If you’re growing,processing, or purchasing dry beans (or would like to be) this workshop is for you!
There’s lots of potential for growing more dry bean crops in VT to meet new demand and popularity of beans, get your foot in the door now!
Growing Info
Calling All Fiber Fans for this Quality Fleece Management Workshop
Thanks to Battenkill Fibers, Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative & Cornell Cooperative Extension for bringing this workshop to neighboring Washington County in New York!
Quality Fleece Management Workshop
April 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – FREE
Please pre-register: 518 692 2700
Morning program at Ensign Brook Farm, 1930 Co. Rte 113, Greenwich, NY 12834.
Afternoon program at Battenkill Fibers, 2532 State Rte 40, Greenwich, NY 12834
Join sponsors Battenkill Fibers, Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative, and Cornell Cooperative Extension for an informative 1/2 day program on animal nutrition, pasture management, shearing, fiber care, skirting, and processing options. Based on the positive evaluations we received after holding this session in 2012, we will be offering the same general program again this year. Agenda includes an in-depth, on-farm visit complete with shearing and skirting demos; and also a hands-on fiber mill tour. Please bring your own lunch; and dress for the weather.
Other upcoming dates of interest:
Open House at Battenkill Fibers
April 27-28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days – FREE
Battenkill Fibers is proud to have been invited back to the Washington County Fiber Tour this year; and we will be offering mill tours, door prizes, and specials in our factory store both days.
3rd Annual Wool Pool, Washington County Fairgrounds June 13-15 The Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative will again be accepting clean white wool, white offsorts, and natural colored fleeces for re-sale to a large international wool buyer. More details will follow. Large farms, please plan to bring your wool on Thursday. Farms of all sizes are asked to send a representative to help with the sorting and baling – this event is put on by the member-owned Southern Adirondack Fiber Producers Cooperative; and your help is needed!
There are also plans being made for a 4-H youth event hosted by the local 4-H Sheep and Kids Club to take place in conjunction with the Pool on Sat. June 15. There will be workshops on fitting/showmanship, animal health, skirting and processing options, and meat processing. Please pre-register: 518 692 2700
Trying to Reach Wholesale Markets?
Cheshire County Conservation District is hosting a full day workshop on postharvest handling and food safety for fruit and vegetable growers!
The workshop will be presented by familyfarmed.org and participants will receive a free copy of Wholesale Success: A Farmer’s Guide to Food Safety, Selling, Postharvest Handling, and Packing Produce (a $70 value).
This workshop is fast approaching, it will be held on January 8th! For more information or to register contact Amanda Costello at amanda@cheshireconservation.org or by calling 603-756-2988 x.116.
Check out the flyer by clicking here: Wholesale_Success_Flyer
GAPs Certification on Youtube
Ever wonder what the GAPs certification process looks like? This instructional video put out by North Carolina Extension takes small farmers through a mock 3rd Party GAPs certification.
NRCS High Tunnel Deadline June 1st
The NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) includes a Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative. The sign up cutoff for funding for high tunnels is June 1, 2012. This is also the cutoff date for signing up for financial assistance opportunities for Energy Audits/Practices and implementation of conservation practices for Organic Growers (or transitioning).
See these links for details; contact your local NRCS office to sign up:
www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/ or call 802-951-6796.
High Tunnel Initiative: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/?&cid=stelprdb1046250.
Energy Initiative: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/?&cid=stelprdb1046252.
Organic Initiative: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/?&cid=nrcs143_008224.
For EQIP info: www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP/Index.html.
What's Growin' On 