Jan Beglinger,
Agriculture Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 585-343-3040 ext. 126
E-mail: jmb374@cornell.edu
Barb Sturm, Ag In The Classroom Educator
Phone: 585-343-3040 ext. 122
E-mail: bbs28@cornell.edu
Kimberly Amey, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 585-343-3040 ext. 112
E-mail: kln26@cornell.edu
Barbara Ettinger, Receptionist
Phone: 585-343-3040 ext. 101
Or Stop By the Cornell Cooerative Extension of Genesee County at 420 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020
Agriculture Information is presented here as a part of the programming offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.
Click HERE to see more of what Cooperative Extension has to offer.
Farmer Grants
Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, or other technique. A technical advisor--often an extension agent, crop consultant, or other service professional--is required as a project participant.
Projects should seek results other farmers can use, and all projects must have the potential to add to our knowledge about effective sustainable practices.
Note: Proposal deadlines are in December with awards announced in March. Feel free to read the 2009 application materials, but do not use outdated materials to apply for funds. A new application for 2010 will be released in the summer of 2009.
Let us help you--
Get an overview of the Farmer Grants
In the overview section (http://nesare.org/get/farmers/fg-overview/) you can get a description of the grant, who can apply, what type of projects can be funded, what is expected of grantees, and a timeline for submitting a proposal.
Learn how to apply
Interested in applying for a Farmer Grant? Look at the application form, checklists, timelines, and review criteria, and learn how to get help if you need it. You can also read or download How to Write a SARE Farmer Grant. http://nesare.org/get/farmers/fg-application/
Find out what happens when a project is funded
Preview SARE's reporting, reimbursement, and policy requirements so you can find out ahead of time with what we expect of successful grantees. http://nesare.org/get/farmers/fg-awarded/
Look at past Farmer Grant projects
Read brief descriptions of projects funded in the most recent grant cycle to get a feel for the variety of projects and approaches SARE is receptive to. http://nesare.org/get/farmers-examples/
For more information go to http://nesare.org/get/farmers/
Please note that the minimum wage increase is effective as of July 24, 2009. The hourly rate changes from $6.55 to $7.25.
You can see the new additional information from the state Department of Labor here: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/formsdocs/wp/LS207_2009.pdf or go to the Downloads section and click on Minimum Wage Increase.
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has released its Farm Production Expenses report and it only serves to confirm the huge financial pressure farmers are facing in this fiscal crisis. Comparing the five-year period from 2002 to 2007, total expenditures on gasoline, fuels, and oils increased dramatically by 95 percent. Expenditures on fertilizers, lime and soil conditioners also saw a sharp increase of 67 percent. These numbers were calculated from the Census of Agriculture, before prices for these products rose even higher. Decreased expenditures were much smaller, but there were some: rent and lease expenses for machinery, equipment, and farm share of vehicles dropped 20 percent, while expenses for livestock and poultry purchased or leased dropped by 4 percent.
Article 20 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) requires farm product dealers to be licensed. The law provides financial protection for producers against nonpayment for their products sold to licensed dealers from the dealer’s security and the Agricultural Producers Security Fund.
Your Responsibilities as a Producer:
Do business with a licensed dealer.
Do not continue to sell products to a dealer who has failed to make timely payments.
File a claim when a dealer has failed to make timely payments.
To be eligible for coverage, all claims must be filed no later than 365 days after the sale and delivery of the farm product, but in no event, beyond the expiration of the 30-day period provided in the notice published by the Department. Claim forms may be obtained by contacting the Department at 1-800-554-4501 or by downloading the forms from the Department’s website at: www.agmkt.state.ny.us/programs/apsf.html
For more information download the brochure Ag Producers Security Program.
We can accept cash, check or credit card for payments of classes, seminars, enrollments, etc.
Cash Payments: Stop by our office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
Checks: Stop by our office or mail your check to us with registration forms.
