Since the 1990s, local organic field crop and dairy farmers have gathered to build relationships and discuss potential solutions to shared challenges. The keystone of the event is an informal potluck lunch as well as the lively discussions that follow. The group also hosts several presentations from farmers, researchers, and industry leaders on a variety of field crops and dairy topics.

On Friday, January 17th from 1pm to 2pm, the Nichols Dairy Farm & SWNYDLFC are hosting a FREE tour of their new robotic manure collection system. In 2024, the farm installed dual Lely Discovery Collectors that help to improve herd health and labor efficiency through their vacuum manure collection in the farm's free stall barn. To RSVP, call or text Katelyn at 716-640-0522. 

NYS Certified Instructor: Todd Swimelar, "The CDL Guy"

Training required by NYS to take Class A CDL exam and driving test.

Permit not required for classroom time, but is required for driving time. 

The 2025 Annual Conference starts Friday afternoon with a cash bar, registration, and annual membership meeting. Dinner to follow with keynote speaker Kevin Ochsner, Beef Farm of Excellence Awards Presentation, and Supreme Show Program Sponsorship auction. Trade show and silent auction to benefit the Jr Scholarship Fund all weekend long. Saturday starts with the trade show and breakfast at 8:00AM followed by speakers at 8:30AM. Lunch includes the Annual NYBPA Awards and Junior Awards Program. Hotel accommodations can be found below. Be sure to book your room today!  

Learn about rice farming opportunities for New York and the northeastern U.S. Join us for a 3-session online workshop series (via Zoom):

• A Feathered Fortress: The Duck-Rice Aigamo System for Flood-Resilient Agriculture
• Sourcing Rice Farming Equipment for American Small Farms
• Growing Rice as a Vegetable: Drip-Irrigation Methods versus Flooded Fields

Join us on January 29th for this informative webinar with Farm Business Management Specialist, Katelyn Walley at 5:30 pm.

This 2-part workshop is for all fruit, vegetable, meat, dairy, and egg producers looking to increase their knowledge of what it takes to improve farmer's market and direct sales performance. Dinner will be provided.

The Small Ruminant PWT group is hosting a statewide program on Parasite Issues & Management for Small Ruminants

Featuring guest speaker Jessica Waltemyer, ProLivestock Small Ruminant Extension Specialist

• Common parasite signs and lifecycles
• Five point check
• Treatments and management
• Resources 

If You Do 1 Thing for Your Farm, Do This. 

You're busy. And 2025 is just getting started. But by attending a single Farmers Market Benchmarks Training Session - either in person or via Zoom - you'll gain insights for higher profits, happier customers, and smoother operations.  Plus, it's FREE for any farm or business to attend. Register today! 

Last year, CCE Broome County and the Famers Market Federation of NY launched one of the largest surveys to date of producers who sell at farmers markets. From the data, regional benchmarks have been set that farmers can use to price their products to maximize their profitability. Now is your chance to gain valuable insights to boost profitability in 2025!

The webinars will cover new tools, such as MeatSuite's Bundle Builder, to help you move inventory and develop bulk bundle boxes that meet your profit goals and target your customers' needs. Whether you are listed on MeatSuite or just curious to learn more, this series will cover a gamut from marketing to pricing strategies and tips to make the most out of the free resources on MeatSuite.com.

This webinar "How small can co-digestion economically go?" will highlight the findings of PRO-DAIRY's investigation of the economic feasibility of smaller-scale dairy manure and food waste co-digestion to energy systems that could be located in NY.

Since the 1990s, local organic field crop and dairy farmers have gathered to build relationships and discuss potential solutions to shared challenges. The keystone of the event is an informal potluck lunch as well as the lively discussions that follow. The group also hosts several presentations from farmers, researchers, and industry leaders on a variety of field crops and dairy topics.

This 2-part workshop is for all fruit, vegetable, meat, dairy, and egg producers looking to increase their knowledge of what it takes to improve farmer's market and  performance. Dinner will be provided.

In light of the state of HPAI across the country and in NYS, the Poultry Subgroup of the Livestock PWT has developed two webinars to assist small farms and backyard laying flock owners to make informed decisions around getting laying hens and managing disease, while keeping abreast of the current status of HPAI and how they can keep it out of their flocks.

Topics covered include:

• Local regulations for chicken ownership
• Expectations for your flock
• Raising layers from peep to egg
• Costs of owning a laying flock
• Best practices and regulations for selling eggs
• Q and A

This 2-day sheep shearing school is great for beginners and also for those who want to improve their current shearing skills. Doug Rathke, a seasoned shearer, knows what it takes to learn the art of shearing and he knows what it takes to teach it on a level so it can be understood and retained. 

This class will give you the confidence to start shearing your own flock or take it to the next level and earn income by shearing for others.

In light of the state of HPAI across the country and in NYS, the Poultry Subgroup of the Livestock PWT has developed two webinars to assist small farms and backyard laying flock owners to make informed decisions around getting laying hens and managing disease, while keeping abreast of the current status of HPAI and how they can keep it out of their flocks.

Join Dr. Jarra Jagne of Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Chad Wall of NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for an evening of learning about avian disease, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We'll cover:

• Updates on the HPAI outbreak
• Symptoms of HPAI
• Common small flock diseases
• HPAI disease look-alikes
• Keeping your birds safe

Mike Hunter, Field Crop IPM Coordinator, will share his knowledge on managing weeds. The discussion will cover various management practices in both conventional and organic settings, including herbicide-resistant weeds.

Join is for a roundtable discussion with Jeff Hostetter of Select Sires, Phil Trowbridge of Trowbridge Farms, Dr. Shannon Carpenter DVM NYSCHAP Coordinator for NYSAGM, division of Animal Industry, Dr. Katie Card-Allen, DVM Regional Field Veterinarian on Best Practices for Cow-Calf producers. A proactive approach to animal health for mama and baby.

All are welcome. Membership in these beef producer groups is not required.
Following the buffet dinner, a short business meeting will kick off the evening. We will then move to the roundtable discussion.

New York Beef Producers Association - Region 4 Annual Meeting 

Open to all interested beef and dairy producers

Membership in the beef producer association is not required to attend. New memberships and renewals will be accepted at the meeting, drawing will be held for 1 free membership or renewal.

Join us for this hand-on program and demos! We will be offering this program in English and in Spanish.

Calf and heifer managers, dairy herdspersons, farm owners, and heifer raisers interested in learning more about how to better house and manage animals as they transition from the calf phase to the weaned heifer phase.

Topics covered:

• Nutrition
• Health
• Housing Management
• Inventory Management

Interested in learning more about drones? Join us for this discussion about using drones in field crops. 

Program Topics:

• Breaking Down Feed Rations
• Mycotoxins 
• Meat cutting demonstration for value added cuts from the shoulder and loin 
• National Pork Board Update
• National Pork Producers Council Update

Pre-registration by March 15th is encouraged.