Cornell Vegetable Program Enrollment

Program Areas

  • Food Safety
  • Variety Evaluation
  • Market Development
  • Pest Management
  • Cultural Practices

Enrollment Benefits

  • Telephone / Email Consultations
  • VegEdge Newsletter
  • Direct Mailings
  • Educational Meetings & Conferences
  • In-Field Educational Opportunities
  • On-Farm Research Trials

CVP Enrollment Form (PDF; 145KB)

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Event Details

Date

September 18, 2017

Time

6:00pm-7:00pm

Location

on-line (webinar)

Cost

This event is free.

Host

Cornell Vegetable Program

Elizabeth Higgins
(518) 949-3722


Value Added Producer Grant Program Information Webinar

September 18, 2017


The Value-Added Producer Grant helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of new products. Now in its 17th year, the program has had its ups and downs, and is currently funded at $18 million. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Applicants may receive priority if they are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain. Grants are awarded through a national competition. The good news is that applications are due by January 31, 2018, not in July as in past years.

For those of you who don't breathlessly follow the soap opera that is agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, one key grant program for farmers, The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, has funding this year (FY2017) but its future is uncertain as there currently is no mandatory funding for the program in 2018. If you have been toying with the idea of applying for the VAPG, I would advise throwing your hat in the ring this year.

If this is a grant program that you think you might be interested in learning more about, Liz Higgins of the ENYCH team, who has experience with the VAPG, will offer two introductory webinars on the program on September 18th. The first one will be at 12:00pm to about 1:00pm and the second will be in the evening from 6:00pm-7:00pm. We will record the webinar and make it available.

To register, e-mail emh56@cornell.edu the following information and she will send you the link to the webinar

Name(s) of participants planning to attend the webinar
Farm Name (if applicable)
County where you or your farm are located (preferably the farm)
Best phone # to reach you at before or during the webinar (if there is a technical glitch). Please indicate if it is a cell so that we can send a group text, if need be.

You can see the request for proposals and other information about the program at USDA's website. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. One key tip is to look at what projects have been funded in the past as this will give you some idea about what is a viable VAPG project.



more crops
Asparagus

Asparagus

Beets

Beets

Broccoli

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Cabbage

Carrots

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cauliflower

Cucumbers

Cucumbers

Dry Beans

Dry Beans

Eggplant

Eggplant

Ethnic Vegetables

Ethnic Vegetables

Garlic

Garlic

Horseradish

Horseradish

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Leeks

Lettuce / Leafy Greens

Lettuce / Leafy Greens

Melons

Melons

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Onions

Onions

Parsnips

Parsnips

Peas

Peas

Peppers

Peppers

Potatoes

Potatoes

Pumpkins / Gourds

Pumpkins / Gourds

Radishes

Radishes

Rhubarb

Rhubarb

Rutabaga

Rutabaga

Snap Beans

Snap Beans

Squash - Summer

Squash - Summer

Squash- Winter

Squash- Winter

Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Turnips

Turnips

more crops

Upcoming Events

2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting

Event Offers DEC Credits

January 2, 2025
Penn Yan, NY

At this grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss pest control in vegetables, weed management strategies and best practices, seed germination, an introduction to foliar nutrient uptake in vegetables, and grouping flowers by growth needs. Plus we'll hear from a grower panel from Kutztown Produce Auction, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid.

2.25 DEC recertification credits will be offered in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.

Intro to Food Safety and GAPs Training

February 19, 2025
via Zoom,

This virtual workshop will serve two purposes: 

  • For produce farms just interested in learning about farm food safety, this program will introduce principles and best practices.
  • For produce farms look for a GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) training needed to meet buyer demands for audit/certification, this program will provide that as well.

Announcements

Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn

Are you considering the use of a laser scarecrow to deter birds on your farm? Cornell Cooperative Extension and the University of Rhode Island teamed up to test a research laser scarecrow on sweet corn farms.

A laser scarecrow is a device that has one or more laser modules connected to motors. The specifications of the lasers are optimized to the color and motion sensitivity of bird's eyes. When laser beams move across a field, birds become frightened and attempt to move away from the perceived threat. Light from the laser covers an area quickly and moves through the canopy without causing injury to the crop. Research demonstrates that birds do not readily become habituated to the laser.

A laser scarecrow used as the sole deterrent typically results in a significant reduction in crop damage. Combined with an auditory device, damage can be reduced even more. When used as part of an integrated management program for bird control that utilizes habitat management and multiple scare tactics, laser scarecrows can be useful tools for growers of multiple crops. All scare tactics must be deployed before birds find the field. The effectiveness of lasers depends on multiple factors such as bird species, bird populations, habitat and food availability. Lasers are not effective at deterring deer, racoons, coyotes or other mammals.

To learn more, the Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn and Other High-Value Agricultural Crops fact sheet provides background information, research data, FAQs, and Advantages/Limitations on laser scarecrows.

NY Urban Farms Pest Management Fact Sheet Series

Cornell Cooperative Extension has partnered with dozens of urban farms across New York State to demonstrate and evaluate sustainable pest management strategies. Together with farmers, we found success using control methods that prevent or reduce crop losses through exclusion strategies, crop timing, host resistance, the introduction of beneficial organisms, and more. Regardless of management strategy used, common requirements for success include a knowledge of the pest and disease complex, preventative deployment and commitment to the process. The New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series includes case studies highlighting pest management techniques that New York urban farms have found valuable.

NYS Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment

As part of a multi-year project exploring non-spray pest management options that are economically and environmentally sustainable for urban farms, we conducted a needs assessment with urban growers across New York State. The New York State Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment presents findings on current pest management practices, challenges, and topics of future interest.