Connections EXTRA! Extension Spotlight

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Cornell Cooperative Extension
Schoharie and Otsego Counties

Cleaning and Sanitizing on Produce Farms and in Packing Facilities

September 29, 2021 | 1 pm to 4:30 pm

The Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University, UVM Extension Ag Engineering, and CCE Orange County are hosting a workshop on Cleaning and Sanitizing on Produce Farms and in Packing Facilities. This remote 3.5 hour webinar will provide:

A brief review of microbial risks in produce farms and packing facilities
Conducting a Sanitation Operational Assessment
Presentations focused on the:
Basics of wet and dry cleaning and sanitizing
Value and importance of sanitation SOPs
A hands-on exercise writing a sanitation SOP

Cost: The course is subsidized by several state and federal grants* and is being offered at a reduced cost of $25 per participant. We will provide several resources related to the topics reviewed during the workshop.

Location: The workshop will take place via Zoom.

Registration: Registration is limited to 15 participants. The deadline to register for the course is September 24, 2021. After registering we will share the link to join the Zoom webinar and how to access workshop resources.

Please register for the course here: http://cceorangecounty.org/events/2021/09/29/cleaning-and-sanitizing-on-produce-farms-and-in-packing-facilities

Questions? Please contact: Nathaniel Lartey Email: nl498@cornell.edu

Read the September/October Issue of Connections!

Connections is the New Magazine of CCE Schoharie and Otsego Counties

SUNY Farmers' Market Manager Professional Certification: Building Stronger Farmers' Markets

October 2021 - March 2022

Get your market growing! FMM Pro’s Certification is a value that benefits your market, your community, and YOU.

From basic management through developing key programs and strategies to grow markets and build community.
Develops professional skills that can be used to gain community support.
Networking opportunities to share and learn.

In-Person Session Time Commitment:

Mandatory live sessions on the second Friday of each month, from 3:00pm – 7:00pm.
- Each session will be hosted through Zoom
- One excused absence, but must be made up
Build your farmers market toolkit with 17 homework assignments that are due 2 weeks from each live Zoom sessions. Plan for 2 hours per assignment.

One Low Price. Endless Opportunity. All of this, for just $50 PLUS the fee will be refunded upon graduation! Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fmm-pro-building-stronger-farmers-markets-tickets-164992000515.

Biochar Research Survey

My name is Cara Sherman, and I am an MS student at the University at Albany in the Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy program. I am writing my thesis on the prospects of using biochar as a soil amendment on farms in New York State. I have created the following survey to get your input on this topic as a farmer in New York.

The survey should take you no longer than 15-20 minutes. Most of the questions are multiple choice, with some requiring a few sentences for clarification. The survey will be anonymous, and the results will only be used in my thesis. You will be contacted only once to take the initial survey; there will be no follow up surveys or interviews in the future. Unfortunately, no compensation can be provided, so your response is greatly appreciated!

Here is the survey link:

https://albany.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d1pTG6uwZa9qk86

For questions about the survey, please contact Cara Sherman, cdsherman@albany.edu.

Is your farm business paying more for its electric delivery service than it needs to?

The Residential Agricultural Discount Program is an electricity rate discount available to farm businesses which have a residence connected to the same electric meter as the farm business.

New applications, and yearly renewals if you already participate in the program, need to be submitted by JULY 1 st. If you have a residence on the same electric meter as your farm business and you file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a farm business with either an:

IRS - Schedule F (Form 1040) or,
IRS Form 1120, 1120S, or 1065,

you can apply for this Discount, even if you generate your own electricity. Applications are available on your utility company website, along with eligibility criteria and other information. Or you can contact your utility company directly.

The Residential Agricultural Discount Program is funded through the New York Power Authority - ReCharge New York program. Contact your service provider if you have questions.