1 SUMMER 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY Good Living and Good Farming – Connecting People, Land, and Communities
Feature Articles Equine Farming in the Northeast . . . . .Page 18 Grazing Weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 High Tunnel Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8 Choosing a Cover Crop . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 17
Supplement to Country Folks
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July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY - SUMMER 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS SMALL FARM PROGRAM UPDATE Cornell Small Farms Program Update ........................................................Page 3
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Dairy Farms Big and Small Benefit from Business Benchmarking, by Rebecca Schuelke...................Page 7
COMMUNITY AND WORLD Mediation - Frank Talk, Fair Solutions, by NYSAMP ..................................Page 3 Worldwide Food Crisis?, by Gerard Monnat..............................................Page 11
COWS AND CROPS Grass-Finishing Beef on BMRSS, by Tom Gallagher ................................Page 19 Selecting The Right Cover Crop, by Thomas Björkman ............................Page 17 Swallow-wort Threatens Northeast Ag, by Brian Aldrich and Larissa Smith ......................................................................................................................Page 22 Dear Vicki Vetch..., by Vicki Vetch ...............................................................Page 23
GRAZING Focus On Managing Land, Not Owning It, by Jennifer Colby ..................Page 17 Let Them Eat Weeds!, by Mike Dennis .........................................................Page 4 Think About Stockpiling, by Mike Dennis....................................................Page 8
HORTICULTURE So, You Want To Start A Vineyard and Winery?, by Jodi Creasap............Page 15 The High Tunnel Question: To Heat or Not to Heat?, by Molly Shaw ........Page 8
LOCAL FOODS & MARKETING Freezing and Vacuum Packaging for Local, Healthy Convenience Products, by Anna Dawson......................................Page 5
NEW FARMERS Consider Beekeeping, by Niechelle Wade ...................................................Page 6 Farm Bureau: A Key Resource for Beginning Farmers, by M. Kelly Young ......................................................................................................................Page 10
NON-DAIRY LIVESTOCK Managing the Lambing Season, by Ulf Kintzell ........................................Page 16 Tackling the Livestock Processing Bottleneck, by Martha Goodsell ........Page 9 The Many Faces of Equine Farming, by Fiona Farrel ...............................Page 18
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHTS Becoming An Outdoors-Woman ...............................................................Page 12 Center for Absentee Landowners .............................................................Page 17 New Beginning Farmer Resource Center Website ..................................Page 10 Some Helpful Agencies................................................................................Page 6 Viticulture and Enology Resources ..........................................................Page 15
SMALL FARM SPOTLIGHTS Life on Springside Farm, by Renee Drexler.................................................Page 9 The Kilpatrick Family Farm, by Martha Herbert Izzi ..................................Page 13
STEWARDSHIP & NATURE
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY Good Farming and Good Living — Connecting People, Land, and Communities
Small Farm Quarterly is for farmers and farm families — including spouses and children - who value the quality of life that smaller farms provide. OUR GOALS ARE TO: • Celebrate the Northeast region’s smaller farms; • Inspire and inform farm families and their supporters; • Help farmers share expertise and opinions with each other; • Increase awareness of the benefits that small farms contribute to society and the environment. • Share important research, extension, and other resources. Small Farm Quarterly is produced by Lee Publications, Inc., and is distributed four times a year as a special section of Country Folks. Volume 6 publication dates: July 7 and October 6, 2008; January 5 and April 6, 2009.
EDITORIAL TEAM: • Anu Rangarajan, Cornell Small Farms Program Editor in Chief • Joanna Green, Cornell Small Farms Program Managing Editor • Brian Aldrich, Cayuga County CCE Field Crops • Laura Biasillo, Broome County CCE New Farmers • Celeste Carmichael, NYS 4-H Youth Development Program Youth Pages; Home and Family • Mike Dennis, CCE Cortland County Grazing • Gary Goff, Cornell Natural Resources Department Forest and Woodlot • Martha Herbert Izzi, Vermont Farmer Vermont • Sarah Johnston, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Organic Agriculture • Betsy Lamb, CCE Integrated Pest Management Program Horticulture • Gerard F. Monnat, Writer and Farmer Community/World • Sue Neal, Farmer Women in Agriculture • Rebecca Schuelke, NY Farm Viability Institute Business Management • John Thurgood, Delaware County CCE-NYC Watershed Agriculture Program Stewardship and Nature
607-255-1780 607-255-9227 607-255-4799 607-255-2247 607-255-4799 315-539-9251 607-255-2824 802-492-3346 518-457-4531 607-254-8800 315-265-0206 607-962-9459 315-453-3823 607-865-7090
FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION CONTACT Tracy Crouse, Lee Publications, Inc., PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 888-596-5329 subscriptions@leepub.com FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Button, Lee Publications, Inc., 518-673-3237 bbutton@leepub.com SEND YOUR LETTERS AND STORIES TO: Joanna Green Cornell Small Farms Program 135 Plant Science Building, Cornell University Ithaca, NY, 14853 607-255-9227 jg16@cornell.edu About copyright: The material published in Small Farm Quarterly is not copyrighted unless otherwise noted. However, we ask that you please be sure to credit both the author and Small Farm Quarterly.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS: Cornell Small Farms Program www.smallfarms.cornell.edu 607-255-9227
Agricultural Environmental Management -- Praising Grazing!, by Barbara Silvestri............................................Page 23
WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
PRO-DAIRY/CCE-NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy 607-255-4285
www.cce.cornell.edu www.cals.cornell.edu
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, by Kelly Stang .......................................Page 12
YOUTH PAGES Spending Time with a Friend, by Jessica Brown.......................................Page 20 Geospacial Adventures, by Elliott Padnode...............................................Page 20 We’re Horse N Around, by Horse N Around 4-H Club ...............................Page 21 The Unstung Hero, by Chris Voss...............................................................Page 21 Fundraising Helps a Friend, by Heather Dunton and Anna Cole ..............Page 21 • Spring 2008 Corrections. The photo of grazing heifers on page 17 should have been credited to Alex Benson rather than Robert DeClue.
Cover photo: Ewes at Northland Sheep Dairy, Freetown Corners, NY. Photo by Joanna Green.
Watershed Agricultural Council www.nycwatershed.org 607-865-7790
NYS 4-H Teen Program www.cce.cornell.edu/4h 607-255-0886
ABOUT OUR ADS... All advertisements in Small Farm Quarterly are managed by Lee Publications. Cornell’s Small Farms Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and other Small Farm Quarterly sponsors and contributors do not endorse advertisers, their products or services. We receive no revenues from advertisers. To find out how your business or organization can advertise in Small Farm Quarterly, contact: Bruce Button, Lee Publications, 1-518-673-3237, bbutton@leepub.com.
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
Cornell Small Farms Program Update Summer is in full swing, our Director Anu Rangarajan is back from her Sabbattic, and we're full steam ahead here at the Cornell Small Farms Program! We want to give a big Thank You! to Mike Baker, NYS Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, who served as our interim Director while Anu was away. SMALL FARM GRANTS PROGRESS REPORTS NOW ONLINE Progress Reports for our 2007-8 Small Farm Grant are now online. These grants are made available to Cornell Cooperative Extension educators with creative program ideas that specifically target local small farm businesses and the families who live and work on these farms. In the 2007-8 cycle, eleven projects were funded for a total of $30,000. Three of the projects were new statewide "Work Teams" organized specifically in response to priorities identified by participants at the 2006 and 2007 Small Farms Summit. The work teams are identifying barriers and opportunities in the areas of Grasslands Utilization, Local Markets, and Livestock Processing.
with NOFA NY to organize a series of summer field days on farms around New York State. The field days range from a day at Sto-Ridge Farm in Madison County exploring a whole farm system incorporating composting, alternative fuel, and intensive grazing, to a tour of Willow Creek Farm in Allegany County where Chuck Deichmann will discuss high quality forage production, forage testing, determining rations, and pasture management on a progressive grasslands farm. Several of the field days feature guest speaker Jerry Brunetti, founder of Agri-Dynamics, a 25year-old company that offers natural and alternative livestock health approaches. Learn more details about these field days by visiting the Organic Dairy Initiative website at: www. organic.cornell.edu/organicdairy/News.html
Other projects include several farmer to farmer discussion groups, a career exploration program, a How-to Guide to produce a local food/wine/fiber festival, and a NY Horse Farm Managers Association. For details on these and other small farm extension projects, visit: www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/projects/gra nts/0708.cfm.
NEW "ORGANIC CROPS FOR ORGANIC DAIRIES" CD RELEASED The NY Organic Dairy Initiative has responded to the critical shortage of organic grain available for organic livestock production by creating a CD titled "Organic Crops for Organic Dairies." The CD is a compilation of some of the most up-to-date resources on growing organic field crops, covering everything from technical information to certification requirements, soil amendments, weed management and business tools. A complete index and an online download of the CD's contents may be found at the New York Organic Dairy Initiative's website. Visit: www.organic.cornell.edu and click on "Organic Dairy."
ORGANIC DAIRY AND FIELD CROPS FIELD DAYS Our NY Organic Dairy Initiative has teamed up
HIGH DEMAND FOR ONLINE BEGINNING FARMER COURSE Our NY Beginning Farmer Project had its first
COMMUNITY
AND
WORLD
Mediation -- Frank Talk, Fair Solutions By NYSAMP Farm families sometimes find themselves confronted with situations that escalate into law suits, resulting in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in legal costs. Thanks to federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers in many states now have an alternative to escalating conflict and litigation - an Agricultural Mediation Program. Agricultural Mediation Programs provide free, fair, voluntary, local, confidential mediation services to farm families so they can reach
good solutions in a private and informal setting. All decisions are made by the people directly involved, and not by outside authorities. In New York State agricultural mediation services are provided the NY Agricultural Mediation Program (NYSAMP) through local mediation centers that serve every county (some centers serve two or more counties). There are many mediators statewide that have received additional training in agricultural mediation and have connections with the agricultural community.
How can I get Small Farm Quarterly? Country Folks subscribers automatically receive SFQ four times a year at no extra cost. Country Folks is delivered weekly for $35 per year. SFQ-only subscribers receive just the 4 issues of Country Folks that contain the SFQ insert for only $5 a year. Cooperative Extension Associations and other organizations can offer their members a subscription to SFQ as a member benefit! Your organization collects the names, forwards them to Country Folks Subscriptions, and pays Country Folks just $2.50 for each subscriber. Country Folks mails out the copies. Bulk orders: You can order multiple copies of any issue for just 10¢ a copy! Minimum order is 50. Orders must be placed at least 4 weeks before the publication date - Fall 2008 copies need to be ordered by September 5. To find out more, contact: Tracy Crouse Country Folks Subscriptions P.O. Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 1-888-596-5329 email: subscriptions@leepub.com
official run of a new online course this spring, and attracted over 60 applicants from all over the country. Too bad only 25 slots were available! The 9-week course offers farm enterprise start-up training from the comfort of your living room. It's designed for participants from a diversity of backgrounds, from those just exploring a new idea to those seeking to diversify or expand existing farm operations. The class began in late March with introductions and orientation to the on-line course structure. Over the next several months, students learned about the basics of building a business plan; setting goals; identifying skills & resources; marketing; evaluating land, equipment, and facilities; choosing an enterprise; land stewardship; profitability; regulations; taxes and legal issues. The interactive nature of the course provided lots of opportunity for students to get and give feedback on their business plans, and to share ideas with course leaders and other agricultural entrepreneurs from around the state. To find out about the next online course to be offered, and about other beginning farmer training opportunities around the state, visit: www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/events/inde x.cfm#beginningfarmer.
For more information about Cornell's Small Farms Program and lots of other small farm topics, visit our website at www.smallfarms.cornell.edu. You can also sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter, Small Farms Update, by sending an email to Violet Stone at vws7@cornell.edu. Please provide your name, farm name, postal address, and county. A MEDIATION SUCCESS STORY "Jack" is a local dairy farmer who believes that he follows good agricultural methods. He became angry when he learned that his neighbor was complaining about the odor of manure to other neighbors, the police, and several town officials. The problem continued to escalate until a Cornell Cooperative Extension agent recommended mediation. After a frank discussion with a local mediator and the neighbor, the farmer agreed to change the timing of his manure spreading and to give his neighbor notice about certain farm practices. The neighbor promised to contact the farmer directly before complaining to others, and gained a better appreciation of farm work and practices, economic and regulatory pressures, and the farmer's contributions to the community. With the mediator's help, they wrote an agreement. Even more important, they understood and respected each other. That's just one example of how mediation can help. Mediation is facilitated by a trained, experienced, and neutral person, who helps people discuss issues, identify and consider options, and, if they wish, to agree on mutually acceptable solutions. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, a mediator does not make judgments or decisions about solutions. Mediation is not about winning or losing: it helps people find solutions that will work for every one. Mediation provides an opportunity for people to resolve conflict before it escalates in a way that is costly and hurts everybody. Mediation is voluntary, confidential and private. Mediators cannot be forced to testify, and mediation documents cannot be used for any other legal action. Each county in New York is served by a mediation center; mediators may be staff members or volunteers. Usually there is no charge for mediation. BENEFITS OF MEDIATION NYSAMP helps farm families in other areas as well. It can address situations in which a producer's ability to obtain or maintain credit is questionable. For example, mediation can help resolve a conflict over a feed bill, a loan or debt, a rental or leasing agreement, a landlord/tenant or labor problem, or a complaint from a neighbor.
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Get Connected! Find your local Cooperative Extension office CT: UConn Cooperative Extension 1-860-486-9228 ME: UME Cooperative Extension 1-800-287-0274 (in Maine) MA: UMass Cooperative Extension (413) 545-4800 NH: UNH Cooperative Extension 603-862-1520 NY: Cornell Cooperative Extension 607-255-2237 PA: Penn State Cooperative Extension 814-865-4028 RI: URI Cooperative Extension (401) 874-2900 VT: UVM Cooperative Extension 1-866-622-2990 (toll-free in VT) Mediation can also help families solve problems about custody and visitation, divorce, or family succession. What's more, mediation is a way for a producer to appeal adverse decisions from the USDA, including farm loans and loan servicing, farm and conservation programs, wetland determinations, pesticides, and other areas where the viability of a farmer's business is in danger. Mediation can improve communication, reduce stress, and increase trust and respect among participants. It is private and confidential and can take place at flexible hours, including in the evening. Mediation has a proven record of success, with over 75% of mediations resulting in an agreement. Once agreement has been reached, there is a high compliance rate on both sides. A GROWING TREND NYSAMP is part of a national organization of state programs called the Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs. Maine, Mass, NJ, and Vermont all have programs, but not yet Pennsylvania. Congress asked the USDA to develop mediation programs in 1987 (Agricultural Credit Act); since then USDA agencies provide mediation as an appeals option when a producer receives an adverse decision in a broad range of programs. The number and case loads of state agricultural mediation programs has expanded steadily over the years. There are now over 35 states that have certified state farm mediation programs. Many states have community volunteer mediation services, and there are more and more private mediation practitioners also. NYSAMP is administered by the NYS Dispute Resolution Association, a non-profit membership organization of mediators and others in the profession of conflict management. NYSDRA cannot provide mediation to farmers from outside of New York State, but their staff is happy to answer questions and use their regional dispute resolution network to help farmers in other states find local resources.
For more information, call your local mediation center, or call NYSDRA at 866-669-7267 (toll free), or visit www.nysdra.org.
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July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
GRAZING
Let Them Eat Weeds! Cows, like children, can be taught to clean up their plates CLEAN UP YOUR PLATE! No more until your food is finished! Is this a familiar phrase? It likely is if you are a parent of young children. As a grazier you may have exclaimed a similar question, likely in frustration... "Come on cows, why don't you eat this stuff?" Even on pastures under finely tuned, management intensive grazing (MIG) systems, livestock sometimes don't clean up their paddocks. Most often animals will leave unfamiliar plants which we commonly refer to as "weeds." There may be several reasons for this and we will touch on some of these reasons later. Can we get our animals to clean up their paddock? How do you get your children to clean their plates? As an expectant father I am open to suggestions on the latter. KATHY VOTH: TRAINING WEED-EATERS A few months ago I had the opportunity to listen to several animal behavior seminars at the "Grasstravaganza 2008" held in Binghamton, NY. Several of these sessions were led by animal behavior specialist Kathy Voth. If you are a reader of The Stockman GrassFarmer it is very likely that you have read her articles that have appeared over the last couple of years. Kathy's articles focus on training animals to eat those unfamiliar plants or "weeds" present in their pasture. I would like to share with you some of the basics that I learned from her presentations that will guide you in training your animals to consume those unfamiliar plants.
