Cornell Small Farms Farm Ops Features Local Veteran Owned Farm

Check out the ZiegenVine Homestead: Farmer Veteran Tour!

Farmer veteran, Allison Lavine, co-owns and operates ZiegenVine Homestead, LLC, which features primitive camping, goat yoga and hand-crafted goat milk soap. After her military service, Alison wanted a lifestyle that kept her active and outdoors and eventually decided to become a farmer. Currently Allison and her husband raise goats, pigs, ducks, chickens, cows and turkey in Savona, NY.

Watch the video, ZiegenVine Homestead: Farmer Veteran Tour - YouTube.

To learn more about how Cornell Small Farms, Farm Ops support veterans transitioning into agriculture click HERE.

Tools for Farm Succession Planning Series

March 8, 2023

March 15, 2023

March 22, 2023

6:30pm-8pm EST

Location: Webinar

Host: Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Do you have a plan in place for transferring your farm business to the next generation?

Join CCE-trained educators for a FREE & Virtual series focused on leveling up your toolbox when it comes to building a strong management team, assessing your business for the future, and tax management considerations when it comes to succession planning.

Whether you are currently working on a succession plan, currently implementing one, or don't want to use the word (because who plans for the future, right?!) this online series is for you!

Each week on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8pm EST, a set of trained CCE educators will explore a specific topic and present resources, options and scenarios to help you better apply the concepts to your own farm and situation. The presentations will be recorded and provided to all registrants, along with handouts for each session. It is FREE to join each week. Each registrant will receive the zoom link to join the session, as well as a reminder email the morning of the session.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll at 716-640-0522 or kaw249@Cornell.edu. 

Session 1: Building a Strong Management Team

Wednesday, March 8th, 2022   

Session 2: Assessing Your Business

Wednesday, March 15th, 2022   

Session 3: Tax Management in Succession Planning

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2022  

REGISTER

Bovine Reproduction and Artificial Insemination Training Course

March 7th & 8th

Join us for a two-day workshop with hands-on training that will be offered in both English and Spanish in cooperation with Javier Cheang from Genex Cooperative Inc.

Space is limited! Pre-registration is required, and walk-in's will not be accepted. Registration to open early February! Stay tuned for more information.

Topics to be covered:

• Bovine reproductive anatomy and physiology
• Heat detection
• Artificial insemination techniques
• Proper semen thawing
• Loading artificial insemination guns
• Breeding cows (hands-on practice)

Cost:

$250 per person, all materials and lunch are included.

For more info, please contact: 

Camila Lage C. - (607) 422-6788, cd546@cornell.edu

2023 SWNY (Virtual) Field Crops Congress Series

A five-part virtual series for Field Crops Producers to learn more about the latest research-based recommendations for pest control, weed management, economic considerations, soil health and fertility, challenges for our 2023 season, and more. Open to all interested Field Crops producers and industry service providers, with DEC and CCA credits available.

$20/farm for access to any and all of the virtual sessions. Scholarships available for those who are in need who would like to attend for free. Select the "scholarship" option at payment.

March 1, 2023 12:00-1:30

March 8, 2023 12:00-1:30

March 15, 2023 12:00-1:15

March 22, 2023 12:00-1:00

March 29, 2023 12:00-1:30

For more information call Katelyn Miller at 716-640-2047. 

Read more about the workshops being offered HERE.

Register HERE.

It’s County Enrollment, Subscription, and Support Time!

The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops program exists because 5 incredibly supportive Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations came together and partnered to better serve the needs of our region’s agricultural community. Please support CCE Steuben by signing up for their enrollment programs.

Reach out to CCE-Steuben at 607-664-2300 and ask about enrollment. The enrollment form can be found online, here.

Don't forget to enroll in our other Regional Agriculture Programs as well. You can learn more about the Finger Lakes Grape Program and Cornell Vegetable Program HERE.

2023 Forage & Pasture Management Workshop

Saturday, February 25, 2023,

9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Please join CCE Allegany, CCE Chautauqua, and CCE Livingston Counties; along with the NWNY & SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Teams on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 9:30am - 3:30pm at the Pioneer High School in Yorkshire, NY for the Forage and Pasture Management Workshop.

This is a regional program providing educational information and outreach to farmland owners. Presenters are brought in from both private and public sectors to provide participants with up-to-date information. Exhibitors from agricultural related business, organizations and agencies will also be on hand to address farmland owner questions.

