to through improper health care planning.
2. New York agricultural service providers have a chance to meet health care professionals employed by insurance companies, government sponsored programs, and non-profit organizations.
3. The audience will leave with a resource package that explains health care risks to farmers and the services, insurance products, government programs, and resources that are available to help them plan for these risks.

5-11

Cornell Cooperative Extension Week and National 4-H Week Set for October 5-11, 2003 -- We celebrate Cornell Cooperative Extension Week each year during National 4-H Week -- which this year will be October 5-11. This year's theme focuses on the environment and natural resources. Planning for CCE Week festivities is underway, with downloadable materials available within the month. Be planning ahead for how you can tie local activities into the theme.

7

Goat & Vineyard Field Day - Using goats to reclaim abandoned vineyards, Hector, NY
3703 Dugue Rd, Hector, NY, 4 pm.
Hosts: Jeff & Anne Gardner and tatiana Stanton.

Observe an active herd of 20 meat goats clearing a vineyard since mid June. The innovative plan was to use goats to perform the labor-intensive brush removal among established trellis posts, while gaining weight. What was the result? Come see!

Contact Jim Ochterski (607) 535-7161 (Schuyler CCE) or Bill Wilsey (315) 536-5123 (Yates CCE)

8

BEEF CATTLE TWILIGHT MEETINGS - Female selection/management, Cornell beef Teaching and Research Center
Agenda topics to include:
Heifer selection
Cows: keep or cull?
If cull, sell or feed?
Body condition scoring
Pregnancy detection
For more information contact Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at mjb28@cornell.edu, 607-255-5923 or Heather Birdsall, Senior Extension Resource Educator at hhb6@cornell.edu, 607-753-5222.

8-9

Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Toronto International Center, Canada
Highlights include pre-conference bus tours with flower and vegetable production themes, 15 hours of seminars, three workshops, a New Varieties Display area, and a comprehensive trade show featuring more than 200 exhibitors. For more information visit www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com or call Bob or Donna Cobbledick at (905) 945-9057

9

New York Crop Research Facility Field Day
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
7939 Bank Street Rd, Batavia, NY
East of the Batavia Airport at the intersection of
East Saile Drive and Bank Street Rd

The New York Crop Research Facility resumed operation this year and will be holding a field day on Tuesday September 9th. Lunch will be served. The facility is operating as a division of ACDS Research Inc. with support from the New York Vegetable Research Council /Association, Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension and area agriculturists. For more information and RSVP contact Jeremy Smith (315) 345-9220 and leave a message. We look forward to seeing you there!
New York Crop Research Facility Field Day Agenda

11

Woodland Owner's Field Day, Arnot Forest, Van Etten, NY
Saturday, October 11, 2003, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, No fee for the workshop; refreshments available
Please pre-register by calling NYFOA member Ernie Von Borstel at 589-4372. In case of program changes, we want to inform participants. This outdoor seminar is for families and individuals interested in working with their woodland to enhance timber value, attract wildlife, transport logs safely, and identify trees.

Presentations include:
"Crop Tree Management" Learn how to select trees for cutting to promote healthy re-growth, provide good food and cover for wildlife, and increase the future value of the hardwoods you manage.
"ATV-Based Log Skidding" See a demonstration of how new devices for ATV equipment can help woodland owners move large logs with minimal harm to standing trees, roads, and the forest soil.
"Forest Tree Identification" Learn how to identify more than 10 forest trees, using bark, leaves, and tree shape as guides.

Workshop hosted by the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) - Southern Finger Lakes Chapter, Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team, and the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University.

11

Boer Goat Show and Open Meat Goat Show, Ithaca, NY
The Empire State Meat Goat Producers' Association in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension is organizing an ABGA Sanctioned Boer Goat Show as well as an open meat goat show for unregistered meat goats or meat goats of other breeds. These two shows will take place at the Livestock Pavillion at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY on October 11th, 2003. Preston Ferris from Texas A & M Cooperative Extension will be the judge and will follow up the show the next day with an educational workshop.
For more information contact John Bloomer at or (607) 546-2825 or Kay Kotwica at kotland@dreamscape.com or 315-363-7545.

13

Nordell's Farm, Beech Grove, PA
NEON FIELD DAYS - 2003
Beech Grove Farm is managed by owners Anne and Eric Nordell. They grow vegetables and herbs on this certified organic horsepowered market garden. Beech Grove is one of 11 “focal farms” for the Northeast Organic Network (NEON) systems management study. This project is conducting case studies of how some exceptional organic farms in the Northeast manage their systems. NEON researchers will summarize some of their findings at this event. The Nordells focus on intensive crop rotations and cover cropping to reduce weed pressure and encourage moisture retention. They write a “Cultivating
Questions” column in the Small Farmers Journal that describes their bio-extensive cover cropping system. This system has reduced weed pressure so much that they can experiment with alternative tillage techniques like mulch tillage, ridge tillage and no-till. Sponsors: PASA, Beech Grove Farm, and Northeast Organic Network.

