Market Producers

Like many consumers, New York State's consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of supporting local agriculture. According to the 2007 Empire State Poll, conducted by the Cornell University Survey Research Institute, 78.5% of state residents age 18 and older buy local foods and 37.4% said they go out of their way to buy local foods. Tapping into this market can benfit farmers directly. A local food market economy also creates local jobs through production, processing, and retailing, provides a choice for consumers in the marketplace, increases access to healthier and more diverse foods, maintains a working landscape, and reduces the vulnerability of a highly centralized food supply.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County is in the process of helping regional market producers. We would like to draw on the resources and experiences from across the region to create a coordinated approach to education and marketing strategies. Doing so can help prevent duplication of services, competing infrastructures, or gaps in organizaitonal support. If you are a market producer, please feel free to Anne Lenox Barlow to find out what we are doing or to share your ideas.

Grafting Tomato Plants
Workshop Scheduled for
December 1, 2009

Growing tomatoes in the same greenhouse or field for a number of years can result in soil born pathogen build-ups and nutrient deficiencies. Rotating crops is important way to curtail this problem. Grafting a vigorous and disease resistant root stock on a tomato is another alternative that can increase production. Commercial growers are encouraged to join Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County on Tuesday December 1 from 1pm-3pm for a hands-on tomato grafting workshop. The workshop will be held at Campbell’s Greenhouse on Ryan Road in Saranac. Cost is $5 to cover materials and space is limited so pre-registration is required. To register call 518-561-7450.

New England Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference
Sponsorships Available

Thanks to funding from the Northern NY Agriculture Development Program and the NY State Farm Viability Institute CCE Clinton County has a small pool of funds available to sponsor commercial fruit and vegetable growers to attend the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference in Manchester, NH. The conference runs from Tues Dec 15 through Thurs Dec 17. Preference will be given to growers either already using high tunnels or planning to use them in 2010. Interested individuals should submit a brief letter of interest to Amy Ivy by November 20 explaining why he or she feels it is important to attend the conference and how you will share the information learned at the conference to other growers in your area. Depending on the number of applicants, sponsorships will range from $100 to $300. The cost of the conference is $90, which does not include meals or lodging. Letters of interest should be mailed to Amy Ivy, Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County, State Route 22, Suite 5, Plattsburgh NY 12901 or adi2@cornell.edu.

Winter Greens Open House
December 6, 2009

With a little bit of extra protection, there are many types of greens that can be grown year-round here in Clinton County by our area farmers. Whether you are a vegetable farmer yourself or a community member interested in learning about eating local throughout the winter, this openhouse will have information for you!

The open house will be held at Rehoboth Homestead Farm in Peru, NY on Sunday, December 6 from 1pm-3pm. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to talk with the farmer, Beth Spaugh, and Anne Lenox Barlow, horticulture educator, about and see first hand how greens are produced during our winter months.

The farm is located at 66 Jabez Allen Road, Peru NY 12972. More information about Rehoboth Homestead Farm and a map can be found at http://rhomestead.com.

More information about the openhouse can be obtained by calling Anne Lenox Barlow at 5118-561-7450 or e-mailing her at alb326@cornell.edu.