Specialists
Nicole Tommell
Nicole Tommell is the farm business management specialist and team leader. She received her Bachelor of Technology degree from SUNY Cobleskill in Agricultural Business. She also holds a Masters in Agricultural Education from North Carolina State University.
Nicole Tommell is the farm business management specialist and team leader. She received her Bachelor of Technology degree from SUNY Cobleskill in Agricultural Business. She also holds a Masters in Agricultural Education from North Carolina State University.
Dave Balbian is the dairy management specialist on the team. He received his Bachelors Degree in Agriculture Education from Cornell University and his Masters from the College of Saint Rose. Prior to his appointment, Balbian was a Territory Manager for Nutrena Feeds out of the Port of Albany Mill covering six counties. He has had previous extension experience working for Cooperative Extension in Saratoga and Rensselaer counties as the dairy agent.
Ashley McFarland
Ashley McFarland is the livestock specialist. She received her Animal Science BT degree at SUNY Cobleskill and BS at The Ohio State University. Previously, she was a herd health manager for a beef operation and worked for Agri-King Nutrition as a dairy nutrition consultant.
Erik Smith
Erik is the field crop specialist. Erik earned his BA from SUNY Oswego in Biology and his MS and PhD from Cornell University in Entomology.

Nicole Tommell
Area Ag Business Management Specialist/Team Leader
view details about Nicole
David Balbian
Area Dairy Specialist
Areas of Interest: Dairy Management

Ashley McFarland
Area Livestock Specialist
Areas of Interest: Livestock

Erik Smith
Area Field Crop Specialist
view details about ErikUpcoming Events
*CANCELLED* Artificial Insemination Training Course ~ Spanish
June 12 - June 13, 2023
Little Falls, NY
*CANCELLED* Two-day course. Lunch included. The course will have classroom and practical components. Registration limited to 12 Spanish speaking individuals. AI tool kits also available for an additional cost.
Ardent Mills Tour and Marketing Local Grains
June 23, 2023
Albany, NY
An education and networking opportunity for conventional & organic grain growers, organic grain buyers and ag professionals.