• certified organic vegetable production using horsepower
• research findings by the Northeast Organic Network
• intensive crop rotations and cover cropping
• alternative tillage techniques like mulch tillage, ridge tillage and no-till

Cost: PASA Members - $10, Nonmembers - $15, Youth (Ages 5-13) - $5, Under 5
years old - no charge. All fees will be collected on the day of the event.
Lunch is included.

Beech Grove Farm
3410 Route 184
Trout Run, PA 17771

Directions:
Beech Grove Farm is North of Williamsport in Lycoming County. From Williamsport take Route 15 North to the Route 184 Exit. Your landmark is the Fry Brothers Restaurant. It is a left hand exit. Follow 184 West approximately four miles to Post Road on right. Follow Post Road about .25 mile to farm on your left.

www.pasafarming.org/programs/BeechGrove.html

15-17

Taking It To The Summit - ACCEE 2003, Kerhonkson, NY
The ACCEE 2003 Planning Committee is excited to announce the Request for Proposals for workshops, posters and tours to be presented at this conference and is looking for truly innovative offerings that will foster professional development, inspire creativity and innovation within our system, and improve each of our abilities to do the high quality work NY producers and communities have come to expect from Cornell Cooperative Extension. Whether your have Extension responsibilities in the agricultural or non-agricultural sector, we encourage you to participate in ACCEE 2003.
Proposal submission form for workshops/tours/posters:
www.staff.cce.cornell.edu/conferences/ACCEE2003/rfp/index.cfm
Conference details:
www.staff.cce.cornell.edu/accee2003/rfp/
Conference site - Hudson Valley Resort & Spa:
www.hudsonvalleyresort.com

16

HORSE SENSE FENCING: Effective & Safe Control Options
4:45 to 7:30 pm

Speakers: Rob DeClue, NYSGLCI, Area Grazing Lands Management Specialist
John Wickham, Schuyler County SWCD

AGENDA:
4:45 Registration at Rodney Jaynes Farm
5:00 Tour of Horse Farm
6:00: Topics to be discussed:
- Trails Unique to Horse Containment/Exclusion
- Considerations in Choosing a Fence
- Planning & Installation Concepts
- Permanent versus Temporary
- Designs
- Materials
- Costs
- Examples of various products, components, and tools will be on hand to look over.
7:00 Questions/Answers/Discussion

Pre-registration is appreciated by calling Sharon VanDeuson at 607-753-5078, but walk-ins are always welcome.

17

GRAZING – IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR RESOURCE PLAN?
There will be a pasture walk on October 16, 2003 at 1:00 PM. It will be held at Scott and Lisa Bush’s, 386 Watercure Hill, Elmira, NY. This pasture walk will be of interest to landowners who are thinking of setting up a pasture system, whether it’s for cattle, horses, or other type of grazing animals. Ciro LoPinto, Soil Conservationist, with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will talk about the planning process that he goes through with prospective grazers. Planning fundamentals will include; goal setting by the landowner, what does the landowner want their land to look like in the future, and what are the long term social and environmental aspects of grazing.

Scott and Lisa operate a dairy farm that has been gradually increasing its cow numbers. The farm was short on storage space for the feed required satisfying the animals. After reviewing their resources they decided to construct a grazing system for their heifers to solve the dilemma. There wasn’t the need for storage for the time that the heifers were out on pasture harvesting their own feed.

Lack of storage space is an example of problem solving with resource reviewing. It might have been that a landowner had 20 acres of land and wanted to select an enterprise that would make the land financially and environmentally sustainable. Mr. LoPinto will describe the process that he uses with landowners to help them look at their land resources, their goals, and to see if there is a place for grazing in their future.

The Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) and Cornell Cooperative Extension South Central NY Area Dairy & Field Crops Team sponsor this pasture walk.

For more information contact Sharon VanDeuson Cortland CCE, 607-753-5078.

17-18

Food Business Incubation Summit, Geneva, NY
GENEVA, NY: The second annual Food Business Incubation Summit for professionals working with incubator kitchens, shared-use facilities and food venture centers will be held Sept. 17-18 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Northampton, Mass.

The two-day event is sponsored by The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship (NECFE) at Cornell and the University of Vermont, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, in partnership with the Massachusetts Food and Agriculture Department and Rutgers University/NJAES Food Innovation Research & Extension Center (FIRE).

"The symposium will re-unite food processing technical and business support professionals from across the U.S. to review the best practices for food venture centers and incubation facilities," said Olga Padilla-Zakour, director of NECFE and one of the summit's organizers.

Workshops that review and explain some of the new and revised requirements of food processors are scheduled in addition to a full agenda of educational and regulatory topics related to economic development. Topics will include: labeling regulations, food safety, the Bio-terrorism Act relating to food processing, developing a stakeholder committee, assessment of documentation of facility policies and procedures, FDA Food Establishment Plan Review Guidelines, program evaluation methodologies and instruments for reporting.

