DIY Underground Greenhouse

Walipini construction information provided by Benson Agriculture and Food Institute at Brigham Young University, 2002. Download the full instructions here.

The Walipini (underground or pit greenhouse) in this bulletin is designed specifically for the area of La Paz, Bolivia. However, the principles explained in the bulletin make it possible to build the Walipini in a wide variety of other geographic and climatic conditions. The word ‟Walipini” comes from the Aymara Indian language of this area of the world and means ‟place of warmth”. The Walipini utilizes nature’s resources to provide a warm, stable, well-lit environment for year-round vegetable production. Locating the growing area 6’- 8’ underground and capturing and storing daytime solar radiation are the most important principles in building a successful Walipini.

I. How the Walipini Works

The Walipini, in simplest terms, is a rectangular hole in the ground 6 ‛ to 8’ deep covered by plastic sheeting. The longest area of the rectangle faces the winter sun -- to the north in the Southern Hemisphere and to the south in the Northern Hemisphere. A thick wall of rammed earth at the back of the building and a much lower wall at the front provide the needed angle for the plastic sheet roof. This roof seals the hole, provides an insulating airspace between the two layers of plastic (a sheet on the top and another on the bottom of the roof/poles) and allows the suns rays to penetrate creating a warm, stable environment for plant growth.

The Earth’s Natural Heat: Why dig in?

The earth’s center is a molten core of magma which heats the entire sphere. At approximately 4’ from the surface this heating process becomes apparent as the temperature on most of the planet at 4’ deep stays between 50 and 60º F. When the temperature above ground is cold, say 10º F with a cold wind, the soil temperature at 4’ deep in the earth will be at least fifty degrees in most places. By digging the Walipini into the ground, the tremendous flywheel of stable temperature called the ‟thermal constant” is tapped. Thus, the additional heat needed from the sun’s rays as they pass through the plastic and provide interior heat is much less in the Walipini than in the above ground greenhouse. Example: An underground temperature of 50º requires heating the Walipini’s interior only 30º to reach an ambient temperature of 80º. An above ground temperature of 10º requires heating a greenhouse 70º for an ambient temperature of 80º.

More Free Energy: The Sun

Energy and light from the sun enter the Walipini through the plastic covered roof and are reflected and absorbed throughout the underground structure. By using translucent material, plastic instead of glass, plant growth is improved as certain rays of the light spectrum that inhibit plant growth are filtered out. The sun’s rays provide both heat and light needed by plants. Heat is not only immediately provided as the light enters and heats the air, but heat is also stored as the mass of the entire building absorbs heat from the sun’s rays.

Heat Storage: Mass and the Flywheel Effect

As mass, (earth, stone, water -- dense matter) comes in contact with sunlight, it absorbs and stores heat. The more dense the mass (water is more dense than rock and rock is more dense than soil) the more energy can be stored in a given area. Mass of a darker color such as flat brown, green or black absorbs heat best. Light colors, such as white, reflect heat best. As the earthen walls of the Walipini absorb this heat they charge with heat much like a battery charges with electricity. This storing of the heat in the mass of the soil is often referred to as the ‟flywheel effect”, with the flywheel being charged in the day (storing heat/energy) and spinning down or discharging at night as heat/energy flows from the earthen walls out of the greenhouse up through the plastic glazing to the colder night air. The amount of heat stored in the mass is a critical factor in keeping crops from being frost bitten or frozen during the coldest nights of the winter. These critical nights are usually encountered around the time of the winter equinox (June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere and December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere). The Walipini is usually designed to absorb more of the sun’s rays/heat during the three coldest months of the winter than during any other time of the year. The key here is to have enough energy stored in the mass so that on the coldest nights, the plants are not damaged. In general, nighttime temperatures should not be allowed to drop below 45º. This minimum temperature is also dependent upon the types of crops being grown, as some are hardier than others and may require colder nighttime temperatures. An easy way to increase the mass is to put a few 55 gallon drums filled with water and painted flat black along the back wall of the Walipini. Some growing space will be lost, but the heated water will greatly enhance mass heat/energy storage and will provide preheated water for plant irrigation. Preheated water reduces plant shock, thus, assisting plant growth.

Cutting Down Heat Loss: Insulation

A double layer of plastic sheeting (glazing) should be used on the roof. This provides a form of insulation and slows down the escaping of heat during the nighttime. This sealed dead-air space between the plastic sheeting should be between 3/4” to 4” thick. Poles used to span the roof that are 3.5” to 4” in diameter provide the indicated thickness of dead air space when plastic sheeting is affixed to the outside and the inside of the roof’s structure. The inside sheeting also keeps the inside humidity from penetrating and rotting the wooden poles spanning the roof.

All above-ground walls should be bermed with as much soil as possible. This provides some extra mass, but provides much more insulation against above-ground cold temperature, winds and moisture penetration.

When nighttime temperatures are continuously well below freezing, insulated shutters made from foam insulation board or canvas sheets filled with straw or grass can be placed over the glazing. This requires more work and storage, and in many environments is unnecessary, such as is the case in the area of La Paz, Bolivia.

II. Location of the Walipini: 

The Danger of Water Penetration

Water penetration of the walls and/or floor of the Walipini is destructive. If water seeps through the walls, they will collapse. If water comes up through the floor, it will adversely affect plant growth and promote plant disease. Dig the Walipini in an area where its bottom is at least 5’ above the water table. When all of the above ground walls are bermed, a layer of water-proof clay, such as bentonite, or plastic sheeting, should be buried approximately 6” to 1’ under the berm surface. It should be slanted so that the water drains away from the Walipini to the drainage ditches. In some cases where the soil has a low permeability rate, the clay or plastic may not be necessary. Be sure to dig a shallow drainage ditch around the perimeter of the Walipini which leads run off water well away from the structure.

Digging into the Hillside

Walipinis can be dug into a hillside providing the soil is stable and not under downward pressure. Since the Walipini has no footing or foundation, a wall in unstable soil or under pressure will eventually collapse.

Size and Cost Considerations

The primary considerations in designing the Walipini are cost and year-round food production for the family. The minimum recommended size is 8’ x 12’. However, generally speaking, the larger the Walipini, the more cost effective per square foot the construction will be. A minimum of 94 sq. ft. of growing space per person is recommended for a year-round vegetable supply. Thus, for a family of seven people a 12’ x 66’ area = 792 sq. ft. Less 16% for access = 665 sq. ft. of growing space divided by 7 people = 94 sq. ft. per person in the La Paz model. Keeping the size of the Walipini manageable and its cost as low as possible are important design considerations.

The Walipini is designed to keep costs as low as possible using the following: 1) Free labor -- the builder’s and that of friend’s and neighbor’s; 2) Only unlined, inclined, interior earthen walls; 3) Traditional concrete footings and foundations are excluded because they are unnecessary, when the perimeter of the building is protected from water penetration; 4) Plastic ultraviolet (UV) protective sheeting on the top and underside of the roof instead of glass or corrugated fiberglass panels; 5) The most economical, durable materials found thus far for spanning the roof are 4” eucalyptus poles or PVC pipe; 6) The top soil from the dig is used at the bottom for the planting soil; 7) The rest of the soil from the dig is used for the rammed earth walls, berms and adobes; 8) Stones and any gravel from the dig are used in the planting area drainage system and sump-wells; and 9) Used materials are utilized where possible and practical such as used, cleaned 55 gallon oil drums, used doors, etc. It is assumed that only some of the materials will have a monetary cost and that labor will have none. The cost of materials will vary from location to location and will also vary according to what is available free of cost. Materials for the current La Paz models (20’ x 74’) are $250 to $300.

