We hope you will join us on December 5th for the 2025 New York Small Farms Summit! This is an opportunity to meet other farmers and ag supporters, learn about research and education projects, and set priorities for future efforts to grow small farm success.

At the Allegany County site, we will focus on giving trees a chance and how trees build resiliency on small farms. Whether attracted to fruit, nuts, vegetables, fodder or shade, trees can be an integral part of a successful farming system. Join us as we explore the opportunities for resiliency that come from adding tree crops or managing wooded areas of your farm for agroforestry or silvopasture systems.

Small farms are managed by diverse people integrating multiple enterprises to meet personal, local, environmental, and food systems goals. The Cornell Small Farms Program is dedicated to uplifting small-scale farming as a dignified and viable livelihood by providing intentional, innovative, and inclusive services. We envision a future where small farms are valued, respected, and supported for the vital role they play in creating a stronger and more resilient food system.

This one-day Summit will bring together farmers, extension educators, university faculty, and other service providers at multiple sites across the state. Select locations will focus on different topics and farming communities. Each summit site will connect virtually in the morning to hear from agricultural leaders in New York State. Subsequent in-person conversations will explore topics on small farm entrepreneurship, resilience, support networks, and priorities moving forward.

This Summit is free to attend, with lunch provided and refreshments served throughout the day. Therefore, seating will be limited, and pre-registration required. Click here for online registration. Please contact Lynn Bliven if you have questions about the program. 

Unsure what agroforestry entails? View this 8 minute video from the Savanna Institute - Farming with Trees: 5 Agroforestry Practices Explained.

We look forward to meaningful engagement and conversations focused on how we can be stronger together as we build a future for small farm success across New York.

Too far to travel to Western NY? Check for details of other sites across the state: https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/projects/summit/.