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

Photo Credit: Susan Walker; Farm Courtesy: Quin Butler & Family, Bath, NY

Check out the beautiful Eastern Giant Swallowtail butterfly that stopped by the CCE Steuben Permaculture Learning Garden in August. You can visit the garden yourself at 113 Haverling Street in Bath, NY! Don't forget to follow our CCE Steuben Facebook and Instagram where we posted this originally!

The Dairy in the Classroom Educator Workshop is open to all educators, teachers, homeschool parents or school support staff who work with students. Please share with others and attend to help advance agriculture education throughout our Region! Register by clicking the image below or reach out to Stephanie Mckinley for more information at sem358@cornell.edu!

Save the date! This year Farm Trail Day will be held on October 11, 2025. This is an opportunity for members of the Steuben County community to engage with local farms with activities, demonstrations, wagon rides, farm goods and more! Stay tuned for more information about this year's farms and activities.

To sign up your farm or organization fill out this form or contact Jen Hill at jh3238@cornell.edu or (607) 664-2577.

Grain Bin Rescue Training

September 6, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: Howard Fire Department

3622 County Rte 70A

Avoca, NY 14809

Host: Steuben County Farm Bureau

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. training starts at 9:00 a.m.

Farm owners and their families, farm employees, grain handlers, fire department personnel, and first responders are welcome to participate in a grain bin rescue training. Anyone interested in learning more to prevent and help save lives in grain entrapment accidents is welcome to attend.

Do you know these Startling Facts?

Injuries & Fatalities from grain bins

In 2022, at least 42 grain entrapments were reported, the highest number of entrapments in a decade (a 44.8% increase from 2021). There were 15 fatalities.
In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.
Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.
More than 300 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past decade. It is estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.

* Sources: Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities; Purdue University

NYS Agricultural Society Forum

Thursday, January 8th 2026

Registration opens September 31st, 2025

The Annual Forum of the NYS Agricultural Society is one of the oldest and largest meetings of its kind in NY and possibly the US. All sectors of the ag industry - producers, advocates, decision-makers, and aspiring leaders - gather to discuss and dissect emerging issues and to network with peers. The Commissioner of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, which presents the annual State of Agriculture Address, describes the Forum as the largest family reunion in the state! Our 2026 Forum will take place January 8th at the Wegmans Conference Center in Rochester, NY and will focus on how stakeholders are adapting to policy, innovation and market shifts in the transforming landscape of food and agriculture in New York, across the US and beyond. Our speakers, representing the Torrey Group, Wegmans, Chobani, DFA, Agency 29, Black Button Distilling, Mastronardi Produce and Red Jacket Orchards, will share their experiences and unique forecasts. Eight awards are announced annually including: Ag Promotion, Business of the Year, “Cap Creal” Communications recognition, Century and Bicentennial Farms, Distinguished Service, Farm Safety, Next Generation Farmer and NY FFA Chapter of the Year. Registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis and will begin September 30! Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Contact Ann Shephard at ann@nysagsociety.org.

Learn more here.

SAVE THE DATE

The Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium will be held October 31 through November 1, 2025. Program and Hotel information to come.

Sheep & Goat Symposium | CALS

Contact for more information:

Jessica Waltemyer

NYS Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, PRO-LIVESTOCK, Animal Science

(607) 882-4772

jrk272@cornell.edu

Veggie Van in the News

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.

PRO-DAIRY's Dairy Market Watch Resource

By Lainey Koval

In the month of July, percent butterfat and protein in milk continued to trend down in July 2025, consistent with the seasonal trend. Northeast milk receipts averaged 4.10% butterfat, which was the same as the US average across all orders for the month. Percent protein averaged 3.13% in the NE order, which was lower than the US average of 3.20%. Both butterfat and protein levels in milk saw year over year growth in the NE order and on average across the US.

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.

PRO-DAIRY Online, On-Demand Courses

PRO-DAIRY offers a suite of dairy production online courses that are completed by students from across the country and around the world. Some dairy production management background is helpful, but the courses include basic to advanced content taught by leaders in the field.

Courses are offered in an on-demand format, enabling students to begin the course at their convenience and complete it within six months of enrollment, on their own schedule. Through the virtual classroom, students have access to pre-recorded presentations and supplemental materials and assessments are integrated within course modules to reinforce concepts. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion and can request continuing education credits from the Cornell University School of Continuing Education.

Course registration:

Participant course fee: $250

Learn More 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!

Get prepared for a fabulous Fall Season in the Finger Lakes !

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. Fall means pumpkins, 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.

In addition to this Youth Garden, St. Thomas is home to a larger Community Garden that contributes the food grown to those in need throughout the Bath community. If you are interested in helping out at the St. Thomas Community Garden and learning how the Red Door Luncheon Program supports those in need, please reach out to Ray Long, kfisher1952@yahoo.com. Help is needed!!!

Interested in helping with other CCE Steuben programs? Please reach out and let us know - 607-664-2300.

Cut Flower Industry in New York

As of the 2022 census, New York has over 700 cut flower growers across the state with a total sale of cut flowers over $10.5 million.

Don't miss out on the upcoming webinars, click below to register.

Want to catch up on past webinars, find the YouTube recordings here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIQZEU24Sxtb0CL4Jk8n-Qg

August was Dahlia Production & July was Seed Saving!

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.