Social Media Strategies for Farms to Generate Education, Awareness, and Action


Webinar -Wednesday, May 2, 1-2pm EDT Free -- open to all interested

Facebook...Twitter...Linked In...Four Square.... They can be effective ways to connect with your community....Or they can be a huge waste of your time and energy. How can you use social media to build a supportive community online and in-person? Public relations expert Rachel Carter will explain how to develop a strategy for building a community of champions for your farm. Whether you are a farmer, a farm-based educator, or an Extension educator, this webinar will provide guidance for creating a strategy to use social media effectively and manage related risks.

Hosted by: Lisa Chase, Jessie Schmidt, Ben Amsden, and Erica Curry

University of Vermont Extension, UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Plymouth State University Center for Rural Partnerships, and the Farm-Based Education Association

To access the webinar, please follow this link five minutes before the webinar begins.

For technical assistance during the webinar, contact Jessie Schmidt at (866) 860-1382, ext. 203 (Vermont calls only) or (802) 223-2389, ext. 203, E-mail: jessica.a.schmidt@uvm.edu

Contact lisa.chase@uvm.edu, jessica.a.schmidt@uvm.edu, ecurry@ShelburneFarms.org, or blamsden@plymouth.edu for more information about the webinar.

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please let Rose Crossley in UVM Extension (802-223-2389) know by April 13, 2012 so we may assist you.

Funding for this project was provided by the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

From Law of the Land

NY Appeals Court Upholds Approval of Motorcycle Track on Farm Agreeing with Board’s Interpretation of Recreational Use
The Wilzigs purchased a 250-acre farm in the Town of Tafhkanic in order to build a motorcycle track on the premises. However, as the track was being completed, Callahan, Tachkanic’s Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, contended that the track was in violation of the Tachkanic’s Use Regulations and, therefore, issued an “Order to Remedy Violation.” In response, the Wilzigs appealed, maintaining that the track was an accessory use of their property and that, therefore, a permit was not required for its construction. The Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town disagreed with this interpretation, and the Wilzigs brought a combined CPLR article 78 proceeding and declaratory judgment action. The trial court dismissed the claim....the article continues here

New York State get first Solar Farm

The Green County Industrial Development Agency is purchasing land in Coxsackie and Cornerstone Power Development will lease the 128 acres of land.
The $60 million solar farm will become a 15-megawatt facility....to read the rest of this article please click here

Upcoming events in the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture in the South Central New York Region

AGRICULTURE

February 10-12, 2009- Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo Syracuse, New York Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse NY • February 11 & 12, 2009
Becker Forum • February 10, 2009 • Holiday Inn Liverpool. Visit
www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/expo/ for more details or call Please contact NYSVGA
Phone/fax: 315-687-5734 info@nysvga.org

NATURAL RESOURCES

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday February 26, 27, and 28-NY FARM SHOW
Helping Farmers Produce More from Their Woodlots Got Trees? The New York Forest Owners Association, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will present a series of free forestry programs. The New York Farm Show is annually held at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The Farm Show has many exhibits displaying information, equipment, and items of interest to landowners as well as farmers. Landowners who own woodland as part of their property can get information on many subjects that will help them enhance the value of their woodlots for timber, wildlife, and recreation. For further information contact: James Christensen 315-472-5323 kchriste@twcny.rr.com, or Charley Porter 315-298-7467 ckporter@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or John Druke 315-656-2313 jcdruke@twcny.rr.com.