Cornell Small Farms Program is offering a one-day workshop this winter in eight locations around New York State titled:

Log-Grown Shiitake: Economics and Management for a Profitable Crop

The cultivation of shiitake mushrooms offers farmers and woodlot owners a good opportunity to utilize their forested lands while turning a profit. Start up costs are low, and previous Cornell research indicates that profitability can be achieved in the second or third year of dedicated production. As with any farming venture, viability is achieved with good business planning and attention to strategies which minimize costs and optimize efficiency.

Anyone who a resident of New York State or who farms in New York and is growing commercially, starting a new enterprise, or considering commercial production is welcome to attend. The workshop content will cover aspects of production important to selling mushrooms in New York, including safety, sanitation, marketing, and regulations. Learn more about cultivation at: http://cornellmushrooms.org/factsheets

Those who attend one of the workshops or the online livestream are eligible to participate in an advanced training group and receive one-on-one support for the 2018 growing season. Details of this opportunity will be provided at the workshop.

DATES & LOCATIONS:

Friday, January 19 at the Wyoming County Extension, 36 Center St. Suite B, Warsaw, NY 14569

Saturday, January 20 at the Schuyler County Extension, 323 Owego St, Montour Falls, New York 14865

Friday, January 26 at Clearpool Model Forest, 33 Clearpool Rd, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512

Saturday, January 27 at Project Farmhouse, 76 East 13th Street, New York, NY 10003

Friday, February 2 at NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd; Syracuse, New York 13209

Saturday, February 3 at Jefferson County Cooperative Extension, 203 N Hamilton St, Watertown, NY 13601

Friday, February 16 at the Agroforestry Resource Center, 6055 NY-23, Acra, NY 12405

Saturday, February 17 at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall, 1610 NY-22, Essex, NY 12936

LIVE WEBINAR TRAINING: Friday, March 2nd online (access anywhere with a high-speed connection)


See a Map of the locations: https://www.easymapmaker.com/map/2018LogShiitakeWorkshops

Workshops run from 9am to 4pm, with a catered lunch included.



To Register: visit www.cornellmushrooms.org/viability

Cost: $30/person includes lunch and handouts. (online livestream 3/2 is $20)
(no person turned away for lack of funds- contact sfg53@cornell.edu for info.)

Funding for this project is provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant and administered through the New York Farm Viability Institute.


CONTACT:
Steve Gabriel
Agroforestry Extension Specialist
Cornell Small Farms Program
sfg53@cornell.edu