Water Collection Heating/Irrigation System

This system collects runoff from the roof at the front of the roof in a galvanized metal or PVC rain gutter. From the gutter water flows through a pipe into the 55-gallon barrel/drum system used for irrigation and mass heat storage.

Each of the barrels is connected by overflow piping at the top with the overflow pipe at the last barrel exiting at ground level under the back berm to the perimeter drainage ditch.

In case of a down-pour or continuous excessive rain, it would be wise to have a T pipe/valve at the bottom of the gutter so that the runoff can be diverted to an outside perimeter ditch instead of moving down to the already full barrel system. How much run off the system can handle in a given period of time will depend upon the size of the gutter and the diameter of the pipe used. The larger the diameter, the more volume of water can be handled. As previously indicated, this system provides not only preheated irrigation water, but a dense solar mass (water) in which additional heat is stored for the cold winter nights.

IV. Building the Walipini

Tool List

Hammers, shovels, picks, saws, wheelbarrows, crowbar, forms for rammed earth compaction (two 2 ‟ x 12” x 6’ planks held together by 2” x 4” or metal rods or many other type of forms can be made), 100’ and 25’ measuring tapes ( If 100’ tape is not available, measure out and mark 100’ of string or rope), levels, clear hose for corner leveling, cutting knives, hose, nozzle, hand compactors, adobe forms, drill, bits, stakes, nylon string, etc.

Materials List for a 20' x 74' Walipini

Water

20 -- 4” x 16’ poles or PVC pipes to span the roof

3 -- 3’ x 6’ hinged doors (one is for the 3’ x 5’ vent cover)

3 -- 3’ x 5’ door frames ( 2 if rear wall vent is not used)

2 -- 3’ x 6’ door lintels

1 -- 6’ x 3’ vent lintel or roof frame for vent, if used

1700 sq.’ of 200 micron agrofilm (polyethylene UV plastic)

640’ of 1” wood stripping to secure plastic sheeting to the poles

Shovels, tractor or ox drawn fresno plow to dig hole

30 cubic. yds. of gravel for the floor drainage system

1 cubic yds of gravel or stone to fill the 2 drain sumps

233 cubic yds of soil will come from the excavation

22 cubic yds of top soil for planting (8” x 66’ x 12’)

94 cubic yds. for the rammed earth walls

This will leave a remainder of 109 cubic yds. for wall berms.

2700 sq’ of plastic sheeting to bury for drainage, if needed

74 ‛ of drain gutter for the lower end of roof

100’ of overthrow/drain pipe from gutter through barrel system to perimeter drainage ditch

Nails

116 8” x 4” x 12” adobes for the perimeter to seal plastic roof edge

Interest piqued?

Click here

for the full instruction with illustrations:

Better Farm to Host Students from Abroad This Summer

As part of its 2013 programming,

Better Farm is partnering with Cultural Homestay International to host two college students from abroad on the Better Farm campus May through September while they work at Bonnie Castle in Alexandria Bay.

Cultural Homestay International is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1980 to promote international understanding and goodwill through people-to-people exchanges. The belief of CHI's founders was this: The best way to build bridges of friendship and trust among people is to experience directly each others' customs, languages and values. To live, study or work together leads to a transformational experience of acceptance and genuine affection.

To that end, Better Farm will house two college students from May through Labor Day while they work in Alexandria Bay at Bonnie Castle. The students, who are studying hospitality overseas, will be part of the more than 250,000 students and young adults from over 100 countries who have participated in CHI's program in the last 30 years.

CHI Work and Travel program offers overseas university students the opportunity to intimately experience work, life and culture in the U.S. during their summer holiday period. Overseas participants are sponsored by CHI, enabling them to legally work in the U.S. up to four months.

It offers U.S. employers the ability to acquire extra staff to cover busy seasonal positions in peak travel areas of the United States. Typical positions include ride operators, lifeguards, food & beverage, housekeeping, cashiers and many others.

Students work during seasons spring, summer and winter as part of their 4-month J1 visa.  This program is administered by U.S. Department of State; CHI is a designated program sponsor.

Start working with CHI today. Becoming a member of the CHI community is simple and easy. Follow the links on the left menu for more information on how to become a host business, partner or participant of the Work and Travel Cultural Exchange program.

CHI is designated by the

United States Department of State

as a J-1 visa sponsor, and is a proud member of the

Council on Standards for International Educational Travel

(CSIET),

World Youth Student Educational Travel Confederation

(WYSE Travel Confederation),

WYSE Work Abroad

,

International Au Pair Association

(IAPA) and The

Alliance for International Educational & Cultural Exchange

.

Spend Your Summer (or Spring, or Fall) with Better Farm

As you begin making your plans for 2013, consider taking some time away from home to get a premier education in sustainability—or to enjoy some open space in which to do your art. Better Farm offers a year-round, introductory sustainability education program; while its subsidiary betterArts offers artists an unrivaled, creative environment in which to work on a masterpiece. More information about each below!

Better Farm's Sustainability Education Program

Better Farm’s Sustainability Education Program offers individuals an immersive, introductory crash-course in sustainability initiatives. Those accepted to the program will receive a hands-on education in a myriad of seasonal topics related to sustainability and environmental issues, including:

• organic small-scale farming and gardening
• greenhouses and four-season farming
• compost methods
• alternative building and energy
• rain and graywater collection
• aquaponics
• chicken care
• community outreach initiatives (supper clubs, volunteer work at area farms, workshops, presence at local events)
• homesteading (organic cooking, canning/preserving, splitting wood)
• outdoor survival

Better Farm's Sustainability Education Program runs in one- to three-month intervals. Those attending will receive daily assignments and chores all related to sustainability initiatives and organic farming, as well as the opportunity to design and implement projects on their own. Upon completion of all units and responsibilities, participants will receive a certificate from Better Farm. College students may additionally receive course credit for completion of Better Farm's Sustainability Education Program (pursuant to agreement by that individual's school).

Individuals are immersed from day one in the local culture while working alongside other residents at Better Farm and in the Redwood community. Students are expected to do their share in maintaining the condition of Better Farm as well as its peaceful environment. Those accepted for Better Farm's Sustainability Education Program are expected to work seriously—and to conduct themselves in a manner that aids fellow residents in their endeavors.

Many sustainability specialists visit Better Farm throughout the year to offer mentoring and guidance to students interested in coming here to work and gain valuable experience. Additionally, individuals have the option of taking any workshops and participating in any excursions or field trips scheduled during their time at Better Farm.

Students live on-site and communally on the Better Farm campus in shared rooms. A flat fee of $500/month is required to cover educational fees, supplies, lodging, field trips, wireless Internet, use of the laundry machine, all linens and towels, on-site parking, and use of the communal kitchen (stocked weekly with food).

All applications must be submitted to internship@betterfarm.org. Applicants will be notified of their status within one month of submission.  

Click here to download the application.  

betterArts Residency Program 

betterArts seeks to provide an opportunity for creative exploration and growth to artists, writers, and musicians within the context of Better Farm's dynamic environment.

Located 10 miles from Alexandria Bay and the Thousand Islands, Better Farm is situated on 65 acres of property offering an unparalleled rural living experience. There are two lakes within walking distance; an on-site pond; vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens; shop space; open-air sheds for pottery and painting; a multimedia room; and a practice space for musicians (recording equipment available for a nominal additional fee). Room and board, all meals, linens and towels, wireless Internet, on-site parking, movie nights, and field trips are included in a low stipend we require of all residents. The environment is simple and communal. Residents are expected to do their share in maintaining the condition of Better Farm as well as its peaceful environment.

betterArts residents are encouraged to interact and participate in the goings-on around the property, and to help out with chores and farm-related responsibilities between three and five hours each week. These responsibilities may include working in the gardens, participating in arts-related community outreach projects, helping with house chores, cooking, or assisting with other odd jobs.

