Opportunity for Silage Corn Growers: On-Farm Biodiversity Experiment
Overview
Cornell graduate student researcher is seeking New York partner farms to test how planting native flowers near silage corn fields affects biodiversity on the farm. We are also interested in how flower planting date affects biodiversity. This single-year experiment will run from May to September 2023. Participating farms will each receive $500 and if desired, publicity.
Eligibility
Silage corn fields may be managed using either organic or non-organic methods. However, no synthetic insecticides may be sprayed within 660 ft of the experimental plots.
Experiment
The experiment will require four small plots of land (16 by 32 ft), which may be arranged around one or more corn fields. The plots may be located along field edges, as shown below, or field corners may be used for this purpose rather than corn production. The grower and researcher (Sophie Westbrook, Cornell graduate student) will choose plot locations together. The grower will plow two of the plots as soon as field access is possible in the spring, and the other two plots four weeks later. After this initial plowing, no further management is needed. The researcher will hand-seed flowers in two plots and collect data over the summer.
The experiment will involve four plots, placed at least 660 ft apart. CE: control plot (no flowers), earlier plowing. CL: control plot, later plowing. FE: flower plot, earlier plowing. FL: flower plot, later plowing.Contact
For more information or to enroll, contact Sophie Westbrook, (716) 597-7344; asw265@cornell.edu.
Field Crops
Dairy
Business
Livestock
Grains
Upcoming Events
Memoir Reading: Barn Gothic
December 4, 2025
Bath, NY
Barn Gothic is an elegy for family farmers and an intimate portrait of three generations laboring to be fathers and sons while their livelihood falls apart. Beautifully told with a farmer's restraint and a poet's grace, it is a story of personal loss amid corporate corruption and of finding a way forward when everything you know disappears.
NY Small Farms Summit 2025: Stronger Together
December 5, 2025
Alfred, NY
We hope you will join us on December 5th for the 2025 New York Small Farms Summit! This is an opportunity to meet other farmers and ag supporters, learn about research and education projects, and set priorities for future efforts to grow small farm success.
At the Allegany County site, we will focus on giving trees a chance and how trees build resiliency on small farms. Whether attracted to fruit, nuts, vegetables, fodder or shade, trees can be an integral part of a successful farming system. Join us as we explore the opportunities for resiliency that come from adding tree crops or managing wooded areas of your farm for agroforestry or silvopasture systems.
Crops, Cows & Critters - Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Newsletter Sponsorship
December 19, 2025
Our two forms of publications feature research-based and timely information from our four specialists, listed to the right, along with local event notifications and Cornell University outreach. This information is provided to participants who range from dairy, livestock, and field crops producers to agricultural suppliers and consultants.
Weekly Email Update: Shared with 625+ households who have signed up with our program.
Monthly Paper Mailer: To reach our stakeholders and farmers who lack internet access, we send out a monthly mailer where your company's logo and contact information would be featured with a mailing list of 330+ households.
If you sponsor our weekly and monthly publications you reach approximately 955 households.
Visit our website to view our newsletters!
Announcements
No announcements at this time.