Seeking Dairy Farms to Join Dairy Grazing Cohort
Katelyn Walley, Business Management Specialist and Team Leader
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Cornell Cooperative Extension's Fay Benson is seeking dairy farmers who are interested in transitioning to grazing for their milk cows or heifers.
Training and Funding to Grow Dairy Grazing Operations in New York
Limited Time to Apply to Join Dairy Grazing Cohort
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center has introduced a new initiative to support new or existing dairy farms that would like to increase grazing practices within their operation. As part of this initiative, Fay Benson with Cornell Cooperative Extension is partnering with Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) to expand well-managed grazing lands in New York and Pennsylvania and support regional farmers in their grazing transition. To learn more about the project and to apply to be a participant go to: https://pasafarming.org/soil-institute/farmer-training-development/transition-to-grazing-cohorts/
Farmers that are selected to join one of the two cohorts, will be eligible to receive one on one technical support as well as apply for a $5,000 grant at the end of the two-year commitment. Signups will be accepted through July 1st and the New York Cohort will be capped at 10 farms. Applicants must apply online.
For more information, contact Fay Benson, Small Dairy Specialist; South Central Dairy & Field Crops Team: 607-391-2669 or afb3@cornell.edu.
Upcoming Events
Animal Mortality Composting Demo
November 6, 2025 : Animal Mortality Composting Demo
Brant, NY
Join experts from Cornell's Waste Management Institute, Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Pro-Dairy, CCE, and WNY Crop Management as we evaluate a newly constructed livestock compost pile at a local dairy farm. Attendees will be able to learn how to properly design a pad and pile, evaluate pile success, and understand common pitfalls to proper composting.
Optimizing the Economic Return of Pasture-Raised Slow-Growth and Conventional Broilers - Webinar
November 13, 2025 : Optimizing the Economic Return of Pasture-Raised Slow-Growth and Conventional Broilers - Webinar
Over the past three years, Cornell Cooperative Extension has worked with nearly 40 small farmers across NYS to gather information on the true costs of raising broilers (meat chickens) on pasture. This presentation is a summary of the findings of this research project.
NY Small Farms Summit 2025: Stronger Together
December 5, 2025
Alfred, NY
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.
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