Residencies are for two weeks, three weeks, or month-long periods. Basic facilities at Better Farm will be provided; but betterArts residents are expected  to provide the majority of materials and equipment they would need for the production of their work.

The standards for admission are talent, desire to live and work at Better Farm, and a willingness to have a go at the Better Theory: a belief that each moment presents us with the opportunity for exponential personal growth

Click here to download the application.

Lecture Set: 'Where Sustainability and Art Intersect'

BetterArts President Nicole Caldwell

will present a lecture, "Where Sustainability and Art Intersect", at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the

North Country Arts Council

gallery space in Watertown's Public Square.

The lecture is part of the arts council's "

Lucky Seven Lecture Series

", a seven-part installment featuring different takes on the arts. The lectures are slated for seven Thursdays at 7 p.m., costing $7 each.

Caldwell's lecture will address the intersection between sustainability, art, and social responsibility. Sustainability issues are steeped in science and fact; but the science of sustainability also involves values-based questions, which may be best answered creatively. Caldwell will share examples of this intersection from several specific projects she has been involved with in her non-profit organization

betterArts

and and offer insights on how art can provoke people to consider their perceptions of sustainability.

Here are the other lectures scheduled in the series:

• March 7th: Christian Schenk "Understanding Music with Color: A Guide to Teaching and Playing for All Abilities"

• March 14th: Hilary Oak "Re-Charging Your Creativity"

• March 21st: Jared Paul "Poetry Readings"

• March 28th: Craig Thornton "Visual Storytelling in Film"

• April 4th: Nicole Caldwell "Where Sustainability and Art Intersect"

• April 11th: Michelle Maphey and Kristie Fuller "American Sign Language and Theater: The Perspectives"

• April 18th: Werner Sun and Jessica Warren "Sculpted Lines" 

North Country Arts Council's gallery is located in the Franklin Building, 52 Public Square, Watertown. To reserve a spot for a Lucky Seven lecture, call (315)

661-6361 or

click here

.

Nicole Caldwell is president of

betterArts

, a non-profit organization offering year-round workshops, artist residencies, private instruction, studio and gallery space, performances, and events to the public out of its location at

Better Farm

, a 65-acre sustainability education center in Redwood, N.Y.

Art Class Features Star Wars the Fawn

Our foster fawn Star Wars, as seen through the eyes of 5-year-olds. Photo courtesy of Joan Applebaum.

An art teacher in Fayetteville, N.Y., brought something a little bit "Better" into the classroom this school year when she did an applied project with the students drawing on inspiration from our summer foster doe, Star Wars.

When a newborn doe's mother was hit and killed by a vehicle in Watertown back in June, we adopted the baby and raised her on special formula until she could go out on her own to forage in the wild:


(video by former intern Amanda Treco)
  
Named "Star Wars" by the little boy who found her, we had the fawn in-house until one day she took off to be free (making several visits back to let us know she was okay).

Joan Applebaum is an art teacher at the YMCA in Fayetteville (and a totally amazing artist herself), and read all about Star Wars on our blog. She shared the story and photos with her kindergarten students, who fell in love with Star Wars. So Joan came up with a "Nest for Star Wars" project...

"The students are all 5 years old and we were working with the idea of drawing and cutting out a few simple shapes to help us form the body of the deer," Joan told us. "After the students glued all the parts to the paper, they added the white spots on the baby deer's back, a white cotton puff for the tail, and then used natural items such as twigs and leaves to create the nest. The project turned out great!" 

Joan has 30 children in the program—here are just a few samples of their work.

Joan Applebaum is a professional artist who has exhibited her work throughout New York State. She is also a local teaching artist and Visual Arts Coordinator and Instructor for youth, teens and adults at the East Area Family YMCA in Fayetteville, N.Y. She earned her B.A. at SUNY Potsdam in Arts Studio and Photography. Joan has taught classes at the Thousand Island Arts Center in Clayton, several after-school programs for Partners for Arts Education, a workshop at the Everson Museum and Kids in Art at SUNY Upstate Medical. Her work will be on display at our open house May 25 and 26.  To see her work or purchase a  piece in the meantime, click here.

Looking for a great art project to share with your friends, family, or classroom? E-mail us at info@betterarts.org.

Mural-Building

Decades ago, a guy who went by the nickname "Poppy" painted a small mural of Pan on a wall of Better Farm's dining alcove. Poppy—or possibly someone else—then nailed a homemade frame onto the wall over the painting.

In Greek mythology, Pan is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature, of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music, and companion of the nymphs. And since sometime in the 1970s or 1980s, he's been keeping a trained on eye all the goings-on at Better Farm.

I've long wanted to invite visiting artists to add their own mini-murals to the wall, but got so caught up in large-scale projects (like a mural in a bedroom upstairs, another one in the birdhouse, and an almost-lifelike wooden family portrait-turned-roadside attraction), the last four years haven't seen any add-ons to the Wall of Pan in the kitchen. 'Til now, of course.

Last month's intern Zoya Kaufmann has a big-time passion for art and, well, bugs. So when she was invited to make a small mural of her choosing alongside Pan, she couldn't resist. Inspiration drew on her insect intrigue, combined with an inclination to paint something mimicking the mood of the Pan portrait.

Zoya explained, the Pan mural is presenting viewers with an unusual vantage point of something we rarely pause to look at (or even begin to imagine). Running with this idea, she painted another such creature (albeit literal, not mythic): the western conifer seed bug.

The western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, is a species of true bug (Heteroptera) in the family Coreidae. It was originally native to the warm-temperate western USA (California, Oregon and Nevada) but has in recent times expanded its range and become an invasive species in parts of Europe. This species is sometimes colloquially called "the leaf-footed bug", and is sometimes mistakenly identified as a stink bug due to the unpleasant aroma it emits when disturbed. In its native range the western conifer seed bug feeds on the sap of developing conifer cones throughout its life, and its sap-sucking causes the developing seeds to wither and misdevelop. Here's a photo of what a western conifer seed bug looks like:

And here's Zoya's painting from beginning to end, bringing this unusual sight directly into the foreground for your viewing pleasure:

 

 

For more information about Better Farm's sustainability program, click here.

Simple Cost-Analysis for Amateur Gardener-Farmers

Keeping a food scale on-hand during harvest season will allow you to keep track of how much you're producing—and saving.

Whether you're a backyard gardener or a commercial farm, DIY-ing your food is a surefire way to live healthier and save a lot of money... but exactly how much? This blog will explore ways for you to keep track of just how much you're making (or saving) by growing your own—and how much food waste you're keeping out of a landfill by composting.

Chicken Eggs

Organic, free-range chicken eggs will run you anywhere from $3 at a local grocer to $7 at specialty food co-ops; while generic eggs will run you around $2 a dozen. If you're making your foray into having backyard chickens, keep in mind that a bag of generic feed (50 lbs.) is around $15; for organic, you're looking at twice that amount.

