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
WNY Pastureland Conversion & Soil Health Field Day
July 16, 2025
Middleport, NY
Join American Farmland Trust for the Western New York Soil Health Field Day on July 16, 2025, at Zeliff Farm in Middleport, NY, from 9:00 AM-3:15 PM. Learn about pasture conversion, soil health benchmarking, biochar in grazing systems, and best grazing practices. Plus, enjoy hands-on demos with the NY Soil Health Trailer, drones, and cover crops! Check out the attached agenda for more information about the field day and REGISTER HERE. Zeliff Farms is a regenerative beef operation who has recently partnered with AFT on outreach and education to farmers including learning circles and evaluating biochar effects on soil health.
IPM Strategies to Protect Corn and Soybean Seed in NY
July 30, 2025
Hamburg , NY
SWNYDLFC and Cornell IPM are hosting a grower meeting to discuss integrated pest management strategies for protecting corn and soybean seed in New York.
FAMACHA Training for Sheep and Goat producers in Woodhull NY
August 13, 2025 : FAMACHA Training in Woodhull
Woodhull, NY
Join us for a discussion and hands-on training for internal parasite integrated pest management in sheep and goats. Certification is available to all students participating in the workshop.
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