In addition, there will be a tour of a recently established shared-use food processing in Greenfield, MA, sponsored by the Franklin County Community Development Corp., and a reception with appetizers for guests. After the tour and reception, conference speakers will host discussions at several restaurants in the Northampton area.
Greenfield is a 20-minute drive from the Clarion in Northampton. Registration is $75, which includes lunches, breaks and educational materials. Participants are responsible for their own lodging, travel, and dinner. There is a block of rooms reserved at the Clarion Hotel (413-586-1211) for a special reduced rate, if reserved by Aug. 18.

To register for the Food Business Incubation Summit, call or email Cheryl Leach at 315-787-2622; cal35@cornell.edu; or Sarah Lincoln at 315-787-2274; sjl38@cornell.edu

18-20

2004 Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Burlington, VT
Farm Tours will take place on Oct. 18, and on Oct. 19 and 20 there will be concurrent sessions on Sustainable Production Practices, Creative Marketing, Farming-Friendly Public Policies and Programs, Effective Agricultural Communication, and Exemplary Farms. There will also be a poster session highlighting successful SARE-funded projects, including farmer-grower grants. For more information contact Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont Extension vernon.grubinger@uvm.edu 802-257-7967 ext. 13

21

Seed Production, Processing, and Equipment, Argyle, NY
This Public Seed Initiative Workshop is hosted by CCE Washington County and Slack Hollow Farm, 177 Gilchrist Hill Rd., Argyle, NY. Please call 1-800-548-0881 or 518-746-2560 to register. You must pre-register to receive a booklet.

21-24

2003 Field Crop Dealer Meetings
Comfort Suites, 7 Northside Drive, Clifton Park, NY - October 21
Ramada Inn, 141 New Hartford Street, New Hartford, NY - October 22
Batavia Party House, Rt. 5, between Batavia and Leroy, NY - October 23
Holiday Inn, 2468 New York State Rt. 414, Waterloo, NY - October 24
Contact Pam Kline at 607-255-2177 for more information

23

New York Crop Insurance Meeting, Syracuse, NY
The workshop will include an overview of our efforts to provide New York growers with crop insurance information, introduce new products and programs, and offer meaningful guidance to industry professionals for 2004 and beyond. Attendees will receive an informative resource notebook. Contact Bill Jordan at 518-457-0752 or William.Jordan@agmkt.state.ny.us if you need additional information.

25

Grass, Cattle and Money: A Farming Workshop on Seeking Profit & Health from Your Land, 10:30 AM- 2:30 PM, Hamden, NY
John and Todd Hopkins of Forks Farm in rural northeast Pennsylvania will lead a workshop sharing their experience producing grass-fed beef and other livestock that keep their customers coming back for more. The workshop is entitled Grass, Cattle and Money: A Farming Workshop on Seeking Profit & Health from Your Land.

This program, sponsored by the Watershed Agricultural Council and co-sponsored by Regional Farm & Food Project, will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building in Hamden, NY, 25 miles south of Oneonta. Farmers with all levels of experience and backgrounds are welcome. Today Forks Farm produces, processes and direct markets grass fed beef and lamb, pork, pastured poultry, free range eggs and shiitake mushrooms to about two hundred families and several local restaurants. Last year's sales were 30 grass finished beef, 45 lambs, 40 hogs, 1800 dozen eggs, 150 turkeys and about 2500 chickens. The workshop will be followed up with a tour of a nearby farm. The registration fee of $15 includes lunch. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please call Watershed Agricultural Council, 607/865-7790.

26-29

Compost Advanced Short Course, Ithaca, NY
One time offering - limited enrollment. Sponsored by the Cornell Waste Management Institute.
Topics...

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
QUALITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO COMPOST MANAGEMENT
TESTING/LABS/CONSISTENCY/QUALITY CONTROL
CENTRALIZED MARKETING AND FACILITIES
REGULATORY ISSUES - WHAT IS, WHAT'S COMING AND WHAT'S NEEDED
MARKETING AND PROMOTION

Registration is $275 before September 15 ($325 after) and includes materials, lunches, breaks, social hour. Please contact CWMI for registration and hotel information at 607-255-1187; email: CWMI@cornell.edu.
www.cfe.cornell.edu/wmi/shortcourse.htm

27

Wood Heating in Your Home or Farm, Ithaca, NY
7:00 P.M. to 9:00 PM
4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road in Ithaca, NY
$10 class fee includes handouts and the book, "Burning Wood and Coal"
Please pre-register by calling 272-2292. In case of program changes, we want to inform participants.

As oil and gas prices fluctuate, many homeowners and rural businesses look to their wood stoves and fireplaces to supplement their energy use during winter. Proper handling of firewood and operation of wood-heating appliances can make a big difference in your enjoyment and safety.

