The 2011 New York Corn Silage Hybrid Tests Report from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University is available:

The 2011 New York State Soybean Variety Yield Tests Report from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, is available: 

Congressman Bill Owens will host a conference call on December 6th at 2 p.m. dedicated to a discussion with the Congressman about sustainable agriculture. Important issues being debated in the upcoming Farm Bill will be the focus of the conference call. This is an opportunity for you to better understand the Congressman's plan for teh Farm Bill and to voice your opinion concerning the debate.

To join the conference call, contact Doug Butdorf at dbutdorf@gmail.com and ask for the call-in number and participant access code.

Saturday, January 14, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

FOREST FINANCE 2012: FINANCIAL FACTS for FOREST OWNERS

Good Stewardship is Good Business ~ Good Business Practices Yield Better Forests

The Business of Stewardship ~ Eric Carlson – President & CEO of The Empire State Forest Products Association, will discuss a businesslike approach, and various systems to help it along -- Tree Farm, forest certification systems such as SFI and FSC and why they are important to the landowner as guides to action and validation of current management strategies.

Income and Property taxes ~ There are trouble-free strategies to lower your tax bill, but each involves weighing the benefits and burdens. Steven Bick, consulting forester and principal in Northeast Forests, LLC, guides us through the process. Bick holds a Ph.D. in Forest Management and Economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Succession Planning ~ the human side of estate planning. Call it ”human stewardship” if you will. Dr. Shorna Broussard Allred of Cornell’s Department of Natural Resources and Cornell University Cooperative Extension focuses on maintaining family ties to the land from generation to generation, building awareness of the key challenges facing private woodland owners, and motivating families to address the challenges.

Conservation Easements ~ This could be one way for a landowner to do a public good while benefiting his family’s future. Steven Bick, of Northeast Forests, LLC, has written about easements and consulted with many forest owners. Here, he will lay out the pros and cons for family owners.

Q & A Panel with the day's speakers will end the program. Pre-registration is required. For further information, call Laurel Gailor, Agriculture & Natural Resources Issue Leader, Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County 518-623-3291 or 518-668-4881.

Check out the new issue of the Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program's e-newsletter. The latest issue is posted in the box to the right.

November 29

Labor Issues for Agriculture Employers: What to Extpect in 2012, Latham

Discussion will include H2A, I-9s. e-Verify and legislative updates. Speakers: Terence Robinson, Jr., attorney with Nixon Peaboday, LLP; Marc Smith & Tom Maloney, Cornell University; Steve McKay, Cornell Cooperative Extension's Fruit Program; Bernadette Kowalski, NYS Department of Labor.

To register call Sandy at 518-380-1498 or email sab22@cornell.edu. Download sign up sheet also.

November 30

Potato Variety Trial Show & Tell, Kinderhook or Salem

Join the CDVSFP and guests Don Halseth, Cornell University Potato Specialist and Walter De Jong, Cornell University's Potato Breeder, for an opportunity to view and discuss nearly 20 different potato varieties, including specialty lines not yet released to growers.

Two locations & times to choose from: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Samascott Orchards, 5 Sunset Lane, Kinderhook or 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sheldon Farms, 4363 State Route 22, Salem, NY.

Wednesday, December 7, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

CCE-Saratoga, 50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY

Learn tips on tax planning, year-end strategies and risk management ideas from Chuck Radick, a farm tax specialist, and Jill Robinson, Farm Credit East. Registration materials and lunch costs $40 per person.

Download the details.

December 13-15 - New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference & Trade Show, Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH. Visit www.newenglandvfc.org

January 20-22 - 2012 NOFA-NY Winter Conference: The Cooperative Economy, Saratoga Springs, NY. Visit www.nofany.org/events/winter-conference

January 24-26 - Empire Fruit & Vegetable Expo & Direct Marketing Conference, On Center, Syracuse, NY. Visit http://nysvga.org/expo

Basic Farm Business Management Planning: 5 dates & locations - Contact Sandy Buxton at 518-380-1498 or email sab22@cornell.edu

December 14, 6:00-8:30 p.m. - CCE Coumbia County, 479 St. Highway 66, Hudson, NY

January 14, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon - CCE Washington County, 411 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 

February 7, 6:00-8:30 p.m. - CCE Washington County, 411 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY

April 4, 6:00-8:30 p.m. - CCE Albany County, 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY

May 10, 6:00-8:30 p.m. - CCE Greene County, Agro-Forestry Center, Acra, NY

February 14 - Seeding Winter Greens in a High Tunnel, Slack Hollow Farm, Argyle, NY

February 29, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Capital District Vegetable & Small Fruit Program Annual Winter Grower's Meeting, Location to  be announced at a later date.

Download a one-page document that covers disaster relief for agricultural producers, farms. NYSERDA, National Grid and NYSEG programs. Please feel free to pass the information along to those affected who may benefit from receiving it. The document was provided by Deborah G. Grantham, Assistant Director, Environment & Natural Resources. She is a Senior Extension Associate in teh Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences at Cornell University.

A free workshop for dairy producers looking to change their business via value added products or herd expansion is scheduled for Thursday, December 1, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Tally Ho Restaurant in Richfield Springs, NY.

The dairy industry has become increasingly competitive. Dairy producers oftentimes are in a quandary as to their future direction. Maintaining or increasing family income is of prime
importance. This meeting will help producers explore choices others have made and help them plan for a successful future in the industry.

Speakers include two Cornell University specialists who work in the area of finances and business planning, and a four person panel who will describe the business decisions they have made with
their dairy farm businesses and how they expect to be competitive in the future.

The program and lunch will be provided free for attendees. Pre-registration is required by November 28. Seating is limited.  Call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County at (315) 866-7920 to reserve seats.

Download the agenda.