The Keynote session will be Getting the Most out of Your Pastures and Hayfields without Breaking the Bank presented by Dan Steward from WNY Crop Management. Following the opening presentation there will be three concurrent sessions with 2 tracks to choose from per session. The Stored Forage Track will include Stored Forage Economics, Making Quality Hay and Baleage Panel, and Analyzing Forage Reports to Match Livestock Needs. In the Pasture Track: Setting up a Grazing System, Handling Livestock Safely and Equine Pasture Management.

The registration fee is $40 for adults and youth rate (14-18 year-old) is $20; pre-registration is required. Discounted Early Bird Registration deadline is February 10, 2023.

To Register online: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Forage_Management_Workshop-23_202 or to download a copy of the registration form click here.

Cornell Cooperative Extension offers educational programming and research-based information to agricultural producers, growers, and agribusinesses. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and education recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For accommodations, please contact Lisa Kempisty at (716) 664-9502 or ljk4@cornell.edu at least one week prior to the event. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.

Exploring the Small Farm Dream

Thursdays, February 2nd-23rd

6:30-9pm

Zoom

If you considering launching a small farm enterprise, but are not sure where to start, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

The Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you, and your partner, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion, curated research tools, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. 

SCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. 

• Thursday February 2nd, 6:30-9pm: Session I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape
• Thursday February 9th, 6:30-9pm: Session II: Assessing Resources and Risks
• Thursday February 16th, 6:30-9pm: Session III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation
• Thursday February 23rd, 6:30-9pm: Session IV: Next Steps  

WHO IS THIS FOR?

• Anyone interested in starting a small farm business
• Hobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business
• Recently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business
• Immigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US
• Recent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture
• Individuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member
• Those who are considering an on-farm market, farmer's market vendors, farm stands, livestock and poultry growers, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere. 

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? 

• Learn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources
• Learn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners, agricultural professionals, and others interested in new farm enterprises
• Learn how to manage a small business
• Learn how to assess and manage risks
• Learn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business
• Learn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices
• Learn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices
• Learn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality
• Fee: $75 per family, includes a workbook valued at $25/extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. 

For more information call (607) 584-5007 or e-mail lw257@cornell.edu. Thanks to American Farmland Trust – NY’s support through the Farmland for a New Generation Initiative in supporting this program. For more information on this program check out www.nyfarmlandfinder.org. 

Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one? Join our monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!

The first session will cover the basics of running an agritourism operation. The following sessions will focus on specific topic to help aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs grow their knowledge and profit through this exciting on-farm business.

February 20: Where is agritourism allowed?

March 20: Protecting Your Agritourism Operation: Liability and Insurance

April 17: Customer Service for Agritourism

May 15: Tax Considerations for Agritourism

June 19: Agritourism Pricing Workshop: How to figure out what your customers will bear

July 17: Marketing Your Agritourism Operation

Pre-registration Required: Register Here.

Price: Free

All workshops will be recorded, and links shared. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sponsor: Cornell Cooperative Extension Agritourism Program Work Team 

Are you thinking about starting a small farm? Do you already have a farm that you're looking to expand? Invest in your professional development and you'll see the returns in your business. Cornell Small offers in-person trainings, workshops, and online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers.

Check out some of the upcoming opportunities for January - March HERE.

The Four Phases of Feeding the Dairy Goat Kid

March 21, 2023

6:30 -7:30 pm EST Zoom

Location: Webinar

Host: Penn State Extension

The Four Phases of Feeding the Dairy Goat Kid presentation will teach attendees prepartum nutrition of the doe, colostrum/nursing phase, weaning phase, and post-weaning phase. Learn the importance of each phase and how each can impact the health, growth, and quality of the kids you raise. Understand management techniques that can positively affect your bottom line when raising replacement does and bucks.

Live Online via Zoom

Who is this for?

• Dairy goat producers
• New and beginning farmers

What will you learn?

• The four phases of feeding dairy goat kids
• Importance of each phase's effect on kid health and development
• Learn the management techniques that can help increase efficiency and survivability of replacement kids

This event is being offered at no charge to participants.

Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.

Registrants will also receive access to the webinar recording.

REGISTER

As Egg Prices Skyrocket in the Store, Find a Locally Raised Source

Shocked by egg prices? Read more about factors contributing to this increase HERE and HERE.