This workshop is for people who have wood stoves or are considering buying a wood stove and want to know more about proper use. Operating temperatures, firewood selection and storage, wood stove maintenance, and chimney care will be covered in detail. We will compare the cost of firewood to other energy sources like wood pellets, electricity, natural gas, and propane. Information about harvesting your own firewood will be available.

Instructors are Jim Ochterski, Extension Natural Resource Specialist, and Betsy Cleveland, Chimney Technician.

Workshop sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team.

November 2003

1

NY / PA Forest Watershed Conference, Owego, NY
A conference for forest owners, community leaders, farmers, water quality coordinators, foresters, and the general public interested in the role of forests in watershed protection. Topics include forest stream ecology, managing forests to protect water quality, best management practices, streamside restoration, and forestry and fishery co-management.

Sponsors include Penn State Cooperative Extension, Cornell Department of Natural Resources, PA Bureau of Forestry, Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY Forest Owners Association, Bradford-Sullivan Forest Owners, and the Society of American Foresters.

Contact Jim Ochterski at (607) 535-7161 or jao14@cornell.edu for further details. Registration information available soon. Conference proceedings will be made available afterwards.

1-5

Seventh Annual Community Food Security Conference, Boston, MA
The Coalition (CFSC, quoted above) is made up of over 250 member organizations dedicated to "building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times. We seek to develop self-reliance among all communities in obtaining their food and to create a system of growing, manufacturing, processing, making available, and selling food that is regionally based and grounded in the principles of justice, democracy, and sustainability." Contact http://www.foodsecurity.org to reach the organizers.

3 & 5

Timber and Woodland Taxation Issues
Delevan Fires Training Center, Delevan NY - November 3rd
Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, Sullivan County, Liberty, NY - November 5th
Learn how to structure your forest management plan and timber-based revenue to reduce your federal tax liability. Approved for 6.5 category I CFE credits.
For more information call: 607-255-2814

4-6

Michigan Greenhouse Expo, Lansing Center, Lansing, Mich.
The annual expo is host to the highly successful Michigan State University Education program "Floriculture College of Knowledge" along with a trade fair and instructive breakout sessions. For more information, contact Robin Smith, Convension Management Services (800) 878-5131.

4-6

NYS Turfgrass Association Turf and Grounds Exposition, Rochester, NY
This year’s theme for the Turf and Grounds Exposition will be, “Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities” and Ronald G. Dodson, President and CEO of Audubon International, will make the keynote presentation. More than 60 business and technical sessions will be presented addressing all aspects of the green industry including research updates, golf and sports turf care, equipment management, and lawn, landscape and grounds maintenance.

The show, featuring 325 exhibitor booths, is expected to draw over 1,800 attendees. Educational opportunities for green industry professionals will be offered, including New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) recertification credits, which may be earned by attending many of the diverse turf and landscape sessions.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the opening session starting at 8:30 a.m. on November 4. Attendees will have numerous opportunities to socialize and network at a variety of receptions scheduled throughout the three-day conference. Other planned activities include lunch at the trade show for all attendees (2 days), an awards ceremony, and the NYSTA Annual Meeting.

For more information, please call NYSTA at (800) 873-8873, (518) 783-1229, fax (518) 783-1258, or e-mail nysta@nysta.org. Information is also available on NYSTA’s website www.nysta.org.

5-7

The Dairy Practice Council 34th Annual Conference, Scranton Pennsylvania

8

Beef Cattle Can Green Your Farm A One-Day Workshop about Grazing for Profit - featuring Stories from the Field, 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM, Albany, NY
Beef Cattle Can Green Your Farm: A One-Day Workshop about Grazing for Profit featuring Stories from the Field takes place on Saturday, November 8, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM in Albany, NY. This farmer-to-farmer program on beef grazing and marketing will feature two innovative, low cost Vermont cattle farmers who direct market their beef, a Vermont farm advisor, and a panel of New York grass farmers. Each of the farmer presenters at this
workshop uses management intensive grazing on their farms. All farmers and landowners interested in improving their land and the bottom line with livestock are encouraged to attend.

Keynote speaker Jim Kleptz of La Platte River Angus in Shelburne,
Vermont, raises cattle on 600 acres, though he only owns 10 acres. The Kleptzes direct market five or six cattle every week in the summer and three or four weekly during the cooler months. Their beef business is profitable enough to support two households. Jim has consciously minimized his equipment and mastered the art of low cost wintering without destroying sod. His animals have no housing and he does not even own a manure spreader. Sam Comstock, an educator with University of Vermont Extension, will present a session on analyzing finances in a cattle enterprise.

This workshop is presented by the Regional Farm & Food Project (RFFP) and will be held at the First Lutheran Church in Albany, NY. It is co-sponsored by the Watershed Agricultural Council, and the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture's Vermont Pasture Network, the Vermont Grass Farmers' Association (VGFA), with support from a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program Partnership Grant. The workshop fee includes a catered luncheon with natural, grass-finished beef and a packet of workshop materials. For members of the RFFP or the VGFA and for farmers living within the NY City Watershed, the fee is $35, while the non-member fee is $40. Pre-registration is required to ensure a place. To register, please send payment along with name(s), address, phone, and email to Regional Farm & Food Project, 295 Eighth St., Troy, NY 12180. For more information and directions, call RFFP at 518-271-0744.