To make a cost-analysis worksheet for your birds, 

you'll need to make a chart that looks like this:

DATE       #EGGS         FEED COSTS        OTHER SUPPLY COSTS, NOTES

Some days you may have "zero" written in for your number of eggs; and your feed costs should only be coming up once a month (conversely, your egg numbers will rise in warmer months while your feed costs drop because the birds are able to forage more). After a few months, you should have a very clear idea of how much you're saving (or making!) by having chickens. In the last month (keep in mind this is January, the second-to-worst month for laying hens to produce in Northern New York), this is how our dollars totaled up:

# EGGS     FEED COSTS   OTHER SUPPLIES

   113                    $28                            $0

So,  that's almost 10 dozen eggs. We're only halfway through our feed (remember, we supplement with lots of food scraps from our kitchen, and when there isn't snow on the ground the birds have full access to tons of grass, foliage, and seasonal bugs and pests), which means we will likely double our number of eggs before the food is gone and we have to buy more. Based on that logic, we've essentially "purchased" 20 dozen free-range, organic eggs for $28. We're averaging a dozen organic eggs for just over a buck! Keep in mind these numbers are for 31 birds; this is the middle of winter (lowest egg-producing time); and that 18 of these birds are

rescued hens discarded by the commercial egg industry

. We'll check back with more updates when the weather's warmer and egg production jumps.

Not acknowledged on our worksheet is the amount of money we save by keeping our

hens in the gardens

. This provides us with much-needed fertilizer, sped-up composting (they eat our more delicious food scraps), mini-tilling, and bug and pest control.

Click here for all kinds of facts about eggs

.

Garden Yields

For this one, you're going to need to keep track of how much money you spend on seeds and supplies, and you're going to need a kitchen scale to weigh the food you produce.

Utilizing a

garden map

each year will help you keep track of what you've got going on. From there, check your local grocery store's prices to comparison shop: How much do you save by growing your own organic salad greens, veggies, and fruits in a year? Your garden yield chart will look something like this:

DATE OF HARVEST       ITEM        WEIGHT PRODUCED        

If you know that organic spinach is running you several bucks per pound, and that for $5 you can grow 10 pounds of organic spinach in your yard, well, that combined with all the other crops you're growing can probably save you hundreds of dollars every year. We'll be keeping a close eye on our production here and will keep you updated. We're using the same system to track our aquaponics setup, weighing the food produced against the energy cost of running the grow light and keeping the fish fed (sidenote: we haven't had to buy salad greens for the house since August; before that, we were spending around $8/week on organic greens... so we know we've avoided spending at least a couple hundred bucks).

Food out of the Trash Supply

40 percent of food in the US is thrown out

. As it decays (

if

it decays—because it takes so long for garbage bags to break down, the food is often trapped without access to air. That means it sits instead of rots) in landfills, it produces methane. Methane traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. By keeping your own compost pile (or feeding your food scraps to your chickens), you can keep hundreds of pounds of food out of landfills, and fertilize your garden. Win-win! It's easy to keep track of how much food you're keeping out of landfills by simply utilizing a food scale in your kitchen. Weigh your empty compost bin, then weigh it again when it's full and subtract the original weight.

Garden Mapping for 2013

Better Farm's main gardens, 2013 proposal.

Any seasoned backyard gardener or organic farmer knows the importance of garden mapping to help with annual responsibilities of seed selection, companion planting, and crop rotation.

February is the busiest seed-ordering month, as anticipation builds for indoor March planting across the Northeast. At Better Farm, that's where our greenhouse comes in. We get our seeds planted in there the first week of March; by the first week of April (usually!), we're able to start direct-planting outside with crops like peas. So we spend January poring over seed catalogs compiling lists of our favorite fruits and veggies, and beginning our Better Farm garden map.

Different crops have different nutrient requirements and affect soil balance differently. Some, like corn and tomatoes, are heavy feeders that quickly deplete soil nitrogen and phosphorus. If you plant corn in the same spot year after year, that plot of soil will run low on nitrogen and phosphorus more quickly than other parts of your garden will. By changing the location of corn each year, you'll be able to renew the plot where it grew the preceding year, so your soil won't get out of balance. There are other crops that also use up nitrogen rapidly. They tend to be the leafy and fruiting crops, such as lettuce, cabbage, and tomatoes. In contrast, root vegetables and herbs are light feeders. Peas, beans, and other legumes add nitrogen to the soil but need lots of phosphorus.

The general rule of thumb for balancing out soil nutrients is to avoid planting the same general category of crop (root, legume, and leafy/fruiting) successively in the same place. It's best to follow nitrogen-fixing legumes such as peas or beans with nitrogen-loving leaf or fruiting crops such as lettuce or tomatoes. Then, follow the heavy feeding crops with light-feeding root crops.

Utilizing companion planting guides we've referenced before on the blog and referencing past year's garden maps, I set about creating proposed rows that would work together to add fertility to the soil, deter pests, provide shade cover and climbing space, and be done in such a way that we can rotate crop location annually to keep an ever-diverse soil makeup.

To start, I had our intern Zoya take inventory of the seeds we still have leftover from last year:

Then it was time to take measurements in the garden and raised beds, and draw a basic outline of what we were dealing with:

That image was then scanned into the computer for re-use in 2014. Finally, it was just a matter of filling everything in.  

Better Farm's main gardens, 2013 proposal.

Raised herb/asparagus/garlic beds

Here are a few zoomed-in shots of a few raised beds in the main gardens and the mandala garden:

Mandala garden

Proposed new gate to provide garden access from our outbuildings

Chicken tractor, at right, kept in close proximity to mulberry trees to provide easy picking and foraging for the birds. Blueberry bushes, which we'll be doubling this year, will be protected with cages.

I'm leaving plenty of blank space so we can decide as spring sets in whether to produce extra of certain veggies like tomatoes and lettuce for local businesses or residents who might like to pre-order organic toppings for their burgers and salads; or herbs for their cooking.

Here's our grow list so far:

Better Farm Organic Seed List 2013

Herb Beds

• Amaranth

• Arugula

• Asparagus

• Chia

• Chives

• Cilantro

• Cumin

• Dill

• Garlic

• Lemon Balm

• Lettuce

• Marjoram

• Mint

• Mustard Greens

• Oregano

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Spinach

• Swiss Chard

Main Garden

• Artichoke

• Asparagus Beans

• Beets

• Black Beans

• Blueberries

• Bok Choy

• Broccoli

• Brussel Sprouts

• Cabbage

• Cannelini Beans

• Cauliflower

• Carrot

• Celery

• Chick Peas

• Corn 

• Cucumber

• Edamame

• Hubbard Squash

• Kale

• Kidney Beans

• Leek 

• Lentils

• Onion

• Peanuts

• Peas

• Peppers

• Potatoes

• Radishes

• Squash 

• Strawberries

• Sweet Potatoes

• Tomatoes

• Watermelons

Mandala Garden

• Artichoke

• Cantaloupes

• Eggplant

• Lavender

• Marigolds

• Mulberry Trees

• Nasturtium

• Okra

• Pumpkin 

• Rhubarb

Aquaponics

• Lettuce

Sprouts

• Chia 

Orchard

• Figs

• Peaches

• Raspberries

• Walnuts

• Apples

Interested in buying a weekly share of what we're growing? Contact us at

info@betterfarm.org

for more information.

Small Farms Update from Cornell

The Small Farms Update includes small farm announcements, events, job and internship opportunities, grant and loan opportunities,  other small farm resources from the Cornell Small Farms Program. It is intended for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York and the Northeast. If have an item to be included in the update, please contact Violet Stone at vws7@cornell.edu.