Use this as an opportunity to connect with a farm near you and start buying locally sourced eggs!

If you are a small farm interested in increasing your winter month egg production, read this article by Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist with the Cornell Southwest Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Regional Program.

Keeping Your Flock in Production Through the "Off Months" - Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program - Cornell University - Cornell Cooperative Extension

Chick Brooding 101

Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist

Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

The weather may be cold and blustery, but it's getting to be that time where we turn our thoughts to brooding chicks for the upcoming season. Brooding chicks doesn't take much effort, but we need to make sure that we're providing the correct environment to avoid stunting or failure of the flock. This article outlines temperature, airflow, feed, and water requirements for successful brooding.

Read Amy's tips for successful brooding HERE.

Raising chicks is rewarding, and exciting! By following these steps, you're sure to have success with your new additions. For more information on poultry production, you can contact Amy Barkley, Livestock and Beginning Farm Specialist at (716) 640-0844.

Photo: Amy Barkley

Hinchey Bill to Protect New York Farmland and Food Security Signed into Law

In December Senator Michelle Hinchey announced the signing of her bill (S8889A) to create the Agricultural and Farmland Viability Protection Fund, which will bolster efforts to protect agricultural land from being permanently removed from farming to make way for solar development.

Currently, all solar projects receiving funding through NYSERDA’s NY-Sun incentive program that site projects on active farmland must pay a penalty, which currently goes into the State’s General Fund. S8889A-Hinchey requires that all penalty money collected be deposited instead into the new Agricultural and Farmland Viability Protection Fund and allocated to state and local farmland protection programs.

Original article published by The New York State Senate, Agriculture Committee December 6, 2022.

Read more here.

New Year, New Labor Law Changes – from Cornell Ag Workforce Development

It’s a new calendar year, which means it’s time to change out your posters, up any of your minimum wage employees, and check in with new labor requirements from New York State. Read more HERE.

Grower Participation in Nutrition Incentive Programs Needed in Steuben County

Did you know that roughly $34,000 worth of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coupons do not get reimbursed in Steuben County and go back to NYS Agriculture and Markets? The New York Double Up Food Bucks program matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars $1 for $1 on local fresh fruits and vegetables. Did you know you can accept these forms of payment and make produce more accessible to people in need in Steuben?   

Both the FMNP and Double Up Food Bucks programs help increase healthy food access for families in many counties throughout New York. Vulnerable segments of Steuben County population, primarily senior citizens and low-income families, would benefit greatly from these programs. However, Double Up Food Bucks is not being utilized and FMNP has a very limited number of growers and farm stands that are enrolled and accept these forms of payment. Please consider working with Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County to keep these funds and programs within our county to support seniors and families in need.  

To accept FMNP coupons, each farmer or farm stand representative will fill out three forms, take a 45-minute training and send in the forms and proof of forms to New York State Agriculture and Markets. Once you are permitted by NYS to accept coupons, you must send the coupons back to NYS Agriculture and Markets by the given deadline, typically December 15th, to be reimbursed. CCE Steuben is here to help make it easier to accept these coupons and will assist you if you have difficulty with the paperwork. Double up Food Bucks is an easy process involving limited paperwork. Please contact Josh McGuire with New York Field and Fork Network directly:

Joshua McGuire, DUFB Program Director Field & Fork Network

487 Main Street, Suite 200 Buffalo, NY 14203

jmcguire@fieldandforknetwork.com

716-983-3286

If you are interested in accepting Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Coupons and need assistance with the FMNP paperwork, please contact CCE Steuben Directly. Our information is as follows:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County

20 East Morris Street in Bath, NY 14810

tsm223@cornell.edu

607-664-2301

February DEADLINE approaching!!!

Respond NOW to the 2022 Census of Agriculture

Why is the Census of Agriculture important?

The Census of Agriculture provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation. Through the Census of Agriculture, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture and can influence decisions that will shape the future of U.S. agriculture.

Who uses Census of Agriculture data?

Census of Agriculture data are used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities — federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, and many others.

• Farmers and ranchers can use Census of Agriculture data to make informed decisions about the future of their own operations.
• Companies and cooperatives use the data to determine where to locate facilities that will serve agricultural producers.
• Community planners use the information to target needed services to rural residents.
• Legislators use census data when shaping farm policies and programs.

Does NASS keep the information provided by individual respondents private?

