Preparing for, Identifying, and Accessing Public Funding Sources: for NYS Livestock Slaughter and Processing Facilities Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Online Event Join the CCE Livestock Program Work Team on Thursday, January 27th, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm for a webinar on Preparing for, Identifying, and Accessing Public Funding Sources: for NYS livestock slaughter and processing facilities.Current and potential NYS livestock slaughter and processing business owners run and manage high-demand small businesses and often don’t have the time, capacity, and/or know-how to find and apply for public funding sources. This limited capacity makes it difficult for members of this business community to take advantage of opportunities that arise which would help them gain access to vital funds that will ultimately improve our state’s processing capacity.In this webinar, we will cover topics that will help current and potential livestock slaughter and processing business owners and managers prepare for, identify, and apply for public funding sources. Topics will include: What is needed to apply for and manage funding. How to work with a grant writer and local economic development organizations on your application. How to identify and access public funding sources, which will include a list of grants applicable to the NYS processing industry.Speakers include Gio Holmquist, Director of Industry Development; Agribusiness, Distribution Centers, Cyber & Homeland Security Empire State Development; Myron Thurston, CCE Oneida Food Supply Chain Marketing Specialist; and Elizabeth Higgins, Ag Business Management/Production Economics Specialist with the regional Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program.Questions? Contact Dana Havas at (607) 391-2664 or dmh353@cornell.edu. Dana Havas, dmh353@cornell.edu, 607-391-2664 Registration: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yVwJOXCZgS8NJc ========================================= Preparing for Shearing Day Tuesday, February 1, 2022 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Online Event To help fiber farmers prepare for the upcoming shearing season, the Animal Fiber subgroup of the CCE Livestock Program Work Team is hosting a “Preparing for Shearing Day” webinar scheduled for Tuesday February 1st from 7:00 – 8:30 pm on Zoom.There are so many to-do boxes that need to be checked when it comes to being prepared for shearing. A shepherd needs to plan some items months in advance, while others will be addressed the morning of. By being properly prepared for shearing day, the shepherd ensures that the day is both efficient and safe.We’ll hear from Robin Nistock, a shepherd of 30+ years at Nistock Farms. Robin will walk attendees through how she prepares for shearing day, focusing on efficiency, shearer safety, and maintaining the quality of the clip. There will be ample time for Q&A following the session, and look forward to questions, shared stories, and experiences. Now that you’re all set for shearing day, if you’re selling your wool to the commodity market, you can join us the following Tuesday for our second webinar, “Preparing for and Accessing Wool Pools”.  Free Dana Havas, dmh353@cornell.edu, 607-391-2664 Registration: https://tinyurl.com/PreparingforShearingDay ========================================= Preparing for and Accessing Wool Pools in NYS Tuesday, February 8, 2022 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Online Event Once your sheep have been shorn, your next step is to market the wool. One option is to sell it raw to a wool pool, but just exactly how do you do that? Join members of the Animal Fiber Subgroup of Cornell’s Livestock Program Work Team for the “Preparing for and Accessing Wool Pools in NYS” webinar, scheduled for Tuesday February 8th from 7:00 – 8:30 pm on Zoom.Accessing a wool pool is a challenge for many farmers, from knowing where they are in the first place to planning how to get to one when it isn’t quite around the corner from home. In addition, prices received at a wool pool may not quite be what many are hoping for, but there are ways to improve that outcome through proper wool management both on and off the animals.During this webinar we will cover NYS wool pools, how to contact and contribute to them, and provide ideas on how to work within your local community to access wool pools that may be a long drive away. In addition, we will discuss the importance of quality of wool from a buyer’s perspective and just exactly how the wool you bring to a wool pool affects the prices you can receive. Following the presentation, we’ll have a Q&A with a panel of wool pool organizers to help get your specific questions answered. We’re looking forward to an engaging conversation, including experiences of buyers and farmers alike. Now that you have a plan for getting your wool to a wool pool, are you set for shearing day? Join us the Tuesday Feb 1st for the other free webinar of this mini series, “Preparing for Shearing Day”.  FREE Dana Havas, dmh353@cornell.edu, 607-391-2664 Registration: https://tinyurl.com/PreparingForWoolPools ========================================= Ag-Coffee Hour: Conservation Tillage & Soil Health Tuesday, February 15, 2022 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Join CCE Cortland for our February Coffee Hour - a discussion/conversation on conservation tillage & soil health. By increasing organic matter conservation tillage has been shown to enhance nutrient density and develop soils that are better able to handle droughts and floods. These effects, and more, are invaluable to building sustainable and resilient farms.Of course, there are many considerations to evaluate before introducing a new practice to your farm, and many ways to incorporate conservation tillage. These practices can be used with field crops, vegetable crops, and even help to restore pasture.Over the course of the 1.5 hours, we will discuss the pros/cons, challenges, and implementation practices of various methods of conservation tillage for a variety of commodities. We will also leave plenty of time for you to touch-base, catch-up, and network with the other new and established Cortland County farmers in attendance.Handouts and other resources will be made available for all attendees. If you have any questions or would like to register via email or over the phone, please contact dmh353@cornell.edu or call (607)391-2664There is a $2 fee to attend to help pay for food and handouts BUT please don’t let this keep you from attending scholarships are available - contact Dana to learn more.Register by Sunday, February 13th to attend! $2 BUT Scholarships are available (contact Dana at dmh353@cornell.edu to learn more) Registration: https://tinyurl.com/CoffeeHour-Tillage ========================================= 2022 Farm Show - NYS Fairgrounds Thursday, February 24, 2022 8:30 am - 4:00 pm They are ready to open the doors Feb. 24-26, 2022 at the New York State Fairgrounds. The New York Farm Show is the leading farm show in the Northeast since 1985. The show hosts more than 400 exhibitors displaying the latest in farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm implements; seed and crop protection products; farm supplies and services, dairy and beef production, woodlot and related industry supplies. Located at the NY State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NYSix huge heated buildings, plus outdoor demo areasOver 400 commercial ag exhibitors on siteLatest technologies in tractors, planters, sprayers and other precision-ag toolsDairy robotic milking systems and related technologiesBeef production know-how, handling equipment and marketingThe New York Farm Show is co-owned and produced by Farm Progress and the Northeast Equipment Dealers Association. =========================================