Announcements

• Top 8 Priorities for NY Small Farms Detailed in Report

• New Online Farming Courses Offered Late Winter/Spring

• Upcoming Expo Features All-Day Beginning/Small-Scale Farming Session

• Northeast Organic Farmer Survey

Upcoming Events

• Grazing Events

• Other Featured Events

Career etc. Opportunities

• Dairy Farm Partnership Position

• Business Partner (Hudson Valley) – Apply now!

• Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships Database

• 2013 Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship

• Fruit & Vegetable Farm Manager

Funding etc. Opportunities

• USDA Announces New Microloan Program

• NYSERDA’s Anaerobic Digester Gas-to-Electricity Funding

• Journeyperson Program

• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Sustainable Bioenergy Grants

Resources

• Cornell University Releases Buckwheat Cover Crop Handbook

• Northeast Forest Mushroom Growers Network website Re-launch

• Online Permaculture Classes

• Growing Farms Podcast Available Online

• Beginning Farmer Network of MA Website

• New and Revised The Grafter’s Handbook

• The 2013 New Farmer’s Almanac

• Spanish Version of Farming for NYC Toolkit Released

• Direct Marketing of Specialty Food Products Online Course

Small Farms Update

is intended as a resource for farmers and agricultural service providers in New York, and is provided to you by Cornell’s Small Farms Program. Our mission is to foster the sustainability of diverse, thriving small farms that contribute to food security, healthy rural communities, and the environment. Our work is made possible by a network of close partnerships among Cornell faculty and staff, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and staff, NYS agriculture support agencies, non profit agriculture organizations and farmers.*Please note: No endorsement is implied for products, businesses, jobs or resources listed in the Small Farms Update. Such resources are listed for informational purposes only.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Top 8 Priorities for NY Small Farms Detailed in Report

The Cornell Small Farms Program is very pleased to announce the release of the “2012 Recommendations for Strategic Investments in New York’s Small Farms.” This colorful report details the top priorities for enhancing the viability of small farms in New York. Recommendations in the report are intended for anyone interested in supporting the long term viability of New York’s small farm sector. Download the full report and access supplemental material at: http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/projects/summit/. Questions about the report may be directed to Anu Rangarajan, the Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program (ar47@cornell.edu) or the Small Farms Program Office at 607-255-9227 or smallfarmsprogram@cornell.edu.

New Online Farming Courses Offered Late Winter/Spring

A new round of interactive 5- to 7-week courses for both new and experienced farmers are now open for registration. The classes connect you to the information and people you need to start a successful farm business or diversify your farm. The upcoming menu includes:

• BF 103: Taking Care of Business – Understanding the Business, Regulatory, and Tax Implications of Your Farm

• BF 105: Machinery and Equipment – Evaluating What’s Right for Your Operation

• BF 106: Organic Certification – What, How, and Why (or Why Not)

• BF 202: Planning to Stay in Business: Writing Your Business Plan

• BF 203: Holistic Financial Planning: Building Profit Into the Picture

Visit http://nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/ to register and learn more!

Upcoming Expo Features All-Day Beginning/Small-Scale Farming Session

Beginning and small-scale farmers interested in improving marketing, management and profitability on the farm should be sure to attend the all-day Beginning Farmer session at the 2013 Empire State Producers Expo on Tuesday, January 22 at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, NY. Moderated by Anu Rangarajan, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program, the day will feature successful growers, Cooperative Extension educators, and ag business owners sharing their experiences and information on a range of fantastic topics. For details, visit http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2013/01/08/focus-on-skills-for-new-farmers-at-the-2013-empire-state-producers-expo/

Northeast Organic Farmer Survey

Attention ORGANIC farmers! Please plan to take 20-30 minutes of your precious winter time for this survey on your farm’s labor practices and markets. The purpose of this study is to find out how things like pay, housing, health and the prices farmers receive affect farmers and farmworkers. This survey is meant for all organic farms – certified organic, farmers pledge, or self-declared organic, rural or urban – regardless of size or crops. The survey results will be confidential, and only shared in summary form. The survey forms an important part of the research for Becca Berkey’s dissertation at Antioch College and is a joint project with the NOFA Interstate Council Policy Committee. No one has ever collected this information before! The results will help guide the policy and technical assistance work of NOFA and MOFGA. Here is a link to the electronic survey

here

.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Grazing Events

• January 18-19, 2013. 17th Annual Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference: Global Grazing – Lessons Learned From Around the World.Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT – Featuring keynote speaker Abdon Schmitt, professor at the University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and many local and regional experts including sales coach Fred Ashforth, animal behavior expert Kathy Voth, nutritionist Jeff Mattocks, research results, super networking and much more.  Two day-long intensive workshops on Friday and 24 workshops Saturday to choose from.  Discounted attendance for VGFA or VBPA membership.  Details here.  Contact Jenn Colby at jcolby@uvm.edu to learn more.

• January 25-26, 2013. 5th Anniversary Winter Green-Up Grazing Conference. The Century House, Latham (Albany County).  Steve Kenyon, a Holistic Management Educator/practitioner from Saskatchewan, Canada will discuss, in two separate sessions, the business and the practice of custom grazing cattle for profit.  Also on the agenda is Jerry Brunetti, founder of Agri-Dynamics and a dairy nutritionist and expert in human nutrition too, is going to discuss these two intimately related topics of animal and human health.  For more information please E-mail Gale Kohler at CCE Albany County or call (518) 765-3500, or e-mail Morgan Hartman.

• February 7, 2013. 1:00 PM.  Pastured Poultry Production and Profitability Webinar. This webinar will be presented by Terrell “Spence” Spencer, a sustainable poultry specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).   It will cover the basics of pastured poultry production as well as common advantages and pitfalls of getting started in the business and keys to keeping operations profitable.  To register, click here.

• February 7- 8, 2013. 2013 Northeast Pasture Consortium Annual Meeting. Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH.  This two-day meeting that precedes the NH Grazing Conference (see below) will be filled with workshops, discussions, and speakers on topics ranging from the economics of confinement vs. grazing operations, bedded packs, current research, and much more.  Pasture research coordination and facilitation is a big part of the program this year.  This is a new addition that we want to become an annual event.  At this conference, since it initiates the process, it involves 4 sessions, including a research and on-farm demonstration update, a farming research needs determination, and then a subsequent discussion.  Contact Jim Cropper for more information.

Other Events

• January 18, 2013. Registration begins at 9:30 AM.  Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference. SUNY Delhi.  Conference registration opens at.  At 10:00 a.m., participants can attend one of two EARLY-BIRD SESSIONS; Understanding Risk Management or Pasture Renovation and Weed Control.  At 11:00 AM, choose any of the four concurrent tracks (Dairy, Livestock, Grazing ,Vegetable) and attend presentations in your chosen track.  For more information call Kim Holden at 607-865-7090.  Registration at door.

• January 22, 2013. 7:00 PM. BF 203: Holistic Financial Planning Online Course.  Whether you’re just getting started or have been farming for a while, the Cornell Small Farms Program is offering an online course starting January 22nd to give you the confidence and tools to take control of your farm finances.  This course goes beyond the basics for farmers who already have some financial records but want to increase the profitability of their operations. You will learn how to create a comprehensive financial plan, determine net worth, prioritize your expenditures on the farm, analyze and compare enterprises, and make your farm finances work for you. More info is available at http://nebeginninfarmers.org/online-courses/all-courses/holistic-financial-planning-bf-203/.

• January 22-24, 2013.  9:00 AM- 5:30 PM. Empire State Producers Expo. Oncenter Convention Center, 800 South State St., Syracuse, NY. This show combines the major fruit, flower, vegetable, and direct marketing associations of New York State in order to provide a comprehensive trade show and educational conference for the fruit and vegetable growers of this state, as well as the surrounding states and Eastern Canada. See http://www.nysvga.org/expo/info for ticketing and registration information.

