CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS Programs cover multiple aspects of food security such as soil resources and soil health, crop plant genomics, field evaluation of crops, production guidelines, genetic improvement of animals and animal production, economics of production and farm management, integrated pest management, and healthy produce production and storage. Aspiring and beginning farmers in Sullivan County have a variety of informational and practical needs when it comes to understanding what it takes to start and succeed at a life and career in agriculture. New farmer technical assistance has touched on multiple topics: • The Basics: How to set up a farm, agricultural districts and assessments, regulations, marketing, business planning, production practices, site selection, soil testing, pasture management, animal health, and husbandry • Vegetable Farming: Vegetables, fruit trees, high tunnels, bees, crop rotation, pest control, and tillage with tractor implements • Poultry: Breed selection, egg hatching, raising chicks and adult birds, feed and nutrition, equipment, healthcare, and regulations for selling eggs and meat • Swine: Breed selection, breeding and farrowing, feed and nutrition, equipment, healthcare, and regulations for selling meat
SPOTLIGHT ON: WINTERTON FARMS Winterton Farms was established in 2010 in Bloomingburg, NY. Owned and operated by Kent Findley and Erika Malmgreen-Findley, this farm grows a variety of vegetables under high tunnels and in the field, produces maple syrup, and manages over 1000 lavender plants. Winterton Farms is dedicated to producing quality products and sharing their enthusiasm for agriculture in the form of agritourism. They host events and tours for schools and participate in farmers’ markets and the NYS Maple Tour. Winterton Farms has worked with CCE Sullivan on grant opportunities, identifying pests and diseases on crops, and farm food safety.
New Farmer Related Workshops, Events, and Initiatives
• Twilight Farm Tours
• 4-H Animal Science Program
• Introduction to Poultry
• Youth Livestock Auction
• Introduction to Farming
• Sullivan County Youth Fair
• Introduction to Swine • 4-H Equine Program
SULLIVAN COUNTY AG REPORT Page 10
