Farmer Training
At the Watershed Agricultural Council, we believe education is vital to the success of new and established farm operations. We collaborate with Cornell Cooperative Extensions and other agencies to deliver learning opportunities for farmers of all ages, experience levels and farming expertise.
Our workshops and trainings run the gamut of topics, such as
- Farming for the first time, business planning and market analysis;
- Learning to raise healthy heifers through NYS Calf Health Assessment Program;
- Taking a pasture walk to better understand a rotational grazing strategy;
- Discovering the importance of proper record keeping in receiving Nutrient Management Credit payments;
- Transitioning from dairy to beef;
- Operations and maintenance of your Whole Farm Plan BMPs; or
- Supplementing a farm’s bottom line with a value-added dairy product like cheese, learning how to make it and then marketing the final product.
Speakers are often experts in their fields like veterinarian, precision feed managers, no-till operators and Extension agents. Or you might hear and learn something from your neighbor farmer.
Producer Groups
We also coordinate Producer Groups focused on dairy, beef and sheep/goat issues. These farmer-to-farmer gatherings meet periodically to discuss livestock topics of interest or to find solutions to on-farm hurdles. If you are interested in joining a Producer Group, contact:
Beef: Rich Toebe, CCE Dairy-Livestock Coordinator (607) 865-7090, ext. 208
Grazing: Dale Dewing, CCE-WAP Team Leader (607) 865-7090, ext. 246
Calf health: Rich Toebe, CCE Dairy-Livestock Coordinator (607) 865-7090, ext. 208
Sheep, goat, small ruminant livestock: Rich Toebe, CCE Dairy-Livestock Coordinator (607) 865-7090, ext. 208
Below are upcoming events for farmers:
Upcoming Events › Agriculture
December 2024
Transferring the ownership and management of a family farm goes beyond passing down land—it’s about preserving and continuing the legacy built by generations. This process is inherently complex, involving much more than just financial and legal logistics. The legacy of a family farm often holds deep personal and cultural significance, making it vital to ensure a smooth transition that respects both the past and the future. Building a legacy takes time and effort, and successfully transferring it—whether to family or…
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Beef is a commodity product sold by weight. Multiple factors influence pricing structure depending on the market. Quality grade, yield grade, carcass fabrication, & meat color all play a role. Understanding what influences these factors is important. Presentations by Dr. Adam Murray, Cornell PRO-LIVESTOCK Beef Cattle Extension Specialist.Dinner at 6 pm, Presentations start at 6:30 pm. Calculating quality grade and yield grade Carcass fabrication and beef aging Consumer perception of beef color Call or email Kim Holden at (607) 865-7090…
Find out more »Transferring the ownership and management of a family farm goes beyond passing down land—it’s about preserving and continuing the legacy built by generations. This process is inherently complex, involving much more than just financial and legal logistics. The legacy of a family farm often holds deep personal and cultural significance, making it vital to ensure a smooth transition that respects both the past and the future. Building a legacy takes time and effort, and successfully transferring it—whether to family or…
Find out more »
Wintertime is the most difficult time to keep calves healthy. With fewer available treatment options, proper nutrition is more important than ever before as it is the best defense against disease. This workshop will explore feeding strategies to ensure that your calves ‘hit the ground running’! 11:00 – Trent Westhoff, Cornell University – Managing colostrum to maximize its health benefits from collection to feeding. 11:45 – Lunch and producer networking 12:45 – Dr. Mike Van Amburgh – Milk replacer, whole…
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