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.
Contact
For more information or to enroll, contact Sophie Westbrook, (716) 597-7344; asw265@cornell.edu.
Upcoming Events
Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk
April 23, 2024
Freeville, NY
You're invited to join us for a Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk!
The Cover Crop Breeding Network breeds fall-sown cover crops for traits like fall emergence, winter survival, spring vigor, high biomass, hard seed, and non-shattering pods
Join us to walk the trial fields, talk about what we're seeing (and not seeing), hear about past years' results, and learn about CCB lines approaching commercialization.
Advanced line trials - Crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, and winter canola
Planting date trials - Cereal rye and winter pea
Breeding nurseries - Cereal rye and winter pea (across the road & optional!)
Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk
May 1, 2024
Freeville, NY
You're invited to join us for a Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk!
The Cover Crop Breeding Network breeds fall-sown cover crops for traits like fall emergence, winter survival, spring vigor, high biomass, hard seed, and non-shattering pods
Join us to walk the trial fields, talk about what we're seeing (and not seeing), hear about past years' results, and learn about CCB lines approaching commercialization.
Advanced line trials - Crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, and winter canola
Planting date trials - Cereal rye and winter pea
Breeding nurseries - Cereal rye and winter pea (across the road & optional!)
Meat Your Farmer 2024
May 2, 2024 : Meat Your Farmer 2024
East Aurora, NY
This event brings together livestock farmers and the community to learn about local bulk meat sales and to taste recipes created for NYS schools, featuring meats from local farms. We are currently looking for farmers to participate in the event!
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