• January 24, 2013. 7:00 PM– 8:30 PM.  Conservation Easements for Farms and Rural Land. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. The workshop will cover legal considerations with conservation easements, pitfalls of this approach to land preservation, the role of estate planning, tax implications, and where to obtain additional information.  This is a good opportunity for farmers and other families who have considered private means of land protection and want to be diligent throughout the process. Pre-registration is required by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County at (585) 394-3977 x427 or e-mail Nancy with your full contact information (name, address, and phone number) to nea8@cornell.edu.

• January 24, 2013. 2:00 PM– 3:30 PM.  PACA Trust Provision Webinar. The Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Fruit and Vegetable Program presents a free, interactive webinar on the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) Trust provision.  The PACA Trust provision gives sellers of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables priority status in recovering funds owed by buyers who become insolvent or file for bankruptcy protection.  By following a few simple steps, produce suppliers have received hundreds of millions of dollars that they were owed. More information about this webinar and registration for this webinar can be found here.

• January 25-27, 2013. NOFA-NY 31st  Annual Organic Farming & Gardening Conference. Saratoga Hilton & City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY. This year’s conference features 85 workshops on a wide range of topics of interest to everyone from the experienced farmer to the novice gardener.  New York Farming Coalition will be hosting a Farm Hack exhibit so if you’re coming to the conference and have designed a tool or implement that better fits the scale and ethics of your farm, please bring it to share with the NOFA community! Visit https://www.nofany.org/?q=events/winter-conference for more information.

• January 26, 2013.  10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Sportsman’s Day.  Spencer-VanEtten High School, Darts Crossroad in Spencer (State Route 34).  The list of exhibitors is still expanding but here are a few you won’t want to miss:  ATV’s by Rider Sport Honda, Wildlife Carvings by Jean, Wildlife Photography by Lori Lesh, nationally known wildlife artist Ron Kleiber, hunting advisor of Mountain Hollow Calls and Mossy Oak Camo, Jeff Sayre, Scoring antlers for anyone, Pope and Young and NY State Big Buck Club Scorers, and many more! The Club will also be having a Silent Auction – if you have anything in good condition you might want to donate for the sale or would like a booth in the show: Call Doug @607-589-6512 or email cheveefann@aol.com. Download this for more information.

• January 28, 2013.  5:00 PM. Master Composter Volunteer Training. CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, New York 14850. Master Composters are trained volunteers who promote responsible composting in Tompkins County!  Training involves 20 hours of class time covering composting in depth, and 20 hours of “practical internship”. After training, Master Composters give back to the community in a variety of outreach activities. For more information on the program, visit http://ccetompkins.org/garden/composting/master-composters. Please contact Adam Michaelides at 272-2292 or acm1@cornell.edu for information about this year’s volunteer training.

• February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013. 7:00- 9:30 PM. 2013 Pesticide Training And Recertification Classes. Cornell Cooperative Extension Center, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. A series of pesticide training and recertification classes are being offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension. This training is NOT a 30-hour certification course. The exam is being offered on Monday, March 4, 2013 from 7 – 11 p.m. To receive registration material or for additional information, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County at (585) 394-3977 ext. 427, email nea8@cornell.edu or ext. 436, email rw43@cornell.edu. The registration form and more information is available on-line at www.cceontario.org

• February 5-8, 2013. Varying times. Post It, Like It, Tweet It Workshop. Varying locations around New York state. Reaching today’s consumer is harder than ever, with your audience becoming less responsive to traditional media than ever. Your customers are engaging on social media and this presents a unique opportunity to build an online community around your brand. Learn how to build your brand online from a fellow farmer and leading social marketer. In this workshop, you will be given the tools you need to craft your social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter and other leading social media channels. For more information, email Karen Hall, Director, NYSFI at nysfi@nyflowergrowers.org.

• February 5, 12 and 19, 2013. 6:30 PM-8:30 PM.  Cornell Cooperative Extension Offers Strategic Marketing Workshops For Livestock Producers Around New York State.  This workshop series will be offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension at locations around NY. Cornell Cooperative Extension has developed a series of workshops that will teach the basics of strategic marketing, including how to identify a target market and focus your farm’s marketing efforts.  You will also learn how to choose the markets that meet the needs of your farm, such as CSA, farmers’ market and wholesale.  For more information, contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension offices listed below, or you can also contact Matthew LeRoux, CCE- Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292 or by email at mnl28@cornell.edu

• February 8, 2013. 5:00 PM-8:00 PM.  Locally-Grown Food Festival in Corning.  Union Hall, 100 Civic Center Plaza, Corning. The event features tasting of meats, vegetables, cheese, fruits, breads, preserves, wines and more! Come sample dishes created with local products, meet dozens of local farmers, and purchase locally grown products on site. Growers interested in participating should call 607-664-2300 for more information! Visit the website at www.putknowledgetowork.com for the latest details.

• February 9, 2013.  9:00 AM-12:30 PM. The Peter Levatich Memorial Seminar for Rural Landowners.  Hosted by the Southern Finger Lakes Chapter of the NY Forest Owners Association at the Spencer-Van Etten High School, State Route 34 Spencer. This year’s theme is “Do It Yourself Woodlots” with talks related to achieving greater enjoyment, value and productivity from private woodlands through personal efforts – done safely and efficiently!   This event is free and open to the public.  A raffle to win a chainsaw and other prizes supports 4-H forestry educations programs.  For more information, contact Brett Chedzoy at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County at 607-535-7161, or by email: bjc226@cornell.edu.

• February 20, 2013. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM. Good Ag Practices (GAPs) Farm Food Safety Update Webinar.  Luke LaBorde, Penn State Dept. Food Science. Penn State’s Extension Vegetable & Small Fruit Program Team presents a series of webinars to keep you informed on critical production issues. These webinars are most relevant for those involved in commercial production (production for sale) of vegetables on any scale. Webinars may be viewed by groups at one location, but the expectation is that each participant is registered separately for the webinar series. There are no group or site registrations. Visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/fruit/2012/12/04/penn-state-webinars/ for more information.

• February 21-23, 2013.  Got Trees? Farmers: Get More from Your Woodlot. The New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) has announced free workshops designed to help all New York landowners to get the most out of their woodlots. Fifteen free programs to help owners realize greater benefits from their woodlands are scheduled for the 2013 Farm Show in Syracuse. Learn from experts. Come with your questions.For more information, contact Hugh Canham at 315-457-4972 or visit https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2C05d2BR_zhdGlVZ1lJbDIwaTQ/edit?pli=1.

• February 23-24, 2013. 9:00 AM. 2 Day Aquaponic Training Course. 104 E. Seneca St., Sherrill, NY 13461.  Are you interested in opening an Aquaponic farm, building a back yard system, or just curious to learn more about this exciting farming method? Then this is the perfect opportunity for you!  This training course will focus on hydroponic horticulture, aquaculture, and how to successfully merge aquaculture and hydroponics to get a fully functioning Aquaponic system! Space is limited for these classes! For more information, visit the website or email mark@aquavitafarms.com .

• February 28, 2013. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM. Pre-Conference Field Day /Organic Cereal Grains Seed Production and NYS Certified Foundation Seed Program.  Cornell University, 791 Dryden Rd (Rt 366), Ithaca, NY 14850. This program will detail the process of growing, selecting, and grading seed varieties for possible foundation seed certification. The unique challenges organic seed production creates for certifying and labeling as certified foundation seed in New York State will be addressed.

