Did you know, the best time to test your soil and adjust its pH level is NOW, in the fall, NOT in the spring! Any amendments you add to your soil can take up to 6 months to work their magic (i.e., lime or sulphur).
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are hosting fall pH clinics starting Sept. 15th.
Cornell Small Farms Program just released a new guide for small farmers that lists research projects from the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Landowners and Producers Can Now Enroll in Continuous CRP with General Sign-Up to Follow
May 14, 2013 - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. Vilsack also announced the restart of sign-up for continuous CRP, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other related initiatives. Sign-up for continuous CRP began on May 13 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2013.
The Women, Food and Agriculture Network is offering a FREE webinar to discuss the upcoming Conservation Reserve Program's eligibility requirements, ways to increase acceptance into the program, annual payment rates and CRP practices and management options.
See the video about the Farm Service Agency's Conservation Reserve Programs.
Get the handouts and presentations from the Right to Farm Ordinances Session, Southern Tier West's Local Government Conference on May 8, 2013.
The following linked article was shared by Cornell's small dairy educator Fay Benson (607-753-5077, afb3 [at] cornell.edu):
Pimm’s View Dairy is located in the Town of Leon and consists of approximately 300 milking cows and operates over 600 acres of cropland. The operation includes Adelia Pimm Ritter, her husband Kevin, and her parents Fred and Alta Pimm.
Rick Miller, a Central New York native, has worked at the Olean Times Herald since September 1980. Earlier he worked for the Salamanca Republican Press and the Cattaraugus County Department of Aging. He is currently the Cattaraugus County reporter and a photographer. He also covers the political, agricultural, environmental, economic development and Allegany State Park beats for the Times Herald.
Pine-Villa Farm is owned and operated by Tom & Robin Degenfelder and their children Justin and Jason. The farm started in January 1996 on a relative's farm in North Collins. In 2000, our present farm in Otto was purchased. The farm consists of 300 acres owned and 110 acres of rented land. We have 110 registered and grade adult Holstein, Jersey and cross bred cattle along with 90 head of young stock. The farm uses conventional and grazing methods to feed the herd.
Some good reading on methods of grazing, crop rotation and more with the following articles and video.
We're working on the Ag site for Cattaraugus County and we'll be adding a lot of content over the coming weeks to get to a grand launch date. If you happen to stumble upon the site and have an idea for the site then we'd like to hear what ag-related content that you would like to see on here.
Get the freshest farm news, events and updates from in and around Cattaraugus County, NY at least once a month! Go signup!
Other ways to stay connected:
Resources for Starting a Farm in Cattaraugus County
Profile of Cattaraugus County soils
Agriculture Career Exploration
Questions about farming? Find out Who to Call