11-13

Farmstead & Artisan Cheese Making: A Workshop led by a Seasoned Teacher, Cheese Maker & Farm-Based Entrepreneur, Poughkeepsie, NY
This workshop, held in collaboration with the Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship, takes place at Sprout Creek Farm near Poughkeepsie, NY, with British cheese maker and teacher Kathy Biss of West Highland Dairy in Scotland.

This hands-on program is offered to farmers and others intending to develop or refine an artisan cheese making business. For a workshop application, contact the Regional Farm & Food Project, 518/271-0744, farmfood@capital.net without delay, as it will fill quickly.

Since RFFP first hosted her three years ago, Kathy Biss has become a popular instructor for New York cheese makers, current and prospective. Kathy is the author of Practical Cheesemaking. In addition to running a sheep dairy with her husband, Kathy Biss has taught cheese making and dairy courses for farmers for several decades, and has an active consulting business with a diverse clientele.

Workshop participants will gain experience in the practical aspects of the manufacture of a mature, hard-pressed cheese, a blue cheese, and a surface ripened cheese. The practical experience will be reinforced with the teaching and discussion of the scientific reasons for the various aspects of the processes. If interest warrants it, the course will include a presentation by a New York state farmstead cheese maker on setting up a small-scale dairy plant, from acquiring equipment to jumping over the hurdles of licensing.

The three-day workshop will run from 9 AM to 4 PM. To allow for a hands-on experience and individual attention, the course is limited to 12. Preference will be given to dairy farmers in enrollment. Inexpensive lodging will be available on the farm.
Sprout Creek Farm, makes semi-firm aged grass-fed cow's milk cheeses. This 200-acre working farm was founded over a decade ago to provide an array of hands-on educational programs for children and youth. Over 5,000 children visit the farm during each school year.

12

Exiting Farming Workshop, Candor, NY
A workshop to assess where you are in your business lifecycle to be offered:
All businesses have a life cycle described as entry, growth, fine tuning, and exit. Although endings are as natural as beginnings they are often difficult. We have been through 2 very economically challenging years in dairy. The prices received for selling milk as a commodity will continue to have steep hills and valleys. Periodically stepping back and reassessing where a business is at and whether it is allowing the owners and operators to fulfill personal and business goals is important. It means asking some hard questions of yourself and loved ones.

This workshop will feature a panel of former dairy farmers who will share their experiences and thoughts on the transition and life after farming. Dave Zube of Zube law firm and Stuart Smith, will present solid financial facts regarding legal and tax issues that will provide food for thought whether you continue to fine-tune your operation or close the doors in the short, mid or long-term.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 12 at the Candor Fire Hall, located on S. Rte. 96 in Candor. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m and end at 3 p.m. There is a charge of $10 for the workshop. Contact Janice Degni at 607-753-5077 with any questions. This meeting has been planned by the Cornell Cooperative Extension South Central NY (CCTTS) Dairy and Field Crops Team and Tioga County Farm Bureau.

12-14

Advanced Cheese Making Workshop, Burlington, VT
We are pleased to present Mary Holbrook of Sleight Farm in Timsbury, England. She is well known for her award winning sheep and goat cheeses. She is often found around Great Britain helping people develop their own farmstead cheeses. Join Mary in making Sheep chesses and Goat cheeses, and listen to her discussion on the aging conditions needed for these cheeses. Contact Cecilia Golnazarian at 802-656-0147 for more information.

13-14

Organic Agriculture, Canadian Style
Come join members of NEON, NOFA-NY and Cornell for a tour of organic farms near Guelph, Ontario. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The tour is being organized by well-known soil scientist Ann Clark, and will also include meeting Guelph University students and researchers working on organic farming.

We will leave the Ithaca area late in the afternoon of Thursday, November 13 (after Ag In-service) and stay overnight in Guelph. Bring photo ID (and a passport if you are not a US citizen) to get through Customs! Friday morning, we will hear a seminar on the NEON Project and organic farming in the Northeast U.S., then travel to a diverse mix of organic farms, including field crops, CSA, livestock, and greenhouse production. We will return the evening of Friday, November 14.

Transportation and tour costs will be covered, but you will need to pay for lodging and food (book your room at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, ask for the General Managers Special- $106 CA plus tax, 1-519-836-1240, 1-888-298-2054). To sign up for the tour, call Maxine Welcome at 607-255-5439. Pre-registration is mandatory due to space limitations. Questions? Call Brian Caldwell at 607-564-1060.