It was as if the author had sat in on Kathy Voth's Weed Grazing presentation the weekend prior. After listening to Kathy and reading the newspaper piece I should have no problem getting my animals to clean their paddock and have a toddler that loves his/her veggies. Although I am not completely confident on the latter, time will tell. BALANCING NUTRITION AND TOXICITY First, here is some important background information. All plants have varying levels of nutrients and toxins. Even a plant like alfalfa which is very palatable to cattle contains toxins of some sort. An animal can handle low doses of many different toxins as long as we don't force it to eat too much of one type of toxin. A variety of forages in a pasture provides a diverse enough sward that an animal can choose and consume plants that have varying levels of nutrition and toxin, essentially balancing their diet. They learn what to choose by watching their mothers and other animals. They are naturally curious about new plants, trying a small amount and waiting to see if they get an unpleasant reaction. If not, they will add the new food to their menu. To take advantage of this natural behavior, first know the toxicity of the unfamiliar plant or "weed" you want your animals to eat. Some
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You don't have to train your whole herd at once. A small group of trained animals will teach the untrained ones. Younger stock is easier to train than older, and females can pass along learned behaviors to their offspring, however any class of livestock may be trained. This process is not breed or species specific. THE TRAINING PROCESS Start the training process by exposing a group of animals to a feedstuff not normally part of their daily diet that you know they will like. For example, try starting with feeding cottonseed hulls to cattle that have pasture and soybean meal as their daily diet. Place samples of the new feed in small tubs with the cattle, after they have grazed for some time and are not terribly hungry. Animals will be curious, perhaps eat some, and after several hours or more, will likely clean up the unfamiliar food. Be sure to fill the tubs with enough of the new item to give your whole training group a decent sampling. One tub will serve several animals, and a little competition actually helps. Repeat this routine with a different unfamiliar but tasty food each day for three more days. The tub now means, "Here is something new that tastes fine and does not give me an unpleasant reaction." Next, it is time to integrate the pasture weed into their diet. Conduct the training one weed species at a time and be sure that you know what the weed is and its toxicity. Take measures to time the training so that the vegetative parts of the weed plant are used for training. Clipping fresh weeds is important and can be quite time consuming depending on the weed and number of cattle you are trying to train. Begin by placing fresh clippings of your pasture "weed" into the same tubs (at the same time of day you filled the tubs with the other new foods). Mixing in some of a new familiar food can be helpful at first. The cattle will begin to pick at and eat the weeds you have placed in the tubs. Continue feeding the weed for several days, while transitioning the contents of the tub to weeds only. Move the tubs along with the cattle during their paddock shifts. Hopefully by now the animals will be starting to graze their new menu item on their own. Look for evidence in the pasture sward, i.e. stripped off leaves, flowers gone, grazed tight, etc. TIPS FOR SUCCESS Plants tend to be most succulent and immature in the spring and early summer, weeds included. Depending on species, weeds are vulnerable at this time and easier to control by clipping or grazing, so it is an opportune time to start this process. Like most endeavors a certain level of patience is required as animals cannot be forced but need time to learn on their own, with your help of course.
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Beef cattle grazing an early May patures. Training small groups of animals may be more productive in the long run. Animals, like people, learn from observing. This is particularly true in children and young stock. As I mentioned earlier training heifers may be easier than mature brood cows. As graziers, you are very aware how quickly a calf will begin to sample pasture plants as they mimic their mama and are likely to sample many different things while at her side. Based on this fact, I can't expect our toddler to eat anything that we as parents do not eat. However, at this stage in life perhaps he/she will be more apt to try new things just like the baby calf. And with any luck your cattle will be cleaning their paddocks and bringing those weeds under control! There are some nice web resources that may be of interest offering good information on animal behavior. The first is http://behave.net/ hosted by Utah State University. The site name is very descriptive of its content and is an
Photo by: Julianne Dennis acronym for Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation, and Ecosystem Management. Also Kathy Voth's site www.livestockforlandscapes.com contains many resources related to cattle grazing weeds. For example information on plant species, techniques, and technical articles can be found here. Kathy has personally trained groups of cattle to eat weeds of varying sorts including thistles species and others. Check out these sites and don't hesitate to contact me if you would like some more detailed information on this subject.
Mike Dennis and his wife and family run a small pasture-raised-and-finished, direct market beef farm, under management intensive grazing, in Central NY. Mike is also the Small Farm / Agronomy agent for Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at (315) 539 9251 or mgd3@cornell.edu.
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My wife received an interesting newspaper article from her mother shortly after my time in Binghamton. It was a timely piece from the USA Weekend magazine titled "15 things you need to know to care for Baby". Number one on this list was "Help Kids Eat Veggies" or in other words, eat those unfamiliar food items.
weeds just should not be grazed. Also, never train your animals when they are hungry due to the possibility of overloading on a particular plant toxin. The animal may have a problem processing a toxin when its belly is overloaded with one thing and not balanced with "friendly" foods.
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July 7, 2008
LOCAL FOODS
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SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
AND
MARKETING
Freezing and Vacuum Packaging for Local, Healthy Convenience Products It all started after I retired from teaching
By Anna Dawson In 1961, I attended a class at Cornell where Dr. Baker was experimenting with vacuum packaging a frozen chicken. Little did I know that almost fifty years later, I would use that memory as the basis of what I am doing today at a Comlinks Gleaning Warehouse in Malone, NY, 250 miles from my Hudson Valley home in Kinderhook.
Home Economics and became a master gardener. At the local Columbia County Fair I met a Roxbury Farm CSA member. She invited me to a pot-luck at the farm and I decided to work there--knowing I could learn a lot about organic gardening.
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Three years later I was on my own growing and selling fresh and value added products (pickles and jams) at the local farmers market, but I could not imagine being able to make a living selling the same kind of products everyone else was growing. That is when I remembered Professor Baker. I decided to write a SARE grant to explore freezing and vacuum packaging the produce that I and my neighbors in the Hudson Valley were growing. (Call NESARE for a copy of FNE 01367 "A Community Supported Kitchen.") Any 20C licensed Two-serving sausage crumble stir fry. kitchen can do this. The tray freezing and vacuum packaging So, now I am in Malone, NY at a 7000 square equipment is reasonably priced. foot facility funded by the NYS Department of Health. Here, experienced workers distribute After figuring out what and how to freeze, I donated foods to emergency food relief went to farmers market with my products. City pantries and kitchens in northern New York. folks visiting the market on a Saturday loved Currently, prison inmates grow fresh produce the idea of the frozen, local, quick-to-prepare for distribution. The Malone facility has a teachproducts. However, they wanted it at ing/kitchen and space for a 20C processing Balducci's in the city or at their city Co-op. kitchen. I expect to add frozen products to the They did not want to bring it back to the city to distribution. use during the week. I needed to find another market for my frozen products. In the future, we hope local farmers will be interested in collaborating with this not-forprofit so the facility can be more fully utilized. Farmers might grow "freezer friendly" crops to be marketed to independent stores, small group feeding sites and through "Home Parties" that teach nutrition through the sale of "healthy, local, value added foods," year round.
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The kitchen at Hometown Foods So, I wrote another SARE grant, FNE 04-508 "Marketing to Preschool and After School Programs". The preschool owners loved the convenience, taste and nutrition. However, transporting the food to the daycare centers was a challenge. Also, teaching the parents about the food was another stumbling block. To solve these problems, I decided to create a product education website, www.ourhometownfoods.com. If you visit the site, you can get an idea of the kinds of products that can be created. But you cannot place an order. I had to figure out how folks might order the food for group delivery by truck or UPS shipping to individuals. Fortunately, I attended a SARE workshop in Philadelphia that focused on web ordering for a winter share through www.farmtocity.org. When I returned home, I quickly designed a year round, bi-weekly ordering site with weekly delivery for frozen. I realized at this point that my ideas were larger than my kitchen, my home septic system and my one woman show.
Community groups can also be involved. Culinary students from nearby Paul Smith College might create new frozen meal kits. Soups, fruit breads, puddings, fruit desserts, stir fry, casserole and crock pot meals are just the beginning. Nutrition interns might create nutrition labels for the products and participate in "how to cook" video clips. Marketing interns might produce video clips of farmers and food demonstrations for the ordering website. Sustainable agriculture students might help teach our community service garden volunteers. Perhaps this is the start of a local food system accessible to all! To learn more, call us at the Comlinks Gleaning Warehouse at 518-483-1469 or ask for Harry Pearsall at extension 1013 at 518483-1261.
Anna Dawson works with the Comlinks Gleaning Warehouse in Malone, NY. She can be reached at 518-483-1469 or annadawson@berk.com.
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July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
NEW FARMERS
Consider Beekeeping Adding an apiary has opened up lots of new marketing opportunities for this small farm By Niechelle Wade I was recently interviewed by a college student taking a class about sustainable farming. I run a small, diversified, family operation, producing vegetables, flowers, herbs and hay, as well pasture-raised beef, pork, rabbits and brown eggs for market. This student asked me what percentage of our 160 acres was being farmed or producing a product. I thought a brief moment before the answer came to me: Every bit of it! This is true because I have recently added to my operation an apiary. Beekeeping has transformed my survey of the farm: I would previously have counted as productive only the valley floor crop land, rolling hillside pastures, second-stage growth woodlots and hilltop hay fields. I used to disregard the strips and patches of land too steep or rocky to host anything but crabapples and goldenrod and boneset. Now, every last corner is fodder for my honeybees, producing from what I would call wasteland valuable honey, pollen, and beeswax products for sale. Sunny Hill Farm is near the northern Broome County village of Whitney Point, NY. We sell primarily at local farmers' markets and onfarm. Running a diversified operation, incorporating livestock with vegetable cropping, makes the most use of our resources for the size of our farm. Introducing bees to our ecosystem is a perfect fit. The bees provide greatly increased pollination, resulting in better yields and more uniform fruit set. And again, the bees can find nectar and pollen from the plants and trees that did not previously contribute directly to our profit margins. Adding beekeeping to our small farm operation has provided us with exciting and profitable new marketing opportunities. The first, most obvious income has come from selling liquid bottled honey and comb products. Our honey is marketed as raw, not pasteurized
beeswax-related skin care products. These items offer marketing opportunities outside the farm marketing venue, giving us the opportunity to place our products into retail whole foods shops and the like. Honey lends itself to the creation of gift baskets and crates; with added items such as a local biscuit mix, a unique honey pot, the possibilities are endless. During the holiday season, a nice profit can be attained from selling these gifts at craft fairs and bazaars. Honey can be stored and sold year-round, getting us to market earlier in the season and boosting sales. This new attraction has kept customers coming to our farm during off-season, allowing us opportunities to sell additional items such as storage potatoes, onions and garlic, eggs, and organic coffee that I buy wholesale. The more we have to offer, the more visits we have from customers during the winter months. We have also taken advantage of the opportunity to sell bees. Colonies of bees naturally reproduce by the process called swarming. When a hive gets too full of bees, a number of them organize to relocate. A watchful beekeeper can take advantage of this by capturing the bees and setting them up in a new hive. A beekeeper starting with two hives the first year can find him or her self with sixteen hives in just four years. And it could double every year from after that. After the apiary grows to the desired capacity, the farmer can sell the extra healthy bees for an average of $65 to $80 per "nuc" (a box of bees, a queen, and frames of brood ready to start a new hive). This price is only expected to rise, with the current concern for Colony Collapse Disorder and the future of honeybees. We strive to maintain healthy, disease-free bees, and we are subjected to inspection by a NYS Ag and Markets Bee Inspector to insure their health.
Sunny Hill Farm’s honey product display at the farmers’ market. beekeeper can enjoy a harvest of honey right from the first season. Beekeeping is like any other cropping system: There are outstanding years, and there are bad years, due to weather and other factors beyond our control. Even experienced beekeepers suffer set-backs. But on the whole, bees are a natural part of any farming system, and harnessing and augmenting their talents has been very rewarding and very profitable for us.
Niechelle Wade and her partner Joel Babcock run a diversified 160 acre certified organic farm and apiary in Whitney Point, NY. For information about hands-on workshops for beekeepers this summer, contact Joel Babcock at Sunny Hill Farm, 692-7911 or sunhfarm@hotmail.com.
We Want To Hear From You We welcome letters to the editor Please write to us! Or send a question and we’ll do our best to answer it. We’re also looking for beautiful, interesting and/or funny small farm photos to print. Write or email Joannna Green, Cornell Small Farms Program, 135C Plant Science Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 jg16@cornell.edu
Resource Spotlight Some Helpful Agencies USDA-Natural Resource & Conservation Service NRCS many programs help reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. For information and to find your state and local NRCS offices, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. USDA-Farm Service Agency The Farm Service Agency administers farm commodity, crop insurance, credit, environmental, conservation, and emergency assistance programs for farmers and ranchers. For information and to find your state and local FSA opffices visit: www.fsa.usda.gov.
Group of Sunny Hill Farm’s honeybee hives. before bottling. This retains the nutrients and flavor, giving us a marketing advantage over commercially-produced honey. In our region, we are able to market spring light, summer medium and fall dark honeys in a variety of sizes and containers, from 8oz to 5 lbs. Liquid honey combined with a portion of comb is called Chunk honey, which we package in two different sizes. In the off-season, we whip up large batches of Creamed honey for sale throughout the year. This is honey that has been seeded and specially processed to create an ultra-fine crystal, making a product fine for spreading and dipping. And this has only been the beginning. We have yet to tap into the variety of additional prospects for added income. There exist markets for higher-priced items like propolis and royal jelly. As a next step, we can develop our own line of honey- and
Photos by Niechelle Wade Honey makes a convenient but exceptional "business card": Giving away 8oz samples to business contacts has been a great way to create lasting, very positive impressions. Even though honey is not our main product, this calling card in the form of a free gift reminds people of us and our farm, encouraging them to seek out business with us. And finally, honey is beautiful, enhancing the appearance and attractiveness of our farm market display. You can start up an apiary for relatively little cost. The best way to learn about keeping bees is to find a mentoring beekeeper to help you along and be available to answer questions. You can do this while starting your own colonies for the first time. With good luck and cooperative weather, a new
USDA-Rural Development The Rural Development administers federal loan and grant programs to all areas of rural development, including agriculture. For information and to find your state and local Rural Development offices visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov. Conservation Districts Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on all private lands and many public lands in the United States. For information and to find your state and local conservation districts, visit www.nacdnet.org/about/districts/directory/index.phtml. Resource Conservation & Development Councils RC&D areas are locally sponsored areas designated by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds. The purpose of the RC&D program is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas. For information and to find your state and local RC&D's, visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rcd.
