Events - month view
January 2018
Fluid Milk Processing for Quality and Safety (Online Course)
January 1 - June 30, 2018

This online workshop (with rolling registration) is designed for those involved and interested in fluid milk processing and testing with the intent of providing the tools to support and improve on quality assurance/control and food safety programs for bottled milks. While the course design assumes participants have some prior knowledge of dairy microbiology & processing (e.g., Dairy Science & Sanitation Course), critical concepts will be reviewed and expanded on for those who do not. This course can be taken as a stand-along program, but it also fulfills the core training requirement of a Cornell Dairy Foods Certificate for Fluid Milk Processing for Quality and Safety after all required prerequisite courses have been taken (e.g., Dairy Science & Sanitation, HACCP, HTST).
Emerging Markets - Malting Barley: Technical Updates, Economics and Opportunities Session
January 16, 2018
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Syracuse, NY

Empire State Producers Expo Session
Hear from a leading Cornell professor, Cooperative Extension experts, and an experienced grower about the current status of the New York craft beer supply chain, production economics, and working malting barley into your crop rotation. Bring your questions for a Q&A panel to address.
Hear from a leading Cornell professor, Cooperative Extension experts, and an experienced grower about the current status of the New York craft beer supply chain, production economics, and working malting barley into your crop rotation. Bring your questions for a Q&A panel to address.
Emerging Markets - Hemp
January 16, 2018
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Syracuse, NY

Empire State Producers Expo Session
Learn about the market potential of industrial hemp. Cornell, Cooperative Extension, NYS Department of Ag & Markets, and experienced growers will provide information on production, processing, research, and rules and regulations.
Learn about the market potential of industrial hemp. Cornell, Cooperative Extension, NYS Department of Ag & Markets, and experienced growers will provide information on production, processing, research, and rules and regulations.
Growing, Washing and Packing High Tunnel Winter Greens: Doing It and Doing It Well
January 18, 2018
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saratoga Springs, NY

NOFA-NY 2018 Winter Conference: Pre-Conference Event
This event promises to help growers bring their winter greens production to the next level -- both in the high tunnel and in the packshed. There will be an emphasis on best management practices in the high tunnel, especially practices which support long term soil health and fertility. In the packshed, processing efficiency and food safety will both be stressed.
The day will begin at 9:00 am in conference room Broadway 1, with workshops on issues and opportunities in winter high tunnel production and best practices for postharvest handling, including food safety concerns.
Upon completion of the workshops at 10:30 am, everyone will board a bus and travel to Paul and Sandy Arnold's Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, NY for a farm tour and farmer-led discussions in the high tunnel and packshed. A farm to table lunch, with a vegetarian option, will be served at the farm. After lunch, the tours and discussions will continue and then everyone will come together for a Q&A session with hot cider and light snacks. The bus will leave the farm at about 3:15 pm and should be back at the hotel by 4:00 pm.
This event promises to help growers bring their winter greens production to the next level -- both in the high tunnel and in the packshed. There will be an emphasis on best management practices in the high tunnel, especially practices which support long term soil health and fertility. In the packshed, processing efficiency and food safety will both be stressed.
The day will begin at 9:00 am in conference room Broadway 1, with workshops on issues and opportunities in winter high tunnel production and best practices for postharvest handling, including food safety concerns.
Upon completion of the workshops at 10:30 am, everyone will board a bus and travel to Paul and Sandy Arnold's Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, NY for a farm tour and farmer-led discussions in the high tunnel and packshed. A farm to table lunch, with a vegetarian option, will be served at the farm. After lunch, the tours and discussions will continue and then everyone will come together for a Q&A session with hot cider and light snacks. The bus will leave the farm at about 3:15 pm and should be back at the hotel by 4:00 pm.
Baskets to Pallets: Intro to Selling Wholesale
January 29 - January 30, 2018
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lowville, NY

Preparing Small and Mid-Size Farmers to Enter Food Hubs, Cooperatives, Restaurants and Groceries
This course is designed for farmers of all enterprises and will cover building relationships with buyers, customer management and record keeping, pricing, grading and packaging, uniformity and consistency, and food safety, among many other topics! This fun course includes plenty of hands-on activities and opportunities for peer learning and small group discussion. The course includes one break-out session for livestock and produce farmers. Additionally, the training includes an end-of-day session to start crop-planning for selling to the NNY Food Hub, based out of Jefferson county CCE, during the 2018 growing season.
This course is designed for farmers of all enterprises and will cover building relationships with buyers, customer management and record keeping, pricing, grading and packaging, uniformity and consistency, and food safety, among many other topics! This fun course includes plenty of hands-on activities and opportunities for peer learning and small group discussion. The course includes one break-out session for livestock and produce farmers. Additionally, the training includes an end-of-day session to start crop-planning for selling to the NNY Food Hub, based out of Jefferson county CCE, during the 2018 growing season.
February 2018
Small-Scale Commercial Value-Added Dairy or Meat Production
February 12, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Lowville, NY

