The USDA organic regulations recognize four categories of organic products: crops, defined as a plant that is grown to be harvested as food, livestock feed, fiber, or used to add nutrients to the field. Livestock defined as animals that can be used for food or in the production of food, fiber, or feed. Processed Products defined as items that have been handled and packaged (i.e. chopped carrots) or combined, processed, and packaged (i.e. soup). Wild Crops defined as plants from a growing site that is not cultivated. In the Northern New York Region there are 89 organic dairy farms. Please see the links below for more information on organic operations and certifications and should you have further questions, contact a member of the regional team.

School of Logging

July 10 - August 5, 2017

Paul Smith College is offering a truly unique timber harvesting experience. Prepare yourself to work successfully in mechanized timber harvesting operations! Learn to safely operate common logging equipment and conduct an authentic timber harvesting operation, tour regional logging operations and sawmills, and interact with professionals from all aspects of the forest products supply chain.

Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report Weekly

This is the final Alfalfa Report for 2017. Most all fields are now at or beyond peak quality and many in the southern portions of the region were mowed this past week. Alfalfa responded to a bit of sun and warmth late last week, but rain and wet conditions still dominate the story. Many fields in Jefferson and Lewis Counties were mowed during the brief window of dry weather late last week. Remaining alfalfa fields were mostly lodged due to rain and wind. All grasses are now headed and have significantly declined in quality. Fields with 20% grass or more are now beyond ideal NDF according to the graph above (above the line). Again, once fields are past their prime, send them to the bottom of the mowing order and prioritize fields where quality is still high. Using this approach, at least some high quality forage will be harvested. Increased prevalence of dandelions in many fields may indicate loss of alfalfa and/or grass plants from the 2016 drought.

Opportunities to make dry hay have been virtually nonexistent so far this spring. The forecast for the coming week holds promise, however. Grass fields and winter cereals are likely low quality feed at this point. Be sure to mow at a height of no less than 4" above soil surface and below grass heads.

Scout grass hay fields for armyworm as many small infestations have been reported. This timing is early enough that we will potentially have additional generations of this pest this season.


Click here to view the report. 
If you'd like to receive the report, contact Tatum Langworthy at tlm92@cornell.edu.

Ear to Ground

This week’s Ear to the Ground bulletin includes timely info important to North Country field crops.
• Black Cutworm in young corn
• Armyworm in hayfields, small grains and young corn
• Delayed pre-emergence herbicide recommendations for conventional corn
• Weather summaries and updates for North Country locations.

Click here to view full document.

Employment Opportunity

Assistant Farm Manager

Come grow with Indian Ladder Farms, a century-old, family-run farm in Capital District Region of New York State. Farm features 60 acres of apples (including 20% new plantings) small fruits, large retail farm market, cider mill and associated on-site farm brewery and cidery. Sales take place primarily on-farm with some direct-store retail. Job includes participation in administration of orchard IPM program, pick your own operation, direct-store sales management and general farm work. Salary and benefits commensurate with skill level and include possible housing option. Detailed job description is available at: www.indianladderfarms.com/employment-opportunities/.
E mail your cover letter and resume to peterteneyck@indianladderfarms.com.

FARM Webinar

Click here to view.