Reporting Winter Storm Damage - It's Important!
Katelyn Walley, Business Management Specialist and Team Leader
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Our region experienced strong winds and tough weather from this week's storm. We're also getting ready for another storm expected this weekend (and, of course, the Bills game).
Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.
If your farm experienced any sort of damage, please reach out to any of the folks listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness.
Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business)
- First, ensure that all the people and animals on your farm are safe, and that there aren't any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check your structures!). If there's an emergency, call 911 - don't try to manage it all on your own.
- Second, document all negative weather impacts for your farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.
- Reach out to your insurance providers - farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.
- Then, share your farm's damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. We all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to Ag and Markets which can initiate a natural disaster declaration.
- Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Office.
- Allegany: 585-268-7644
- Cattaraugus: 716-699-2377
- Chautauqua: 716-664-9502
- Erie: 716-652-5400 or use this link
- Steuben: 607-664-2301
- Any of our SWNYDLFC Team members (calls/emails/texts/site visit requests all ok)
- Katelyn Walley: 716-640-0522
- Amy Barkley: 716-640-0844
- Camila Lage: 607-422-6788
- Katelyn Miller: 716-640-2047
- Kelly Bourne: 585-268-7644 ext. 10
- Your county USDA/FSA service center.
- Allegany: 585-268-5133
- Cattaraugus: 716-699-2375
- Chautauqua: 716-664-2351
- Erie: 716-652-1400
- Steuben: 607-776-7398
- Your county farm bureau manager
- Region 1: Tim Bigham: 716-474-6585
- Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Office.
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Upcoming Events
Dairy Feeder School
October 29, 2026 : Dairy Feeder School
Freedom, NY
- One day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders
- Offered in English and Spanish
- Stations with hands-on activities/demos
Tax 102: Tax planning and strategies for Farmers
November 4, 2026 : Tax 102: Tax planning and strategies for Farmers
This webinar follows the "Introduction to Income Taxes" webinar from September, going more into depth on topics including: understanding common tax concepts, tax strategies, long-term approaches to managing taxes, and more!
Labor Roadshow: Practical Workforce Strategies for Agricultural Professionals Across New York
November 30, 2026
December 21, 2026
The Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State (AWDC) will celebrate a decade of connecting and educating agricultural professionals when Labor Roadshow X returns this December with five in-person events and two webinars across New York State.
For nearly ten years, the Labor Roadshow has brought agricultural professionals together to learn, connect, and navigate the evolving challenges of agricultural labor. The 2026 event will continue that tradition with timely, expert-led discussions focused on the issues affecting farms and agricultural employers today—including labor law and compliance, employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture.
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