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:
Past Events › Agriculture
March 2025
The value of beef is at the high point in the cycle. Now is the time to make sure you are optimizing your production and profit potential. Enhancing Herd Health Through Vaccination – Protocols, Preparing your Calves, Strengthening herd health Dr. Robert Lynch, Cornell Pro Dairy Herd Health Specialist Preparing for the Breeding Season – Getting the cow and bull ready, Use of AI or a Bull – Rich Brown, Equity Angus Farm Dinner at 6 pm. Presentations start at…
Find out more »
Ticks are a threat to livestock and farmer alike. Joellen Lampman, Cornell IPM Specialist, will provide the latest information on all of the species of ticks currently found in New York via Zoom. Following her presentation, a local farmer will tell her story of how a tick bite changed her life. Each participant will receive a free “Don’t Get Ticked New York” tick removal kit. Where each specie of tick is found in New York State Livestock and human diseases…
Find out more »
Come for part or all of the meeting. Beginner session before the meal, more advanced topics after the meal. 5:30 pm Beginning Sheep and Goat Production: Housing, Handling, Nutrition, Birthing and more 6:30 pm Meal 7:00 pm The Replacement Female: Target body weights, selection criteria, nutrition for the replacement animal 7:45 pm Predator Management: Prevention, fencing, guardian animals Register by March 18th: Call or email Kim Holden at (607) 865-7090 or kmh19@cornell.edu or register online here: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/SpringSmallRuminantMeeting2025_212
Find out more »
This two-part workshop will introduce you to some new tools to help you increase your sales. Presentations by Matt LeRoux of the Cornell Dyson School. 5:30 pm: Creating & Pricing Consumer Friendly Meat with MeatSuite Introducing Bundle Builder – a new tool to help assemble bulk bundles of meat 6:30: Pizza, Sandwiches and Networking 7:15 pm: Using the Customer Experience & Pricing to Improve Market Sales Sharing Cornell’s research on customer spending & prices at farmer’s markets. Practical ways to…
Find out more »
Join Pro-Dairy statewide and local experts to stay up-to-date on all things related to manure management. Learn implementation strategies to help you responsibly apply your manure and utilize nutrients most effectively while protecting the environment. Get updates on the latest requirements for keeping you farm team safe and dealing with animal mortalities. The program begins with registration at 10:00am and runs through 2:30pm and includes a hot lunch. Register by calling Kim Holden at 607-865-7090 or email kmh19@ cornell.edu, or…
Find out more »July 2025
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County is holding its 95th annual Delaware County Farm Tour on Friday July 11th. The first stop will be hosted by Harmonie Farms (10790 NY-30, Downsville, NY 13755), the Mattson family, beginning at 11:00 AM. This third generation 175 cow dairy farm has long been adopted cutting technology and practice, and recent installation of robotic milkers, Robotic feed pusher and upgrades to the freestall barn are the latest advancement on this farm. The farm is…
Find out more »September 2025
Sunny Alp Farm is a 100% Grass-fed Organic Dairy. This walk will feature how the farm successfully uses pasture for the primary feed source during the grazing season. The farm milks about 50 cows on about 140 acres. Topics to be covered include: Paddock layout, sizing, and rotation Forage Quality & Quantity in relation to herd feed needs Fencing, lanes, and water Grass and other plant identification Registration Deadline: September 16, 2025, Call or email Kim Holden at (607) 510-7050…
Find out more »
Sergeant Benjamin Emery, NY State Trooper with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit will lead a discussion on farm truck/trailer safety. Come with your questions, leave with knowing how to comply with the law. Rules & Regulations, enforcement When is a CDL required How to avoid common shortcomings Registration Deadline: September 24, 2025, Call or email Kim Holden at (607) 510-7126 or kmh19@cornell.edu
Find out more »
With the long history of implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on farms, much has been learned about their effectiveness as well as best practices to make operation and maintenance efficient & effective. Come ready to discuss your experiences with the following BMP’s: Fencing systems for pastures Watering system including spring tank, pipelines, and hydrants Cattle lanes, access roads, and stream crossings Water wagon Registration Deadline: September 25, 2025, Call or email Kim Holden at (607) 510-7126 or kmh19@cornell.edu
Find out more »October 2025
Every year, regional partners for clean water and a healthy environment host a community hazardous waste collection day, known as Clean Sweep. Now in its 29th year, Clean Sweep provides a safe disposal venue by collecting chemicals and other materials which pose a threat to public health, water and environment. Clean Sweep is free to farmers in the eight NYC Watershed counties and free to all Delaware County household residents. Delaware County businesses, municipalities and county agencies are also invited…
Find out more »