Event Details

Date

June 17, 2019

Time

4pm - 7:30pm

Location

Leland Laboratory, Cornell University
42 Caldwell Drive and Medicago Drive
Ithaca,, NY 14850

Host

Central New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops


Putting Carbon in its Place with Regenerative Farming and Biochar

June 17, 2019


"Putting Carbon in Its Place" will feature two efforts focused on sequestering carbon into soil to benefit agriculture and the environment. Kiss the Ground Co-Founder, Finian Makepeace will show his new documentary "A Regenerative Secret" and talk about the work being done in California by Kiss the Ground to promote Regenerative Farming and how New York could be involved. In addition, members of the Cornell Pyrolysis Laboratory will discuss how this technology can convert waste streams into soil friendly Biochar.
The evening will start off with a tour of the Pyrolysis Laboratory and an overview of the benefit of biochar, a solid, charcoal-like material formed by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen through a process known as pyrolysis. Though not a fertilizer, when biochar is applied to soil, it boosts fertility by helping to retain water in the soil when it is dry, promote drainage when conditions are wet and retain soil nutrients. In addition to members of the Pyrolysis Laboratory others will be on hand to address the need to monitor waste streams to prevent toxins from entering the soil along with the biochar.

Kiss the Ground is an education and advocacy nonprofit whose mission is: "inspiring participation in global regeneration, starting with soil". They are a leader in the regenerative agriculture movement. Their Media program creates general awareness and consumer demand through films, social media, a self-titled book, and a documentary. Their Education program works with schools and teachers to implement soil-centric curriculum and helps brands and businesses invest in sourcing from regenerative agriculture. When more carbon is stored in the soil as organic carbon, it improves soil's ability to grow crops, reduce erosion, and hold water. It also reduces the amount of CO2 present in the atmosphere, which helps reduce global warming. 

Finian Makepeace, who grew up in Ithaca, will first work with Fay Benson with the Cornell Organic Dairy Program and the NY Soil Health Trailer to demonstrate some of the benefits of increasing carbon in soils, including: stronger soil aggregates which reduces soil erosion going to our lakes and streams, better nutrient cycling though increased biologic activity, and increased water holding capacity to store water for times of drought and to slow the movement of water after heavy rainfalls. The group will then move inside to hear from Finian about the work on regenerative agriculture and view his new video, "A Regenerative Secret."
The meeting is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by email to ajt248@cornell.edu

Meeting Agenda:
• 4:00 - 5;00 Tour of the Pyrolysis Laboratory and discussion on future projects to turn waste streams into beneficial Biochar.
• 5:00 - 5:45 Demonstrations with the NY Soil Health Trailer
• 6:00 - 7:30 View Kiss the Ground documentary, "A Regenerative Secret", followed by comments and discussion led by Finian Makepeace on next steps towards a regenerative agriculture





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Announcements

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Document and Share Storm Damage

Mother nature has really been difficult over the last few days. Significant damage has been seen throughout NYS. Please let us know what types of damage your farm may have sustained during this time. This could be in the form of property damage, lost power, milk dump due to lost power, loss of livestock, loss of stored feed or growing crops.

Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.

If your farm experienced any sort of damage, please reach out to any of the folks listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness. The CNYDLFC Team will continue to collect detail and submit to NYSDAM and the EDEN network.

Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business)

  • First, ensure that all the people and animals on your farm are safe, and that there aren't any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check your structures!). If there's an emergency, call 911 - don't try to manage it all on your own.
  • Second, document all negative weather impacts for your farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.
  • Reach out to your insurance providers - farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.
  • Then, share your farm's damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. We all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to Ag and Markets which can initiate a natural disaster declaration.
Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Office.
  • Chenango: 607-334-5841
  • Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-2135
  • Herkimer: 315-866-7920
  • Madison: 315-684-3001
  • Otsego: 607-547-2536
  • Schoharie: 518-234-4303
  • Saratoga: 518-885-8995
Any of our CNYDLFC Team members (calls/emails/texts/site visit requests all ok)
  • Erik Smith: 315-219-7786
  • Daniela Gonzalez: 315-749-3486
  • Ashley McFarland- 315-604-2156

Your county USDA/FSA service center.
  • Chenango: 607-334-3231
  • Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-4015
  • Herkimer: 315-866-2520
  • Madison:315-824-9076
  • Otsego: 607-547-8131
  • Schoharie: 518-295-8600
  • Saratoga: 518-692-9940

Your county farm bureau manager

  • Region 3: Bailey Coon: 518-937-0566
  • Region 5: John Wagner: 315-761-9770
  • Region 6: Natally Batiston: 518-937-0269
  • Region 7: Todd Heyn: 518-431-9338

Please let us know how we can help you.


Cash Rent and Custom Harvest Survey

To date, there is limited information available about rental rates and fees for crop harvesting.  Farms can use this valuable information for their farm business planning to help improve decision making and profitability. 

The data that is collected, and the subsequent reports/findings/resources will be helpful for all of us to answer that call of "What's the average rental rate in my area?" and "How much do people charge to combine oats?"



Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!

MeatSuite.com is a free resource provided by Cornell University where NY meat farmers can create a farm profile and list their bulk (wholes, halves, quarters) and bundled (i.e. Grilling Bundle) meat products.

Why should farmers join?

1. It's free and easy!
2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.

How do I join?

Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.

While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.

If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.


Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula, or Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive plant hopper from Asia and is an agricultural pest. In the United States, it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted Lanternfly has been found in New York State on Staten Island, all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and the Buffalo area. SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, and is also a nuisance pest. The nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants, but is especially detrimental to grapes, a black walnut, hops, maple trees and apples. New York State Ag and Markets supported CCE efforts to help bring awareness to communities and we developed this Public Service Announcement and would appreciate you sharing it with your member lists. 



CCE Livestock Program Work Team

See the Livestock Program Work Team website for news, upcoming programs, and NYS Slaughterhouse Map.