Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference
Event Details
Date
March 6, 2026
Time
8am-4:30pm
Location
Lux Hotel & Conference Center
2468 State Route 414
Waterloo, NY
Host
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Farmers, researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers from across the Northeast are invited to the 2026 Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference, held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, N.Y.
Co-hosted by New York Soil Health and Cornell CALS, the annual conference brings together leaders in organic grain, dairy, and livestock systems to share practical tools, new research, and farmer-tested strategies to support resilient and profitable organic production.
Farmers, researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers from across the Northeast are invited to the 2026 Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference, held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, N.Y.
Co-hosted by New York Soil Health and Cornell CALS, the annual conference brings together leaders in organic grain, dairy, and livestock systems to share practical tools, new research, and farmer-tested strategies to support resilient and profitable organic production.
This year's program features:
Michel Cavigelli, Lead Scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service Farming Systems Project
Talk: Findings from the Beltsville Long-term Cropping Systems Project
Amber Lambke, Co-Founder, Maine Grains
Talk: Connecting Farms, Food, and Community with Maine Grains
David Mortensen, Emeritus Professor of Agroecology, University of New Hampshire
Talk: Organic Grain Production in the Northeast: Cultivating Our Path Forward
Chris Wilson, Business Manager, Wilson Organic Farms
Talk: Practical Systems, Real Returns: Dairy-Cropping Integration for Soil Health and Profitability
Sam Lucy, Co-Owner, Bluebird Grain Farms
Talk: Vertically Integrated Organic Grain Farming: One Farm's Journey From Seed to Package
Jessica Williamson, PhD
Talk: Optimizing Forage Quality in Harvested Forages
The full agenda includes breakout sessions, soil health and crop management workshops, farmer-led roundtables, and a networking hour featuring beers brewed with locally grown grain. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., with the first session beginning at 8:30 a.m. The conference concludes at 4:30 p.m.
Evening Networking Event - March 5
On Thursday, March 5, attendees are invited to a Regenerative Organic Networking Event from 5-8 p.m. at Fleur de Lis Brew Works in Seneca Falls. The evening includes dinner, a drink ticket, and informal conversations focused on soil health practices and organic transition.
Registration
• Early Bird (through Feb. 5):
$65 - One-Day Conference (includes coffee, lunch, and networking and appetizers)
$30 - Evening Event (includes dinner and one drink ticket)
• Standard Rate:
$80 - Conference registration after Feb. 5
Upcoming Events
MILKING IT: Moving Milk Quality Forward
April 14, 2026
Springville, NY
***SAVE THE DATE***
More details to come!
April 14th from 11am-1pm
Education sessions by:
- CCE SWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops
- Springville Veterinary Services, P.C.
- Quality Milk Production Services
New York Application for Dairy of Distinction
April 15, 2026
Purpose of Program
Attractive dairy farms give the consumer greater confidence in the wholesomeness of milk and stimulate milk sales which encourages public support of the dairy industry. The award gives recognition to the dairy farmer for maintaining a well-kept farmstead.
Women in Ag Legislative Breakfast
April 24, 2026 : Women in Ag Legislative Breakfast
Avon, NY
Come on out for an in-person gathering celebrating the incredible women shaping agriculture! This event features NYS Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey, NYS Senator Pam Helming, the Finger Lakes Small Business Development Center, Genesee Valley Conservancy, Jenn Vorhees from Sap Tap Farms.
Announcements
No announcements at this time.






