Learning Opportunities
Missed one of our recent workshops? Find learning materials here.
Cornell Small Farms program offers 20+ online 5-8 week courses to help farmers improve their technical and business skills. The Program offers partial scholarships, with funding from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, for military veterans to take our online courses. The courses, normally $250, will be offered to veterans for $125. The course offerings and schedules can be viewed here. Partial scholarships for veterans--contact Erica Frenay at ejf5@cornell.edu for code.
2020 Fall Pasture Management Series
September 3 - September 17, 2020 7-8 pm each evening
$25.00 for all three
Register: https://swnydlfc.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=1267
Learn to identify common pasture weeds and why they're in your pasture; explore the steps of soil testing, including soil sampling techniques, sample preparation, and how to fill out a soil test submission form; learn about how to interpret a soil test report, calculate calcium needs and fertilizer blends, review the nutrient values for commonly available manures, and discuss how and when to apply fertilizer or manure for optimal returns.
Sheep and Goat Pasture and Grazing Management Free webinar Sept. 8, 7 pm
Boots to Business Reboot Monday, September 28th Flyer
1- day online class for veterans/military/dependents from SBA: Overview of entrepreneurship and business ownership fundamentals, including key steps for evaluating business concepts and developing a business plan, accessing start-up capital, technical assistance, contracting opportunities. Register: https://sbavets.force.com/s/reboot-course-information
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REAP--1 name, 2 funding programs
 USDA REAP (Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems) guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.
PA REAP: PA tax credit program for farmers/landowners for natural resources protection BMPs. For farms in watersheds with a written TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Loads) that lists an agriculturally-impairment, some BMPs are eligible for 90% REAP tax credit reimbursement rate. (Search eligible watersheds here.) Applications are open and first come/first served; there is no ranking nor veterans' preference for this program.
Eligible BMPs could include manure storage systems, alternative manure treatment practices, grassed waterways, rotational grazing systems, no-till planting equipment, cover crops, stream bank fencing with 35 foot riparian buffers, etc.
Eligible costs include: project design, engineering, and associated planning; project management costs, including constructing, document preparation and applications; project construction and installation; equipment, materials and other eligible project components; post construction expenses; interest payments on loans for project implementation for up to one year prior to the award of the tax credit.
See 2020 updates and consult website for additional program details.
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USDA 2501 Grant program funds support our work. There's no charge for our services to eligible veterans/Guard/Reserve/military and their spouses. (Workshops may have a nominal fee.) Information in this newsletter and on our website is for informational purposes only. Please complete due diligence before entering into any legal or financial agreements.
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