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
Livestock Production Field Day
August 29, 2026 : Livestock Production Field Day
Chaffee, NY and East Aurora, NY,
Join us on visits to Horizon Ridge Farm in East Aurora and Troll Bridge Farm in Chaffee for an introduction to small beef and small diversified livestock enterprises. Through walking farm tours, attendees will learn about management, meat processing, setting prices, and finding local markets. Dinner will be provided. Register by contacting Amy Barkley at amb544@cornell.edu or 716-640-0844.
Poultry Processing Workshop, Canandaigua, NY
September 17, 2026 : Poultry Processing Workshop - Canandaigua, NY
Canandaigua, NY
This program is one of four statewide roadshow stops across the state, offering farmers a full poultry processing experience. The class will teach skills that build confidence, reduce costs, and strengthen your farm's independence. This hands-on workshop gives farmers the chance to process a bird from start to finish, learning every step of the workflow used by small farms across the state.
Large Animal Awareness Training For First Responders
September 19, 2026
Dunkirk, NY
Join the Chautauqua County Technical Rescue Services and NYS Veterinarian, Dr. Kate Card-Allen, for a specialized training on how to safely and effectively respond to large animal incidents. Learn techniques for managing large animals during traffic accidents, rollovers, entrapments and other transportation emergencies.
Announcements
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