How to Diversify or Scale Up with Confidence for Profitability - Inspired by Annie's Project
Event Details
Date
February 4, 2026
February 11, 2026
February 25, 2026
Time
11:00-2:00 PM
Location
Zoom or in person at various locations in NYS
Host
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Annie's Project
Laura Biasillo
(607) 584-5007
email Laura Biasillo
Event Registration

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.
Those that complete the series will learn how to identify resources available at the farm level to support diversification or scaling up opportunities, as well as how to evaluate the business potential of opportunities. Each session will be offered with a virtual option, as well as coming into the CCE offices listed previously for group discussion and learning from your peers.
During these sessions the speakers will speak on the following topics:
Session One: February 4, 2026
- Strategic allocation of resources to fund your "big ideas" (allocation of resources = labor, $$, time & infrastructure)
- How to manage the risk of a changing marketplace (Laura)
Session Two: February 11, 2026
- What's the income potential for your "big idea" and how to evaluate
- How to fund your big idea?
- Obtaining financing
- Cash Flow
- Income sheet & balance statement
Session Three: February 25, 2026
- Balancing scale in decision-making & what does it mean to scale/diversify
- Decision-making tool & other resources?
In-Person Locations:
- CCE Allegany (5435 Co Rd 48, Belmont)
- CCE Broome County (840 Front St, Binghamton)
- CCE Madison (100 Eaton St, Morrisville)
- CCE Niagara (4487 Lake Ave, Lockport)
- CCE Onondaga (6505 Collamer Rd, East Syracuse)
- CCE Tioga
or Statewide by Zoom
Cost: $25 Register by January 30th 2026

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February 4, 2026 : Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States
Session 1: Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States
February 11, 2026 : Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast
Session 2: Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast
February 18, 2026 : Heat Mitigation- Sunburn and Fruit Coloring
Session 3: Heat Mitigation- Sunburn and Fruit Coloring
February 25, 2026 : The Dating Game- Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption
Session 4: The Dating Game- Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption
March 4, 2026 : USEPA Endangered Species Act Strategies and Pesticide Use
Session 5: USEPA Endangered Species Act Strategies and Pesticide Use
March 11, 2026 : Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers
Session 6: Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers
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.
