
Elizabeth Higgins
Team Leader, Business Management SpecialistHudson Valley Lab
3357 US Hwy 9W
Highland, NY 12528
phone 845.691.7151
cell 518.949.3722
email Elizabeth
Areas of Interest
Business Management & Planning, Risk Management, Agricultural Economics
Liz Higgins started her career in agriculture in policy analysis in Washington, DC. One of her assignments was as special assistant to the Administrator of USDA-AMS on the Final Rule of the National Organic Program. Liz has experience in rural economic development as the director of the Center for Rural Development at Louisiana Tech University and most recently worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension in both Ulster and Sullivan Counties as a program leader in Nutrition and Consumer Programs, Watershed Management and Agriculture and Natural Resources. Liz will be providing research and extension support to growers in Eastern New York in farm business management, business planning and risk management and agricultural economics. Liz is looking forward to working with eastern NY growers on a wide variety of projects.

Upcoming Events
Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshops - Highland
March 19, 2026 : Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshop
Higland, NY
This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to learn or refresh their grapevine pruning skills.
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
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 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.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce 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.
April 28, 2026 : Session 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.
