Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Committee

Ed Merry

Chris Comstock

Charles J Susick II

Kevin Peterson

Stuart Sammis

Greg Longwell

Dean Massaro

Arkport

Bath

Corning

Bath

Hammondsport

Legislative Representatives

Hilda Lando

Fred Potter

IPM Strategies to Protect Corn and Soybean Seed in NY

July 16, 2025

9am-3pm

Location:

Zeliff Farm

10275 Johnson Rd

Middleport, NY 14105

To make information about the Birds and Bees Protection Act, ongoing research and current findings accessible to growers, Cornell IPM and project partners from Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension are hosting a series of informational meetings for growers, crop consultants, certified crop advisors, industry representatives, crop managers and policymakers at locations across the state.

Topics will include research updates on seedcorn maggot, tools for assessing risk and predicting pest pressure, and a discussion on neonicotinoids—what they are and how to adjust management practices without them. We'll also take a look at ongoing field research.

Lunch will be available for attendees!

1.25 DEC credits in 1a, 4, 10, 21 have been approved. CCA credits will be requested.

Photo: Seedcorn maggot on soybean. Photo by University of Minnesota Extension.

Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers

2 Dates and Locations

This evening meeting will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables, primarily for those growing for wholesale auction.

A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. Judson Reid, Senior Extension Associate with the Cornell Vegetable Program along with CCE staff will instruct participants and facilitate peer-based learning. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at these farms.

FREE to attend. No pre-registration required. Contact Judson Reid with questions.

To view the meeting agenda click here .

Host:

Cornell Vegetable Program

Judson Reid

585-313-8912

email Judson Reid

Manure Roadshow

Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY Soil & Water Conservation Districts and PRO-DAIRY are offering a series of Manure Roadshow events at five sites beginning March 4th. Cost and specific agendas vary by location, but all will provide lunch and include presentations on Manure Safety and the NYSDEC required Manure Applicator Training.

Check out the locations scheduled now and.....

Stay tuned for the location and date of the Southwest NY region event slated for sometime this summer at farms in Chautauqua and Delaware Counties.

Pasture Walk

Wednesday, August 20th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Anthony Marko's Farm - Woodhull, NY

Join us on one of our region's sheep farms to walk their pastures and explore managing sheep in a frequent rotational grazing system. We'll discuss how evasive grazing techniques and frequent rotation leads to better pasture health, greater forage yields, and lighter parasite burdens in sheep and goats.

We'll also cover:

Evaluate hay samples and how to read their reports
Review how to interpret soil samples
Discuss how soil fertility impacts forage production
How to use evasive grazing to mitigate parasite pressure

The farm tour will be led by Anthony Marko and conversations on the topics above will be led by Katelyn Miller, Field Crops and Forage Specialist and Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist with the CCE SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program.

This event is free to attend.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information visit hr.cornell.edu/eeeo.

For accommodations, please reach out to Amy Barkley at amb544@cornell.edu or (716) 640-0844.

FAMACHA Training in Woodhull

Internal Parasite IPM and FAMACHA Training

Wednesday, August 13th, 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: Anthony Marko's Farm - Woodhull, NY

Learn about integrated pest management practices that are key to reducing internal parasite dewormer resistance in sheep and goats. When not managed properly, internal parasites can be a costly financial burden to farms. All who take this training will learn about parasites and their lifecycles, strategies to reduce the need for antiparasitic drugs, and ways to use dewormers to reduce resistance issues.

Everyone will receive hands-on practice with performing FAMACHA exams and 5-Point Checks to help determine parasite loads and selecting which animals to treat.

Students successfully completing this course will receive a FAMACHA card to use on their farm and will receive a certificate of completion.

Your instructors will be Jess Waltemyer, Cornell's Pro-Livestock Small Ruminant Specialist and Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist with the CCE SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program.

This event is free to attend

Register by Friday, August 8th by using the link at the top right of this page or by contacting Amy Barkley at amb544@cornell.edu or (716) 640-0844.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information visit hr.cornell.edu/eeeo.