13-14

Soul of Agriculture, Durham, NH
Join farmers and agricultural organizations, faith communities and educators, non-governmental organizations and policy makers, natural food stores and restaurants, university and school food services, dieticians and other health providers to:
* Explore new movements in New England food and farming
* Learn how to reconnect communities and their food supply
* Strengthen existing networks and coalitions
* Stimulate new ideas and collaborations
* Enjoy delicious seasonal, locally-grown food
For more information, see http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu or call (603) 862-4088. Conference program and registration materials will be available this summer.

14-15

NORTHEAST FOOD SYSTEM AT THE CROSSROADS
THE 3RD ANNUAL SOUL OF AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DURHAM, NH
"The conference will feature panel discussions with regional experts and practitioners, facilitated dialogue, breakout working sessions, exhibits and networking opportunities to examine specific food systems issues and identify ways that diverse participants and organizations can coordinate their work and measure progress."

Several of us from campus are attending. We'd encourage you to join us in gathering ideas and contacts that we can use in NY. Presenters include Tom Lyson, Cornell; Kathy Ruhf, the New England Small Farm Insititute, and author Joel Salatin. See www.sustainableunh.unh.edu for details on the program, registration and lodging.

18

Landscape Worker Training, Chemung County, NY
Current and prospective landscape and grounds crew members and supervisors can benefit from a 30 hour training series offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County

Topics to be covered:
- Soils
- Planting & Pruning
- Pest Management
- Water Gardens
- Perennials
- Safety issues

Classes begin Tuesday, November 18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Interested workers can register for One class - $25, or Series of six classes - $100
Call Anne Hughes at 607-734-4453 (ash13@cornell.edu)

20

Annual Feed Dealers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Horseheads, NY
For Horseheads Holiday Inn Registrations contact Sharon VanDeuson to pre-register at Cortland County CCE, (607) 753-5078.

24

Processing Sweet Corn & Snap Bean Advisory Meeting, Geneva, NY
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Jordan Hall, Geneva Experiment Station. DEC credits available.

December 2003

1

Processing Beet, Pea, and Carrot Advisory Meeting, Batavia, NY
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Batavia First United Methodist Church. DEC credits available.

2

MANAGING UDDER HEALTH & MASTITIS UNDER ORGANIC RULES, A1 Pizzeria & Family Restaurant, Dryden, NY
Cost $12.00 (includes lunch)
Program
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Registration
10:15 a.m. Program Begins
Topics & Speakers
- Contagious Mastitis: Concerns and Management for the Organic Dairy - Linda Tikofsky, DVM
- Environmental Mastitis - Ruth Zadoks, DVM
- Residue Testing Issues for the Organic Dairy Farmer - Frank Welcome, DVM
- Milking Technique Management and Its Impact on Milk Flow and Mastitis - Ynte Schukken, DVM
- Non-Antibiotic Udder Herd Health Options - Hue Karreman, VMD
3:00 p.m. Adjourn

Please send an email mesage to Linda Tikofsky lg40@cornell.edu if you will be attending.

3

Cornell University Organic Production and Marketing PWT Meeting, Ithaca, NY
We will meet in 400 Riley Robb Hall. Hear about organic research and extension programs at Cornell University over this last year as well as new, planned activities. If you have a program or activity that you would like to share with the Organic PWT, please let Anu Rangarajan (ar47@cornell.edu) or Abby Seaman (ajs32@cornell.edu) know ASAP. Please RSVP to Maxine Welcome (mw45@cornell.edu) if you will be able to attend. Please disregard if you have already responded.

3

2003 Upstate NY Potato Advisory Committee Meeting, Farmington, NY
DiPacific's Restaurant, Farmington (Rts. 96 and 332, just south of Thruway Exit 44, Canandaigua) from 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Potato growers, agribusiness people, extension, and Cornell faculty will discuss topics of interest to the industry. For more details, contact Don Halseth at 607-255-5460 or Carol at 585-394-3977 ext. 33.

4-5

5TH ANNUAL FUTURE OF OUR FOOD AND FARMS SUMMIT, Wilmington, Delaware
A regional summit to promote agriculture, learn about trends in food distribution, and find ways to promote healthy eating and reduce hunger in the Mid-Atlantic region.

This is an excellent conference. Full of interesting and useful presentations and workshops. Including one by Janet Nelson from Cornell's Department of Nutritional Sciences. See www.foodfarm.org for specifics on the program.

If you are interested in travel assistance to attend, contact Dave Smith at rds4@cornell.edu or 607-255-7286. Send a brief request for funds and a statement on how attendance at the program will enhance your educational programs. Include a brief budget showing anticipated travel expenses. Scholarships will be for at least 50% of the cost of travel. Funding for this travel scholarship is from a grant to Cornell from the NESARE Professional Development Program.