To register please visit 

http://tinyurl.com/nofanyevents

, call 585-271-1979 or email 

register@nofany.org

.

CAREER, ETC. OPPORTUNITIES

Dairy Farm Partnership Position

Looking for someone knowledgeable and motivated to partner with to run dairy farm 1/2 hour from Oneonta in the spring. The farm is 360 acres, approximately 40% wooded and the rest is roughly evenly split between pasture and good tillable ground. The farm has been managed conventionally, but new owner would like to transition it into organic management. The farm is within the NYC watershed and has a management plan through the Watershed Agricultural Council, and there are 2 year round streams that are fenced off in partnership with the CREP program. The farmhouse is in good habitable condition. If interested, please contact Ken Christensen at kenchris06@hotmail.com

Business Partner (Hudson Valley) – Apply now!

A family farm in the Hudson Valley Region of NYS is offering a unique opportunity to an individual seeking a unique agricultural business opportunity. The farmer currently grows several varieties of oyster mushrooms on pasteurized straw and shiitake mushrooms year round in a controlled environment facility and sells through both farmers markets and higher end restaurants locally and south into Westchester County. The grower is seeking a partner with the right individual to both expand production into other crops. Prospective candidates should be self-starters. Most of the necessary equipment is already on-site and only lacks someone to utilize them more. One could use this as a learning experience and move on or continue to work and utilize the current farm and the resources. This is not a seasonal opportunity, I produce year round, however with another crop an individual could set their own schedule. Please contact Gary @ 845-706-1154 or e-mail him at Garyhillfarm@aol.com for more information.

Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships Database

This directory of on-the-job learning opportunities in sustainable and organic agriculture in the U.S. (and some in Canada) has been published since 1989 as a tool to help farmers and apprentices connect with each other. Anyone can browse the listings for free. As a subscriber, you can maintain a personalized listing to connect with internship seekers. Visit https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/internships/ to view the listings.

2013 Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship

Sustainable Nantucket is seeking agricultural intern/apprentices to participate in their Apprenticeship program on Nantucket Island, off the coast of Massachusetts. Successful candidates will be paired with one of six island farms/growers, experiencing and participating in many aspects of small-scale farming in our sensitive island environment, from greenhouse cultivation to field planting and harvest to farm stand sales. Applicants should have a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and the practical aspects /business of farming Application deadline is March 16. Cover letter and resume should be sent to mwhelan@sustainablenantucket.org. For more information, visit http://www.sustainablenantucket.org/2013/01/03/2013-sustainable-nantucket-agricultural-apprenticeships-available/.

Fruit & Vegetable Farm Manager

Fishkill Farms seeks motivated individual/couple for long-term position managing 100-acre orchard, berry and vegetable operation. Job includes co-ordinating staff, harvest, packing, horticulture & pest management. Unique opportunity working with experienced team to grow and sell through U-Pick, CSA and farmer’s markets, in historic and beautiful Hudson Valley, 70 miles from NYC. Orchard management is split IPM/ organic. Background in commercial fruit & vegetable production and previous management experience desired. Housing, benefit, salary based on qualifications. www.fishkillfarms.com. Contact Joshua.Morgenthau@gmail.com.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

USDA Announces New Microloan Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed a new microloan program to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. Microloans can be used for all approved operating expenses as authorized by the FSA Operating Loan Program, including but not limited to: initial start-up expenses; annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents; and marketing and distribution expenses. Producers interested in applying for a microloan may contact their local Farm Service Agency office.

NYSERDA’s Anaerobic Digester Gas-to-Electricity Funding

Approximately $23.6 million in New York State Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) funds and $5 million in funds provided by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) are being made available to support the installation and operation of New Anaerobic Digester Gas (ADG)-to-Electricity Systems using dairy farm wastes and/or dairy product processing wastes in New York State. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis; up to $2 million is available per host site, depending on project size. Application Packages must be received by NYSERDA on or before January 31, 2013 at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, or until all funding has been fully committed, whichever comes first.

Journeyperson Program

This program is for beginning farmers in their first 5 years of farming and with land to farm. Funded by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (#2011-49400-30510), new farmers are provided with 2 years of educational and business planning stipends, a paid farmer mentor, and educational and networking opportunities. Application deadline is January 31. For more info go to nofany.org or e-mail newfarmers@nofany.org and include “Journeyperson Program” in the subject line.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Sustainable Bioenergy Grants

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture requests applications for the

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Bioenergy Competitive Grants Program

for fiscal year 2013. Specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing dependence on foreign oil through production of regionally appropriate sustainable bioenergy systems. Approximately $10 million is anticipated to fund single-function Research Projects, multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. A letter of intent must be submitted by January 28, 2013.

RESOURCES

Cornell University Releases Buckwheat Cover Crop Handbook

In the Northeast, vegetable farmers are rediscovering how to manage buckwheat effectively, thanks to Cornell University research that demonstrated a well-established stand of buckwheat eliminated 98 percent of summer weeds. The Cornell team, supported by a 2005-08 SARE grant, developed a definitive, 18-page Buckwheat Cover Crop Handbook, based on their research, that outlines important management strategies. Based on their surveys and outreach, the team estimates that by 2008, their efforts had helped 3,000 farmers use buckwheat successfully on a combined 18,000 acres in vegetable production. The handbook can be accessed here.

Northeast Forest Mushroom Growers Network website Re-launch

An updated version of the Northeast Forest Mushroom Growers Network website has just been re-launched, available by

clicking here

. This website, largely based on the work of Cornell faculty with support from federal formula funds and Northeast SARE, contains factsheets, publications, and videos for farmers interested in cultivating mushrooms.

Online Permaculture Classes

Three separate 6.5 week long courses will be offered by Cornell University’s Department of Horticulture. The courses are as follows: PERMACULTURE I: Fundamentals , offered January 21, 2013 to March 7, 2013; PERMACULTURE II: Ecosystem Mimicry offered March 11, 2013 to April 25, 2013; and PERMACULTURE III: Design Practicum offered April 29, 2013 to June 6, 2013. These classes will provide an opportunity to build your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete portions of design for a site of their choosing. To view a full syllabus of each class and to find out more, visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/permaculture/online. Email sfg53@cornell.edu to be notified.

Growing Farms Podcast Available Online

GFP is a free, downloadable online radio show that is posted on GrowingFarmsPodcast.com every week. The show discusses what it takes to get started in agriculture and how to

reach success. The show will include farmer interviews that will introduce various kinds of agriculture, as well as farm business and marketing strategies.

Beginning Farmer Network of MA Website

BFNMass (Beginning Farmer Network of MA) just launched a new website providing resources, including blog posts, farming event logs, and more, for beginning farmers throughout Massachusetts. Check out the new MA site at www.bfnmass.org/.

New and Revised The Grafter’s Handbook

R.J. Garner’s The Grafter’s Handbook is the classic reference book and revered encyclopedia (and the only one of its kind) on plant propagation by grafting, and has been favored by orchardists and gardeners since its first publication in 1947. Everything the dedicated amateur, student, and professional horticulturalist wants to know about grafting is here. Available through Chelsea Green Publishing on February 12, 2013.

The 2013 New Farmer’s Almanac

The 2013 New Farmers Almanac, published by Greenhorns, has its eye fixed sharply on the farmers of a future America — how will we reclaim a landscape, dominated by monoculture, how will we accommodate the coming population megaflux, how will our nation change now that the majority of its citizens live urban lives? To access this publication, visit http://www.thegreenhorns.net/?cat=28. To purchase The 2013 New Farmer’s Almanac, you can use Etsy or donate $20 per copy to Paypal or the old fashioned way by sending a check or money order to PO BOX 13 Hudson, NY 12534 (please make check out to SEE, memo: Almanac and include your shipping address) They will be sent out at the end of January.

