Agency reaches out to minorities, women
GREENWICH — Rebecca L. DeSorbe, farm loan manager for USDA's Farm Service Agency in New York, says FSA is reaching out to women, ethnic and minority farmers in the state in an effort to get more of them involved in its programs.
"FSA programs are available to all producers, but we would like to increase participation by traditionally underrepresented groups in all program areas," DeSorbe said.
FSA defines a socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer or agricultural producer as one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
According to DeSorbe, FSA also reserves a portion of its direct and guaranteed loan funds each year for SDA loans for eligible participants. These loan programs are designed to help farmers purchase and operate family farms.
"With these loan programs, FSA hopes to help reverse the declining number of farmers across the United States and especially here in New York," DeSorbe said. "These loans help to encourage and assist them in owning and operating their own farms, participate in agricultural programs, and become integral parts of the agricultural community."
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a given program before FSA can extend program benefits. For more information on these programs and other programs available through FSA, contact the Farm Service Agency at 2530 State Route 40, Greenwich, N.Y., 12834, or call 692-9940, Ext. 2.
Sheep, goat seminars focus on nutrition
PLATTSBURGH — Northern New York Sheep and Goat Week presentations will offer a detailed look at sheep and goat nutrition with Cornell University Professor Emeritus and Sheep Specialist Dr. Douglas E. Hogue and Small Livestock Educator Betsy Hodge of CCE-St. Lawrence County.
The goal of the workshop is to help current livestock producers match the forages they grow with grains that contain some fermentable fiber to meet the nutritional requirements of the animals. An introduction to Cornell's FeedForm Ration Balancing software is also part of the program. The Northern New York Sheep and Goat Week program in our area is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Plattsburgh at the offices of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County.
Register with Peter Hagar at 561-7450. The cost is $5 per person and light refreshments will be provided. To learn more about raising goats, sheep, beef cattle and other livestock, contact your our extension office at 561-7450 or the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Web site at www.nnyagdev.org.
High tunnels subject of conference
WATERTOWN — Extending the growing season for the commercial production of vegetables, berries and cut flowers is attracting more and more growers in Northern New York. To accommodate that interest, Cornell Cooperative Extension is hosting a Getting Started in High Tunnels Conference on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County office at 203 N. Hamilton Street in Watertown.
Conference sponsors include the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program and the New York Farm Viability Institute.
"The Getting Started in High Tunnels Conference agenda will help growers who already have a tunnel structure or are considering getting started with one," Conference Coordinator and Extension Educator Amy Ivy said.
The tunnel structures may be Quonset-style "hoop houses," Gothic-style peaked roof structures, or caterpillar-style closer-to-the-ground tunnels. Crops grown under these structures out-produce crops grown in the field with less damage and fewer disease problems. Tunnels allow growers to start plants earlier in the spring and harvest later in the fall as well as into the winter season.
New York State Vegetable Specialist Judson Reid and Nelson Hoover of Hoover Family Farm in Penn Yan, N.Y., are the featured speakers. Topics to be covered include the different types of season-extension structures and soil preparation. An in-depth session will focus on tomato production. A discussion of other possible crops for high tunnel crop production is also on the agenda.
A panel of local and greenhouse growers will share their experiences using tunnels and greenhouses in Northern New York's cold climate.
Earlier this year, Cornell researchers released economic impact data for high-tunnel production. Their report showed a net income per square foot of high-tunnel space for some growers of 57 cents per sq. ft. to $1.44 per sq. ft. of tomatoes; and $1.51 per sq. ft. for raspberries.
The conference cost is $20 per person and includes a catered local foods lunch. Registration is requested by Dec. 8. For a program brochure and registration, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County at 315-788-8450 or Amy Ivy at adi2@cornell.edu.
Learn more about Northern New York agriculture by contacting your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office or visit the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Web site at www.nnyagdev.org.
