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. 

David Balbian
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

Nicole Tommell

Area Ag Business Management Specialist/Team Leader

view details about Nicole
David Balbian

David Balbian

Area Dairy Specialist

Areas of Interest: Dairy Management

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Ashley McFarland

Ashley McFarland

Area Livestock Specialist

Areas of Interest: Livestock

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Erik Smith

Erik Smith

Area Field Crop Specialist

view details about Erik

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Dairy

Dairy

Livestock

Livestock

Forages

Forages

Grains

Grains

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Upcoming 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.

Announcements

Dave Balbian is Retiring

I have decided that it's time to retire. I find myself at a point in time where I'm now beginning to work with the 3rd generation of people on the farms in our region. It's time to bring in some new young blood into the team. June 28th will be my last official day on the job. I've enjoyed working with you all. The real satisfaction I've had with my work has been seeing producers take my advice and then be successful with it as they moved their business and family forward. 



Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula, or Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive plant hopper from Asia and is an agricultural pest. In the United States, it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted Lanternfly has been found in New York State on Staten Island, all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and the Buffalo area. SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, and is also a nuisance pest. The nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants, but is especially detrimental to grapes, a black walnut, hops, maple trees and apples. New York State Ag and Markets supported CCE efforts to help bring awareness to communities and we developed this Public Service Announcement and would appreciate you sharing it with your member lists. 



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CCE Livestock Program Work Team

See the Livestock Program Work Team website for news, upcoming programs, and NYS Slaughterhouse Map.