Credit Cards: Register and pay with your credit card by stopping by our office or calling 585-343-3040 ext. 101.
Welcome to the Genesee County Cornell University Cooperative Extension Agriculture web page! Here you will find information about the number one industry in Genesee County - Agriculture. Whether you are looking for what to buy in season, careers in agriculture, events that are coming up or interested in starting your own farm operation this is the place to be.
Click HERE to return to the main CCE of Genesee County website.
11 Counties Named Natural Disaster Areas
USDA announced last week that 11 counties in NY have been declared primary natural disaster areas because of losses caused by excessive rain and hail that occurred in May in some parts of the state. The counties are: Dutchess, Lewis, Monroe, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, Seneca, Suffolk, Ulster, Washington and Wayne. Qualified farms in these counties or the 28 contiguous counties that meet requirements may be eligible for emergency assistance from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Farmers have eight months from the date of declaration to apply for loans. Contact your local FSA office for more information or visit http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
USDA Disaster Assistance Programs
Syracuse, New York, Sept.22, 2009 – On September 14th, 2009, James Barber, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in New York, announced that producers could start applying for benefits under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
"These programs ensure that producers who have suffered agriculture losses receive the critical disaster assistance needed to remain financially solvent and help them continue on in their operations." Barber said.
ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish who have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions not covered under other Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance programs. This program is being implemented to fill in the gap and provide assistance under other conditions determined to be appropriate.
To be eligible for ELAP, producers must have crop insurance or NAP for all crops produced by the operation. Crops intended for grazing are exempt from this requirement for ELAP. Producers who meet requirements of socially disadvantaged, limited resource or beginning farmer do not have to meet risk management purchase requirements.
Producers must have suffered losses that occurred on or after January 1, 2008, and before October 1, 2011. All producers must timely file application notices of losses. Payment limitation for ELAP during the 2008 crop year is $100,000 per “person” as defined and determined under payment limitation rules in effect for 2008. For crop years 2009 through 2011, the $100,000 limitation applies to payments received, both directly and indirectly, by a person or legal entity.
Farmers must purchase the necessary federal crop insurance or NAP coverage by the applicable deadline. Upcoming crop year 2010 deadlines for obtaining crop insurance or NAP coverage on mixed forage, grass, clover and alfalfa and all spring and fall small-grains is September 30, 2009 and December 1, 2009 for honey. For more information please visit your local USDA Service Center or FSA county office. (See Downloads section.) Information can also be obtained on line at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
Water Bottle Deposits Start Oct. 31
Less litter and more recycling were not tricks, but rather treats promised by the passage of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill earlier this year. Now that a U.S. District Court has ruled to lift the injunction regarding nickel deposits on bottled water, this important piece of the legislation will become effective on Halloween. NYFB supported the water bottle deposits because it will generate more money for the Environmental Protection Fund, which funds some farm-related projects, and keep more litter out of farm fields. The unclaimed deposits will be split 80% to the state and 20% to the EPF.
Consumers Trust Dairy Farmers
That’s what a survey conducted by the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYAAC) found in October. New York consumers have a high level of trust in their local dairy farmers to produce a safe, healthy and abundant supply of food. With grant support from the NY Center for Dairy Excellence, more than 600 New York State residents living within six miles of an active dairy farm were surveyed in six farming communities. The vast majority of respondents, 85 percent, have a very favorable impression of dairy farming, citing local food, contributions to the community and local economy and environmental stewardship as benefits provided. Nearly half view farmers as the best source of information about agriculture. Find out more online at www.farmskeepnygreen.com.
"Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" Initiative Launches Website
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan launched a new USDA website for the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative to continue the national conversation about developing local and regional food systems and finding ways to support small and mid-sized farms. "We want this website to serve as a hub of ideas, success stories, and USDA resources for linking local producers with consumers, because by rebuilding our local and regional food systems, we can spur economic opportunity in rural communities and strengthen American agriculture," Merrigan said. "Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than they have been at any other time since most families left the farm and we are marshalling resources from across all of USDA to help create and strengthen the link between local production and local consumption."