5

Minority Farming Training, Wilmington Wyndham Hotel, Delaware
Sponsored by USDA/CSREES
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Held in conjunction with The 5th Annual Future of Our Food and Farms Summit. Presented by The Mid-Atlantic Food & Farm Coalition

-- SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE . All scholarship applications should be sent by November 8th --Minority Farming Training Scholarship Flyer at:
http://www.ibiblio.org/farming-connection/fffconf/pdfs/MinorityFarmingScholarships.pdf

Are you in a minority farmer or do you work with minority farmers? Could you use more information about what crops to grow, financing, business planning, and budgeting? Would you like to learn about local, state, and federal resources available to you? Then the Minority Farming Training may be for you!

The purpose of the training, which will be offered during the 5th Annual Future of Our Food and Farms Summit, is to discover tools and resources that can help you make your farm more profitable. The training workshops will also be great places to meet people, make important contacts, and pick up resource materials free of charge.

The Minority Farming Training scholarships are valued at up to $180 each. Most of the funds will be used to defray the registration fee; however, a small percentage of the funds can be used for out-of-town participants to help cover hotel costs. Scholarships are primarily intended for minority farmers, however agricultural professionals who work with minority farmers will be considered. Recipients will be selected on a first come, first serve basis from among those who meet these criteria. Scholarship recipients are required to attend three sessions on December 5th and participate in the training evaluation procedures to receive funding.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please submit a brief letter or email that includes:
Your name, job title, organization, address, phone, email address (if you have one), and a one paragraph description of your farm and how this workshop might help you. Entries will be reviewed and scholarships awarded by members of a scholarship committee, including representatives from The Food Trust, Hershey Brothers Farm, Maryland Cooperative Extension, Mid-Atlantic Food and Farm Coalition, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of New Jersey, and University of Maryland.

Please send your application by email to contact@thefoodtrust.org, by fax to 215-568-0882 or by mail to Scholarship Application, The Food Trust, 1201 Chestnut Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

6-8

"Holistic Management for Farmers: A Three Day Workshop on a Decision Making Process That Can Change Your Life", Hudson, NY
A three day Holistic Management workshop for farmers to be held Saturday, December 6 through Monday, December 8, 2003 in Hudson, NY, about 35 miles southeast of Albany. Holistic Management helps farmers and others to enhance their quality of life and financial success, and achieve long-term health of land and water resources. This intensive workshop is a rare opportunity to learn how to implement this management approach on the farm and in your life. Instructor Seth Wilner, a county agricultural agent working with the diverse farms through University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, is an excellent workshop leader. Attendance with your spouse, farming partner, or another key person in your life and work is highly recommended. With enrollment capped at 25, early registration is advised.

For more information and to receive a brochure, please contact the Regional Farm & Food Project (http://www.capital.net/~farmfood/) at 518/271-0744 or farmfood@capital.net.

8-9

Hands-On Value-Added Meat Seminar: Fermented Sausage, Smoked and Cured Meats, Ithaca, NY. Two-day workshop: Demonstration with facility and lab exercises. Who should attend: Farmers, chefs and other individuals interested in the production of value-added meats. Also those interested in the business aspects and marketing opportunities of specialty meat products. Registration fee: $90.00 (includes materials, snacks and lunch).

Program Highlights
Monday December 8
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Equipment and facility requirements
- Current trends in the Specialty Meat Industry
- Basics of Meat Curing Chemistry
- Basic elements of Smoking and Cooking
- Producing a proper meat "emulsion"
- Casing and other forming/packaging
- Production of Fresh Sausages with Demonstration Techniques and Bulk, HC, and SC Packaging Options
- Production of Emulsion Sausage Products

Tuesday, December 9
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Business Basics for the Specialty Meat Industry
- Basics of Sausage evaluation
- Product Evaluation and Discussion
- Trouble Shooting Using Previous Day's Products as a Starting Point
- Regulatory and Food Safety Aspects
- Fermented Sausages and Semi-Dry Sausage Discussions
- Non-meat Ingredients, Low-Fat Technologies., Water Holding Capacity
- Pudding, Terrenes, Pates or Force Meat, or other Discussion Driven Topics of Interest

About the Instructors:
Denny Shaw is the Meat Laboratory manager of the Cornell University Meat Laboratory. He teaches a basic course in the Department of Animal Science. Bob Weybright is a Business/Marketing Specialist with the Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship. He conducts many workshops in business and marketing needs of small food entrepreneurs.

For more information and to register please contact Cheryl Leach at 315-787-2622 or email cal35@cornell.edu

9

Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference, Ithaca, NY
Description: New York agricultural leaders learn about the short- and long-term outlook for agriculture and agricultural products. Breakout sessions concentrate on dairy and horticultural products.

Date and Location: December 9, 2003; 10:00-3:30 p.m.; David L. Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Kennedy Hall lobby.

Registration Information: The discounted registration fee is $60 if the registration form is postmarked by November 25. Registrations postmarked after November 25 will be $70. Please make checks payable to Cornell University. Do not send cash. The registration fee for Cornell and CCE staff is $25. Please indicate on the registration form an appropriate account number to bill. The fee for emeritus faculty and media personnel with valid ID is waived. The fee includes the program and one copy of the New York Economic Outlook Handbook.

