Events - month view

November 2017
Growing Better Brassicas

November 7, 2017
9:30am- 3:00pm
Saratoga, NY

Join us for a day of information exchange between growers, industry representatives, and university researchers with the goal of better understanding how to grow great brassica crops! This day will be filled with short presentations about topics ranging from transplant production to plant spacing and disease management, followed by ample time for growers to ask questions and discuss topics with panelists and each other.
The crops we will focus on during this day are broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, but many topics will be relevant to other brassicas as well.
3 DEC Credits will be available.
Marketing Your Farm as a Great Place to Work
November 7, 2017
5-8 pm
Canandaigua, NY

Do you have a lot of staff turnover? Do you want to improve your communication skills with your employees? This workshop is for you.
Apple Tree Insurance Producer Listening Session
November 28, 2017
8:30am- 10:00am
Highland, NY

The purpose of this listening session is to gather information regarding the specific needs and desires of growers in order to assist us in developing a program that will best benefit the apple industry. For those that can not attend in person, an online conference option will be proved.
Marketing Your Farm as a Great Place to Work
November 29, 2017
1-4 pm
Essex, NY

(New Date) Do you have a lot of staff turnover? Do you want to improve your communication skills about your farm business with your employees? Do you need an employee handbook? This workshop is for you.
What is my job? Hiring, training and evaluating farm employees effectively
November 29, 2017
5-8 pm
Essex, NY

(New Date) How well do your employees understand their jobs?
Everyone wants farm employees who know what to do without being told. Unfortunately most people you hire or manage can't read minds. This workshop will help you develop effective tools for training and evaluating new employees or employees moving into new positions.
Winter Storage of Vegetable Crops
November 30, 2017
9:30am- 3:30pm
Saratoga, NY

December 2017
PSA Grower Training Course
December 18, 2017
8:30am-4:00pm
Troy, NY
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan.
The Course is designed for fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in 112.22(c) that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.
Course is funded by The Local Economies project and CCE Orange County
Registration is Mandatory. Please register at: http://cceorangecounty.org/events/2017/12/18/fsma-produce-safety-alliance-grower-training-course
Register by phone: Richard Traverso - 845-344-1234
January 2018
Marketing Your Farm as a Great Place to Work
January 4, 2018
9-12pm
Ballston Spa, NY

Do you have a lot of staff turnover? Do you want to improve your communication skills about your farm business with your employees? Do you need an employee handbook? This workshop is for you.
What is my job? Hiring, training and evaluating farm employees effectively
January 4, 2018
1-4 pm
Ballston Spa, NY

How well do your employees understand their jobs?
Everyone wants farm employees who know what to do without being told. Unfortunately most people you hire or manage can't read minds. This workshop will help you develop effective tools for training and evaluating new employees or employees moving into new positions.
Keeping Good Staff when Money is Tight & Managing conflict in the workplace
January 11, 2018
10am-12pm
Ballston Spa, NY

Although everyone likes to be paid, money is not the only, or even most important, motivator for staff retention and performance. Poorly addressed conflict, however, can cost you good employees. Learn to motivate and retain farm staff while managing conflict and problem farm employees.
Are you managing your risks as a farm employer? The compliance and safety workshop
January 11, 2018
1:00pm-4:00pm
Ballston Spa, NY

This is the workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of risk management as a farm employer.
2018 Becker Forum: Farm Employment Practices - Planning for the Future
January 15, 2018
8:30 AM registration, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Syracuse, NY

2018 Empire State Producers EXPO

January 16 - January 18, 2018
1.25 hr sessions throughout each day
Syracuse, NY



Upcoming Events
Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025

January 17, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 14, 2025
February 28, 2025
March 14, 2025
: Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025
Week 1: Digging Into Pruning and Soil Health
Week 2: Cider Apples - Mechanized Harvesting and Patulin Food Safety
Week 3: The Value of "Eco-Friendly" Marketing - OMRI, Red Tomato, EcoApple, NYS Grown and Certified
Week 4: Biopesticides and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Berries
Week 5: St. Peachtrick's Day - Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management
Remote Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
February 17 - February 18, 2025
REMOTE Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025
8 am - 12:30 PM
Held remotely via Zoom (online)
Registration: $10 per person, open to NY state participants only
Includes printed course manual ($60 value), certificate of course completion ($35 value) and online food safety resources.
All produce growers are encouraged to attend this course to learn more about food safety practices recommended for all farms. This course contains NEW information contained in the finalized Subpart E rule on agricultural water. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires 'At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.' If you've already earned your PSA certificate, retaking this course is a great way to refresh your memory and learn about the new water requirements!
After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course.
From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan
January 7, 2025
January 14, 2025
January 21, 2025
January 28, 2025
February 4, 2025
February 11, 2025
February 18, 2025
February 25, 2025
March 4, 2025
: From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan
Do you need a business plan for your farm? Do you have an idea for a new venture, but aren't sure if it will work? This program is for you!
This course is designed for existing farm businesses or those planning to undertake a new farm business venture. Students will work with their farm's data, and the goal of the class is for participants to have a draft of a written business plan for a specific business venture.
During the course, you will learn to:
- Assess whether or not a business idea is a good fit for you.
- Develop a marketing strategy to make a profit
- Use financial tools to evaluate if your business has the potential to be profitable
This online course meets from January 7-March 4, 2025. All course content is available online so you can work on it at your own pace. There will be weekly webinars where you can meet other students and interact directly with the instructor on the content. These webinars will be recorded.