The Science of Cheese Making (Basic Level) and Vat Pasteurization Workshop

October 23 - October 24, 2018


This workshop is designed for cheese manufacturers or others interested in the basic concepts of cheese making and is a required part of the Dairy Extension Basic Cheese Making Certificate Program. The course may also be taken as a stand-alone Basic Cheese Making training. The course begins with an online lecture component covering the key areas related to vat pasteurization and basic cheese making techniques, cheese culture basics, milk defects, cheese defects and cheese marketing. The course will also include 2 days of hands-on pasteurization and cheese making activities.

Learning Outcomes:

• Foodborne pathogens resulting from unpasteurized milk
• Components of vat pasteurization
• Thermometer requirements
• Chart recorders and chart requirements
• Milk quality which impacts cheese making
• Cheese culture and chemistry and microbiology
• Cheese-making unit operations and techniques and hands-on cheese making
• Cheese marketing for small scale producers & key performance indicators for large scale producers

Registrants can sign up for Vat Pasteurization (online lectures and 1/2 day on campus), The Science of Cheese Making (online lectures and 1 1/2 days on campus), or the combination class Vat Pasteurization AND The Science of Cheese Making (online lectures and 2 days on campus - required for The Science of Cheese Making Certificate). Costs vary depending on selection.

The course is limited to the first 20 registrants.

Medicinal Farm Plants Workshop

August 2, 2026
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Staten Island, NY

Join Snug Harbor for a hands-on workshop with Urban Garden Specialist, Karen Guzman, as we explore medicinal plants growing on the farm! You'll get to see, smell, taste and learn how to grow and use them safely at home. 

Rochester Soil Health Day

September 1, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rochester, NY

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, New York State Soil Health, and Foodlink for interactive activities focused on soil health and an opportunity to get your garden soil screened for lead (reservation required).

Resilient Gardens Conference

September 18 - September 19, 2026
Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Poughkeepsie, NY

The third Resilient Gardens Conference will focus on culturally relevant gardening skills and community garden management for the unique resource needs of urban gardeners. This two-day event will feature education and practical skills on day one; we'll hear from leaders of diverse stakeholder groups on strategies to overcome these issues in cities and rural communities and connecting resources between Cornell Cooperative Extension and leading community gardens. The second day is optional and will include tours of local gardening projects across Poughkeepsie and Kingston NY. 

This event is primarily open to Seed to Supper Garden Educators, CCE Educators, Master Gardener Volunteers and Upstate Seed to Supper Program Participants, as well as partner Community Gardens involved with Harvest NY.