With an eye toward sustainability, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, better energy efficiency, and increased farm resilience, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) agriculture specialists and educators closely monitor the rapidly changing environment farmers are working within. Tapping into the latest research and best practices, ag specialists help growers and producers combat an increasingly uncertain world. 

To see what programs are offered in your area, visit or contact a local office.

Featured Programs

two men stand in a vineyard with grapes in the foreground
Regional Agriculture Programs

CCE regional agriculture teams are comprised of specialists who serve multi-county regions throughout New York state, providing research-based information, programs and technical assistance to dairy, livestock, field crops, vegetable, grape and fruit producers.

woman with cat puts her hand through a fence with sheep
Cornell Small Farms

The Cornell Small Farms program is a partnership between Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and CCE that connects small farm owners and operators with a variety of educational opportunities including Labor Ready Farmer, Baskets to Pallets, Farm Ops and others.

students work in a garden next to a fence
Harvest New York

CCE's Harvest New York specialists support workforce development and business expansion with a focus on diary food processing, urban agriculture, farm-based beverages, local food distribution, berry production, farm strategic planning and emerging crops.

people look at a hoof
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development

CCE’s Agriculture Workforce Development program demystifies new farm and labor laws to help to build committed, engaged and effective teams through tried-and-tested human resource management practices and research-based leadership and management development education.

worker in a field
Cornell Cooperative Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (CCE-PSEP)

CCE’s PSEP promotes the proper use of pesticides for the applicator, the consumer, and the environment, and also serves as a pesticide education center for those interested in pesticide chemicals.

kids stand at a fence
New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC)

NYAITC is a partnership between CCE, Cornell University, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York State Education Department and the New York Farm Bureau. The program fosters awareness, understanding and appreciation of how we produce food and fiber, what we eat and how we live, by helping educators, pre-k to middle school students and their communities learn about and engage with agriculture and food systems.

New York State

Farm to School

Farm to school programs in schools and early care and education sites engage young people in hands-on learning and connect families to fresh, healthy local food. In New York State, a cross-disciplinary team of Extension associates, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators, and partners from NYS agencies work together to create better cohesion of farm to school programming across the state.

Buffalo school children on a farm visit

Partner Organizations and Programs

CCE agriculture educators and specialists work closely with campus faculty primarily in the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, researchers with Cornell Agritech and the Cornell University Agriculture Experiment Station and other partners to drive sustainable development in New York communities.

Stories

Lady holding a horse and smiling

News

Faces of Extension: Ann Janson
Ann Janson has been involved with New York State 4-H for nearly 60 years. First, as a youth in Columbia County and later, as a volunteer involving her own children in the program. She has served as the Horse Bowl Chair and mentored many youth...
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
Two men sitting at a desk with papers on it talking.

Field Note

by Madeline Hanscom Since 2022, the Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) team at Cornell University has worked on the Value of Manure project. This project is part of the NMSP New York On-Farm Research Partnership program and is co-funded by...
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Animal Science
  • Dairy
Man stands in front of apple orchard smiling

News

Craig Kahlke is a fruit quality management specialist and team leader of CCE's Lake Ontario Fruit Program, a group of specialists and associated support staff that covers all aspects of extension programming for the commercial tree fruit and...
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
A group of people have a discussion while a presentation is being given.

News

by Madeline Hanscom The Value of Manure project aims to help farmers understand the value of cow manure and use it as efficiently as they can, reducing reliance on nitrogen (N) based synthetic fertilizers. Jointly funded by the New York Farm...
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Animal Science
  • Environment
Amy Barkley holding a chicken on her farm.

News

Amy Barkley is a livestock specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) Southwest New York Dairy Livestock and Field Crops Program. Although Amy specializes in poultry, she also supports farmers with beef, sheep, goats, camelids, swine...
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension