Heer Patel
Program AideCCE Herkimer County
5657 State Route 5
Herkimer, NY 13350
email Heer
My name is Heer Patel. I was born & raised in India, and grew up in Pennsylvania. I studied Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University where I attained a Bachelor of Science with minors in Soils and International Ag. My passion for sustainable farming and soil health grew from a young curiosity about where my food comes from. This led me to diverse experiences, including studying the Himalayan environment in Bhutan in 2022, where I gained valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices and soil management in a global context. While with the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, I contributed to the Soil Health Benchmark study where I coordinated sampling efforts and gained deeper knowledge in scientific research. As an undergraduate, I also collaborated with professors and grad students on the development of a Nitrogen decision-making tool, gaining hands-on experience in research field management. In my free time, I enjoy helping out at Patchwork, a small organic produce & vegetable farm in Central PA.I'm excited to contribute to the team's ongoing efforts, particularly the neonic project, which I'm eager to dive into. Having participated in conferences like the 2022 Tri-Society Conference and the Women for the Land Learning Circle, I gained valuable networking experience and further strengthened my commitment to addressing agricultural and sustainability challenges. I am passionate about using science & collaboration to address key agricultural challenges, and excited to continue learning and growing with the team at CNYDLFC.
Dairy
Livestock
Forages
Grains
Upcoming Events
Labor Roadshow IX
December 1, 2025
December 9 - December 10, 2025December 17 - December 18, 2025December 22, 2025
In-person and online events to keep NY's agricultural employers informed and prepared for today's labor challenges.
Inspired by Annie's: How to Be a Strong Woman Farm Manager
January 10, 2026
January 17, 2026
Free webinars geared towards women who own or operate a farm in NYS.
2026 Dairy Day
January 13, 2026 : Dairy Day - Hamilton
Hamilton, NY
Lunch included
January 14, 2026 : Dairy Day - Ballston Spa
Ballston Spa, NY
Lunch included
Announcements
Statewide Field Crop Pathology Needs Assessment Survey
Your input is wanted for identifying priorities!Please take a moment to fill out this brief and anonymous survey that will guide the Field Crops Pathology Research and Extension program.
Sign Up for Our Weekly E-Newsletter
We send out a bi-weekly e-newsletter that has announcements, upcoming programs, and opportunities for you! Registration is quick, easy, and free. Click here to sign up today!Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!
MeatSuite.com is a free resource provided by Cornell University where NY meat farmers can create a farm profile and list their bulk (wholes, halves, quarters) and bundled (i.e. Grilling Bundle) meat products.Why should farmers join?
1. It's free and easy!
2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.
How do I join?
Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.
While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.
If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.