NASS is bound by law (Title 7, U.S. Code, and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act or CIPSEA, Public Law 107-347) – and pledges to every data provider – to use the information for statistical purposes only. NASS publishes only aggregated data, not individual or farm-specific data.

Need more information?

• Read more frequently asked questions.
• Report Forms and Instructions
• Data Matters blog series
• Preparing for the 2022 Census of Agriculture

New York Equine Hay Survey

Attention horse owners and hay producers! The Equine Subgroup of the statewide CCE Livestock Program Work Team wants your assistance in understanding hay sales and purchases within the state for horses.

This research study, a partnership with Cornell and Penn State Equine Extension, covers the following objectives:

• Characterize hay buying & feeding practices of New York horse owners and preferences impacting these practices.
• Determine current hay prices and explore how different factors affect them
• Characterize hay producer preferences and practices regarding marketing and selling hay to horse customers
• Compare forage testing knowledge and attitudes among horse owners and hay producers
• Determine need and desire for extension hay education for horse owners and horse hay producers

The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Please give us your input as we seek to collect data on the NY Equine Hay Industry. Your anonymous responses will help us understand the needs of both horse hay buyers and producers and develop appropriate educational products. Exclusively for New York residents, the QR Code and link for the survey may be found on our website at: www.ccelivestock.com/species/equine. Click Here.

New York On-Farm Research Partnership Value of Manure Project

Research questions:

• How much nitrogen can be credited to manure?
• What is the yield impact of fall or spring manure applications in grain and silage corn?

Background:

Manure has all seventeen essential plant nutrients and can increase yield beyond what can be obtained with fertilizer only. In this project, we evaluate the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value (how much N can we credit to manure?) and yield differences as a result of manure application. This project is funded by New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) and the Northern New York Agricultural Development

Program (NNYADP). We are looking for farmer participants so let us know if you are interested in implementing this trial on your farm. We can test any type of manure you are interested in evaluating (liquid, separated, solids, compost, etc.) and any application method and timing.

Required for participation:

• Corn harvester (chopper or combine) with calibrated yield monitor system.

• Trial plot should get 20-30 lbs N/acre as starter only (no broadcast fertilizer N).

• Field size: length minimum of 1200 feet. Field width minimum of 12 times the harvester width. Trial area should be as homogenous as possible.

• Ideally 3rd or 4th year corn where N fertilizer is expected to be needed for optimal yield but otherwise with optimal fertility (pH, P, K, etc.).

• Sidedress unit that can apply up to 175 lbs N/acre in 35 lbs N increments (0-35-70-105-140-175) per the trial plot plan (below, Figure 2).

• Manure application equipment (surface application, incorporation, or injection) and your preferred manure type (liquid, separated liquids, solids, compost, digestate, etc.).

Read more HERE.

Please let us know if you will participate and where the trial location will be located!



Once we have a list of participants, we will start documenting locations and put together the plan for completing the trials with you in 2023.

Quirine (607 339 7240), Kirsten (607 255 4890), and Juan Carlos (531 207 6339)

Winter Manure Spreading Restrictions

Excerpt from "Winter manure restrictions in effect" in American Agriculturist by C. Torres & J. Kiel 

In New York, there is no winter ban, but the following rules apply:

• Winter manure spreading must be in accordance with the Cornell University Nutrient Guidelines, NY P Index, NY NLI and RUSLE2.
• It must be based on a check of the 48-hour weather forecast to assess if rainfall or temperatures are predicted to cause snowmelt or runoff conditions.
• Manure must not be applied to soils designated by the soil survey as "frequently flooded."
• Winter manure spreading must be in accordance with Section 1 in "Manure and Groundwater: The Case for Protective Measures and Supporting Guidelines" for fields with soils less than 40 inches deep over carbonate bedrock. 
• Manure can't be spread within a 100-foot flow path distance from surface waters, surface inlets, springs or sinkholes. 
• Manure can't be spread within 100 feet of wells.
• Manure can't be applied in concentrated flow areas, such as well-defined channels within fields.

Cornell Universities revised winter and wet weather manure spreading guidelines to reduce water contamination risk, which can be found by clicking HERE, summarizes what factors to consider to avoid water contamination during winter and wet weather conditions.



