Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
Managing people requires a different set of skills than managing crops, livestock, or equipment. This on-line, three-session training program is designed for farm owners and new managers who are supervising employees for the first time. Participants will learn some practical tools to set expectations, communicate effectively, improve employee performance, and manage workplace challenges. Each session introduces key concepts and practical strategies for supervising employees on a farm.
Topics covered:
- The role of a farm supervisor and the shift from working independently to managing employees.
- The importance of setting clear expectations for employees and providing feedback.
- Effective communication strategies to support employee learning and engagement.
- Common sources of workplace conflict and apply strategies to address them.
- Key legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors, including confidentiality and appropriate workplace conduct.
- Potential biases in management decisions and strategies to promote fair and consistent supervision.
These sessions provide highlights of the more in-depth material covered in the full 6-week Ag Supervisory Leadership Certificate Courses offered by the Cornell Ag Workforce Development Program.
Zoom links and course materials for each session will be sent out 1 week prior to the session.
The course will be led by Elizabeth Higgins, Farm Business Management Educator, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Team, Raeyvn Saunders, Farm Business Management Educator, Central New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team, Isabella Yannuzzi, Agriculture Program Leader, CCE Dutchess County and Kelley Doolin, Agriculture Educator, CCE Schoharie/Otsego County.
Upcoming Ag Supervisory Leadership Classes in 2026 include:
ASL102 | Organizing Work for High-Quality Results: Create an efficient and high-performing workplace. Develop clear expectations and standard operating procedures. Delegate effectively. Diagnose and correct performance problems. June 2026
ASL106 | Ethics and Employment Regulations: Implement responsible and ethical labor practices and understand why this matters for agriculture. Recognize and prevent sexual harassment. Understand and follow minimum wage and overtime laws. Implement Equal Employment Opportunity laws to prevent discrimination and harassment. Handle employee discipline and termination. November 2026
Event Details
Date
April 14, 2026
Time
4:00-5:30
Location
Zoom
Cost
Cost for full program (3 sessions) : $30.00
Financial Hardship : Free
For commercial farms that would like to participate but cannot afford the registration fee.
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureSession 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
This session introduces core supervisory concepts. Additional depth and tools are provided in the Ag Supervisory Leadership Certificate Course offered by the Cornell Ag Workforce Development Program.
Event Details
Date
April 21, 2026
Time
4:00-5:30
Location
Zoom
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureSession 2: Improving Performance
Strong employee performance begins with clear expectations, effective training, and regular feedback. In this session, participants will learn how to use the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
This session provides an overview of performance management concepts that are explored in greater detail in the Ag Supervisory Leadership Certificate Course offered by the Cornell Ag Workforce Development Program.
Event Details
Date
April 28, 2026
Time
4:30-5:00
Location
Zoom
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureSession 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.
This session highlights key concepts that are covered in greater depth in the Ag Supervisory Leadership Certificate Courseoffered by the Cornell Ag Workforce Development Program.
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar
March 11, 2026
Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!
2026 Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series
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 Onion School
March 12, 2026
Pine Island, NY
Join experts from CCE ENYCHP, CCE Vegetable Program, and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture in Pine Island, NY, on March 12, 2026, for our annual Onion School. Local onion farmers are encouraged to attend to receive important updates and new research from the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.