July 7, 2008
Page 7
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Dairy Farms Big and Small Benefit From Business Benchmarking By Rebecca Schuelke Can we afford to hire more labor? Is our old equipment costing too much to repair? Does grazing help or hinder our profitability? These are among the many questions Darlene and Rob Howland have asked themselves since they started dairy farming in 1974 in New York's Southern Tier. For these questions and many others, the Howlands have turned to the Dairy Farm Business Summary, a publication of the Cornell University Department of Applied Economics and Management that provides an annual snapshot of New York dairy farmers' expenses and profits by category. "We started using DFBS to chart our business progress: how are we doing? Are we moving forward? Are we moving backward? We use it to identify weaknesses and strengths compared to other herds our size," Darlene Howland said. "We still use it today as a benchmark to guide our economic decisions." The Howlands own and operate Howland Acres, with a herd of 85 cows, in Candor, nestled in Tioga County's hillsides. They started using Dairy Farm Business Summary in 1975, their first full year of operation, and have participated every year since. They are not alone. Every year since 1955, New York farmers, Cooperative Extension educators and agri-business field staff have rounded up data on individual farms' expenses and income. Since 2005, the New York Farm Viability Institute provided grants for efforts through May 2010 to increase farmer participation in the summary. APPLES TO APPLES "The numbers collected in the Dairy Farm Business Summary
represent an attempt to provide an apples-to-apples basis for comparison for dairy farmers," said John Lincoln, chair of the Farm Viability Institute board of directors. "A farm needs to do well financially to stay in business and be attractive to the next generation of farmers." The Institute is a farmer-led nonprofit organization that funds research to help farms increase profits and foster a vibrant, renewable agriculture system of diverse farm sizes, production practices, commodities, sectors and geographic regions. With support from federal and state funds, the Institute has invested more than $14 million in on-farm applied research projects since 2003. There is no cost to farmers for participating in the summary. Cooperative Extension educators sometimes use the process of collecting data to identify topics for workshops or to facilitate discussion groups among farmers. Dairy Farm Business Summary publishes a statewide summary each spring, which represent a yearly "report card" of dairy farm profitability for New York State. All individual farm data is confidential. Published data are averages of groups of farms. Each participating farm gets a personal summary for comparison to past years' performance. The farm then has a tool for gauging business practices. If your expenses in a given category are higher than average, or changed unexpectedly from previous years, that could be a red flag to start investigating a particular aspect of the farm business. In addition to the statewide summary, Dairy Farm Business Summary publishes summaries for regions of the state, farm renters, intensive grazers, large herds and small herds. Participants in Dairy Farm Business Summary manage milking herds ranging from 20 cows to 3,660 cows. MEASURING SUCCESS "How do you measure your financial goals? You measure them by doing a summary at the end of the year,'' said Wayne Knoblauch, Cornell professor of farm business management and director of the Dairy Farm Business Summary program. "Businesses needed to have financial as well as production goals, perhaps more so," he stresses. "The old saying that you cannot manage what you cannot measure is very applicable to a farm business," Knoblauch says. "If your goal is to reduce feed costs, how do you know if you are cutting costs? If your goal is to build an addition, buy a piece of equipment, pay down debt, or any number of goals, you need to be able to measure progress and evaluate if you are meeting the goal and if not, why not?" IMPROVING PROFITABILITY Farm business experts have long touted the belief that record-
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Taking a close look at your farm’s financial performance can improve your management and your profits. Photo by Bill Henning keeping makes better managers, and the Dairy Farm Business Summary seems to support this. In 2006, farms participating in Dairy Farm Business Summary enjoyed a $.45 per cwt advantage in operating costs, compared to the average reported by USDA Economic Research Services for states in Northeast and Great Lakes regions. The savings are attributable to lower costs of production, especially purchased feed costs, Knoblauch said. The impact on productivity and profitability can be significant. Farms that participated in Dairy Farm Business Summary that year had average milk production of 80,862 cwt. Those farms saw an average of $36,000 in increased profitability. NEW AND IMPROVED Not your father's Dairy Farm Business Summary, the benchmarking tool has adapted with changing times. Since 2001, the Dairy Farm Business Summary program has evolved to include an interactive web-based component. Farmers, Cooperative Extension educators and other stakeholders can enter data into an online system and receive a personal farm business report instantaneously. Computerized technology also allows users to generate customized benchmarking reports, multi-year comparisons, cost basis balance sheets, after tax profit and balance sheet calculations, and more. More than 5 percent of New York's 6,000 dairy farmers provided data to Dairy Farm Business Summary in 2006, and hundreds more farmers use the published reports to compare their own financial data to their peers'. Numbers of farmers providing data and using published results continue to climb, an increase some attribute to rising operating costs, and greater awareness about the value of record keeping. "We find it especially important to monitor feeds costs and other inputs in today's changing economy," Howland said. "What adjustments will be needed in the future to maintain profitability at our herd size and with our resources?'' Keeping appropriate records can seem daunting at first, Howland said, but farmers will develop a system that works for them and the Summary program, something that allows for tracking inventory and categorizing expenses without extra work. READ ALL ABOUT IT Farmers outside New York may be able to participate in Dairy Farm Business Summary by inputting data themselves, or working with their local Cooperative Extension educator. Local versions of Dairy Farm Business Summary and similar programs may be available in other states. Contact your Cooperative Extension representative for more information. Additionally, several farm financial institutions offer regional and statewide farm business summary programs on a fee basis. The web-based summary is available only to those who supply data to the summary. Printed versions of regional and statewide Dairy Farm Business Summary are available at county Cornell Cooperative Extension offices or by contacting Cornell University's Department of Applied Economics and Management. For more information, visit dfbs.aem.cornell.edu or call (607) 2551599.
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Page 8
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
HORTICULTURE
The High Tunnel Question: To Heat or Not to Heat? Study suggests making the most from your unheated tunnel is a better first step to increasing profits By Molly Shaw The Northeast has seasonal growing conditions, but produce farmers want an income year round and consumers want fresh produce year round, too. Where can those three realities come together to the benefit of all? In a high tunnel! Cornell Cooperative Extension, funded in part by the NY Farm Viability Institute, has been doing high tunnel research for the last two years with the goal of figuring out some of the best plant growing and management practices for crops in our NY tunnels. High tunnels are generally described as "temporary" structures (no foundation) where plants are grown directly in the ground without extra heat or lights. Tunnels capture heat and protect the plants from rain and other weather conditions. But contrary to popular belief, a single-layer plastic covered house loses its stored heat very quickly when the sun goes down. At night the house can actually be colder inside than outside because of radiative cooling. Consequently, growers sometimes add heat or cover plants on particularly cold nights in spring and fall. Tomatoes are one of the more profitable crops in a high tunnel, and production of early tomatoes is the quest of almost every high tunnel farmer. So wouldn't it be tempting to also add a little heat inside the tunnel to get those warmth-loving tomatoes up and going sooner? Be the first at the market with home grown tomatoes? But... does a heated high tunnel, with all the extra associated costs, make us more money than a cheaper, unheated structure? That is precisely what we've spent the last two years trying to determine, and it's surprising how complicated that simple question becomes. Available in the full project report (upon request) are two case studies of high tunnel tomato production budgets in 2006-7. One farm (Farm A) produces tomatoes using a typical unheated high tunnel with 4800 square feet of growing space. The other farm's (Farm B) 2880 square foot tunnel is equipped with ground and air heat that allow the grower to set out tomato plants as early as February or March. The annual cost of Farm B's heating system, made up of a hot air furnace and a hot water heater and plastic water pipes, was $125. To that must be added the cost of running the system - which could vary considerably depending on fuel source. For Farm B, the cost of gas for heating the tunnel for 11 weeks in spring 2007 was $2000.
Comparing the 2 farms for 2006, the first harvest at heated Farm B was three weeks earlier than that at unheated Farm A, and the last harvest was 2 weeks later. Therefore Farm B had the potential to have greater early yield and have a longer harvest, which you might expect would result in higher overall yields. However, the per plant yield averaged over the 2 years was 18.5 lb at unheated Farm A and 13 lb at heated Farm B. MANY FACTORS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HEATING The case studies showed that there are a number of factors at least as important as heating in determining yield and economic gains from producing tomatoes in high tunnels, as you can see in the accompanying Table. Annual cost of the structure and other production costs. Farm B had a much more expensive structure than Farm A. Even without the cost of the heating system and with equivalent yields, the annual tunnel cost/lb of fruit would have been $0.06 at Farm A and $0.33 at Farm B. The hourly wage at Farm B was 50% higher than at Farm A. But interestingly, Farm B's overall production costs per plant were lower than Farm A's, largely due to the much higher number of hours worked at Farm A. Farm A reported spending three times as many minutes per plant training and pruning than Farm B. The importance of labor efficiency outweighed the importance of wage rate. Varieties grown and cost of plants. Farm B grew both grape and beefsteak tomatoes in 2006 and beefsteak tomatoes in 2007 while Farm A grew beefsteak tomatoes both years. The beefsteak varieties grown were not the same at the 2 farms. Farm A grew 'Geronimo' and Farm B grew "Buffalo" on grafted rootstock. Grafted plants are more vigorous but may not yield as early as non-grafted plants.
Management . How the plants are managed irrigation, fertilization, pest control - has a dramatic difference on plant yield, and in this study we did not track enough variables to pinpoint exactly why Farm A has higher yields than Farm B. Fertilization practices and pest
Think About Stockpiling As I sit writing this during the early stages of the grazing season I am already thinking about the end of the season. Not from a doom and gloom standpoint but rather from an optimistic "how long can the season be extended outside of the typical average this year" point of view. Under the right conditions this can be done by stockpiling forages for later grazing "in season" or for grazing outside of the season, i.e. winter months. Yes, in the Northeast winter
controls were different between the farms. In addition, Farm A packed their plants closer together than Farm B (5 square feet per plant versus 7 square feet per plant, respectively). Marketing and price. The average sale price from the two farms was vastly different, and sale price was the single most important thing affecting profitability in the two tunnels. Farmer A sold the tomatoes primarily at a produce auction, with a few sold at his farm market, and ended up with a season long average of $0.75/lb for their tomatoes. Farm B sold their tomatoes at farmers' markets and their farm stand, receiving an average price of $2.88/lb. Selling at the auction is quicker and requires less time, but Farm A has no control
grazing is most often ill-advised due to unfrozen and muddy ground. Unless rotation or rejuvenation is in your plans, pugging and destroying pasture land with wintered cattle is not a good idea. After several grazings or a haying of pastureland, regrowth forage can be allowed to accumulate for grazing later in the season or even winter. When plants are allowed to remain vegetative, forage quality remains relatively good and an excess pasture or hay field can be saved for fall grazing.
over the price they receive. So, what is the answer on whether to heat your high tunnel or not? Maximizing your market, your labor efficiency, and your yields with the tunnels you have are a better first step to increasing profits.
For more information on this project, contact Molly Shaw, South Central NY Ag Team Fruit and Vegetable Specialist at Tioga County Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at 607-687-4020 or meh39@cornell.edu.
Comparison of tomato production in 2 high tunnel operations Farm A Heated
Farm B Unheated
4800 ft2
2880 ft2
early July
Mid June
beginning Oct
end Oct
18.5 lb
13 lb
na
$125 + $2000/yr for gas (no figures available for electricity costs)
Annual cost of structure
$0.20/ft2/year
$0.85/ft2/year
Wage rate
$10.00/hour
$16.00/hour
Minutes/plant reported for staking and pruning
25.8
7.5
Production costs/plant
$8.00
$6.00
Average sale price
$0.75
$2.88
Area Typical 1st harvest date Last harvest date
Because Farm B has a permanent heating system in place, the tunnel is not moved. After about 3 years of growing tomatoes in the same soil, diseases build up enough to reduce yield by 50% or more. To cope with this, Farm B used grafted tomatoes with a disease-resistant rootstock at a cost of $2.30 per plant. Farm A's tunnel gets picked up and moved to fresh soil every few years to avoid the soil-born disease problems. Farm A only paid $1.00 per plant for their non-grafted seedlings.
GRAZING By Mike Dennis
Adding heat to your high tunnel may not increase your yields or your profits. Photo by Judson Reid
Total yield/plant Annual cost of heating system
Forage species vary in their ability to remain green or succulent past a killing frost or change in season. From my experience the worst is reed canary grass and the best is tall fescue, with everything else somewhere in between. Fescue will remain green well into winter and may even offer some growth. Consider stockpiling that subsequent hay harvest or extra pasture lot for later grazing when your mainstay pasturelands are finished for the season. Often the late hay harvest is uneconomical for machinery harvest and quite suitable for four legged harvesters.
Mike Dennis and his wife and family run a small pasture raised and finished direct market beef farm, under management intensive
grazing, in Central New York. Mike is also the Small Farm / Agronomy agent for Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at (315) 539 9251 or mgd3@cornell.edu.
Need Info? Visit the Cornell Small Farms Program online at www.smallfarms. cornell.edu.
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
Page 9
NON-DAIRY LIVESTOCK
Tackling the Livestock Processing Bottleneck An update on the activities of the NY Small Farm Work Team on Livestock Processing By Martha Goodsell Over the winter months, members of the NY Small Farm Work Team on Livestock Processing attended numerous conferences, meetings and workshops. You might have seen us at one of many grazing conferences, the Small Farms Summit, the NYS Beef Producers meeting, NOFA, PASA, the Farmer's Direct Marketing Association, or Grasstravaganza. Our objective was to gather answers to three questions: 1. Are there slaughter, processing and/or regulatory problems that make it difficult for you, or the farmers you work with, to get product to market? 2. Currently 28 states have a state meat inspection program. NY is not one of them. The opportunity to allow state inspected meats to cross state lines is being considered for inclusion in the new Farm Bill. How do you see this change impacting your business and that of other NY livestock farmers? 3. Slaughter and processing regulations and their legal interpretations can sometimes be complex and confusing. Has this been your experience and has it affected your ability or confidence to market your products? We talked to many farmers and processors. The producers talked among themselves on the livestockprocessing-L@cornell.edu listserv. We listened and we took notes. We captured the responses and formed a seven page
"assistance grid" with all the suggestions provided. Then we surveyed the listserv and team members and asked them to prioritize the most important activities. We gave them 10 dots and asked them to mark those activities which NYS should be doing. Then we gave them 10 more dots (of another color) and asked them to mark those activities which the Team should be working on. We took the information from this prioritizing activity and prepared a testimony to the New York State Council on Food Policy. Eight broad categories were addressed: 1. There is a need for more workers in the slaughtering and processing industry. 2. There is a need for New York to provide technical assistance and general outreach to the farm and processing communities. 3. There is a need for funding as FSA, IDA/LDC and conventional loans are often not available. 4. There are barriers to moving product to markets. 5. There are regulations that need clarification. 6. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets needs to join with others to lobby at the federal level in support of NY farmers and processors for changes in existing regulation. 7. New York should assist their farmers and producers in the global market place by taking action. 8. Finally, and most importantly, New York State should reinstate the Meat Inspection
Program or at least conduct a feasibility study to determine whether state inspection is feasible and if it is the best option to serve the growing NY small farmer and direct-marketing livestock industry. The recommendations provided on May 5 in Rochester were extremely well received and were forwarded on to NY Farm Bureau, and the offices of Senator Katherine Young and Assemblyman William Magee. They were also circulated on the list serve and disseminated among many in other states working on similar issues. We met with Clarence Davis, from NYSDAM Food Safety and Inspection who was filling in for John Arnold. We had a very productive meeting. Davis shared his interest in standardizing the regulatory interpretations made by field staff, and discussed the costs and potential benefits of a state inspected slaughter program.
The Team is currently jointly revising the Farmer's Guide to Direct Marketing Meat and Poultry and hopes to have version two online early this summer. We have also created a master list of slaughter houses and processing facilities which, with cooperation from NYSDAM, we are hoping to get on line. Numerous other suggestions for the team to work on will have to wait until additional funding is secured. More information about our Team's efforts, including the full testimony to the NYS Food policy Council and the interview with Clarence Davis, is available at www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/projects/liv estockworkteam.cfm. Our thanks go out to all those who assisted in our outreach, provided input and supported our efforts.
Martha Goodsell raises Fallow deer in Candor, NY, and is a member of the NY Livestock Processing Work Team. She can be reached at 607-659-4635 or deerfarm6@frontiernet.net.
SMALL FARM SPOTLIGHT
Life on Springside Farm By Renee Drexler Although I have no intention of having a farm of my own, growing up on one was by far the most valuable experience I have had. My life has been filled with all of the wonders one can only get from a small, diversified farm. There were definitely phases that I went through on the farm: the young child who only went to the barn to swing on the ropes in the hay mow, play with the kittens, and fall asleep on a hay bale in the manger until mom and dad were ready to go home; the miserable teenager who wanted nothing to do with the farm and would rather do all of the house chores instead for the sole reason of avoiding the farm; finally, the grown up college graduate who looks back and realizes why she lives her
life the way she does and misses the reality that comes with farming. For most of my life my family milked around 70 Holsteins, raised 40-60 sheep, contract-raised ~100 heifers, and had the other "typical" farm animals. On the side, we grew several thousand Christmas trees and my parents also ran a farm-sitter service. Although much of this is still the same, things started shifting in January of 2002.