Producers should work with their AEM Certified Planner to find ways to avoid having to spread during high risk and emergency situations. Even if the NY P Index or Nitrate Leaching Index allow for spreading on particular fields during a certain time of year, the decision to apply or not on any given day needs to be based on actual field and weather conditions. Sufficient manure storage and a well-designed and executed winter spreading plan can go a long way toward reducing losses. Actual manure application decisions should consider:  

1. Near-term weather: Rain or snowmelt in the forecast? 

2. Actual field conditions: Extent of snowpack, ice layer, frozen soil, or soil saturation. 

3. Use of lower risk fields, identified in advance: On farms where some application is planned during winter months, work with your AEM Certified Planner to identify a significant acreage of lower risk fields for those applications (e.g., no history of runoff or groundwater issues, limited surface connection to streams/ditches, mild slopes, no concentrated flows, no karst or shallow soil features, high crop residue or surface roughness, etc.). Also with your Certified Planner, identify a smaller set of fields to save for emergency application fields or pile areas where manure can be taken in case of unexpected extreme conditions. Fields should have no history of runoff problems, be less than 5% slopes; as far as practical from any stream, ditch, well, or karst feature - preferably at least 300 feet; be accessible for equipment; have minimal runoff from upslope areas; and not be prone to frequent or occasional flooding (see NRCS 590 Standard for temporary manure pile siting). 

4. Beneficial application management to further reduce runoff risk: Injection or incorporation, reducing application rates, introducing or increasing setback distance, applying to lower risk fields, applying to fields with ground cover such as hayfields, applying manure over a period of several days as opposed to all-in-one day, etc. 

5. Access to manure storage: Including working with your Planner to develop more storage capacity if finding that applications during higher risk conditions are becoming commonplace. Also, consider asking a neighbor if they have storage room to spare. 

Accurately predicting weather is difficult. The guidelines in this document cannot prevent all runoff, but increasing awareness of the conditions that contribute to runoff and development and implementation of winter spreading plans based on these guidelines should reduce the risk of significant runoff and water quality violations. It is most important that farm managers take steps to observe fields after applications to learn from what happens and to adjust practices accordingly. Further, producers and planners should carefully evaluate existing storage capacity to ensure adequate storage to avoid application during high-risk conditions year in and year out, and consider that wet field conditions may need to be evaluated differently from concrete frost, ice or snowpack.  

Win a Grain Rescue Tube for Your Local Fire Department

When someone becomes helplessly engulfed in grain, rural firefighters are often the first and only line of defense. Unfortunately, many departments lack the specialized techniques and equipment necessary for a successful grain bin rescue. Nationwide Insurance once again is teaming up with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Peosta, Iowa, to award emergency first responders with grain rescue tubes and hands-on rescue training to help save lives. The contest begins on January 1, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. CT and extends through April 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Only entries submitted during this time will be considered for the contest. To enter, describe how your local fire department or emergency rescue team and community would benefit from grain entrapment training and a rescue tube, as well as how the tube and training could be shared with nearby departments. For more information click here or contact jim.carrabba@bassett.org or call (800)343-7527 ext. 2216.

Using Food Waste in Dairy Farm Anaerobic Digesters

Cornell PRO-DAIRY

Updates to the New York Environmental Conservation Law General Permit No. GP-0-22-001 (effective January 23, 2023) and other state regulations affect the usage of off-farm food wastes on concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFOs) and in anaerobic digesters (ADs).

Read more HERE.

CCE List of Active Shearers in NYS and New England Updated for 2023

Looking for someone to shear your sheep, goats, and camelids? This list can help you identify a shearer who will service your area. Many of these folks book several months out, so get on their list early! 

Access the list HERE.

New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program

The NYS Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program is offered to encourage recent college graduates to pursue careers in farming in NYS. This Program provides loan forgiveness awards to individuals who obtain an undergraduate degree from an approved NYS college or university and agree to operate a farm in NYS, on a full-time basis, for five years. Learn more here.

Finger Lakes Farm Country has a new app! 

Visit Finger Lakes Farm Country to download it today!

Barn Snow Load Guidance & Resources

Winter is just around the corner, and with winter comes snow. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Disaster Education Network has multiple resources for dealing with snow loads on agricultural buildings:

• Dos and Don’ts of Barn Snow Removal (access the PDF)​ by Curt Gooch and Sam Steinberg, Cornell University

• Farmstead Recovery Checklist: Snow Load & Barn Collapse (access the PDF)​ by NYS EDEN

• Heavy Snow Loads (access the PDF) by Curt A. Gooch, Cornell University

New Tomato Bred to Naturally Resist Pests and Curb Disease

Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell Chronicle

A Cornell researcher has completed a decades-long program to develop new varieties of tomato that naturally resist pests and limit transfer of viral disease by insects.

