Search Results for: extension

Press Release: January 30, 2012

Contact: Joe Lawrence, CCE Lewis, 315-376-5270; Mike Hunter, CCE Jefferson, 315-788-8450; Rick LeVitre, CCE Franklin, 518-483-7403; Eric Young, 518-846-7121 x113

2012 North Country Crop Congresses: February 14, 15, 21, 22

Carthage, NY – The 2012 North Country Crop Congresses will cover everything from controlling weeds to climate impact to costs.

Optimizing Forage Production with Legume/Grass Mixtures is the topic for Dr. Paul Peterson, University of Minnesota Extension Forage Specialist. Dr. Peterson’s most recent research has assessed the potential of mixtures of alfalfa with different perennial grass options.

“My research on grasses, alfalfa and alternative legumes has focused on improving yield, forage quality, stand persistence, and crop economic value,” Peterson says.

Dr. Russ Hahn of Cornell University will provide the latest information on forage crop weed management.

Climatologists with the Cornell University Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences will discuss how weather patterns affect crop production in Northern New York.

NNY Field Crops Team leader Joe Lawrence, a field crops educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Lewis County, says, “Climate variability in general and in terms of Northern New York’s microclimates is an increasingly important interest for North Country farms. These Crop Congresses will look at how crop yield and quality are impacted by expected weather and unexpected weather patterns each year and discussion on how farms can minimize this impact.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s NNY Farm Business Management Team educators will share methods for tracking the true cost of crops production.

The 2012 North Country Crop Congresses will run from 9:30am to 3pm, lunch and materials will be provided. Contact your local site for registration details. The North Country Crop Congresses will be held:

• February 14, Canton Best Western, 315-379-9192
• February 15, Carthage Elks Club, 315-376-5270, 315-788-8450
• February 21: Moe’s Bar and Grill, Malone, 518-483-7403
• February 22: W.H. Miner Center Auditorium, Chazy, NY.

NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification Credits and Certified Crop Advisor Credits are pending. #

Press Release: January 19, 2012
Contact: Amy Ivy, CCE Clinton County, 518-561-7450; Sue Gwise, CCE Jefferson County, 315-788-8450

Vegetable Specialist to Speak in Watertown & Plattsburgh; Register by Feb. 6

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is bringing Cornell University Horticulture Professor Dr. Stephen Reiners to Northern New York for two workshops for commercial vegetable growers. This workshop is for both organic and conventional growers.

Dr. Reiners will present a workshop from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday, February 14 at CCE Jefferson County, 203 North Hamilton Street, Watertown, and on Wednesday, February 15 at CCE Clinton County, 6064 Route 22, Plattsburgh. Growers must register by February 6 with CCE Jefferson County at 315-788-8450 or Clinton County at 518-561-7450. The $25 fee includes lunch and a resource packet.

In the morning session Dr. Reiners will cover the fundamentals of soil fertility and irrigation; in the afternoon, workshop participants will apply those principles to real-life case studies from actual Northern New York vegetable farms.

Workshops organizer Amy Ivy, executive director of CCE Clinton County and a horticultural specialist, says, “The short growing season in Northern New York makes it especially important for growers to keep their crops growing at full capacity all season long for maximum yield and income.”

Dr. Reiners, an Associate Professor with the Cornell Department of Horticultural Sciences at the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, since 2000, says understanding soil fertility and how to maintain it can make a huge difference for vegetable growers.

“Some growers apply too much fertilizer, some not enough. With proper knowledge, growers can develop a soil fertility plan that prevents mid-season deficiencies of key macro-nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium when the crop need is greatest, that, in turn, is a plan for higher yields and income.

Dr. Reiners will talk about pH and proper application of nutrients. Organic growers who rely on fertilizers such as fish emulsion need to be especially mindful of application rates to be sure crops receive adequate nutrition. Fertigation – combining fertilizer and irrigation – is one technique that will be discussed.

“Once growers properly apply the practical information they gain at this workshop, they will see positive results in one season,” Ivy says.

Vegetable production for fresh market sales has dramatically increased in recent years across New York’s six northernmost counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence. This workshop has been approved as a Northern New York Agricultural Development Program small grants project. #

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: January 4, 2012
Contact: Betsy Hodge, 315-379-9192, or local Cornell Cooperative Extension

Mobile Slaughter Unit Meetings Set for January 10-12 in NNY

The North Country Economic Development Project includes a provision for developing a mobile USDA-approved slaughter unit. The North Country Pastured Poultry Group has organized a series of meetings to talk about the possibilities for this unit. North Country Pastured LLC, managed by Renee Smith of Sugar Hill Farm in DeKalb, has purchased such a unit for poultry and custom work with third-party certification for organic, humanely treated and animal welfare approved status.

The Group is inviting producers of chickens, ducks, turkeys, pheasants and other livestock producers, including those who raise rabbits to attend:

• Tuesday, January 10, 6pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 203 North Hamilton Street, Watertown
• Wednesday, January 11, 6pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm, 2043 State Highway 68, Canton
• Thursday, January 12, 6pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension Conference Room, 355 West Main Street, Malone.

Pre-registration is not required to attend. #

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NNYADP Funders: Thank You!
Funding for the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Additional project funds, expertise, equipment, and other support are provided by Cornell University, the Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of NNY, USDA, regional ag research facilities, agribusinesses, and Northern New York’s farmers.