Amy is the livestock and beginning farm specialist with the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program (SWNYDLFC). In her role, she works with on-campus faculty and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) agricultural educators in the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben to bring timely research-based programming and consultations to the farmers across the region. Her responsibilities include:
- Providing consultations to farmers through phone, email, text, paper mail, videoconferencing, and on-farm meetings
- Connecting new farmers to resources to aid in their success
- Organizing on-farm trainings and demonstrations including research-oriented field meetings, pasture walks, FAMACHA trainings, and Beef Quality Assurance trainings
- Researching livestock and grazing management
- Co-leading statewide poultry research and educational programming
- Participating in the Livestock Program Work Team, whose goal is to develop and implement state-wide educational materials and programming for livestock producers
Amy grew up on a small family farm in Northeastern Pennsylvania and earned her bachelor's degree in animal science with a minor in poultry and avian science from Penn State University. After graduation, she attained her master's degree in animal science from Penn State, where her research focused on renewable, alternative bedding materials for broiler production and their impacts on broiler performance, welfare, and the environment. Following graduation, Amy worked in quality assurance for a national egg company, partnering with farms of all sizes across the nation to ensure compliance in food safety, nutrition, product quality, and animal welfare.
Amy and her husband Zach reside in East Concord, NY, where they own and operate Snowy Brook Farm, a small, diversified operation focusing on heritage poultry, fruits, and honeybees.
Interests
Beef, sheep, goat, and poultry production
Pasture and grazing management
Meat and egg quality, consistency, and marketing