My parents purchased a small herd of alpacas; an attempt to phase the milking herd out and alpacas in. Realizing that the kids were leaving and wondering just how long they really wanted to milk cows instigated the switch. Without hired help there is only so much two people are really capable of! We had the alpacas for a year before my parents sold the milking herd. Being a small LANSING, NY farm, each one had a name, and therefore the thought of 607-533-4850 Nights 607-279-6232 Days an auction was not even considered.
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The herd was sold a year and a half later as group as a startup herd for a new farmer. One would think this change would free up some time for my parents, but it seemed that quite the opposite happened. They have never been known to sit back and relax when given free time, and therefore, without the cows to milk, there must be something else they could be doing with the extra time. The answer was agritourism. One of my parents' favorite things to do is talk, so this was
Springside Farm’s main barn. a perfect fit for them. A few months after we sold the cows we opened a small alpaca shop, held an open house event, and away it went. Soon we were giving tours, engaging preschool and elementary students in activities, and became a necessary stop for our community's visiting friends and relatives. In May of 2004 we held our first Shearing Festival which has since been an increasingly successful event, making the "Top Ten Things to do with your kids this summer" by the third year. We have also become an event for the Science Horizons students who come and help with vaccinations. Altogether, the introduction of agritourism on our farm has brought more people and more happiness to the farm than ever would have been possible before. Since I left for college, the farm has added a selection of what I consider to be 'random' animals. Although usually small, they seem to add a unique twist to our farm experience. These additional "fun" animals have included:
Photo by Renee Drexler peacocks, Akbash guard dogs, pigmy goats, a llama, pot-belly pigs, and turkeys. My parents have a knack for acquiring anything that has a heartbeat, including wild animals. Looking back, I see an occasional lamb in diapers running around our house, bottle-feeding whatever animal happened to be abandoned or neglected by its mother (from kittens to alpacas), and working alongside my entire family growing up. All of this means progressively more to me as I continue in life, making me extremely grateful to have had such experiences. I may not have enjoyed it the whole time, but I would not trade it for anything.
Renee Drexler is a recent graduate of Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Science, and helps out whenever she can on her family's farm in Fabius, NY. She can be reached at rcd29@cornell.edu . Ed and Paulie Drexler can be reached at (315) 683-5628 or springsidefarm@aol.com. Or visit their website at springsidefarm.net.
Page 10
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
NEW FARMERS
Farm Bureau: A Key Resource For Beginning Farmers By M. Kelly Young With five acres or 500, there never seems to be enough time to get everything done. So between chores, caring for your land and spending time with your family, how do you find enough time to be an advocate for your farm business? Whether you are a long established farmer, a beginning farmer, or just thinking about turning your pastime into a farm business, you deserve a voice in the decisions that affect your operation. But it's hard for one growerespecially a small one-to get noticed in the cacophony of voices crying out on all sides of the complex state and national issues that can affect farming. But that doesn't mean that you can't make a difference. Last year, when a farmer in northern New York noticed that the taxes on his property were scheduled to increase a whopping 34 percent, he called the New York Farm Bureau to find out if anything could be done. By law, agricultural assessments are calculated through a complicated formula each year. When that formula spit out a number for 2007, a 200-acre farm-the average in New York-was scheduled for an additional $475 on the tax bill. So NYFB moved into action and organized representatives of the various state agencies, and even a few experts at Cornell University, to come up with a workable solution to save farmers on ballooning taxes. In the end, NYFB helped construct and pass a law that would allow ag assessments to increase by no more than 10 percent annually, saving the average farmer in the state $300 last year. No other organization could have moved to action as quickly and effectively as NYFB on this issue and ultimately protected farmer's pocketbooks.
Here in New York, NY Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in the state and its members are involved in every kind of agricultural pursuit. Some are part-time farmers who make their living in another industry, while others have chosen farming as their career. But they all share the desire to maintain financially and environmentally sound operations that contribute positively to their communities. With this agricultural diversity among its member families, Farm Bureau is proud to call itself "The Voice of Agriculture." While you are working to make your farm prosperous, Farm Bureau is carrying the water for farmers in your state capitol, and-as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation-in Washington, D.C. Who gets to decide what is good for farmers? Why farmers, of course! Farm Bureau employs a "grassroots" system in developing its policy-the set of rules and ideas, so to speak, that serve as a guideline in developing, supporting, or opposing new laws or regulations. Any member can suggest a new idea. That idea can be presented to the County Farm Bureau and if it is approved, it will go to the State Annual Meeting where delegates from across the state will debate the idea. They will either accept or vote down the proposal. Once approved, it becomes part of the organization's policy and the state Farm Bureau staff and lobbyists work to turn your idea into a law, regulation or statement that supports you and your fellow farmers. While influencing public policy is one of the most important functions of what NYFB does for its members, there are others. Farms that are growing or transitioning to new types of business often have questions about the best way to do this. Maybe the change makes a farmer eligible for a certain tax exemption or will require him to follow a
Resource Spotlight New Beginning Farmer Resource Center Website "Where can I get a grant to start my farm? What tax benefits are there to farming? What can I grow profitably on my land?" You can find answers to these questions and many more at the new NY Beginning Farmer website. The site features: * A forum for farmers to share information about farming in NY * Lessons you can work through to begin developing your farm plan * Frequently Asked Questions covering inquiries most often fielded by Cooperative Extension educators * A list of people and agencies at the University, State, and Federal level that exist to help farmers * An events calendar of relevant new farmer trainings around NY, including the Beginning Farmers Online Course * "Voices of Experience" - profiles and words of wisdom from successful farmers * The Guide to Farming in NY - fact sheets covering topics that every agricultural entrepreneur in NY needs to know Visit the site at http://beginningfarmers.cce.cornell.edu. Please use the feedback form at the bottom of the homepage to let us know what you think of the site and if there is anything missing that you had hoped to find! new set of regulations. Farm Bureau staff can help answer these questions and often provides information sheets or seminars to assist farmers. Farm Bureau also supports other agriculture organizations that work directly with farmers. One of the best programs available is NY FarmNet, which provides a network of assistance to help farmers find solutions for their operations-whether that deals with financial, family or transition questions. NY FarmNet also links retiring farmers with young and transitioning farmers beginning their operations through its FarmLink program. You can reach NY FarmNet at 1-800-547-FARM. Farm Bureau recognizes the financial rigors of operating a farm and through its member services department, offers financial savings. The organization provides Workers Compensation coverage through Safety Group 486. This offers up-front discounts of up to 25 percent and annual dividends averaged more than 33 percent over the last five years.
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NYFB members also receive members-only rates on insurance products from Farm Family Insurance Company; a $500 rebate on the purchase of Dodge vehicles; 10% savings on Grainger replacement parts and supplies; discounts on prescription drugs, contacts and glasses; and other special rates and discounts. Whether saving them money, bringing their ideas to lawmakers, or stepping in against changes that would negatively impact their businesses, Farm Bureau works for its members. To find contact information for your state's Farm Bureau federation visit the American Farm Bureau Federation at www.fb.org.
Kelly Young is the Associate Director for Communications for New York Farm Bureau. She can be reached at 518-431-5635 or kyoung@nyfb.org. For more information on NYFB's public policy agenda, member discounts or how to join, visit www.nyfb.org or call 1-800-342-4143.
July 7, 2008
COMMUNITY
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
AND
Page 11
WORLD
Worldwide Food Crisis? Food For Thought! By Gerard Monnat There is a growing concern these days about the supply and price of food, not only in this country, but worldwide, and rightly so. Severe droughts, floods, and rising fuel, fertilizer, and labor costs, have brought this concern to both producers and consumers alike. There is much hand-ringing, news headlines, and government conferences on what can or should be done to avoid a continuing crisis. Where can we look for answers to this perplexing problem?
Local markets like the Potsdam Food Co-op support local farmers and provide an alternative to the “worldwide food crisis.� Photos by Gerard Monnat
more food now that ever before; but this increase in agricultural production has not kept pace with population migrations. It takes too much energy to get the food from the point of production to the point of consumption. This is why smaller farms, which can diversify their operation to produce for local and regional markets, will become more viable.
All the advances in agriculture and food production would seem to make this problem moot, but there are other forces, both political and economic, that are the root cause. The quick answer might seem to be, "just grow more food." But the reality is that growing more food will not solve the problem. The real answer is getting food to the people who need it.
This is not to say that larger farm operations are of no value. On the contrary, larger farms can produce specialized crops in the quantities needed for commodity markets, such as food canneries and processors. The smaller farmers have an opportunity to supply farmers' markets, roadside stands, cooperatives, or even local grocery stores and restaurants. Locally grown foods, marketed locally, have significantly lower transportation costs. This is not some untested economic theory, this is the reality of small scale, local farm to market practices.
The world's farmers, whether they are large, medium, or small operations, are growing
There are many ways of tackling the farm-tomarket challenge, but storage and distribu-
tion challenges must be addressed to make it work. Farmers can grow the food, but if appropriate storage is not available, then the supply will be only seasonal. Local and regional cold storage facilities are needed, ideally owned or managed by farmers as a cooperative or in partnership with established food processing facilities such as canneries and frozen food producers. This is just one option in helping local foods "farm-to-market" ideas work. We also need coordination among local, state, and national governments to shape agricultural and food safety policy that supports farm-to-market programs. This does not mean more government subsidies, grants, or regulations. It simply means asking the governing authority to discard outdated, unnecessarily obstructive rules and take a fresh approach, focusing on practical solutions that make safe local foods more widely available to consumers. The "world food supply crisis" -- as the news people call it -does not have to be. The answer is in getting food to people in a reasonably cost effective, efficient, and appropriately regulated manner. This can be done by producers putting their heads together, working with government agencies and local markets, and most importantly; growing the best, freshest, and healthiest crops they can. Local farms and local markets, supplying food in an energy efficient manner, are what will defuse the crisis.
Gerard Monnat works a small farm in Stockholm, N.Y., raising fruits and vegetables, and is also a regular contributing writer with The Empire State Farmer newspaper. You can reach Gerard at (315) 2650206 or gfmfarm@verizon.net.
Page 12
WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman By Kelly Stang "The classes I took were extremely exciting, informative and have given me the tools I need to try something new. It's always encouraging and inspiring to speak to other women on outdoor things." "I had nothing but positive interaction with others. Everyone is so friendly and nice. This is my first BOW workshop and I highly recommend it to everyone." "This was an outstanding experience. The quality of the instructors, their respect for their subject, their desire to pass on knowledge, I just can't say enough about the quality of the program and the instructors and participants I met. Outstanding!!" "I gained the skills and learned the basics so that I can now go out and do these things on my own."
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
These are just a few of the many, fantastic comments we get after every Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop. They are quotes from women just like you - women who love the outdoors and want to participate in more outdoor activities but lack the opportunity to learn new skills. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a program that teaches outdoor skills to women age 18 and older. We run weekend long workshops that give women the opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a fun, safe, encouraging and supportive environment. Imagine yourself learning how to shoot a shotgun, paddle a canoe, cook over an open fire, go camping, use a bow, catch a fish, navigate with map and compass, build a fire using flint and steel, cast a fly rod, or hunt for deer. All these classes and more are offered at each BOW workshop! Women who have participated in a BOW workshop also tell us that they learn a
of like minded women, and have fun! Most BOW workshops run from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Generally 20-40 different classes are offered at each workshop and you take four classes of your choosing. The evenings are filled with interesting evening activities such as inspiring speakers, camp fire songs and s'mores, BOW Olympics, outdoor "fashion" shows and flashlight hikes. The women who attend BOW workshops range in age from late teens to well over 80. Scholarships are available for most workshops.
Archery is a popular class at a BOW workshop.
Many states now offer Beyond BOW events in addition to the traditional, weekend long BOW workshops. Beyond BOW events can be advanced level classes for those who took a beginner class at a BOW workshop, a one day, single subject workshop, a skills and equipment tips seminar at an outdoor supply company or an actual camp out, canoe trip or hunt. Examples of some Northeast Beyond BOW's include maple syrup production and woodlot management, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, marine fishing and whale watch, a day at the shooting range and a women's deer hunt. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has a program similar to BOW called Women in the Outdoors. WITO also offers single to multi-day outdoors skills workshops for women. The National Wild Turkey Federation offers women's events in all states throughout the year, so you are certain to find just the right workshops.
If you would like more information on the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman or Women in the Outdoors programs, or would like to find out what events are planned for 2008, please contact any or all of the women below. Keep in mind that every state offers something different from all the rest so don't limit yourself to just those programs in your home state. In addition, check out the workshop locations in each state, you may find that the workshop in a neighboring state is closer to your home. If you live in a state where there are no BOW events please find one in a nearby state so you don't miss all the fun. Here in New York we often have women from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont and Massachusetts become outdoors-women.
Kelly Stang is a wildlife biologist at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany, NY and is a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Coordinator. She can be reached at kjstang@gw.dec.state.ny.us or 518-402-8862.
Women in the rifle class pose after a successful round of target shooting. Photos by Kelly Stang “This and previous workshops have really changed my life. I participate in so many activities that I never would have tried otherwise. My husband doesn't hunt or fish, so when I go out to do these things I'm alone, and the education I got here gave me the start I needed to get going and continue enjoying these activities.� "This program fulfilled a life long yearning I have had. Thank you." "I had a great time, I learned a lot and really enjoyed myself. I would highly recommend this program to any woman interested in learning more about our great outdoors. I'm looking forward to going again next year; there are so many other things I would love to try. Without these workshops I would never be able to try out so many new things."
It was her first time shooting a gun.
whole lot more than outdoor skills. We often hear how these women feel empowered, more confident, more competent. Some say BOW has changed their life! Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a national program that is now offering workshops in nearly 40 states and several Canadian provinces. Here in the Northeast BOW workshops are currently offered in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York. While the classes offered can vary from state to state, the basics of a BOW workshop remain the same - learn new skills, enjoy the camaraderie
It was a great day to try kayaking.
Resource Spotlight Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Maine BOW - Emily Jones, emily.jones@maine.gov, 207-287-8069 Massachusetts BOW - Ellie Horwitz, ellie.horwitz@state.ma.us, 508-389-6300 x 6305 New Hampshire BOW - Laura Ryder, lryder@wildlife.state.nh.us, 603-271-3212 New York BOW - Kelly Stang, kjstang@gw.dec.state.ny.us, 518-402-8862 Vermont BOW - Ann Shangraw,, ann.shangraw@state.vt.us, 802-241-3720 National Wild Turkey Federation/Women in the Outdoors Northeast - Emily Albright, emilynwtf@frontiernet.net, 315-839-6085 If you are interested in a workshop in one of the other 30 some states and provinces, check out the National Becoming an Outdoors-Woman web site at www.uwsp.edu/CNR/bow. Click on Find a Workshop Near You for information and links to all the states and Canadian provinces offering BOW workshops. For information about upcoming Women in the Outdoors events hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation, check out the women's link at www.nwtf.org. Not bad for her first fish.
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM SPOTLIGHT
The Kilpatrick Family Farm Growing year-round, selling locally, seeing profits By Martha Herbert Izzi "Fresh, locally grown produce" took on new meaning this past winter when the Kilpatrick Family arrived at the Rutland winter farmers' market in November. They wowed folks with fourteen different winter vegetable varieties and an array of greens that kept customers coming back every week. The mesclun (salad mix) display was particularly unusual and plentiful. And it consistently sold out every Saturday to increasingly faithful customers. FRESH, LOCAL, ALL YEAR ROUND Over their booth was a banner saying, "If we don't grow it, we don't sell it." In short order the Kilpatricks had dispelled the notion that
Page 13
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY year-round vegetable production in the cold north impossible. In fact, manager Michael Kilpatrick says he was "really surprised at how good it was," as sales averaged $600 to $700 a week throughout the twenty week winter season. And they came within $200 of their winter income at the Saratoga, NY farmers market, where they hade been selling for three years. That the Kilpatrick family is able to grow vegetables year round in Granville, NY, is interesting in itself. That the producers are not the parents but the seven children ranging in age from eight to twenty-one, makes the story that much more interesting! Until recently the eldest Kilpatrick, Philip, managed the farm with his brother. But Philip has since left for school in Texas and Michael has assumed the full management responsibilities. IN a recent visit, Michael explained to me that the family is homeschooled, and that makes it possible to complete their academic work and operate an extensive farm year-round. Oh, and all seven Kilpatricks are musicians as well. By early May, their school work is completed and they can gear up for the work involved in serving two summer farmers' markets (one in Queensbury, the other in Saratoga), plus five restaurants and all their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) customers who pay at the beginning of summer and collect their produce weekly.