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER
To make make a credit card payment to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, please enter the amount below then click on "Continue"
You should also click HERE to e-mail the details of what you are paying for. If you have any questions please call our office at 585-343-3040 ext. 101.
The Department of Environmental Conservation recently finalized regulations that would restrict “open burning” in New York State. These new regulations go into effect on October 14. The final regulation addresses a number of the concerns raised by New York Farm Bureau in the Department’s earlier proposal. While this proposal allows the burning of many agricultural waste components for disposal, it would still prohibit the burning of plastic in the state. Funding from New York State Environmental Protection Fund has been provided to offset the costs of an agricultural plastics recycling program – for more information on this program go to www.nysaes.cornell.edu/recommends/RAPPPSummary-CornellGuidelines2008Oct27.pdf.
Under the new regulations, you are allowed to burn the following items on your property;
• On-site burning of agricultural wastes as part of a valid agricultural operation on contiguous agricultural lands larger than five acres actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use, provided such waste is actually grown or generated on those lands and such waste is capable of being fully burned within a 24-hour period. This includes the use of liquid petroleum fueled smudge pots to prevent frost damage to crops.
• DEC defines "Agricultural Land" as the land and on-farm buildings, equipment, manure processing and handling facilities, and practices that contribute to the production, preparation and marketing of crops, livestock and livestock products as a commercial enterprise, including a 'commercial horse boarding operation' and 'timber processing'. Such farm operation may consist of one or more parcels of owned or rented land, which parcels may be contiguous or noncontiguous to each other.
• DEC defines “Agricultural Waste” as any waste from naturally grown products such as vines, trees and branches from orchards, leaves and stubble. In addition, any fully organic waste either grown or generated on the premises, including but not limited to paper feed bags, wood shavings used for livestock bedding, bailing twine, and other non-plastic materials. Agricultural waste does not include pesticide containers, fertilizer bags, large plastic storage bags (including bags commonly known as "Ag bags"), offal, tires, plastic feed bags, and other plastic or synthetic materials.
• Individual open fires as approved by the Director of the Division of Air Resources as may be required in response to an outbreak of a plant or animal disease upon request by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, or for the destruction of invasive plant and insect species.
• Downed limbs and branches (including branches with attached leaves or needles) less than six inches in diameter and eight feet in length between May 15th and the following March 15th (Meaning no burning of these items between March 15 and May 15).
• Barbecue grills, maple sugar arches and similar outdoor cooking devices can be used only for cooking or processing food.
• Small fires used for cooking and camp fires provided that only charcoal or untreated wood is used as fuel and the fire is not left unattended until extinguished.
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires provided that only untreated wood or other agricultural products are used as fuel and the fire is not left unattended until extinguished.
• Small fires that are used to dispose of a flag or religious item, and small fires or other smoke producing process where not otherwise prohibited by law that are used in connection with a religious ceremony.
• Fire training, including firefighting, fire rescue, and fire/arson investigation training, performed under applicable rules and guidelines of the New York State Department of State's Office of Fire Prevention and Control. For fire training performed on acquired structures, the structures must be emptied and stripped of any material that is toxic, hazardous or likely to emit toxic smoke (such as asbestos, asphalt shingles and vinyl siding or other vinyl products) prior to burning and must be at least 300 feet from other occupied structures. No more than one structure per lot or within a 300 foot radius (whichever is bigger) may be burned in a training exercise.
If you have questions regarding this new regulation, please contact NYFB at (518) 546-8495.
The DEC has a Questions and Answers web site at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html
Transition from the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Lab (CNAL) to Agro-One (Dairy One) has occurred. (Tissue sample analyses will continue at CNAL). Considerable effort was needed to modify Agro-One’s test for phosphorus (P). The Mehlich test, which had been used, could indicate high P in low pH soils when the P was actually tied up by aluminum and unavailable to plants. CNAL and Agro-One continue to work closely.