Martha Mutschler-Chu, a plant breeder and geneticist who leads the program, recently deposited an initial set of insect-resistant tomato research lines in the U.S. Department of Agriculture germplasm system and the Tomato Genetics Resource Center at University of California-Davis, which will be available for anyone to access the plants for research.

This spring, Mutschler-Chu will complete development of a new set of 20 elite lines, which will then be made available to any interested seed company, which may breed the pest resistant traits into commercial varieties. Breeding new varieties could take seed companies up to five years before they start selling new insect resistant varieties. 

For growers, these benefits will offer less crop loss and fruit damage, while also eliminating or reducing pesticide use and protecting the environment.

Pest resistance in these tomatoes was adapted from a wild tomato native to Peru, Solanum pennellii. The Andean tomato has little hairs called trichomes that excrete droplets of sugar compounds, called acylsugars, which repulse insects. In this way, the plants safely and naturally deter a wide variety of insects, preventing them from feeding, eating leaves and transferring viruses, or laying eggs, where larvae might damage plants.

Read the full article here.

What's Bugging You?

Join Live, on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.

Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.

2023 Schedule

• February 3: Indoor cockroaches | Pet flea/tick treatments
• March 3: Carpenter ants | Carpenter bees
• April 7: Avoiding wildlife at home | Slug/snail management
• May 5: Spotted lanternfly update | Stinging insect ID
• June 2: Common Garden Insects | Poison ivy management
• July 7: Pest of home berry plants | Spiders in the home
• August 4: Groundhog management | Bat exclusion
• September 1: Right plant, right place | Transplanting trees/shrubs
• October 6: Jumping worms | Roof gutter pests
• November 3: Winter Garden prep | Tick check reminder
• December 1: Houseplant IPM | Firewood pests

Register for 2023 Events Here. Watch the past Event presentations Here.

Free February Webinar:

Biochar, Wildfire Risk Mitigation, and Forest Health

February 9th (10am PT/1pm ET)

February 16th (1pm PT/4pm ET)

Register Here

Quenching the Kiln. Colorado, USA June, 2022

Building on its successful field operations in Oregon in 2021-22, PINA staff will present the context and challenges of wildfire in western forests, along with research findings into best practices, technical insights, and community and professional resources for reducing risk. 

We encourage landowners, agency personnel, community leaders, firefighting crews, permaculture and other landscape designers, and anyone concerned with wildfire risk and climate pressures in any region to attend.

Gloria Flora, PINA’s Philanthropy Coordinator, founder of U.S. Biochar Initiative, and a former USFS Forest Supervisor, together with Brian Byers, Land Steward at Lost Valley Educational Center in Dexter, OR and a crew co-leader with PINA’s Fire Ecology Restoration Project (FERP) will cover:

• Forests and Fire Ecology
• Treatment Considerations by Habitat Type
• Biochar Properties and Benefits
• Use of Portable Flame-Top Kilns
• Resources, Grants, Financing, and Networks of Support

PINA’s Executive Director, Peter Bane, will facilitate the sessions and also cover the elements of permaculture design that inform FERP’s multifunctional biochar protocol for forest health: how it bolsters community economies, regenerates ecosystems, aids agriculture, and mitigates the climate threat. 

Kelpie Wilson, owner of Wilson Biochar, LLC, kiln designer, and a pioneer in the forest biochar movement will be available during the Feb. 16th session for discussion of the emerging industry and technical questions on kiln design and use. Each session will include opportunities for Q&A.

PINA has produced a documentary about its fire ecology efforts, “Restoring Forests with Fire,” viewable HERE. The webinar series builds on this work and allows participants greater interaction and technical understanding. If you are under wildfire threats in your community, are considering how to reduce fuel loads without pollution, want permanent improvements in forest health and productivity, seek to put firefighting skills to use in the winter months, have responsibility for fire protection, or are providing advice and guidance to anyone facing these issues, we encourage you to join us.

Registration is required but free of charge. Participation is limited, so please sign up early. Registrants will be sent the Zoom link for joining the webinar.

For questions or technical assistance, contact info@pina.in. 