Michael Kilpatrick checks on an early crop of spinach under two layers of protection. Photos by Martha Herbert Izzi
"Mom and Dad aren't very involved in the farming operation," says Michael. Dad is a medical doctor at the Mettowee Family Health Center and Mom does the horticulture and teaches the home school until seventh grade. Then Dad takes over and each Thursday on his day off he teaches math, science, literature and history. Mom, it would seem, barely gets out of the car for meals as she chauffeurs various Kilpatricks to a litany of Kilpatrick music lessons which include piano, violin, flute, trumpet, viola and cello.
Putting up 100 bags of Mesclun for the Saratoga Market in early May. IN THE BEGINNING The family farm story began in 1999 when the family moved to Granville from Westfield Massachusetts. Westfield land was expensive and although it is not certain that Michael and Philip envisioned their current operation, they were clearly interested in farming (the family had always gardened) and their entrepreneurial juices were beginning to stir as well. They were, after all twelve and thirteen respectively. The Kilpatricks bought a house on eight acres. "It was a perennial farm with 4x40 beds with grass in between them," says Michael. Beyond the eight acres they rent over 100 acres and another eight for vegetables. They also have goats for milk, three pigs and chickens.
BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS The chickens meant the start of their retail lives in 2001. The boys began to sell eggs for $20 a week at what Michael calls "the 'pigglywiggly' markets - a generic term we use to describe backwards, nobody-knows-what-they're-doing farmers markets." Enter Mom and Dad who said that the boys needed to pay for their (Cont. on next page)
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Page 14
The Kilpatrick Family Farm (Cont. from previous page)
seeds. "We were picking tomatoes on June 1 because we had grafted very expensive tomato plants," Michael says. "The next year, 2002, we said 'let's do better'" and they increased their market income to $700. "So then we put up a 14x48 hoop house and put in peppers, tomatoes and more chickens for more eggs." FINDING MENTORS The boys began to look around to buy a rototiller. "We didn't have a good one and this man's was the best 14 horsepower walking diesel tractor on the market, it does 30 inches wide strips and weighs about 600 pounds." This man was one Eric Pillemer who was the first of two people to become very important mentors to the boys. Pillemer is a Vermont grower with a masters degree in plant breeding from Cornell. Philip and Michael began to apprentice two days a week in the spring and early summer of 2003. Pillemer "grew the best veggies," said Michael. "We gave him good work and we ended up with $5,000 for the season, plus the rototiller."
They also have smaller hoophouses that are usually heated only by solar. But they will stick a salamander or reddyheater in on really cool nights. "We move the hoophouses all the time because we never want to wait for the crop to finish up," says Michael. They never move the tunnels, or big houses as they call them. As a result there is some disease buildup in the big houses, so they have switched to grafted tomatoes. They grow seven to ten crops in the hoophouses, mostly greens. Six to eight winter vegetables are kept in cold storage during the winter, mostly beets, carrots, turnips and potatoes. THE CHALLENGES OF WINTER GROWING When asked why more growers aren't doing this, Michael says, "Year-round growing requires a commitment that most growers don't want to
July 7, 2008
Picking and packing the vegetables in winter is a dicey, labor-intensive system that relies on the right timing and the right temperature. To keep the vegetables from freezing they must be harvested when it is above thirty two degrees. Once they are picked, they go into a washing shed that is heated. Then they go to a cooler that is set at 34-36 degrees. Then there is the challenge to keep them from freezing as they are transferred to the trucks for the winter market destinations. The Rutland and Saratoga trucks have propane burners in the back of them and Michael and his crew may also turn on one of the reddy heaters for ten minutes or so before they leave and then shut the door. NEW IDEAS, NEW TECHNOLOGIES As each year passes, Michael's knowledge expands and he applies more advanced technology to achieve economies and efficiencies. He is hoping to use only wood next year and that sys-
They use four to five white high tunnels made of steel bows and greenhouse plastic held down by nylon rope. The tunnels can withstand around two feet of snow before they need to be cleaned off. They use most of them in the spring and fall when the full array of vegetables is planted. They usually use only two tunnels in the winter and summer months.
It takes very little time to see why more people are not growing year-round in this climate. Michael repeats that most growers don't want to make that commitment and they don't want to try new technologies.
THE FUTURE Leaving the Kilpatrick Family Farm I see rows of tomato plants growing for the summer markets. They were seeded in April and the first crop will be for sale on June 1. The plants are tall and healthy. The lettuces are growing. Seedlings are everywhere. The energy is palpable. In all, thirty five crops will be for sale this summer. And Michael hopes to add the Rutland summer market to his roster next year.
Eric Pillemer, who Michael points out "is an intensely academic man," turned the boys "from gardeners to growers." Later Pillemer went back to his first love as an oncologist. Today he is practicing at Glens Falls Hospital.
FROM GARDENERS TO GROWERS By 2004, the Kilpatricks had begun their yearround growing business and were now "Certified Naturally Grown" (see www.naturallygrown.org.) In time they intend to become certified organic.
For the summer season there are five full-time people and a lot of part-timers under sixteen who can work up to five hours a day. Michael also employs a bookkeeper to track his market, restaurant and CSA income and expenses. Interestingly, he says that October and November "are the two busiest months of the year," because the summer labor pool has left and there is still so much work, especially with the root crops to get ready for the winter markets.
"People don’t want to change, whereas kids are young and they are not tied to old traditions." - Michael Kilpatrick
As Pillemer watched the two boys he began to point them in the right directions. He questioned their goals and gave them spread sheets to begin a crop plan. He advised them on the crops to plant, on the crops that made money and the ones that didn't. They learned that corn and potatoes are the two least profitable vegetables to grow because they are "space intensive." He showed them that they needed to gross "at least $35,000 an acre." And he showed them how to grow early greens and tomatoes.
Paul Arnold, a Glens Falls Market grower, was the second mentor to the boys. He and his wife operate Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, NY along with their two children. They have been in business for twenty years and have shared their experiences on running a successful farm with the Kilpatricks.
workers included Dr. Pillemer's son Andrew, who will work at the farm until he leaves for a computer career.
Kilpatrick family and helpers work in the “big house” in early May. In the background are tomatoes to be marketed starting June 1. make. Winter growth is tough on plants," he says "so we treat soils well, compost heavily, give soil a heavy dose of nutrients, and we don't till when the soil is wet." Essentially the growing season ends on or about December 15 and doesn't resume until the end of February and by the end of March, according to Michael, "it takes off."
tem will cost $15,000 to $17,000 to install. It will be a fifty gallon oil unit to start the wood system. The system will consist of a high efficiency wood burner, piping to the greenhouse ground tubes (black polypipe laid one foot down in the greenhouse two feet apart.) He notes that they will probably burn ten to fifteen cords of wood to heat four to five greenhouses.
The critical issue for year-round vegetable growing is soil health and heavy composting is vital. Michael uses a Pennsylvania company for their organic soil amendments such as aragonite and rock powders.
Michael does hire outside help to augment the family workers. During my visit in early May there were six or seven workers putting up 100 bags of Mesclun in advance of the Saratoga Market, which was opening the next day. These
He imagines "another couple of years in Granville," and then possibly a move south where it is warmer. But then he might buy some more land in Granville. Then there's Vergennes, VT. He likes that place too. What is certain is that he is committed to organic, sustainable farming and that this is his "life's work." And it is second only to his real passion and that's logging, and being in the woods.
But for now, he is getting ready for a busy summer season, and the Saratoga and Queensbury markets will demand all of his attention and considerable energy.
Martha Herbert Izzi raises Tunis sheep and Alpine goats at Bel Lana Farm in Shrewsbury, Vermont. She can be reached at 802-492-3346 or mhizzi@yahoo.com. You can reach Michael Kilpatrick at Michael@KilpatrickFamilyFarm, or visit www.KilpatrickFamilyFarm.com.
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July 7, 2008
HORTICULTURE
So, You Want to Start a Vineyard and Winery? What to do before you buy the first acre or plant the first vine By Jodi Creasap Imagine yourself standing at the top of a rolling hill, admiring the beautiful, perfectly aligned rows of lusciously green grapevines following the undulations of the hillside until they end near the structure that houses the product of those vines: fine wine.
Do you have a market for your fruit? Is a winery in your future? Or, do you plan to sell your fruit to a local winery? Regardless, the winemaker has a vested interest in the vineyard, its maintenance, and fruit quality. In the end, it behooves everyone involved to produce high quality fruit to be made into high quality wine. You can make horrible wine from good grapes, but you can never make a good wine from horrible grapes. In cold climate viticulture, it is essential to have a good site with air and water drainage. This may not be the land that you have already purchased or the land that you happen to have available to you. Do you have even a little slope? Are there many trees nearby? Cutting a couple of acres of forest and plopping a vineyard in the middle of those trees is not a good strategy for success. You'll end up spending more money in disease control and replants than you'll come close to making, even if it is a high-value variety.
Site Selection. The slope in this vineyard provides adequate air and water drainage. Proximity to one of the Great Lakes provides the advantage of lake effect weather conditions. Also note the proper removal of pruning material from the vineyard. Photo by Tim Weigle
Once you have a market and a site, you can consider variety selection. Of course, your market and site will often dictate the variety(ies) you decide to plant. Check with experts in your area, as well as local wineries and wine grape growers to determine the demand for certain grapes. For example, in the Finger Lakes in 2007, there was a glut of Cabernet Franc, while almost all of the Riesling went from the vineyard directly to the crushpad - a good thing for those who specialize in Riesling wines!
Websites Cornell University Enology and Viticulture Program www.grapesandwine.cals.cornell.edu Dr. Bruce Reisch's Grapevine Breeding Program www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/faculty/reisch/grapeinfo.htm l#grower Dr. Reisch's and the late Dr. Pool's Wine and Juice Grape Varieties for Cool Climates www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/faculty/reisch/bulletin/wine Cornell University IPM Grapes Page www.fruit.cornell.edu/grapes.html Penn State University Viticulture http://winegrape.cas.psu.edu University of Vermont Viticulture Webpage http://pss.uvm.edu/grape/Links USDA Value Added Producer Grants http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/GA/vadg.htm
Wines and Vines www.winesandvines.com Practical Winery and Vineyard www.practicalwinery.com American Journal of Enology and Viticulture www.ajevonline.org
There's a reason for the aphorism: "If you want to make a small fortune in the wine business, start out with a large one." Luckily, there is plenty of help to be found.
It certainly is a business decision and should be viewed as such. Start with the economics of your region and contact a local farm business management specialist who might be able to answer questions regarding profit potential, risks, and marketing options. Your county cooperative extension office should be able to answer these questions. Development of a business plan is an important first step, and an example can be found online from Dr. Gerald White of Cornell University or from Texas A&M University (see Resource Spotlight).
Resource Spotlight Viticulture and Enology Resources
Trade Journals and Professional Societies
Now, imagine you are scouting for diseases or pests on a hot, humid summer day, or pruning vines on a cold and grey late winter day, or scrubbing the building floors and winery tanks until they shine. For many, the idea of planting a vineyard and possibly opening a winery holds a heady romanticism. A lot of work goes into planning a vineyard, and even more is necessary for establishing a winery, and that is without even thinking about the effort that goes into doing the actual planting and building!
QUESTIONS TO PONDER Some soul searching is required before starting any new endeavor, especially a new vineyard and winery in the Northeastern United States. Here are a few starting subjects to ponder.
Page 15
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
Extension Meetings. Grower participation is essential to make a great extension program. Photo by Tim Weigle Do you want to sell wine or the whole experience? Some wineries hire marketing firms, while others rely on their own advertising and marketing savvy to sell their wines and/or their vineyard experience. Destination wineries have become increasingly popular, hosting events ranging from "Dinner with the Winemaker" evenings to weddings, receptions, bridal showers, family reunions, and more. Cold climate viticulture is tricky and time-consuming. You'll need to consider vineyard nutrition management, irrigation, and disease and insect management. Are you going to attempt organic production? While it is certainly challenging here in the Northeast, it has been done. A relatively new management system is "sustainable viticulture," the practice of integrating multiple facets of management programs in an effort to reduce the need for chemical sprays and to maximize the efficacy of these treatments.
American Wine Society www.americanwinesociety.org/web/welcome.htm
Certificate Programs Washington State University 2-Year Certificate Program http://winegrapes.wsu.edu/certificates.html University of California at Davis Online Certificate Program http://extension.ucdavis.edu/unit/winemaking/certificate/winemaking%5Ffor%5Fonline%5Flearners
Are there sources of funds that can help you? Value-Added Producer Grants from the USDA may fund the addition of a winery to a vineyard to increase the value of the agricultural commodity grown on the land.
Site Preparation. Proper weed management and tillage of land needs to occur a full year prior to planting grapes. Photo by Dr. Jodi Creasap FINDING INFORMATION AND TRAINING Viticulture (grape-growing) and enology (wine-making) research and extension programs are working hard to answer the needs of their wine grape growers and winery owners. Many universities and Extension programs provide materials, websites, workshops, and resources for growers or potential growers. A few - such as UC Davis and Washington State University - offer certification programs, workshops, and short courses for wine grape growers and wine makers alike. Cornell University provides a Viticulture and Enology major for undergraduate studies. These programs promote education for many ages, including adults and students. Trade journals and professional societies are a good way to learn what other growers and winemakers think and the important issues in the industry.
Jodi Creasap is a Viticulture Extension Associate at the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program] in Fredonia, NY. She can be reached at (716) 672-2191 or jec53@cornell.edu.
Rt. 20, Sharon Springs, NY • (800) 887-1872 or (518) 284-2346 1175 Hoosick St. Troy, NY • (518) 279-9709
Page 16
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
NON-DAIRY LIVESTOCK
Managing The Lambing Season One sheep farmer describes his system for lambing on pasture then “processing” ewes and lambs in the barn By Ulf Kintzel Lambing season is most likely the busiest season for any sheep farmer. This is the time when a lot of money can be made or lost. The percentage of raised lambs per ewe is one of the, if not THE most important economic figure in a sheep operation that raises market lambs. LAMBING ON PASTURE One of the issues being discussed these days is when to let the sheep lamb. Many sheep farmers have let their sheep lamb in the winter in the barn in order to serve the Easter market. However, many have found it difficult to deal with harsh weather and the limited room in the barn. More and more promote lambing on pasture. Having experience with lambing on pasture for many years I can attest to it that this is the easiest way of lambing. Usually, the weather in late April and early May is favorable. But this is not the only fact that matters. One can offer a lot more room to a flock of sheep that is on pasture. Most experienced sheep like to separate themselves from the flock when it is time for them to give birth. A ewe that has walked away from the flock in order to lamb is a lot less likely to lose one of her lambs while she is giving birth to the next. That means there are far fewer lambs that are being rejected.
I also castrate the market lambs and dock the tails of the ewe lambs on day one. I use rubber rings. My reasons are three fold. First, it is convenient because the lamb is already in my hands. Secondly, I believe that the pain of castration and docking tails is the least on day one. Thirdly, early castration and tail docking helps avoid complications such as infections, fly strike and tetanus. At this time I also tag my female lambs as well as the male lambs that I leave intact to be sold later to customers for breeding purpose. Females are tagged in the right ear and ram lambs are tagged in the left ear. I use Premier's MiniTags. They have caused me the least problems. These are my Mandatory Scrapie tags as well. The cost is $.50 per tag. I have a number code, the first number of the tag indicates the year it was born i.e. the tag number 8123 says the ewe lamb was born in 2008.
Ewes with twins or triplets are put into a jug (small pen) for bonding.
If I haven't gotten around to clipping hooves, de-worming and vaccinating against enterotoxaemia, I will do all that while the ewe is in the jug as well but I prefer doing this just before the onset of lambing season. A ewe that raises lambs is the most susceptible to worm pressure. De-worming is critical at that time.
