Animal Science Department

2009 Cornell Bred Hiefer Sale - Oct. 24, 2009

Cornell Teaching and Research Center, 681 Cornell Ln.,

Dryden, NY starting at 1pm.  See website for more details

www.wix.com/lynnis2944/BeefSale

Whole Farm Planning
For Beginning Women Farmers
Quick−answer these four questions:
Do you wear muddy boots more than you wear high heels?
Do you believe women learn more effectively from each other?
Would you like to learn from other women farmers?
Have you been farming less than 10 years?
If you answered “yes” to at least three of the above questions, you have a chance to join
other farming women for support and camaraderie learning about whole farm planning.
Through funds from a USDA grant, beginning women farmers in NY can learn more
about whole farm planning in a program developed specifically for women. Best of all, it
costs nothing but your time and interest.
This program includes:
One-on-One Mentorships
On-Farm Field Days
Business Planning Seminars
Network of Women Farmers
Sound good? If you are interested in learning more or applying for this program, please
contact Phil Metzger at 607-334-3231, x4 or phil.metzger@ny.usda.gov by Nov. 30th.
ALSO: Want to be a farmer mentor? Please contact Phil for more information and to apply.  Classes will be scheduled throughout the 2010 winter with farm visits during the growing season of 2010. Commitment to attend all sessions (except the final one) is expected. Exact locations and dates TBD by early January.
Topics include:
1. Introduction for Whole Farm Program; Creating a Values-based Farm Mission;
Whole Farm Decision Analysis Process;
2. Increasing Farm Profitability (Gross Profit Analysis; Enterprise Analysis)
3. Creating a Whole Farm Financial Plan
4. Business Planning Basics
5. Creating a Marketing Plan
6. Soil Fertility Basics; Examining Enterprise’s Environmental Impact;
7. Time Management – Pulling it All Together in a Whole Farm Plan
8. Land and Infrastructure Planning
9. Leadership/Communication Skills
10. Integrating Livestock on your Farm (optional)

Application

Meat Processing and Food Safety Certificate Program

SUNY Cobleskill is offering this program in January and June. Information is available at www.cobleskill.edu/meatpro .

Upcoming Events (from Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative's "Grazette".  To subscribe contact Karen Hoffman, karen.hoffman2@ny.usda.gov)
Hudson Valley Farm Beginnings® - Beginning October 2009 thorugh February 2010 - Hawthorne Valley Farm Learning Center, Ghent (Columbia County) - This program will include nine classroom sessions in on-farm goal setting, strategic and business planning, marketing, and financial management, for those interested in developing or expanding farm enterprises.  The course is farmer led and farmer taught so participants will gain access to many local and regional farmer-mentor colleagues during the classroom sessions and during four additional field days at local, sustainably managed farms.  After completing a fully articulated and written business plan, participants will be able to have the plan reviewed by a farmer mentor of their choosing.  Based on curricula developed by the Land Stewardship Project and Angelic Organic's Learning Center.  For more information, contact Rachel Schneider at rachel@hawthornevalleyfarm.org or visit www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org.

Fourth National Conference on Grazing Lands - December 13th to 16th, 2009 - Reno/Sparks, Nevada - The Nuggett Hotel and Casino - This conference will provide you with a forum for discussion and exchange of grazing land information, technology, scientific and applied research, and to see new products and services.   The National GLCI and its Program Committee wants to have the best of the best farmer/rancher speakers at this year's 4th National Conference on Grazing Lands (4NCGL).  General information about the conference and online registration (NEW!) is available at www.glci.org/4NCGLindex.htm.

Second Annual Winter Green-up Grass-fed Conference - January 29th and 30th, 2010 - Century House, Latham, NY (Albany Co.) - This year's conference will be expanded in response to last year's attendee feedback, and there will be more time to interact with the speakers, the vendors, and each other.  All the food served will be locally grown and raised this year.  Speakers will include Dr. Allen Williams, Terry Gompert, Troy Bishopp, Mark DeBoo, and Ken Jaffe.  Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County.  For more information, visit www.diamonddangus.com.
Brochure