Register Here

2023 Invasive Species Forum | Virtual via Zoom

February 7-9, 2023

The virtual Invasive Species Forum is an annual event that brings attention to invasive species issues, research, and advances in prevention and management occurring across Canada, and in neighboring U.S. States. The theme of the 2023 Forum is Invasive Species Action in a Changing Climate, including sessions on vectors/pathways, innovative solutions, ecosystem resilience, research developments, indigenous communities, and education, outreach, and community science. Registration is free and open to anyone interested. Register HERE.

2023 Native Plant Center Spring Landscape Virtual Conference

March 13th, 2023

8:30 - 12:30 pm

Registration is now open for The Native Plant Center's 2023 Spring Landscape Conference, Sources and Solutions: Essential Native Plant Partnerships, taking place virtually on March 13th from 8:30am-12:30pm. Whether in a forest, meadow, or yard, ecological restoration takes a big-picture approach and the cooperation of many people. Discover strategies being used to confront challenges such as invasive species, climate change, and native plant supplies and how you play a role.

Register by March 9th. Cost: $80

Read more about all speakers and presentations HERE.

Register HERE.

2023 RISCC Symposium | Virtual via Zoom

February 14-15, 2023

The Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) management network is hosting their 2023 symposium virtually over two days from February 14-15th. Sessions will take place from 11am to 3:30pm (Eastern) each day. Mark your calendars and check back HERE for more details and registration.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2023

February 20th-26th, 2023

Hosted by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) provides an opportunity for educational events and communicating priorities to for invasive species legislation, funding, policy, and management.

For more details on hosting or attending events and to download the toolkit, click HERE.

Native Alternatives for Common Invasive Garden Plants

Description

Feb 8, 2023

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Winter is a good time to start planning for your garden. Selecting what plants you will grow can be exciting but you could be playing a role in the introduction of invasive plants. Many invasive plants were once considered desirable ornamentals that were intentionally introduced to gardens and landscapes only to escape into our natural environments. You can play a vital role in the introduction and prevention of invasive plants by choosing to grow native species and taking action to control invasives you may find on your property.

On Wednesday, February 8th from 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM EST community members can join an informative webinar hosted by the Genesee Land Trust featuring The Nature Conservancy's SLELO PRISM-an invasive species management program. The webinar will discuss native alternatives to common invasive garden plants, the benefits of native plants, general control methods, and a Pledge to Protect you can take to protect your garden and favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species.

Presented by: Megan Pistolese-Shaw-SLELO PRISM Education, Outreach and Communications Coordinator; megan.pistolese@tnc.org

Megan Pistolese-Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science Degree focused on Ecology, Environmental Education, and Sustainability from Empire State College. She is experienced with aquatic and terrestrial invasive species identification, impacts, modes of introduction, prevention and management methods. She is the Education/Outreach and Communications Coordinator with the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. Through this role, she leads invasive species outreach initiatives, communications and programming throughout the five counties of Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Register HERE.

Conserving and Managing Hemlocks- In the Path of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an invasive insect that is killing hemlock trees and threatening the health of our forests. Although only the size of a sesame seed, HWA will have a big impact on our forests. The good news is that there are conservation and management strategies you can implement to protect hemlock trees. This webinar will discuss short-term and long-term HWA control options, hemlock conservation strategies, and approaches to secure funding for hemlock conservation that have worked in other parts of the state at a watershed scale. We will also cover regional and state-wide volunteer opportunities to help slow the spread of this threat to our forests.

Presented By: Caroline (Carri) Marschner,

Invasive Species Extension Associate

March 8th 1-2 pm, Virtual Presentation

Hosted by: SLELO PRISM

ST. LAWRENCE EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT

Read more HERE and Register HERE.

Fruit Fly Biocontrol - Final Environmental Assessment Available

The USDA APHIS has prepared a final environmental assessment for release of the parasitoid wasp (Ganaspis brasiliensis) to manage spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) populations in the contiguous United States. After careful analysis, APHIS has determined that releasing this biological control agent is not likely to harm the environment and poses no risk to humans, livestock, or wildlife. APHIS has reviewed and considered all public input, reaching a “Finding of No Significant Impact.” This finding allowed APHIS to approve permits for the initial release of G. brasiliensis into the environment to manage the spotted-wing drosophila. APHIS will continue to issue permits as needed. Read more HERE.

You can review the final EA HERE.

Image: Image source: Hannah Burrack, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org