Any orphan lamb or lamb that cannot be raised by a ewe is given a new mother, usually a sheep that has a single lamb that can easily raise two. I made myself headlocks from plywood that I use to graft the lamb to the new mother. I avoid using a ewe that has lambed before I have a lamb to be grafted since that ewe already knows how many lambs she has
Once one or more ewes have given birth I drive out with my trailer and collect those that have lambed. I pick up the lamb(s) by the front leg, walk slowly backwards and have the ewe follow right into the trailer. I always take all lambs of a ewe at the same time. You can't just take one and expect the ewe to follow.
Since first cutting hay does not quite meet the nutritional needs of the ewes, once a day I add second or third cutting hay that I buy in small bales. I simply distribute the layers of a small bale evenly in the barn or pasture that all ewes can feed at the same time. I supply anywhere between one and two pounds per ewe per day that way.
If I load several sheep with newborn lambs I use a twist marker to temporarily identify the lambs and their mothers with matching markings i.e. a mark on the left ear or on the nose or on the neck etc. Then I bring them to the barn where I have jugs as well as group settings prepared. BACK INTO THE BARN FOR PROCESSING After unloading all sheep in one group setting I "process" each ewe with her lamb(s) in a jug. All needed utensils are in a flat back bucket, hanging on the side of the barn wall out of the ewe's reach. I spray paint the tag number of the ewe on the left hand side of her body and have the same number on the body of each of her lambs. If it is a single lamb I spray the number 1 on the opposite (right) side, if it is a triplet I spray the number 3 on the opposite side. Lambs without a number on the opposite side are assumed to be twins. Since this is the great majority of my lambs I chose those lambs to be unmarked to save spray.
NO GRAIN FED I feed my ewes that lamb in March good quality first cutting hay in round bale feeders made from livestock panels. Since there isn't enough feeding space for all ewes to eat at the same time I always make sure that the feeders are never empty. If I were to allow the ewes to eat all the hay before I refill the feeders I run the risk that lambs get caught between feeder and ewes that are desperate to get to the hay.
For the lambs I supply the same fancy hay in a creep feeder. However, the feeder for the lambs is always full so that the lambs can eat as much hay they want whenever they want. I do not fed grain to either the ewes or the lambs.
Orphan lambs are “grafted” to a new mother by restraining the mother in a grafting panel (rear view, and front view). ENSURING MATERNAL BONDING After handling the ewes and their lambs I put ewes with twins and triplets in individual jugs for about a day or less for bonding purposes. Ewes with single lambs are put immediately into a group. Ewes with twins are put into the same group after they have spent their time in the jug. However, ewes with triplets are put into a separate group for another two or three days since it takes a ewe a while longer to count to three than it does take her counting to two.
Lambs are fed second or third cutting hay in a creep feeder, while their moms get mostly first cutting hay from a round bale.
and will be a more difficult candidate for adopting a lamb. Ideal is a sheep that lambs the day I need her. However, it doesn't always work out that way. The ewe will spend three days in the headlock and will then be released. If she hasn't adopted the lamb yet she goes back into the headlock. This method has worked for me almost 100 percent. Using a headlock saves money since there is no need for milk replacer or any sort of bottle feeding. It also requires the least amount of patience, something I have in short supply during lambing season. WHAT ABOUT MARCH LAMBING? Some sheep farmers have a need for lambs at different times of the year in order to satisfy steady customers throughout the year. I too have some of my ewes lamb in March for that reason. Those ewes are separated from the flock just before lambing and are put in the barn. As the flock lambs I subdivide the space these sheep occupy and have one group that has yet to lamb and one group that has lambed. It is important to know that one should only mix ewes with new born lambs with a group that has lambs that are up to a week or ten days old. Older lambs already show different behaviors such as forming groups to play. The young lambs will join, but may then have problems finding their mothers. Once you have a group of older lambs I advise creating a third group for the ewes with the youngest lambs, age one day through about seven days, in which these sheep spend a few days before they are added to the group with the older lambs. The same applies for pasture lambing. There should be always a paddock reserved for the youngest group before they will join the rest of the flock again.
Of course, minerals are important when ewes nurse. A lot of minerals are leaving the ewe through her milk. I always offer free choice sheep minerals but I add one third of salt to these minerals to reduce intake. CULLING AND RECORDKEEPING Lambing season is a good time to mark ewes for culling. Any ewe that doesn't have enough milk to raise her lambs should be culled. If maternal instincts are lacking and the ewe doesn't care for her lambs she should be culled. Any behavior that you think makes your lambing season more difficult can be a reason to cull a ewe. There is one exception. When a lamb is not positioned correctly when the ewe gives birth and the lambing difficulties are due to this position such as front legs are back, head is twisted back, breech position etc. I would not cull this ewe since this is not a genetic defect and just plain bad luck. I write down all information that I can gather during lambing season such as tag number of the ewe, number of lambs that are born, gender of lambs, lambs that are born dead, tag number of female lambs and any fact that sticks out i.e. ewe rejected one lamb. This way I keep track which ewes are productive and which aren't. In summary, I try to make lambing as non-labor intensive as it can be. I want easy lambing sheep with good maternal instincts and I want any animal to spend as little time in the barn as possible. After all this is said and done, lambing will still be the busiest time of the year.
Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds White Dorper sheep.
July 7, 2008
Page 17
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
GRAZING
Focus On Managing Land, Not Owning It By Jennifer Colby Last winter's Vermont Grazing Conference focused on the theme of developing creative land use relationships -- outside of strict land ownership -- to support successful grazing operations. Often a farmer is identified by the number of acres s/he owns, rather than the acres managed. That perspective has led to a belief that, in order to farm successfully, you have to take on a lot of debt to purchase land. That debt load can be overwhelming, especially for a beginning farmer. Fortunately there are some creative alternatives to owning your own farmland.
out the personal investment of time to manage them, paying Judy by the pound of gain and the days of management; and finally * Judy himself has been paid well for his time and experience without the risks associated with a high debt load, at a land cost of hundreds rather than thousands of dollars. Greg Judy emphasizes that he works very hard on building good relationships with land and animal owners. He tries to be realistic about what may or may not be accomplished in each particular situa-
tion. He lets the land/animal owner know whenever there are any problems, however uncomfortable that may be, and he establishes every relationship through a clear, simple, straightforward contract. Judy's system has clearly been a success; in less than four years he paid off the mortgages on his own land and house, all while maintaining his full time job. He serves as a terrific example to Northeast farmers struggling with high land values in a place where second homeownership and unused land are common. Conference attendees noted that Greg Judy was an inspirational speaker and example, but some questioned whether his methods would work in the colder climate of Vermont and the Northeast. At least we can be sure that a creative approach is what we are seeking. Judy's creative approach led him to high density and multi-species grazing of
COWS
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Successful land management requires a mixture of ideas, inspiration, practical suggestions for our farms, reconnection with our friends and farming comrades, and the ability to find the best balance for our own lives. As we are starting to see across the country, farming success is not necessarily measured by the amount of land you own!
Creativity on all sides: 100% grass-fed cattle graze forage crops in mid November on leased land in Richmond, VT. Photo by Jennifer Colby
CROPS
Selecting the Right Crop Cover New online decision tool makes choosing a cover crop fast and easy By Thomas Bjorkman Northeast vegetable growers have a new tool available to make it easy to select a cover crop. It's challenging to keep track of which cover crops are good for various situations. Even growers who want to try a new cover crop find they don't have time to research them when the opportunity to use one arises. The new decision tool will speed that process.
a particular management objective, whether from the soil health test or your own observations. There is usually also a time during the season when there is an opportunity to put a cover crop between cash crops. The first step in using the tool is to enter one or more of the three criteria: Management goal, Planting time, and Duration. Clicking "Search" quickly brings up the main candidates and some key information to help choose. These searches are fast enough
Winter cover crops should be chosen based on spring management goals. For instance, fall-sown grains look very different in the spring. By late April, Rye is tall with lots of biomass. If you have an idea of why you need a cover crop and a particular window in the rotation, you should be able to enter those goals and come away with growing instructions in less than five minutes. I developed this tool with the help of many colleagues with cover crop expertise using funding from the New York Farm Viability Institute. The tool is designed to complement the new Cornell Soil Health Test, so that growers whose prescription is to use a cover crop can fill that prescription easily. The tool uses the information growers are most likely to have in hand. Usually, you have
Are you a farmer or an aspiring farmer who'd like to make productive use of somebody else's land? The Center for Absentee Landowners has information, sample leases, planning checklists, and other resources for landowners to help them conserve their farmland and/or make it available to farmers. You can educate yourself and provide valuable information to landowners by visiting the Center's website at http://www.absenteelandowners.org. Resources are available for both the absentee landowner and farmers who would like to utilize the land. beef, sheep, goats, and swine on rented and leased land. We can take ideas like Judy's and adapt them to work in our own farm situations.
THE GREG JUDY EXAMPLE Missouri grazier Greg Judy has become a wellknown advocate for farming other people's land. Judy developed a system to rotationally graze contract steers on leased land, thereby removing his land ownership costs and risks. It also removes the costs and risks of owning the animals, including bank financing costs and fluctuating market prices. By removing the largest components of his upfront cash outlay, Judy has been able to concentrate his investments into water and fencing systems, and get paid primarily for the quality of his rotational grazing management. Judy's farm is an excellent example of a win-win-win situation: * he is using animals to improve the land of nonfarming or absentee land owners, who greatly appreciate the land's transformation back to green, productive acres; * The owners of his stocker cattle receive fat, happy steers back at the end of the summer with-
Resource Spotlight Center for Absentee Landowners
when to terminate the crop and how. It also has some of the tricks that experienced hands have passed on. A click on the cover crop name on this page brings up a PDF file that can be printed out.
and an oats or rye nurse crop to reduce root rot pressure; 3) the late August through September planting window; and 4) the termination by mowing or incorporating in late May when the vetch flowers.
We have made the instructions as complete as we can, so that each step can be carried out reliably by any reasonably experienced farmer. To keep the instruction to the point, they contain neither general information nor research results. There are other publications that provide such information, in particular the new Third Edition of Managing Cover Crops Profitably (available from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, 301-374-9696 or online at www.sare.org/publications/order.htm.)
Not every combination of management goal and time results in a hit. The cover crops included in the tool are only those that are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Nevertheless, there are cover crops available for any time of the year. There are those that are best raised for a year or so, to those that are done in a bit over a month.
It will take work to incoporate, and time for the biomass to break down. Wheat is short, and won’t be ready to kill for a couple of weeks.
that it's easy to tweak the criteria and search again to see what comes up. The second step it to look at the candidate cover crops to see whether they are compatible with the existing rotation, whether the price is appropriate, whether the necessary equipment is on the farm, and similar deciding factors. Simply clicking on the name of the cover crop brings up the production instructions. The third step is to review the production instructions. Most run about a page and include where to buy seed, how to plant,
Jenn Colby is Outreach Coordinator with the Vermont Pasture Network program at the University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Colchester, VT. She can be reached at 802-656-0858 or jcolby@uvm.edu. She also raises pork and poultry at Howling Wolf Farm in East Randolph, VT, and through a shared land arrangement in Randolph Center, VT.
A substantial number of management goals are included. Some, such as increasing organic matter, can be met by many cover crops, others, like suppressing verticillium,
Oats are dead and the field is ready to prepare for planting; if it is ignored, weeds will soon grow.
As an example, a grower might be interested in reducing surface hardness in a field to be harvested in mid-August. The search turns up two hits, Forage Turnip and Hairy Vetch. Since this field had cabbage in it the previous year, the turnips are rejected because that's too soon to plant another crucifer. Hairy Vetch will not only help with surface hardness, but will also fix nitrogen and suppress spring weeds. Going to the instructions, the page describes: 1) the key factors in land preparation (break compaction, have adequate P and K); 2) the seeding rates of hairy vetch
are met only by one cover crop. The tool will be expanded as current research projects yield more results. The online decision tool can be accessed at http://miniurl.org/nycctool. This is a shortcut to the relevant page on the Cornell vegetable cover crop site (www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/faculty/bjorkman/covercrops). -Thomas BjĂśrkman is an Associate Professor of Vegetable Crop Physiology in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Cornell University.
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SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
NON-DAIRY LIVESTOCK
The Many Faces of Equine Farming Horse farms are an increasingly important part of northeast agriculture, and offer lots of marketing opportnities for other small farms By Fiona Farrel Horses are an integral part of the northeast's quilt of small farms. NY equine revenues in 2005 topped $445 million while dairy generated $1.91 billion. Our equine industry had an economic impact in 2005 of $2.1 billion, including value added economic impact of $717 million. 3,070,000 NY acres are in equine related usage. In Pennsylvania horses keep 1,140,000 millions of open space working.
Many present day horse farms across the northeast owe much to the barns, pastures, fencing and stewardship of dairy and other farmers who owned the locations where horses now thrive. In New Jersey 24% of present horse farms used to be cattle, dairy, poultry or other livestock facilities, 13% were in field crops, fruits or vegetables and 18 % were used for other traditional agricultural activities. Similar award programs exist in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and other states. Recently many of these programs have grown with increases in purses from gaming at racetracks. For instance, in 2007 over $20 million were awarded to NY bred Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses in the form of purse enhancements, purses, breeders' awards and stallion awards. The northeast's horses have benefited from over 30 years of equine veterinary research at Cornell Veterinary College paid for by the Zweig Fund which itself is funded by NY racing generated revenues.
Dirk Fogg, instructor from Johnson and Wales College, Providence, Rhode Island teaches a clinic student at Stockade Polo and Saddle Club Grounds, Glenville, NY. Photos by Fiona Farrel
In absence of support from the USDA, state breeding incentive programs have played a vital role in growing equine agriculture. To oversimplify a complex picture, many states have laws that consider horses as livestock. However, after World War II, the USDA does not consider horses livestock or agricultural unless they are used in the production of food or fiber - think ranch horse herding beef cattle.
Equine small farms are wonderfully diverse. Most horse farms keep their horses for recreational or personal use. Other types of farms include racehorse retirement farms, correctional facilities using horses for rehabilitation and vocational training, rescue horse foster farms, lay-up and rehab farms, show and performance horse training farms, equine assisted psycho-therapy and therapeutic riding farms, equine logging operations, as well as the more familiar riding schools, boarding stables and breeding farms.
July 7, 2008 the farm manager can better plan a nutritional program. Proper nutrition can have a lasting beneficial impact in the healthy development of bone and other systems in a foal and growing horse or help prevent the age and obesity related diseases to which horses are increasingly falling prey. Reed canary grass is a crop that horse farmers either love to hate or are proud to love. Those who shun it do so because they find it extremely invasive. Reed canary can over run grasses and legumes preferred for forage and in so doing destroy crop diversity. Many swear that their horses find reed canary unpalatable. The fans of reed canary sing its praises because it grows well on heavy, clay soils and in otherwise unusable wet areas; it produces high volumes; is a perennial; and has dual purpose use. Reed canary grass can be used as pasture or hay but it can also be used as bedding. Reed canary is favored by its fans for bedding over various types of straws due to its height, leafiness, and ability to be harvested - northeast weather permitting - several times a season. GROWING THE LOCAL EQUINE MARKETPLACE Many small farmers are growing so people can eat locally. The equine market offers significant potential for locally produced forage, grains, straw and wood based beddings. Rapidly increasing prices for fuel, the strong Canadian dollar, and lowered lumber production related to the ongoing slump in the housing market have all contributed to escalating prices for shavings and sawdust used for horse bedding. As prices continue to rise monthly by double digit percentages the time seems ripe to realize the potential for selling locally produced straw, reed canary grass or "junk" hay for bedding. Increases in fuel and grain prices have also lowered the amounts of whole food ingredients in horse feeds. Sweet feed no longer contains whole or cracked corn, instead it has by-product ingredients such as soybean hulls, wheat middlings and corn distillers dried grains. A significant minority of horse farmers who are returning to feeding their horses oats may form a market for local small farmers growing oats. Like other livestock farmers, horse farmers are increasing their use of forages and reducing feeding of concentrates. Improved maintenance and enhanced productivity of pastures and hay fields represent opportunities to provide products or services by or to horse farmers.