Audience: Industry leaders, agribusiness professionals, policymakers, educators, and farm managers.

Contact Information: Linda Putnam at 607-255-8429 or ldp2@cornell.edu.
http://aem.cornell.edu/outreach/index.htm#outlook

9-10

NY Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, NY

9, 10, 11, 17, 18

2003 Cornell Regional Farm and Small Business Tax Schools

Cornell University's Regional Income Tax Schools will feature an explanation of the new 2003 Federal and NYS Tax Legislation affecting individual taxpayers and farmers. Topics will include: capital gains, earned income credit, child tax credit, income averaging, education credits, installment sales, leasing, estate taxes, NYS school tax credit, tax management and reporting recommendations. The nearest locations, dates and phone numbers are, December 9 in Delevan (716-699-2377), December 10 in Auburn (315-255-1183), and December 11 in Owego, (607-687-4020) and December 18 in Oneonta (607-687-4020). These are full-day classes (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM). The cost to attend is $100 and pre-registration is required by December 4.

15
POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17TH. SAME TIME AND PLACE

2003 NYS Dry Bean Industry Advisory Committee Meeting, Farmington, NY
DiPacific's Restaurant, Farmington (Rts. 96 and 332, just south of Thruway Exit 44, Canandaigua) from 9:30 AM Coffee, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Meeting. For more details, contact chairman Duane Thompson at 585-526-5427 or Carol at 585-394-3977 ext. 33.

15

Annual FLCB Farmer-Restaurant Networking Meeting, 1-4 PM Red Newt Cellars Bistro, Route 414 Hector.
Join us for an informal gathering of chefs, restaurant and winery owners, farmers, food producers and other foodies to generate some new ideas and inspiration for FLCB projects in 2004. Refreshments and wine tasting to follow.

16

AGRI-LITE Crop Insurance Program for Farmers, Montour Falls, NY
A new streamlined crop insurance program called AGRI-LITE is now available for farmers that will provide protection for both weather and market related losses. The program is available to all producers but is most beneficial to horticultural crop producers producing fruit, vegetable and greenhouse/nursery crops. This is a program of the Risk Management Agency of the USDA that has been available for several years but is now streamlined to reduce the amount of recordkeeping required. Loss of revenue protection is based on the 5-year farm average revenue reported to the IRS.
To inform producers about how the works and help them decide if the program is right for their business, Cornell Cooperative Extension is hosting information meetings throughout the State prior to the sign-up closing on January 31, 2004. A session is planned for December 16 in Schuyler County that will highlight the benefits for fruit producers. Dairy producers are invited to attend any session in the morning, and afterwards a USDA RMA representative will be available to answer questions.
The meeting is free and open to all farm operators. Lunch is being provided. In Schuyler call 607-535-7161.

December 12, 16, 18
January 6, 8

Beef Quality Assurance Workshops Level 1 Training
Broome – Tioga December 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Broome - CCE auditorium, 840 Front Street, Binghamton NY (Bring a dessert to pass and we'll provide the beverages).

Cortland December 16, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cortland County Office Building, 60 Central Ave, Room 109, Cortland NY

Tompkins December 18, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Tompkins County CCE, Willow Avenue,
Conference Room A, Ithaca NY

Schuyler January 6, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Schuyler CCE, Rural Urban Center,
Room 303, Montour Falls, NY

Chemung January 8, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Chemung CCE, Human Resources Center, Room 110, Elmira, NY

One of the key concerns of today's consumer is the perception that their food is safe and of high quality. The BQA program was designed to provide certification that farmers are using management practices that will result in a safe and wholesome beef product. The goal of the New York BQA program is to increase the competitive base for marketing New York cattle.

The training is designed to enhance carcass quality by:
• Preventing residues
• Reducing carcass defects
• Eliminating pathogen contamination

Beef producers who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate of participation.

Please call Cornell Cooperative Extension to register so we can order enough books:

Cortland, Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung meeting call Sharon VanDeuson at
753-5078. Binghamton meeting call Janet Allard at 772-8954 ext. 151.

16-17

Cow Assessment Workshop, Tally Ho Restaurant, Richfield Springs, NY
10:30-3:30 each day. Cost for two days is $25 per person. Instructors include William Stone, DVM, Cornell Pro Dairy; Dr. Frank Welcome, DVM, Quality Milk Production Services, Dr. Thomas Overton, Animal Science Dept. Cornell,; David R. Balbian MS, PAS Area Dairy Specialist; Dr. Mark Broody DVM German Flats Veterinary Clinic; Dr. Robert LaDue DVM. For more information or to register call Dave Balbian at 518-762-3909.

16-18

New England Vegetable & Berry Conference and New England Fruit Meeting, Manchester, NH
For the latest information about the program and registration, consult the conference web site:
www.nevbc.org


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