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

NY Beef Producers Association Annual Conference

Registration is now open.

Click the image below to access the schedule, registration, and many other details.

Learn more and register here.

For NYS farmers and applications that qualify, this fund will provide a 50% match up to $5,000 on a reimbursement basis to help cover projects that improve safety on the farm. Examples of projects that have been funded previously include barn re-wiring, livestock handling systems, and harnesses/rescue equipment. Click the image above to apply or learn more.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for receiving funds under this program:

Resident of New York State
Active farmer (part or full-time)
Non-dairy farm’s annual gross cash farm income is $10,000 - $999,999 OR any Dairy farm is eligible, there is no income limit.
The proposed safety project has not been paid for or completed.

Contact NYCAMH by phone (800-343-7527) or e-mail JMFSF@bassett.org with questions.

Field Corn Troublesome Pest Survey

The Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab of Cornell University would like your input on the most troublesome invertebrate pests and diseases you’ve encountered this year, last year, and over the past five years. Your feedback will help shape research efforts to improve pest and disease management in organic field corn production. This survey is for all field corn producers!

Click here to take the survey. Contact Katelyn Miller, Field Crops Specialist with SWDLFC Team, if you have any issues or would like a paper copy of the survey.

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.

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.

Dairy Market Watch

The most recent Dairy Market Watch can be accessed here. Past Dairy Market Watch issues can be accessed here.

Dairy Market Watch is an educational newsletter to keep producers informed of changing market factors affecting the dairy industry. Dairy Market Watch is published at the end of every month, funded in part by Cornell Pro-Dairy, and is compiled by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Business Management Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program.

For those that get printed newsletters, it is included as an insert with each edition.

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!

Winter Doesn't Mean There Aren't Things to Do in the Finger Lakes!

Finger Lakes Farm Country (FLFC) also 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.

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

Click the image below to access the full factsheet

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.

Online Greenhouse Scout School

Cornell University is partnering with the University of Vermont and the University of Maine to offer a 6-week webinar series in scouting for disease, insect and weed pests of greenhouse ornamentals, although the principles will apply to other crops. Learn how to identify the major pests of greenhouse floriculture crops, make scouting faster and easier, communicate with growers and owners, and find resources to help.

Sessions will be led by Stephanie Burnett, Margery Daughtrey, Betsy Lamb, Elise Lobdell, John Sanderson and Cheryl Sullivan. Find more detail on the schedule here.

February 13–March 27

Certificate Program Presentations:

Thursdays

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Webinar Series Presentations:

Thursdays

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Certificate Program

Earn a certificate demonstrating your knowledge and skills as a greenhouse scout. This option includes all presentations, scouting equipment, electronic resources and discussions with presenters and other students.

Registration deadline: January 24, 2025

Cost: $300

Webinar Series

Choose only the sessions that match your area of interest.

Cost: $25 per session or $125 for all seven sessions.

Please register at least one business day before the webinar, especially if you wish to receive pesticide recertification credits.

One NYS pesticide recertification credit for each webinar will be applied for in categories 1a, 3a, 3c, 24 and 25. Please contact Elizabeth Lamb as soon as possible if you are interested in receiving pesticide recertification credits from other states, and we will try to accommodate your request.

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.

Plant Propagation Workshop Series: January 22 - March 19, 2025

Learn basics of sexual propagation, vegetative propagation, and micropropagation via Zoom

Presenter:

Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Horticulture, Cornell University

Bridgen has taught plant propagation & micropropagation for over 30 years.

Dates/Times:

Wednesdays, January 22-March 19, 2025

2-4pm (EST)

3 modules, with 3 two-hour sessions within each module

Participants can attend all modules or register for individual modules.

Fee:

$150 per person/per module. All three modules: $400. Save $50!

Participants must have access to Zoom to participate in real time. Lectures will be recorded and available to participants after live sessions.

DEC ANNOUNCES 2025 EXAM DATES FOR LICENSED GUIDE PROGRAM, FALCONRY LICENSE, WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR LICENSE, AND LEASHED TRACKING DOG LICENSE

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the upcoming dates of examinations for individuals seeking select Special Licenses. To provide enhanced access, DEC is offering these examinations online and free-of-charge.

Exams being offered include:

New York State Licensed Guide: camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater, rock climbing, and ice climbing;
Falconry License;
Wildlife Rehabilitator License; and
Leashed Tracking Dog License.

Click to access a list of the 2025 Exam Dates and additional information.

For questions or assistance please contact:

NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752

Email: SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov

Phone: 518-402-8985, Fax: 518-402-8925

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.