For accommodations, please reach out to Amy Barkley at amb544@cornell.edu or (716) 640-0844.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2024-70027-42540.

Looking for Pesticide Credits?

Remember to always refer to NYSPAD! All opportunities offering credits must be registered so you can search for upcoming events in Steuben and other nearby Counties to find one that fits your schedule most conveniently!

Access the NYSPAD Bureau of Pesticides Management - Information Portal

If you need help contact CCE Agriculture Dept, 607-664-2574.

The More You Know:

Ticks can harbor pathogens and if you are bitten, those pathogens can make not only you and your family sick but also your beloved household pets and livestock. Visit the site below (click the image) to educate yourself on ticks and potential tick-borne illnesses.

Additional resources can be found at Be Tick Free - NYSDEC, https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/be-tick-free.

The Cornell Southwest Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team is Hiring a Farm Business Management Specialist!

Click here to learn more.

Are you thinking about starting a small farm? Do you already have a farm that you're looking to expand? Invest in your professional development and you'll see the returns in your business. Cornell Small Farms Program offers in-person trainings, workshops, and online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers.

Some great options are now open for 2025. Topics include vegetable, specialty mushroom, sheep, and goat production, financial and business plans, grazing management, growing uncommon fruit, high tunnel season extension, soil health and many more.

You can read more and enroll HERE.

Interested in NYSERDA’s Agriculture Programs?

Below you will find a brief overview of these three programs:

Agriculture Energy Audit Program (AEAP): This program offers NY state farmers no-cost energy audits to help identify energy efficiency opportunities on their farm.
REAP Technical Assistance Program (RTAP): This program has been designed to assist farmers at no-cost to make applications to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). If awarded, farmers can receive up to 50% of the total project cost.
Energy Best Practices for Agriculture: The best practices have been developed to help educate producers with energy-efficient technologies, how they function, the average cost, and the average payback in years.

To learn more about these programs and eligibility, you can scan the QR code on the image above, or click here: Agriculture Energy Assistance - NYSERDA.

Thank you so much for your support in ensuring the viability and growth of New York's agriculture!

Ag Energy NY website has been updated making it easier to access guidance for different types of farm's needs!

Now offering one-on-one consultations for all your ag energy needs, including Solar and Wind Energy! If you are thinking about leasing land to alternative energy, set up a consultation to learn more about how your decisions impact you in the long run!

Contact Gabriel Gurley, rg523@cornell.edu for assistance and additional information!

U-Pick Season is upon us and there are so many things to do in the Finger Lakes during summer!

Finger Lakes Farm Country (FLFC) makes it easy to locate farm experiences and farm stays. From family gatherings at a restaurant offering farm-to-table options to various on farm experiences, you can plan a fun daytrip, event, or longer holiday centered around Steuben County Agriculture right from Finger Lakes Farm Country.

Check out the u-pick options throughout our Region - U-Pick Tours. Access to delicious berries, cherries, blueberries, apples and more!

Farm producers and agritourism business owners, don't forget to list your events with FLFC! If you aren't a listed producer/farm and would like to be,

Complete The Participation Form

Or if you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country, please contact Kevin Peterson at kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544.

Check out the official agritourism webpage for CCE

Agritourism Workshops Monthly!

Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?

Join the monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!

Each session will focus on a specific topic to help aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs grow their knowledge and profit through this exciting on-farm business.

Pre-registration Required: Register for the Zoom Webinar here!

Price: Free

All workshops will be recorded and links shared. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sponsor: Cornell Cooperative Extension Agritourism Program Work Team

Past topics and recordings

2025 Schedule: Click the image below to register.

Please contact Lindsey Pashow, lep67@cornell.edu or 518-569-3073 with any, questions.

UC IPM's Urban & Community Webinar Series

July 17, 2025 - Wild World of Wasps!