Spanish Version of Farming for NYC Toolkit Released

Just Food released its Spanish-language version of the Farming for NYC Toolkit; an online resource center in Spanish and English is also available. To view online go to http://justfood.org/farmer-outreach/online-resource-center.

Direct Marketing of Specialty Food Products Online Course

The Direct Marketing of Specialty Food Products online curriculum will help farmers learn strategies to direct market food and sell online, evaluate the role of technology in their businesses in regards to direct online marketing, examine strategies necessary to deal with technology and weigh some cost/benefit measures, and more! Access this online course

here

.

Sign up for the Small Farms Monthly Update

The Cornell Small Farms Program is a part of Cornell Cooperative Extension and is based at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

'Heart of Winter' Art Show Seeks Exhibitors

Artists are sought for the 10th Annual Heart of Winter Art Show and Chocolate Reception, slated from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the

Macsherry Library

in Alexandria Bay.

Artists are invited to submit visual or three-dimensional artwork representing the "heart of winter". Original poems and essays on the topic will also be accepted. Applications are due Jan. 28 (download the application

here

). All work must be submitted to the library no later than Feb. 4.

Work will hang in the library through Feb. 18.

Admission to the reception Feb. 9 is free. In addition to the art on display, that event will feature chocolate desserts to sample and a Valentine's Day arts and crafts table for children.

For more information, contact Sue-Ryn Burns at (315) 482-2985. Macsherry Library is located at 112 Walton St., Alexandria Bay.

DIY Wainscot Paneling

With a recent renovation project that added a bathroom and reinvented another, a doorway in the kitchen was moved. That left a wall only half-covered with tongue and groove wainscot panels:

Using discarded tongue and groove from the bathroom project and some other pieces we refined to make our top and bottom edges, we were able to create our own custom wainscot panels for free.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide if you'd like to give this a go—it's a great way to dress up any room.

Wainscot Paneling

Materials

• Basic hand tools

• Circular saw

• Jigsaw

• Pneumatic finish nail gun to complete this project

• Table saw

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Allow your wood to acclimate.

Stack the wood in your room about a week before you start installing it so it has time to adjust to the humidity level in your home.

2. Prep your space.

We removed the existing panels so that all our boards would be uniform. Protect tile, wood and vinyl floors with two layers of heavy paper or cardboard taped down. Cover carpeted floors with canvas dropcloths.

 3.

Install the baseboard.

A radial arm saw or sliding miter saw works best for cutting baseboard, but you can make perfect cuts with a circular saw, too. Install a sharp blade and clamp a square to the board as a saw guide. A giant speed square also makes a great saw guide. For a great-looking job, arrange the boards for the best color and grain match before you make the final cuts, especially on boards that must be spliced to cover a long wall. If your floors are unusually wavy or out of level, trim the bottom of the boards to fit the contour of the floor. They don't have to fit perfectly. Base shoe molding will cover gaps up to 3/8 in. Arrange baseboard around the room so the grain pattern and color of adjoining pieces match as closely as possible. Rough-cut the boards a few inches longer than needed. Then cut the boards to exact length and nail them to each stud with two 2-1/2 in. nails.

4.

Glue and nail the paneling.

Figure out approximately how many full-length tongue-and-groove boards you'll need and cut them to your desired height. Don't assume the boards have a perfectly square mill-cut end. First trim one end square, then cut it to length. Use a level to make sure the first board is plumb before you glue and nail it. You may have to plane a bit from the top or bottom of the groove side to fit a board against out-of-plumb door or window trim. Apply glue to the back of each piece of wood, then drive nails into the drywall hold the boards firmly until the glue dries. If you run across a board that's bowed or crooked, save it for a spot where there's a stud mark so you can bend it straight and nail it to solid wood. In this situation, or at corners or other tight spots, it's OK to nail through the face of the board. Fill the nail holes with matching putty after the first coat of finish. Don't worry if the tops of the boards don't line up perfectly; you'll cover them later with the cap and shelf. Add new pieces of wainscot by pushing the grooved edge onto the tongue of piece already applied.

5.

Notch around any electrical outlets.

Notch the boards to fit around electrical boxes. Don't forget to make a small notch for the outlet screws—it's hard to do after the paneling is in place. The electrical code requires that electrical boxes be flush with wood paneling. You could move the boxes out, but this would be a big job. Instead, buy box extensions, available at hardware stores and home centers, and install them before you reinstall the switches and receptacles.

6.

Space boards for an even corner fit.

Measure from the corner to the edge of the board, excluding the tongue, to determine the width of the last board. Measure every 12 inches along the corner and mark these dimensions on the final board. Connect the marks to create a cutting line.

7.

Install your wainscot chair rail.

The Wainscot chair rail is applied by nailing on 16” centers. Nail into studs whenever possible for strength.

 8.

Prime and paint.

Remember to tape off your lines!

Got a great DIY idea you'd like to share? E-mail us at info@betterfarm.org.

Mid-Winter Thaw

A strange surge of weather in the 40s and 50s, combined with a few special visits from Better Farm friends, allowed a lot of work to get done in this unseasonably warm spell—from cleaning up the grounds to deep-cleaning some chicken coops to putting the finishing touches on some DIY carpentry projects. Here's a brief rundown of what we've been up to.



Here's Greg cutting some trim boards for the last of the master bath project:

...and here's the trim on the wall and ceiling (more master bath photos coming soon!):

Here's Jackson getting quilled by a dead porcupine we found under the deck:

...his brother Isaiah getting into the spirit of farm living by helping with dead porcupine removal:

 

...the new, custom-built sliding door to the master bath crafted from old barn wood we found across the street:

...the new kitchen backsplash:

Not to mention (unpictured) installing new hanger straps to support water pipes in the basement, the felling of some standing-dead trees and subsequent wood-splitting, a chicken coop-cleaning party, batten strip installation on the second floor of the barn, and more. Stay tuned for more pictures!

DIY Tile Backsplash

When the kitchen cabinets were built at Better Farm in the 1980s, the sink backsplash was constructed out of some kind of composite board. Over time, water damaged the faux wood and rotted; creating a gross-looking backsplash that was also a health risk because of mildew and mold.

Using discarded tiles from another project, some trim boards we found in the wood shed, a little grout, caulk, and double-sided tile tape, we were able to create a tile backsplash for less than $30 that reinvented our kitchen space.
We started by taking measurements and determined we'd be covering a six-inch wide, eight-foot-long area.

Next, we removed the old backsplash and sprayed bleach onto the mold we found:

Then we screwed on leftover pieces of cement board from another project to use as our base and laid out the tiles we'd be using:

Then it was time to lay the tile. Here's Greg applying Simple Mat, a double-sided tape you mount your tiles on (truly the simplest way we're aware of for laying wall tiles):

Then it was just a matter of mounting the tiles:

Mixing up some grout:

Applying the grout over the tiles:

Then, we let the grout set before wiping the tiles clean and replacing our trim pieces:

We found an old piece of oak to use as top trim:

We used a vinyl edge for the bottom of the backsplash and set it with finishing nails and caulk. This should give us a totally water-tight seal and prevent future mildew and mold issues. The white trim can also be painted:

Got a DIY tutorial you'd like to share? E-mail us at info@betterfarm.org.