Navigating Solar Lease Agreements and the Solar Development Process: A Program for NY Farmers and Rural Landowners
Event Details
Date
October 26, 2021
Time
9:30am to ? (varies by county)
Location
Varies by County
Host
CCE County Associations (contact your local CCE office to register)
Your Local County CCE Office
Elizabeth Higgins - for general questions
5189493722
email Elizabeth Higgins - for general questions

Navigating Solar Lease Agreements and the Solar Development Process: A Program for NY Farmers and Rural Landowners on October 26th is a collaboration between county level CCE staff and the statewide Farm Business Management group. The Farm Business Management group is organizing live presentations from expert speakers via Zoom and many counties are facilitating in-person meetings on local solar issues.
Schedule
Webinar 1 (9:30-11:30)
9:30-10:15am: Understanding the Solar Development Process and What Solar Companies are Looking For. Presented by Loren Pruskowski, Owner, Ecolegacy Values. Loren is also the general contractor installing a solar array on his Guilderland, New York farm.
10:15-11:00am: Understanding Solar Lease Agreements and Tips for Negotiating a Contract. Presented by Scott Kurkoski, Assistant Managing Partner, Levene, Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. Scott got his start representing landowners in the fracking industry and has spent years assisting farmers and rural landowners in negotiating contracts with Solar companies.
11:00-11:30am: Q&A with Morning Presenters
Break (11:30-12:30)
11:30am-12:30pm: The program for this time will vary by county.
Webinar 2 (12:30-1:30)
12:30-1:30pm: How Municipal Regulations Affect Solar Development Opportunities at the Local Level. Presented by Jeffrey Kehoe, NYS Department of Ag and Markets. Learn how local communities can best prepare for managing the huge influx of solar company demand for land.
Local Program (1:30-?)
The afternoon program will vary by county office.
You can register for the program through the following participating CCE County Offices: Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Onondaga, Ontario, Otsego, Renssalear, Saratoga, Schoharie, Senaca, St Lawrence, Suffolk, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates. Don't know the website address for your county office? Go to: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/local-offices.

Upcoming Events
I thought I was covered for that! Farm Insurance Webinar Series, Jan-Feb 2026
January 13, 2026 : Session 1: Insurance and Risk Management 101
Insurance and Risk Management 101. This first webinar will cover many of the general provisions found in insurance policies and describe some of the terms to be aware of when you are considering your options. Steve Hadcock, Capital District Hort Team and Greg Murk, FarmNet.
January 20, 2026 : Session 2: Liability Insurance
Coverage for the risk that your business will cause harm to someone. Are you having people on your farm or selling a food product? You might need liability insurance. Robert Hadad, Cornell Vegetable Program, Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
January 27, 2026 : Session 3:Protecting Yourself from Disasters (Crop Insurance, USDA FSA programs and Flood Insurance)
Are you protected from a weather event on your farm? Learn about your options for Disaster Coverage (crop insurance, FSA programs, flood insurance). Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
February 3, 2026 : Session 4: Insuring People (health, life and disability insurance)
Options for health insurance, life insurance and disability insurance, and how they can help farmers and their employees. Maire Ullrich, CCE Orange County and Lucas Smith, Cornell Ag Workforce Development
February 10, 2026 : Session 5: Property Insurance
Insuring your infrastructure, equipment, and livestock from loss. Learn about the types of coverage, and the risks they reduce. Colin Hostetter, Tri-County Ag Team, Desiree Keever, CCE Delaware County and Steve Glick, Kevin Daniels Agency.
2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series
January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
January 29, 2026 : Cost of Production for Fruit Crops
Week 2: Cost of Production for Fruit Crops - A new tool for tree fruit, updates on berry production in NY, and strategies for tracking and using expense data
February 12, 2026 : Fire Blight Management Updates
Week 3: Fire Blight Management Updates - Pathogen Biology, Defense Inducers, Biopesticides, and Pruning Therapies
February 19, 2026 : Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides- Can We Strike the Right Balance?
Week 4: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance?
March 12, 2026 : Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
Week 5: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
March 19, 2026 : St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
Week 6: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
How to Diversify or Scale Up with Confidence for Profitability - Inspired by Annie's Project
February 4, 2026
February 11, 2026
February 25, 2026
Do you have an idea for a new enterprise to add value to your farm? Maybe you're considering scaling up for a potential market opportunity but just aren't sure if it's a good fit for your business. Join Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Allegany County, Broome County, Madison County, Onondaga County, Niagara County, Tioga County, the Niagara Small Business Development Center, and the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team for a hybrid series on Wednesdays in February, starting on February 4th that will answer these questions and more. Annie's Project seeks to empower farm women through education, networks and resources. We welcome, and encourage, learning and sharing amongst farm women as we help you grow as decision-makers and leaders on your farm.