In 2004 the national equine industry operated at a 240% loss. In other words, most of the industry is driven by recreational and pleasure uses. In NY nearly two thirds of operations are recreational or pleasure based, and two thirds of equine ag industry revenues are service based. Services can include: boarding, sales preparation, trail riding, equine judging, guest farms, riding lessons and clinics, training and conditioning horses, therapeutic riding, and, competitions from horse shows to rodeos and racing.
Horse farmers invest in equipment too. Horses enjoying some hay while awaiting their return home after a day at a clinic. Stockade Polo and Saddle Club Grounds, Glenville, NY.
Equine farms fall into three overlapping categories: farms where horses are the commodity produced; farms where other ag commodities are produced to support horses; and service based operations, many of which do not resemble the traditional concept of "farm." Complementing these three types of horse farms are the numerous types of service providers and product purveyors spawned by the horse industry, for instance, farriers, veterinarians, tack shops and saddlers.
Federal funding has shaped the development of many states' departments of agriculture. As a result, despite legal definitions, horses have generally been off the radar screen for state agriculture policy, funding and research. USDA programs embedded in state ag departments such as the National Agricultural Statistics Service do not perform equine specific surveys unless prompted by strong local equine industries such as occurred in the northeast in NY, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Imagine horse farmers buying sacks of oats or custom mixed feeds at weekly farmers markets or imagine a trip to a locally owned and operated mill. Imagine a complementary producerconsumer balance among small horse farms and small grain growers and millers. But don't stop there. Carrots and apples that might not make it cosmetically for human sale could go to those same weekly farmers markets to satisfy the ever expanding market for horse treats. Think dog biscuits for horses.
GROWING FEED AND BEDDING Growing horses, donkeys or ponies isn't the only equine-related production agriculture carried out on the northeast's small farms. Many small farms produce the hay, straw and grain used by horses. In 2003, nearly one quarter of Pennsylvania's 31,000 horse operations stood on less than five acres of land. Small equine operations such as these rarely produce their own hay and depend heavily on other farms to produce the commodities they need. Horse people -- whether they're owners of one or two ponies in a remote rural or semi-suburban backyard, or professional managers of hundreds of broodmares -- have definite ideas of what they want in hay.
Thoroughbred mare cares for her foal in Saratoga, NY. GROWING HORSES Equine commodity agriculture in the northeast primarily consists of raising young horses for Standardbred harness racing and for Thoroughbred flat track racing. In NY 41 percent of breeding stock consists of racehorse breeds. Horses bred for racing go on to many other careers. Horses tattooed for racing have second careers as 4-H project horses, barrel racers, show jumpers, polo ponies, event horses, trail horses, buggy horses, competitive driving horses, dressage horses and as beloved companions. Recently the northeast has also seen a rise in breeding ponies, miniature horses and donkeys. Racehorse breeding is fueled, among other things by breeders' awards programs that enhance purse earnings. NY breeding awards for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds started in the 1970s to promote horse farming as a means of keeping green space productive when NY was facing a wave of failing dairy farms.
Riding horse owners generally prefer grass based hays such as orchard grass, timothy and brome mixes. Racehorse breeders and trainers generally prefer alfalfa for broodmares and suckling foals and horses in race training; at other times during the gestation, growing cycles, and lay-ups they tend to prefer alfalfa mixed with grasses. Clean well dried hay and straw is at a premium in the equine market. Straw for bedding tends to be favored by breeders and racetrack operators and by European trained farm managers. Horses' respiratory or reproductive systems can be four to five times as susceptible as cows to adverse effects of molds and fungi. When mycotoxins abort a pregnancy or dust irritation damages a performance horse's wind huge drops in value occur. Wheat straw is the favored type of straw for the horse market. Rye straw is frowned upon due to its tendency to harbor dangerous endophytes. Oat straw may be too benign as many horses find it extremely palatable and most horseowners prefer to see external padding on a stall floor rather than having the horse get unduly fat. Farmers who can provide nutritional analyses of their hay can create a marketing niche for themselves with the more educated equine operator. By having easy access to a baseline set of data
A foal pauses in her quest to learn how to eat grass. This filly represents the rare breed, Le Cheval Canadien, in Walden, VT. The adoption of clicker training in the horse world bodes well for those who sell treats, either fruits, vegetables or processed into biscuit form. A major national marketer of training services and products recently started using treats in his training program. Small farmers could really find a niche in producing for the treats market. Equine agriculture is firmly grounded in its long heritage. There are some who say the agrarian societies who first populated central Europe arose out of a need to cultivate hay fields to feed the horses they had tamed. Yet, equine farmers are also quick to adopt new trends, even fads, on behalf of their horses. Taking the historic givens of equine needs and production together with horse owners' consumerism, the mutually beneficial links among equine and other small farmers seem to extend far beyond the few possibilities touched upon in this piece.
Fiona Farrell, Esq., has a very small farm in Saratoga, NY, where she and her husband, Kevin Higgins, keep between three and five horses. Fiona briefly raised Thoroughbreds. She now raises awareness by, about and for equine farmers. Since August 2006 she has been Coordinator of CCE Equine, a regional Equine Economic Development program funded by the NY Farm Viability Institute. She can be reached at fsf2@cornell.edu or at ffarrell@nycp.rr.com.
July 7, 2008
SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
Page 19
Grass-Finishing Beef on BMRSS
The feeding trial began on November 13, 2007 with 11 steer calves averaging 623 lbs on the BMRSS ration and 11 steers calves averaging 626 lbs on the traditional corn ration. As of the end of March 2008 three weigh-in periods had been completed with the average results shown in Table 2.
A progress report on research comparing Brown Mid-Rib Sorghum Sudan grass to a corn ration for finishing feeder cattle
On February 29, 2008, two lick tubs were placed in the BMRSS feeding area to buffer the feed intake and stimulate appetite.
COWS
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CROPS
By Tom Gallagher, CCE Albany County It was in the fall of 2005 that Tom Kilcer, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rennselaer County field crops specialist and I decided to apply for a Northeast SARE Partnership Grant. The grant would be used to conduct some on farm-applied research to determine if beef cattle could be fed a grass ration of Brown Mid-Rib Sorghum Sudan grass (BMRSS) baleage during the winter months and gain adequate weight during those months. In March of 2006, we were notified that our grant proposal had been funded and we should move forward on the project.
SHIFTING GEARS I approached Gerry Boone and Laura Tenney of Golden Acres Farm in Westerlo, and they said they'd be very interested in participating. Gerry has about 150 mother cows and feeds out about 60 of his own calves, which are on grass all summer until weaning.
Total weight gains and Averagge Daily Gain for corn-fed versus BMRSS-fed calves
The first step in the 2007 trial was to identify a well drained field or fields where we could produce our crop of BMRSS for the winter feeding period. Three fields were chosen for the production of the BMRSS, one 7.5 acre and two fields of 2 acres each. These fields were chosen because of their good drainage and location in relation to the feedlot.
Consumption rates of the BMRSS baleage was high all winter. Because of the high moisture content, freezing after the bales were unwrapped was a slight problem.
Heather Birdsall, from CCE Cortland County and a certified ultrasound technician, scanned both groups of steers in the trial. Another scanning period will take place before the animals are harvested. Fortunately, we had contacted a small cow/calf feedlot operation in Dutchess County during the winter that was interested in participating in the project. THE RESEARCH PLAN Our first step in the project was to randomly choose 20 feeder calves from the herd, 10 of which would be fed a BMRSS based ration and 10 which would receive acorn based ration. Once the cattle were chosen, they were kept separate to assure they would not be put on a corn silage creep feed during the summer. The next step was to work with our local beef producer to help him grow and harvest the BMRSS for the trial. As farming would have it, the weather did not cooperate. We were late planting and three weeks late harvesting the BMRSS because of heavy rains. The second cutting was also almost non-existent because of the heavy rain. As a result, we were unable to conduct our winter-feeding trial during the winter of 2006-2007.
Fortunately, the people at Northeast SARE understand the effects weather can have on the production of crops, so we were given a one-year extension to complete the project. For the 2007 growing season, Tom and I decided to move the project closer to our own home counties, if we could find a local beef producer willing to take on the extra work of conducting an applied research project on their farm.
At Agri-Mark, we believe in actively working together for better farm milk prices, whether it be through the growth of our Cabot or McCadam brands of cheese or support of the plans like the current Federal MILC Program. If you are a dairy farmer, we will work hard for you in the marketplace, not against you. Join 1,350 dairy farm families working for a better future by calling our Membership Department at
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Further analysis will be done to determine if the increase in gain of the BMRSS cattle was due to the lick tubs or weather conditions.
Two lick tubs were placed in the feeding area of the grass-fed group of steers. One tub provided a buffering type product and one tub contained a stress fighting formula. Consumption of both tubs was higher than expected. A Cornell complete soil test indicated that the fields needed to have lime applied at 3 tons per acre and that at planting 225 lbs/acre of actual nitrogen should be applied. The BMRSS was planted on May 31, 2007 at a rate of 60lbs of seed per acre using a John Deere drill with a spacing of 7". The field was rolled before and after seeding to assure a firm seedbed. FORAGE ANALYSIS & WEIGHT GAINS The first cutting was harvested on July 22, 2007 with a yield of 59 large round bales weighing 1900 lbs at 79% moisture. Second cutting was harvested September 2, 2007 with a yield of 42 bales weighing 1900 lbs at 82% moisture. Total yield of dry matter per acre was 3170 lbs. Forage analysis from the Dairy One Forage testing lab yielded the results shown in Table 1. Forage analysis of Brown-Midrub Sorghum Sudan grass baleage.
TASTE TEST All cattle in the trial were scanned on December 13, 2007 for rump fat, rib fat, rib eye area and percentage of intramuscular fat. These cattle will be scanned a second time just before harvest to determine if either ration had an impact on any of these factors. This applied research trial will continue through the summer with the BMRSS cattle going to a rotational grass pasture system and the corn fed ration cattle remaining in the feedlot. The trial will end with a guest chef preparing cuts from each group to be sampled by a taste test panel. Complete results and analysis of the information from this trial will be available by early 2009. If you have any questions about the results to date, please give me a call at 518-765-3500 or email at tjg3@cornell.edu.
Tom Gallagher is an Agricultural Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County.
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SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
Small Farm Quarterly
Youth Pages
The Youth Pages are written by and for young people. Many thanks to the 4-H Teens from Ontario County who contributed to this issue. We believe there’s a bright future for young farmers in the Northeast. Whether you live on a farm or only wish you did, we’d love to hear from you!
Get your article published by sending it to: SFQ Youth Pages c/0 Celeste Carmichael CCE State 4-H Youth Development Office 340 Roberts Hall Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-4799 • cjc17@cornell.edu
Spending time with a friend By Jessica Brown, Groovy Girls 4-H Club, Ontario County What makes a young person stay in a youth program? For me it is learning new skills and meeting great people. I have been an active participant in numerous projects that my club has organized, but none of them has been as life changing as working with a fellow 4-H member and friend, who has autism. For more than five years I have had the opportunity to work with Allison, one on one, with various projects, helping her to do the same projects that that everyone else does. One of my favorite activities to do in 4-H is to sew, and so it seemed natural to share my interest with Allison and help her make several outfits. It turns out that Allison is a whiz at cutting out patterns and loves to sew almost as much as I do. The only real assistance that she requires is to help keep her focused on the subject at hand. Her joy and pride in the clothes that she has made and worn are amazing and really makes me proud to have been a part of it. Part of 4-H is learning skills in public speaking. My first real memory of 4-H is of my parents dragging me out of the car for my very first Public Presentation... and me
screaming. It was my worst nightmare to get up in front of a room full of people and actually be expected to speak intelligently. When Allison told me that she wanted to do presentations as well I had to applaud her bravery. For weeks in advance she practiced daily and with some small help here and there she was able to blow the judges away. She had everything that she was going to say memorized and now and then would slip in something new that would have us all laughing at her sense of humor. For her it was a great way to show off her skills at making something and explaining others how to do it. After a few years of working with Allison on sewing, we decided to move into another project area. With her love of animals it was easy to pick out something that we were sure that she would love. A local dairy farmer was willing to allow us to come to his farm and help take care of the animals. Once a week we go to the farm and feed the calves. She learned the proper way of handling the animals and how to take care of them. Last summer I helped her take a heifer to our county fair and she showed the animal and received a ribbon for her efforts. It was all she could talk about for weeks before and after and we have plans in motion for her to go again this year.
Allison with Brown Swiss heifer, Reba, at the Ontario County Fair.
Ever since I have met Allison I have been impressed by her willingness to go above and beyond to achieve numerous things. She loves learning new things and excels at them through hard work and perseverance. I have learned many things about life from her and I have been honored to have had the privilege of working with her within the 4-H program. Helping someone else also helped me to know how to be a more caring friend and a good leader.l
Geospacial Adventures By Elliott Padnode, Geoseekers 4-H Club, Ontario County
Note: The Ontario County 4-H program received a grant to develop a 4-H club to explore Geospatial Science. The members are working with the Agricultural Economic Development program of CCE of Ontario County to map out a local food guide for farm stands and local produce. Right now you're probably reading this wondering what geocaching is? Right? Well, geocaching is a sport involving a G.P.S, or global positioning system, and the Internet. You use the G.P.S to find caches that contain hidden treasure. To find out about geocaches in your area, log onto www.geocaching.com, where you can track caches by zip code. You can upload the cache coordinates to a handheld GPS unit. The GPS unit helps you track down the treasure. Caches are usually hidden "in plain view" on public property. They are most often in a weatherproof container,
Geoseekers 4-H Club finding a hidden cache at Dryer Road Park.
and contain a log book so that you can share a note of thanks or information with other geocachers. And, they contain priceless treasures - like stickers or pencils. There are many sizes of caches such as, a magnetic keycase, an old mailbox...all the way up to a 50 caliber ammo box. There are also virtual caches where there is no actual cache but there is typically something special about the place. When you find a cache, feel free to take what ever you please but you must always leave something in return. You may also find travel bugs and coins while caching. Travel bugs and coins have a seriel number on them so that you can track where they move to. When you find a travel bug, you need to move it to another geocache
site. A good rule is you should never have one of these for more then about two months. One really good experience I have had with geocaching is finding the first part of a multi-cache. Multi-caches add to the excitement of geocaching. After we found the first part we went and found the second part. It turned out that the second part was a birdhouse. Our 4-H club started mapping out agricultural places in Ontario County that sell directly to the public. As a part of this project I interviewed farmers. One farm had lots of animals including baby pigs. Squealing baby pigs have to be the most interesting cache that I ever mapped.
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We're Horse N Around! By Horse N Around 4-H Club, Ontario County The Ontario County Horse N Around 4-H Club is not just about riding. Our club is about community service in the horse community. Our 17 members are actively involved twice, sometimes three times a year in community service. The "hands" of the four H's are taken literally! One of our favorite service projects takes place at the Equicenter. The Equicenter is a therapeutic riding facility with trained instructors who are nationally certified through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). Clients with physical and mental disabilities meet individual goals through horse related therapies. The Horse N Around Club has assisted this facility with spring and fall mucking, tack cleaning, grooming, and feeding. Yet for a few, this was not enough. Annie, Michelle and Alyse have been trained to be "side-walkers" to assist riders for a six-week session. Our club has extended our community service to yet another horse related opportunity. The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) is located directly on the Finger Lakes Race Track grounds. FLTAP has been created to rehabilitate and find homes for retired race horses. The Horse N Around members have turned out horses, cleaned stalls, and painted the indoor riding arena. Some are looking at adopting a new friend. Michelle Vallone, who helped at the FLTAP,said, "It was really cool meeting these horses. They are not crazy like you would expect from a race horse. They will make great riding horses for someone."
Sara, a member of the Horse 'N Around 4-H Club with her horse, Crackerjack.
The Unstung Hero By Chris Voss, 4-H Member, Ontario County
How an interest in ducks has led a young man to be fascinated in extracting bees in the Finger Lakes area is just what 4H is all about. After Chris Voss raised 3 week old ducks he wanted to learn more about poultry. Chris connected with 4-H leader, Mary Ann Whipple and the Ontario County 4-H Sonshine Kids 4-H Club. After hatching more ducks, he gave all of them a new home in their natural habitat of a country pond.
Chris recently collected a swarm of bees that landed in a tree to put in a hive body.
