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
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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December 19, 2025
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