Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Committee | | |
Ed Merry
Chris Comstock
Charles J Susick II
Kevin Peterson
Stuart Sammis
Greg Longwell
Dean Massaro
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Arkport
Bath
Bath
Corning
Corning
Bath
Hammondsport
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Legislative Representatives
Hilda Lando
Fred Potter
| | Need more information? Contact Jen Hill at jh3238@cornell.edu or (607) 664-2577. |
Join us for Farm Trail Day on Saturday, October 11! The first 30 people at each farm will receive a free Farm Trail Day tote bag. Stop at 4 or more farms to be entered in a drawing for a free basket of local farm goods! See what all the farms have to offer and download your farm passport here!
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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.
| | | Are you a Youth Educator or home school educator wanting to incorporate more agriculture education into your curriculum? Consider attending the Dairy in the Classroom Educator Workshop Friday, October 10th to learn more about how easy this can be for you! | |
Optimizing the Economic Return of Pasture-Raised Slow-Growth and Conventional Broilers
October 15, 2025
6pm - 8pm
Location : ZOOM Webinar
Cost: FREE
Over the past three years, Cornell Cooperative Extension has worked with nearly 40 small farmers across NYS to gather information on the true costs of raising broilers (meat chickens) on pasture. This presentation is a summary of the findings of this research project.
We will share:
- Statewide averages and benchmarks for both raising and selling meat chickens
- Common pitfalls when it comes to being profitable
- The performance metrics for Cornish Cross and Slow Growth broilers raised on pasture
- Evidence-based suggestions to improve both performance and profitability
This event is free to attend, but registrations are required using the link at the top of this page. A recording will be available and sent out to all registrants.
For questions, reach out to Amy Barkley at amb544@cornell.edu or 716-640-0844.
Host
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Amy Barkley
716-640-0844
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Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop
November 4th
6-8 pm
Location: Steuben County Civil Defense, 7220 NY-54, Bath, NY
Cost: FREE
This workshop is designed to give sheep and goat farmers hands-on experience to help prepare, evaluate, and interpret fecal samples for parasite eggs. The lab is 2 hours long, with a half hour devoted to the science behind the process, and an hour and a half devoted to hands-on practice and evaluation.
Internal parasites are one of the most challenging and economically impactful concerns for sheep and goat owners. This workshop will explain why taking regularly testing fecal egg counts can help you with understanding your animals' parasite loads and dewormer resistance. Attendees have the opportunity to prepare and evaluate fresh fecal samples under the microscope and practice interpretations.
We will have fecal samples to evaluate and encourage you to bring some from your farm or homestead to practice with!
Registering for this event will register you for the November 4th workshop in Bath. You will receive instructions for parking, the building location, and the room number via email 2 days prior to the event.
For any questions, please reach out to Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist, at 716-640-0844 or amb544@cornell.edu.
This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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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!
If you need help contact CCE Agriculture Dept, 607-664-2574.
| | | Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program | |
PRO-DAIRY's Dairy Market Watch Resource
By Lainey Koval
Join the Dairy Market Watch on Facebook to follow the trends. Click the button below and then click join to follow! August trends are posted.
Nearing the end of summer, percent butterfat and protein in milk trended up in August. Northeast milk receipts averaged 4.14% butterfat, which was the same as the US average across all orders for the month. Percent protein averaged 3.18% in the NE order, which was lower than the US average of 3.24%. Component levels in milk continue to increase year over year.
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Considering Value-Added Products?
Extension Webinar Series
The “Value Added Dairy” series, all scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern time, will include the following webinars:
Penn State Extension offers these events at no charge, but registration is required to receive the link to access each webinar. A link to the recorded webinar will be emailed to registrants within 10 business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.
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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.
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PRO-DAIRY Online, On-Demand Courses
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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
Register Here
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Interested in NYSERDA’s Agriculture Programs?
Below you will find a brief overview of these three programs:
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Agriculture Energy Audit Program (AEAP): This program offers NY state farmers no-cost energy audits to help identify energy efficiency opportunities on their farm.
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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.
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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.
Contact us now: 800-732-1399
Thank you so much for your support in ensuring the viability and growth of New York's agriculture!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
Register for the 2025 events by clicking the schedule below.
Learn more about the 2025 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule here.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality,
ecological sustainability and social well-being. We bring local experience and
research based solutions together, helping New York State families and
communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.
Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
CCE does not endorse or recommend any specific product or service.
This newsletter is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.
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