Wasps are a very diverse group of insects. Some species can be nuisance pests, creating galls on plants and stinging people, but many others are beneficial pollinators and predators of pests, such as aphids. And some wasps are just cool! In this webinar, we will discuss different behaviors of wasps and some of their roles in the ecosystem. Register here

This series is free and open to the public but advance registration is required. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our YouTube playlist.

Spongy Moth: Managing a Tree-Devastating Pest

June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM

via ZOOM

The spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth) poses a significant threat to our shade trees, with recent resurgences reported in some areas. These caterpillars feed voraciously on tree foliage, and during peak activity, their falling droppings can even mimic the sound of rainfall!

In this program, we’ll explore how to identify this pest, understand its life cycle, and assess the damage it can cause. We’ll place particular emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, as well as pesticide treatments, to help manage these pests effectively using environmentally friendly approaches. We’ll also talk about the natural biocontrols that can help manage future outbreaks.

or Visit

https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZoxfrVK7RBqq0zQOktiP_w#/registration

Picture: E. Bradford Walker, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Bugwood.org

What's Bugging You?

Join Live, on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.

Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.

Watch the past Event presentations Here.

Learn more about the 2025 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule here.

Dear Readers,

FLFC is a collaborative effort between the regional CCE offices and their respective counties' visitor centers. You may have seen the logo or heard of the Agritourism Trail project in the last year or so. We are continually building and adding visitor information to the website at no cost to you. If you are interested in having your farm listed on the site, please complete the survey, or reach out to Kevin Peterson, contact information below.

Did You Know?

Finger Lakes Farm Country is a regional agritourism program that combines agriculture and tourism to promote the abundance of agricultural resources in the southern Finger Lakes. Through a collaborative approach to marketing and promotion, the program creates a memorable brand for agritourism attractions and businesses in the area, while showcasing educational and recreational activities for visitors to the region.

In an effort to sustain local farms and create an environment for entrepreneurism, Finger Lakes Farm Country will promote the region’s abundant agritourism resources through a variety of marketing strategies. The Finger Lakes Farm Country region includes the counties of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates.

Interested in Joining?

Complete this survey

If you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country please contact Kevin Peterson: kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544

NY FarmNet Services: Always Free, Always Confidential

NY FarmNet is here to support farmers, farm families, agricultural service providers, veterinarians,

milk truck drivers, and others involved in the agricultural industry in New York State.

Call today 1-800-547-3276.

Reach out to them for business or personal consulting.

County Enrollment, Subscription, and Support

The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension offers educational programming and research-based information to agricultural producers, growers, and agribusinesses in the five-county region of Southwestern New York.

Our specialists work with Cornell Faculty and Extension Educators statewide to address the issues that impact the agricultural industry and provide services to farms of all sizes and production techniques. The educational programming and support that we offer ranges from workshops to on-farm events, and includes one-on-one consultations. Our program is designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of our region's diverse agricultural community.

For more information, contact any of the specialists.

Please support CCE Steuben by signing up for their enrollment programs.

Reach out to CCE-Steuben at 607-664-2300 and ask about enrollment.

The enrollment form can be found online, here.

The Cornell Vegetable Program works with Cornell faculty and Extension educators to address the issues that impact the New York vegetable industry. The team offers educational programs and information to growers, processors, and agribusiness professionals in pest management, variety evaluation, cultural practices, market development, and farm food safety.

Cornell Vegetable Program Specialists expertise includes processing vegetables, fresh market vegetables, weed science, soil health, food safety, organic, marketing, greenhouses and high tunnels.

Learn more about the specialists HERE.

To enroll click here.

The Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP) is a regional extension program of Cornell Cooperative Extension serving the grape and wine industry of the Finger Lakes.

The staff of the Finger Lakes Grape Program is committed to providing grape growers in the Finger Lakes and beyond with cutting edge, research-based information to help them improve the productivity and sustainability of their vineyards and the quality of the fruit that they produce. We work with researchers and extension staff from Cornell and other institutions to create informative extension materials and programs that help to keep grape growing a viable and profitable industry that enhances the communities of the Finger Lakes and upstate New York.

Learn more about the specialist HERE.

To enroll click here.