Agricultural Co-Ops for Small Farmers

Free

Wednesday, June 11 | 1 - 2 PM EST

Zoom

In this webinar, attendees will gain a high-level overview of the farmer co-op business model including the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a co-op strategy.  This webinar is for all producers, regardless of size or enterprise, who are thinking about starting a co-op and to gain an understanding of what's involved.

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Ethics and Employment Regulations

$275 for NY State Residents, Scholarship Opportunity for Dairy Producers

Friday, June 20 - Thursday, July 31

Zoom

Registrations due June 25

The Agricultural Supervisory Leadership Certificate helps farm supervisors and managers learn and apply human resource management practices and leadership skills that foster rewarding workplaces and drive business results. Confident managers who thoughtfully apply leadership and management skills improve employee performance, develop teams, reduce employee turnover, and increase employee engagement. 

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Transition to Supervisor (in Spanish)

$275 for NY State Residents, Scholarship Opportunity for Dairy Producers

Friday, June 20 - Thursday, July 31

Zoom

Registrations due June 25

The course covers a range of crucial topics, including making the transition to supervisor, improving communication, understanding differences, managing conflict, leading a multicultural team, and building strong relationships. It is designed not only for new managers but also for those looking to step into supervisory roles. Experienced managers can also benefit from the course, gaining fresh insights to enhance their leadership effectiveness and better manage teams in a dynamic, diverse work environment.

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Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex materials available

Video presentation and slides from April 30, 2025 workshop available.

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Avian Influenza Information

Information about the HPAI Bird Flu is available and includes information on what to expect at the start of an outbreak, how it presents in poultry, guidance for farmworkers, recommendations for dairy producers, and guidance for hunters.

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Dung Beetles of New York State

Learn more about dung beetles in cattle and dairy pastures in New York State and how beneficial they are to the soil and pasture ecology.

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Microenterprise Grant Program - Herkimer County

To fill a void in helping micro existing companies or start-up companies by providing funding for fixtures, equipment, machinery, and furniture, while at the same time amplifying efforts to increase job opportunities for low-to-moderate income.  Click here for more information.

$5,000 - $35,000: Must result in either the creation of at least one new job for individuals of low-to-moderate income, or company owner must be of low-to-moderate income.

Criteria: Involved in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, agriculture, high technology, research and development and traditional and innovative small business endeavors.  Must be located within the County of Herkimer as Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability, or Corporation.

Commercial enterprises that have 5 or fewer full-time employees, one or more of which owns the enterprise at the time of the application.  Must complete approved entrepreneurial assistance or small business-training program.

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USDA Launches Assistance Network to Support Financially Distressed Farmers and Ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, an initiative designed to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the nation. Through a series of Cooperative Agreements, this national network will connect distressed borrowers with individualized assistance to help them stabilize and regain financial footing

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List on 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

How do I join?

Farmers can click here 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.

If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu

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NYSERDA's Agriculture Programs

Three programs :

• Agriculture Energy Audit Program (AEAP): This program offers NY state farmers no-cost energy audits to help identify energy efficiency opportunities on their farm.
• REAP Technical Assistance Program (RTAP): This program has been designed to assist farmers at no-cost to make applications to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  If awarded, farmers can receive up to 50% of the total project cost.
• Energy Best Practices for Agriculture: The best practices have been developed to help educate producers with energy-efficient technologies, how they function, the average cost, and the average payback in years.

To learn more about these programs and eligibility, click here.

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Video: Endangered Species Act and Pesticides: An Example

Bill Chism, chair of the Endangered Species Act Committee of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA)'s acclaimed March 20, 2024 webinar on how pesticide labels may change to protect endangered species is now available on NYSIPM's YouTube channel. 

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Video: Quebec Farmer Panel on Life After Neonics

Four years ago, neonicotinoid seed treatments were banned in Quebec (the provisions in NY's Birds and Bees Act are similar to this law).

Recently, UVM extension hosted a Quebec Farmer Panel on Transitioning Away From Neonic Treated Seeds.

The discussion was recorded and can be viewed for free and unedited.

Opinion article can be found here by Louis Robert.

NY Farm Bureau's statement on NY's Birds and Bees Act.

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NY FarmNet E-newsletter

Click here to sign up at the bottom of their webpage.

The Farm Hand e-newsletter is the newest monthly resource from NY FarmNet.  Each month they will bring readers information, resources, and news about how NY FarmNet supports agriculture across NYS.

NY FarmNet's free, confidential services are available to all farmers, farm families, and agribusinesses operating in New York State, regardless of size or type.  They help farmers with a variety of personal and financial issues - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  NY FarmNet can be contacted at 1-800-547-3276 or by email at nyfarmnet@cornell.edu