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
February 2024
This event is being hosted by the Cornell Livestock Program Work Team. Dr. Shannon Carpenter, Field Veterinarian with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will be leading a discussion on Common Beef Diseases Vaccines for Prevention Diseases caused by Ticks This event is held via Zoom. Register online here: http://tinyurl.com/3n37htz9
Find out more »This event is being hosted by the Cornell Livestock Program Work Team. Grace Ott, CCE Orange County Livestock Educator will lead a discussion on: Ensuring Feeder Success Weaning Tips & Strategies Backgrounding Cattle This event is held via Zoom. Register Online: http://tinyurl.com/5ydsun4f
Find out more »This event is being hosted by the Cornell Livestock Program Work Team. Most old dairy barns can be renovated for your current livestock situation. There are many considerations to ensure that the new livestock environment will function efficiently and be a healthy environment for the sheep or goats. This presentation will discuss: How to identify the deficiencies from foundation to roof Is renovation worth the cost? Or is a new building less expensive? Ventilation – Critical for animal health. What’s…
Find out more »March 2024
The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »Join us for an evening of conversation. We’ll be exploring how to manage our cattle in typical March weather, taking a look at both historical and forward trends in beef here in NY, and getting a head start on preventing and managing pink eye before spring fully arrives. Pinkeye – Causes, Prevention, Vaccination, and Treatment Summary of 2022 Ag Census & Beef Market Outlook Cow Comfort in March – Fluctuating temperatures, wind, and mud Please register March 8 by calling…
Find out more »