The media coverage of the disappearing honeybee had caught the 4-H club's attention. His club decided to take an interest in an apiary project when their leader had a swarm of honeybees extracted from her barn. The members of the Ontario-Finger Lakes Beekeepers Association became the mentors for the members of the club in the spring of 2006. This gave Chris the chance to save bees as he did with the ducks. Chris says, "I was into the saving aspect. 2008 will be the third year with over 20 extractions". His favorite tools are Chris Voss of the Sonshine Kids 4-H Club paints a hive body box as part of his beekeeping projhis crow bar, a hive tool and ect. occasionally a bee vacuum. educating the public on natures' perfect food, bees, honey, Chris enjoys doing the extractions because each one is a flavors and the importance of the honeybee in our food pro"very different experience, just like the bees." When Chris duction today. identifies the queen in an extracted swarm he shouts, "We have royalty!" This project has given Chris more than he ever thought. The Chris has four hives of his own. He has assisted extracting honey and his 4-H club members have worked to buy a small extractor and candle molds. Chris has also manned a booth at the Victor Farmers Market selling pure honey. He enjoys
interest in bees has had an impact on this young man. The life skills he has developed will enhance his beekeeping entrepreneur interest. Chris has grown from a shy, curious teen into a valued, respected member of the beekeeping community and an asset to us all with his desire to save the bees.
Fundraising Helps a Friend By Heather Dunton and Anna Cole of the Country Dudes 4-H Club
Note: The Country Dudes 4-H Club held a successful fundraiser earlier this year after a serious accident injured a family member and former 4-H member. Over 40 volunteers helped serve the 400 dinners, cook spaghetti, serve salads, clear tables and do all the work that it took to make the night a success. It was so impressive to see entire families working together that night doing community service for a wonderful cause. Over 800 cookies and desserts were baked and donated by 4-H members in the county. The results were over $6000 being raised through the dinners, a silent auction and donations.Following are thoughts from 2 of the club members about helping with the fundraiser. Being part of a fundraiser is a rewarding experience for both you and the people you are trying to help. Recently our 4-H leader, Holly Phillips, had a crisis in her family. Her son Aaron was very seriously injured in
a car accident that almost took his life. The Phillips' needed help to pay the long intensive care medical bills for Aaron that went on for many months. Parents and members of the Country Dudes 4-H Club organized a Spaghetti Dinner to raise money for the Phillips family. It took many weeks of calling businesses and then going to them to collect the donations they made. We never knew it would be so detailed. We took in calls from so many caring people. It took a lot of food and other volunteers in the 4-H club and Home School community to put this dinner together. It felt good to know there were so many people out there that cared about helping. When we were serving the dinners to hundreds of people that day it was exhausting but it made us feel happy inside to know we were being successful in all the hard work that we did. We know the Phillips were very grateful. We are happy that we were able to be a part of this fundraiser.
Two 4-H friends, Anna Cole and Laura D'Amico share a moment during the 4-H Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.
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swallow-wort is thought to be the more aggressive of the two species.
CROPS
Swallow-wort Threatens Native Plants, Animals and Agriculture in the Northeast Be on the lookout for this tough new weed in hayfields and pastures By Brian Aldrich and Larissa Smith Part One: By Brian Aldrich
lent along roadways, agricultural fields, pastures, and even Christmas tree farms and orchards; however, this invasive non-native vine is anything but welcome.
A NEW EXTENSION AGENT It was my first week on the job as an agriculture educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, and I had already received a question to which I did not know the answer (surprise!). A local dairy farmer had picked up some idle hay ground and was cutting it for bedding. While mowing he had come across a new weed that he had not seen before, which his consultant identified as pale swallow-wort. He wanted to know if it would be toxic to his cows.
A CALL TO THE EXPERTS So I got on the phone and found my way to Professor Dan Brown, a nutritional toxicologist in the Department of Animal Science, and Professor Antonio (Toni) DiTommaso, a weed ecologist in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. I learned that while there are no known cases of cattle poisoning from swallowwort, there is good reason to be concerned. Swallow-wort does contain toxins, but we don't know how much a given animal needs to eat to become sick or die. "The dose makes the poison," by which we mean it's not just what, but also how much, of a toxin an animal ingests or is exposed to that determines whether poisoning occurs. The species of animal as well as its size (newborn to adult) are also important factors.
Flowers of pale swallow-wort. Photo by Antonio DiTomasso Pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum), also known as dog-strangling vine, has become an increasing problem in the Lower Great Lakes Basin of the United Sates and Canada, and poses new hazards to growers, animals and plants alike. Since its introduction from the Ukraine in the late 1800s and its slow spread west over the past two centuries, swallow-wort has proliferated in the last 20 years. This species has formed dense, pure stands and invaded thousands of acres as far south as Missouri and as far north as New Hampshire.
A single swallow-wort seed with four emerging seedlings. Photo by Larissa Smith Most alarming are recent observations that swallow-wort is moving into no-till corn and soybean fields. Swallow-wort is beginning to invade agricultural land, shifting from a mere nuisance to an agribusiness threat - in more ways than one. Not only are these invasive plants out-competing crops for valuable nutrients, water, and light, and reducing land values - the swallow-worts also contain toxic compounds that may be harmful to livestock and wildlife.
In addition to these threats, there is new concern for the monarch butterfly, whose natural host plant, the native common milkweed, may be out-competed and displaced by swallowwort in old fields. Significant reductions in certain insect populations, such as herbivorous leaf miners and pollinators, have also been noted in swallow-wort stands next to areas dominated by native plants.
Pale swallow-wort is characterized by its small, light pink-to-maroon flowers. The climbing or twining stems usually reach 2 - 8 ft. in height. The fruits are small, slender pods filled with fluffy white coma (silky hairs at the end of a seed), facilitating long-range dispersal of the seeds by wind and animals.
Swallow-wort climbing on trees. Photo by Larissa Smith
Flowers of black swallow-wort. Photo by Antonio DiTomasso This finding is not surprising given that some members of the plant family are known to be unpalatable because their tissues contain bitter defensive chemicals. Recent research has also shown that swallow-wort releases compounds in the soil that disrupt the growth and composition of soil microorganisms, which in turn affects the growth of other plants.
It turns out that poisonous plants are not uncommon in northeast pastures, and that most grazing animals know to avoid eating them. On the other hand, if poisonous plants are baled up as part of a hay crop, there is a risk that livestock may not be able to recognize them and avoid eating them. So to be on the safe side, I called the dairy farmer back and advised him to mow around the swallowwort and keep it out of the bedding. That was two years ago, and we now have a new extension support specialist in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Cornell, Larissa Smith, who recently completed her Master's Degree on, of all things swallow-wort! I asked Larissa if she would tell us more about the swallow-wort story, and she gladly agreed. So the rest of this article is written by her - thanks Larissa!
Spread of the two species in infested habitats also occurs by the production of numerous tillers from the root crown. While swallow-wort growth is prolific in well-drained calcareous (high lime) soils, these plants tolerate a wide range of soil and environmental conditions, enabling them to proliferate in a variety of habitats. ANIMALS AND AGRICULTURE AT RISK The rare and sensitive Alvar ecosystems of the Lower Great Lakes Basin (vegetated barrens known for their unique composition of plant and animal species) have been particularly devastated, according to research by the Central and Western NY Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Dense stands of pale swallow-wort in these systems have disrupted native grassland bird nesting sites and threaten the habitats of numerous native plants and animals, some of which are on the federal endangered species list.
Well, I had never heard of pale swallow-wort, so I didn't have a clue! Fortunately, one of the great strengths of the Cooperative Extension system is that we are supported by a wide array of university specialists, to whom we can turn for help. I quickly learned that a big part of our job is not just knowing the answers, but knowing where to find them. In New York State we turn to Cornell, which is our "land grant" university. For the land grant university in your state, see the table on p.3. The land grant universities were established starting in 1862, when Congress passed the Morrill Act to promote the teaching of practical subjects like agriculture and the mechanical arts. Every state has a land grant university.
The key to the successful spread of these species is their wind-dispersed 'polyembryonic' seeds. Polyembryony is a rare trait in plants which leads to the production of multiple seedlings (up to eight, but more commonly two or three) from a single seed, making it easier for plants to establish and spread in new habitats. Once the seeds germinate and the plants begin to grow, a massive root system is produced.
Fortunately, the toxins make the plants largely unpalatable, and unless they are mixed with hay, most animals (including relatively indiscriminating deer) won't eat them. However, the risk of having swallow-wort mowed and baled into hay is increasing because of its spread, especially in poorly maintained pastures and fallow lands. FIGHTING BACK Early detection, removal, and research are keys to successful management. The best
(Cont. on Page 24)
Pods of pale swallow-wort preparing to disperse seeds. Photo by Larissa Smith
Part Two: By Larissa Smith A "NEW" WEED ARRIVES Swallow-wort's dark green oval leaves, milkweed-like seed pods and climbing habit are becoming more familiar to local hikers and visitors of state parks, as well as many landowners and growers throughout New York and New England. Swallow-wort is now preva-
Black swallow-wort (V. nigrum) or black dogstrangling vine is a closely related species, native to Southwestern Europe, that is virtually indistinguishable from pale swallow-wort unless its dark purple-to-black flowers are in bloom. Although pale swallow-wort is less widely distributed than black swallow-wort, which ranges from Kansas to Maine, pale
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July 7, 2008
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SMALL FARM QUARTERLY
STEWARDSHIP & NATURE
Agricultural Environmental Management: Praising Grazing!
By Barbara Silvestri
Much of the northeast's terrain is ideally suited to pasturing animals, and farmers statewide have long trusted grazing as an efficient, costeffective method of providing high-quality feed for their livestock. A well-managed pasture system can also protect the environment by reducing soil erosion, protecting water quality and enhancing wildlife habitat.
However, overgrazing and livestock access to streams can lead to environmental concerns. New York's Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program can provide the tools and resources to assess your pasture conditions and direct you to local experts who can help you maximize the benefits grazing provides to both your farm and your watershed.
So what do we mean by a "well-managed pasture system"? The idea of prescribed grazing management is to carefully control the harvest of forages by livestock, using the best physical lay-out of pastures and a custom-tailored grazing schedule. A prescribed grazing system can optimize livestock use of forages while also optimizing environmental benefits because: * Carefully managing the time livestock spend in each pasture and allowing the proper amount of time for regrowth keeps vegetation healthy. * Pasturing versus mechanical harvest also reduces input costs and air pollution from the use of fossil fuels. * Converting highly-erodible lands in row crop production to year-round vegetative cover (pasture and hayland) can provide quality feed at less cost and labor while reducing soil erosion and water pollution. * Managing livestock access to streams and other waterbodies protects water quality and enhances herd health.
Conducting an AEM Risk Assessment, including the Pasture Management Worksheet, will help you examine your pastures to determine where improvements can be made to protect water quality and enhance farm efficiency. Many farms find that their pastures are already doing a great job of protecting water quality, and that any necessary changes are mainly management issues.
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Improvements can be as simple as management changes to benefit pasture productivity and profitability. If a more detailed prescribed grazing plan or costly physical changes are needed, and your farm is in New York State, AEM can help you access the necessary technical and financial resources. A few examples of changes that might be recommended are: * New pasture management techniques or new pasture layouts when pastures are being overgrazed or when laneways are showing signs of erosion. * A constructed laneway or stone crossing to minimize water pollution when livestock must cross a stream. * An alternative water supply if animals are relying on the stream for water. * Optimizing fertilizer rate, timing and method of application to enhance economic returns while protecting water quality. Why not schedule a free, confidential AEM Risk Assessment for your farm, including the Pasture Management Worksheet? AEM can help you protect water quality and can even benefit your bottom line by increasing the efficiency of your pasture system. New York farmers can contact your County Soil and Water Conservation District to learn more about pasture management and to schedule an AEM Risk Assessment. To learn more about AEM, view the Worksheets, including the Pasture Management Worksheet, or to locate your Conservation District office, visit: www.nyssoilandwater.org. Check the next issue of Small Farm Quarterly for more information on how AEM can support you in reaching your farm's economic and environmental goals.
CROPS
“Dear Vicki Vetch...” New column will respond to your questions about cover crops Ever wish you had a group of researchers and farmers who could field your cover crop questions? Well now you do! Last year, a group of Cornell University scientists and educators were brainstorming ideas for communicating up-to-date research results and farmer innovations to the organic farming
community. We wanted to find a way to connect farmer questions with the vast pool of cover crop experts that have emerged over the past decade. Hence the birth of this column, Dear Vicki Vetch! This column will expand the resources available to the organic farming community by con-
We’re the agent for 376 farms in New York.
Steve Wightman’s family farm in Oneida County implemented fencing and alternate water supplies as a part of their rotational grazing plan to save topsoil and protect water resources in the Mohawk-Hudson Watershed. Photo by Troy Bishopp
Cows grazing on green grass under a blue sky at Dave Stratton’s Organic Dairy farm in Madison County save on costs by harvesting their own feed. Keeping the land in permanent pasture helps protect water quality in the Chenango River Watershed. Photo by Troy Bishopp
Grasslands provide quality forages for livestock while benefiting water quality and maintaining beautiful landscapes at the Bartier family farm in Herkimer County. Photo by Troy Bishopp Barbara Silvestri is the Information & Education Program Coordinator with the NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee in
Albany, NY. She can be reached at 518-4573738 or barb.silvestri@agmkt.state.ny.us.
necting farmers in our region with agricultural scientists, educators and other farmers who are experts on various topics related to use of cover crops in organic farming systems.
For example: * Cover crop impacts on soil health, nutrients, pest management or weed ecology * Management of legume and non-legume cover crops * Nitrogen fixation ability of different legume cover crops * Soil microbiology of legumes and their rhizobial partners * Fitting cover crops into niches of your cropping system * What you need to know about using inoculants * And more!
So send us your questions! We will choose 23 questions on a quarterly basis, contact our colleagues or farmers with experience in that area, and weave together an answer that is jam packed with the most up-to-date information addressing your most pressing issues and concerns. We intend to bring you the latest in cover crop and nutrient management information, so send 'em in! We are ready! We will tackle any question related to the role of cover crops in farming systems or cover crop management!
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July 7, 2008
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Swallow-wort Threatens Native Plants, Animals and Agriculture in the Northeast (Cont. from Page 22)
defense against swallow-wort is early detection and removal, because once populations establish and expand into large areas, control options are limited. For large infestations, repeated applications over several years of Garlon 4(r) (triclopyr) or Roundup Pro(r) (glyphosate) have been shown to be effective, although these herbicides may also control some desirable species. Furthermore, since swallowwort can establish in or near natural areas, waterways, and other environmentally sensitive areas, herbicides may not be an option. In these cases, growers may have to resort to more laborious and time-consuming methods such as pulling or digging out the large root crowns, mowing (which has little effect on seedlings) or repeated cultivation. Regardless of the control method used, it is important to remember that this species produces many seeds, and it may take up to five years to deplete the seed bank. A single swallow-wort plant can produce more than 100 pods that will disperse thousands of wind-borne seeds from late summer through late fall. The current lack of effective long-term control strategies underscores the need to search for other methods of control. Accordingly, researchers at the USDA-ARS Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health in Ithaca, NY, and in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Cornell University are collaborating on developing a biological control program. The researchers seek to identify selective natural enemies of swallow-wort (e.g. insects, diseases) in its native European range that could be safely introduced into their North American range. Research is also focused on determining the life stages (e.g. seedlings) at which swallow-wort may be most vulnerable to potential biological control agents. Unfortunately, the development and implementation of an effective biological control program for these two invasive vines is still at least 5-10 years away. Thus, effective shorter-term management solutions are being developed, such as the use of herbicides combined with cultivation. If you suspect that you have swallow-wort on your property, contact your local Cooperative Extension office (see p.3) or Dr. Antonio DiTommaso in the Weed Ecology and Management Laboratory at Cornell University (www.css.cornell.edu /WeedEco/). Mow around swallow-wort when making hay, and don't let your animals eat it.
Brian Aldrich is an Agriculture Development Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cayuga County, NY. He can be reached at 315-255-1183 or bsa9@cornell.edu. Larissa Smith is an Extension Support Specialist in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Cornell University.
New swallow-wort shoots and last year's dried stems in a horse pasture. Photo by Larissa Smith