This presentation will introduce you to the ins and outs of small-scale dairy or meat production. Participants can choose to listen to dairy related topics OR meat related topics.
Starting a Winery in Northern NY: Costs and Considerations Webinar
February 13, 2018
1:00 PM EST

Are you interested in starting a winery? This webinar will look at the current wine industry in northern NY and will include information on current wine sales, markets, winery establishment costs, licensing resources, growing grapes vs purchasing grapes or juice, winery building, and potential financial help resources. We will also go over using the Excel spreadsheets that are intended to help determine the cost of establishing a winery.
This webinar information can be applied outside of the NNY region.
This webinar information can be applied outside of the NNY region.
Market Strategies for Retail and Wholesale
February 15, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Canton, NY

Session for veggie, fruit, value-added and general producers. Presenter are Lindsey Pashow, Ag Business Development & Marketing Specialist for Harvest NY and Ian Ater owner/operator of Fledgling Crow Vegetables in Keeseville, NY.
Small-Scale Value-Added Dairy
February 20, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Plattsburgh, NY

This presentation will introduce you to the ins and outs of small-scale cheese, yogurt and other value-added dairy production.
March 2018
Pork Processing Workshop
March 2, 2018
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cobleskill, NY

Maximize our meat profit! Learn how to cut a hog carcass, make sausage, and market your pork. Process the whole pig!
Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference
March 27 - March 28, 2018
Tues: 8:00 AM registration, 8:45 AM - 6:00 PM includes networking time
Waterloo, NY

The 2018 Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference will be on Tuesday March 27th at the del Lago Casino & Resort in Waterloo, NY featuring multiple tracks with sessions covering legal issues, tax issues, marketing, distribution, beer and cider production issues. Hear from Government officials, craft beverage industry representatives, university researchers, extension educators, brewers, and cider makers about important topics related to your business and industry.
This event includes a trade show and opportunities for networking (including a Social Hour following the sessions) with others in your industry.
The day following the main 2018 Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference we have two separate field trips planned (this costs an extra $20). Participants will choose between the 'Brewery' field trip and the 'Cidery' field trip. The Brewery Field trip will include a trip to Fleur de Lis Beer Works. They will be brewing one of their beers while we are there -explaining the steps as they brew. The Cidery Field trip will be to Red Jacket Orchard and Nursery, as well as a local cidery to be decided.
This event includes a trade show and opportunities for networking (including a Social Hour following the sessions) with others in your industry.
The day following the main 2018 Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference we have two separate field trips planned (this costs an extra $20). Participants will choose between the 'Brewery' field trip and the 'Cidery' field trip. The Brewery Field trip will include a trip to Fleur de Lis Beer Works. They will be brewing one of their beers while we are there -explaining the steps as they brew. The Cidery Field trip will be to Red Jacket Orchard and Nursery, as well as a local cidery to be decided.
Upcoming Events
El Camino del Micelio: Cultivo de Hongos en la Primavera
April 4, 2026
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Manhattan, NY
Aprende a cultivar hongos de forma sencilla en tu huerto comunitario esta primavera con los equipos de Cornell Co-op Extension y GreenThumb. En este taller para principiantes y para cualquier persona interesada, Yolanda Gonzalez y Karen Guzman explorar?¡n cómo los hongos pueden apoyar la salud del suelo, cerrar ciclos de nutrientes y ofrecer alimentos nutritivos para tu comunidad. Practicaremos dos técnicas para cultivar setas en bolsas o camas de cultivo con materiales accesibles, y conversaremos sobre cómo integrar el cultivo de hongos en proyectos de huertos comunitarios.Spring Gardening at Bissel Gardens
April 9, 2026
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bronx, NY
Join us at Bissel Garden for a hands-on spring kickoff workday from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM! Help us wake the garden up for the season as we clear debris, plant early spring crops, and dive into the essentials of building healthy soil. Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman will lead the workday, guiding participants through conversations on crop planning, soil health, and seasonal planting. Whether you're a new gardener or a seasoned grower, come help set the garden up for a productive year ahead! Earth Day Garden Workshop
April 20, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Farmingdale, NY
Celebrate Earth Day and welcome the growing season by learning how to make the most of your space as spring wakes up the garden. Join Cornell Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman for an interactive, hands-on session focused on building strong foundations for a productive year. This workshop will cover the state-wide soil testing program and why soil health is essential for long-term success, along with strategic crop planning techniques that help increase productivity and maximize the space in your garden. Announcements
Community Garden Leadership Program - Application Open Now!
The Cornell Community Garden Leadership Program is a year-long online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. The program equips community gardeners with management best practices and operational skills to improve garden sustainability. The program also connects gardeners to regional resources, professional development opportunities, and a statewide community garden leadership network.Register for a virtual information session to learn more about the program and discover if this program is the right fit for you. Each information session is typically 45min-1hr.
Session Dates:
- April 9 at 10am
- April 14 at 12pm
- April 22 at 5:30pm
- May 7 at 12pm
- May 11 at 5:30pm
Register for an Information Session HERE!
**Please note: the program application closes on June 15th and will be sent to all who register for an information session.
**Please note: the program application closes on June 15th and will be sent to all who register for an information session.
Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications
Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.