Pre-paid Cornell soil test bags in circulation will continue to be honored. For new Agro-One sample submission forms and sampling supplies go to the Dairy One website http://www.dairyone.com/AgroOne/default.htm. Info on the Dairy One sample pickup system is available under the Sample Pick-Up Points tab. Or contact them at 800-496-3344, fax: 607-257-6808, 730 Warren Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850. Be sure to request “Cornell Recommendations.”
The Cornell University Berry Program continues to host a series of Webinars for Berry farmers, supported by funding from the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center (NEIPM). The webinars feature experts from eastern North America speaking on production and pest management topics and their current related research.
All Webinars are scheduled for 1:00pm so berry growers can enjoy hearing these live presentations in the comfort of their home or office while they eat lunch! Speakers will answer questions live during and after the presentation.
All webcasts will be recorded and archived at: http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/webcastarchive.htm.
Participation is easy; all you need is a high-speed internet connection and a web browser. Participants will connect to a secure Cornell Cooperative Extension server to join the presentation.
Don’t have high speed internet access or a home computer? Participate in the webcasts at a group location. Options for attending a group session at extension offices across the region are being arranged, so check the website to find a location near you, or call your local extension office and see if they can arrange a viewing.
The webcasts have been divided into 3 mini series focusing on major berry crops: Strawberries, Blueberries/Cranberries and Brambles with 4 presentations for each crop group. The entire schedule follows. If you have missed a topic of interest, just check the website and view the archived webcast.
There is no charge for webcast participation, but registration is required. Connection details are sent to registered participants the day prior to the event. Connections for each webcast are limited, so register now by contacting Laura McDermott, lgm4@cornell.edu or calling 518-746-2562.
For additional program details and other information: http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/webcastindex.htm.
Future Programs
Wednesday, November 4, Blueberry/Cranberry weed management, Hilary Sandler of the University of Massachusetts will discuss IPM Techniques for Dodder in Cranberries, and Dr. Eric Hanson of Michigan State University will present New Approaches to Blueberry Weed Management.
Wednesday, November 18, Blueberry/Cranberry Disease Management, Dr. Annemiek Schilder, of Michigan State University, speaks about Understanding and Managing Blueberry Viruses and Dr. Frank Caruso of the University of Massachusetts talks about Important Cranberry Diseases in the Northeast.
Wednesday, December 2, Blueberry/Cranberry Production Topics, Dr. Gary Pavlis of Rutgers University will speak on Blueberry Site Preparation and Fertility Considerations and Sonia Schloemann of the University of Massachusetts will speak on Overcoming Blueberry Pollination Challenges
Wednesday, December 9, Blueberry/Cranberry Insect Management, Dr. Roger Williams of Ohio State University will discuss Japanese Beetle Management and Robert Childs of the University of Massachusetts will talk about Winter Moth: A New Blueberry Pest.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 Bramble Production Topics, Dr. Marvin Pritts from Cornell University will present Growing Brambles in High Tunnels and Dr. Fumiomi Takeda of the USDA research station in Kearneysville, WV will present his work on the Rotating Cross Arm Trellis for Brambles.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, Bramble Weed Management, Dr. David Handley of the University of Maine will discuss the Cultural Weed Control Options for Brambles and Dr. Rich Bonanno of the University of Massachusetts will instruct growers on Using Herbicides Effectively in Bramble Plantings.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, Bramble Diseases, Pam Fisher of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture in Canada will discuss Controlling Root and Crown Diseases in Brambles and Dr. Kerik Cox of Cornell University will speak on Managing Bramble Viruses.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010, Bramble Insects, Dr. Hannah Burrack of the University of North Carolina will talk about Controlling Crown and Cane Borers, and TBA.