A farm worker prepares a field for planting. Photo: Maria Gannett   By Krishna Ramanujan Cornell researchers have tested an ecological tool in the fight to control weeds in silage soybean and corn fields: adding carbon to soil in the form of sawdust and rye hay. The study found that sawdust controlled weeds well in soybean fields but not as well in corn fields. Sawdust offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods for controlling weeds, such as tilling and herbicides, each of which have their own downsides. “Growers have been trying different herbicides and plants have deve ..read more

    Field Days Highlight Sustainable Farming Practices Across New York The 2024 Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Field Days continue with nine more events showcasing soil health and climate resilience practices in various cropping systems across New York. Organized by the New York Soil Health initiative in collaboration with regional partners and farms, these events provide attendees with actionable knowledge and innovative techniques. July Events:   July 16, 2024 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Eastern NY – Albany County Topic: Cover Crops for Sunflower Production Location: Moody Farm ..read more

Field of buckwheat in New York By Thomas Björkman, Professor Emeritus, Section of Horticulture Cornell AgriTech. Geneva NY Buckwheat and sudangrass are the summer stalwarts Summer may seem an odd time to use cover crops because it is the time when the main crops are growing. But summer may be the right opportunity to improve fields with a cover crop. If the soil is wearing out, summer is when a soil-building crop can be a lot more beneficial. Also, if the crop rotation leaves an opening in the summer, using a short cycle cover crop is much better than leaving the field subject to rain erosio ..read more

Download Flyer   American Farmland Trust is seeking applicants for the New York regional Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT). The applications will be due June 21st. The first session begins August 27-28 in Canandaigua, New York. Participants will be expected to attend (4) in-person 2-day trainings in the region between August 2024 and April 2025. The applications are now open. Please click on this link to access the application and this link to review the application guidelines. AFT hopes to attract a diverse applicant pool; please share this training information with anyone you ..read more

New York Soil Health team member Michael Glos at the NY Soil Health Trailer, a mobile laboratory equipped with an interactive simulator showcasing the impact of rainfall on different soil types. Photo by Joseph Amsili / NYSH Field Days Highlight Sustainable Farming Practices Across New York By Kitty Gifford The 2024 Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Field Days are poised to kick off again. Eleven events across the state will showcase practices for soil health and climate resilience in a variety of cropping systems. Organized by the New York Soil Health initiative in collaboration with a con ..read more

  Governor Kathy Hochul has announced record funding for agricultural stewardship programs; $28.75 million is now available for on-farm projects through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) grant program. Round 8 of CRF, included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, provides critical funding that helps New York’s farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water, ensure soil health, and increase on-farm resiliency to the effects of a changing climate. Under the CRF program, various funding tracks are available to support livestock management, water management, erosion control, soil health ..read more

Enhancing resilience: Mini-grants up to $2000 are available for soil health projects in rural and urban areas By Kitty Gifford The New York Soil Health Initiative announces the opening of 2024 Soil Health Mini-Grant applications. Following the success of previous years, the program continues its commitment to supporting projects aimed at enhancing soil health across New York State. In 2023, the New York Soil Health Initiative supported 13 organizations across 12 counties, facilitating soil health research, extension, and outreach activities that reached over 400 individuals. “As we enter our ..read more

The New York Soil Health initiative is pleased to announce the rebranding of the Soil Health Trailer, a dynamic educational tool designed to promote sustainable soil management practices. Developed initially by Fay Benson of Cornell Cooperative Extension, the trailer has been integrated into the initiative’s efforts to enhance soil health awareness across the state. The Soil Health Trailer is a mobile laboratory equipped with an interactive simulator showcasing the impact of rainfall on different soil types. This visually engaging presentation effectively demonstrates the positive effects of ..read more

Wind machine at a New York orchard. Wind machines mix the cold air near the ground with warmer air from higher up, raising the temperature of the air around the trees and reducing the risk of frost damage. Photo by Deborah Aller By Blaine Friedlander New York’s farmers are facing more extreme weather caused by climate change and they are learning to adapt, according to the agriculture chapter of the new statewide climate impacts assessment, led and written by two Cornell researchers. “We need to be adapting,” said Deborah Aller, extension associate in the Soil Health Program, School of ..read more

Micheal Glos, local farmer and a Cornell technician in the NY Soil Health Program. Photo by Matt Ryan By  A survey of farmers in four Northeast states, including New York, found that incentive payments encouraged participants to plant twice as many acres of cover crops as they did prior to receiving funds – a change that can both improve their farms and mitigate climate change. These incentive programs also had a lasting effect, with many farmers continuing the practice even after payments ceased.   Thomas Bjorkman, professor emeritus of vegetable crop physiology. Credit: Matthew ..read more