Agriculture and Markets Law Section 303-b was enacted in 2003 to provide for the designation of an annual 30-day period during which landowners may submit requests for the inclusion of predominately viable agricultural land into an existing certified agricultural district. Cattaraugus County has designated January 2 through January 31, 2014 as this 30-day period.
By: Carol Sitarski, Master Gardener, Cornell University Cooperative Extension (CCE)
“The worms crawl in the worms crawl out, the worms play pinochle in your mouth”. Remember that song from childhood? Well, those are not the worms we gardeners so love. This fall while I was putting in some last minute bulbs on a cold fall day I was surprised to find our little friends still close to the surface and it started me thinking about what earthworms do in the winter. During my research I discovered some facts about earthworms that were very interesting. We all know earthworms dramatically alter soil structure, water movement, nutrient dynamics and plant growth. Right?!
Did you know, the best time to test your soil and adjust its pH level is NOW, in the fall, NOT in the spring! Any amendments you add to your soil can take up to 6 months to work their magic (i.e., lime or sulphur).
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are hosting fall pH clinics starting Sept. 15th.
Cornell Small Farms Program just released a new guide for small farmers that lists research projects from the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Landowners and Producers Can Now Enroll in Continuous CRP with General Sign-Up to Follow
May 14, 2013 - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. Vilsack also announced the restart of sign-up for continuous CRP, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other related initiatives. Sign-up for continuous CRP began on May 13 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2013.
The Women, Food and Agriculture Network is offering a FREE webinar to discuss the upcoming Conservation Reserve Program's eligibility requirements, ways to increase acceptance into the program, annual payment rates and CRP practices and management options.
See the video about the Farm Service Agency's Conservation Reserve Programs.
Get the handouts and presentations from the Right to Farm Ordinances Session, Southern Tier West's Local Government Conference on May 8, 2013.
The following linked article was shared by Cornell's small dairy educator Fay Benson (607-753-5077, afb3 [at] cornell.edu):
Pimm’s View Dairy is located in the Town of Leon and consists of approximately 300 milking cows and operates over 600 acres of cropland. The operation includes Adelia Pimm Ritter, her husband Kevin, and her parents Fred and Alta Pimm.
Rick Miller, a Central New York native, has worked at the Olean Times Herald since September 1980. Earlier he worked for the Salamanca Republican Press and the Cattaraugus County Department of Aging. He is currently the Cattaraugus County reporter and a photographer. He also covers the political, agricultural, environmental, economic development and Allegany State Park beats for the Times Herald.
Pine-Villa Farm is owned and operated by Tom & Robin Degenfelder and their children Justin and Jason. The farm started in January 1996 on a relative's farm in North Collins. In 2000, our present farm in Otto was purchased. The farm consists of 300 acres owned and 110 acres of rented land. We have 110 registered and grade adult Holstein, Jersey and cross bred cattle along with 90 head of young stock. The farm uses conventional and grazing methods to feed the herd.
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Resources for Starting a Farm in Cattaraugus County
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