Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension have gained significantly increased visibility and appreciation among small farm households throughout the Northeast and nationally. Thousands of farm families have gained both research-based and farmer-generated knowledge and information that can help them become more financially successful, more satisfied with their lives, and better environmental stewards. Dozens of Cornell researchers and extension educators, and farmer-authors have been able to connect more effectively with the small-farm audience.
impact statement issue
"Better access to information" is a need that was expressed repeatedly by small farm operators to the Cornell Small Farms Task Group between 2000 and 2003. Many small-scale farmers felt that their needs were not being addressed by Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension. In fact, many valuable resources were already available; however, farmers often were unaware of them because outreach was often not well targeted to smaller producers.
impact statement response
Small Farm Quarterly was established to reach out specifically to smaller producers in New York and the Northeast and to provide information directly relevant to their needs.
impact statement summary
Small Farm Quarterly magazine is an innovative public-private collaboration that enables Cornell researchers, Cooperative Extension and other agricultural support providers to reach more than 27,000 Northeast farm and rural households with the latest research, information, resources, and news of interest to small farm families.
