Farmer Education
Farmers can make intelligent decisions about how to effectively manage their watershed farms if their knowledge base includes the latest science. The Farmer Education Program offers a full calendar of “off-the-farm” workshops and conferences offered through a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Besides the technical material offered at these sessions, farmers have the opportunity to exchange ideas with their neighbors about which practices and techniques work best for their operation. This effort complements the “bricks and mortar” best management practices built on farms through the Watershed Agricultural Program by providing information in three main subject areas: Nutrient Management, Feed and Forage Systems Management, and Youngstock Pathogen Management. In addition, WAC’s quarterly newsletter includes seasonal articles on operation and maintenance tasks and the Whole Farm Planning team visits farms yearly to review practices, address operational problems and answer the farmer’s questions and concerns.
Past Events › Agriculture
February 2025
Making your Pastures Work for You is the theme of this workshop. Start planning your 2025 pasture season now. Hear from four speakers discuss strategies that result in improved labor efficiency & increased pasture production and animal performance. Grazing System Tune-Up: Paddock layout, fence & water Pasture Renovation Strategies Clipping Pastures: When does this actually make sense? Grazing Management: Making decisions that keep you on track Register by calling or emailing Kim Holden by February 26th: 607 865-7090 or kmh19@cornell.edu
Find out more »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…
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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…
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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
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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…
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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…
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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
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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
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