As a follow-up to 2024’s discussions on agriculture—on influencing policy, equitable solar, uncertainty, and the loss of farmland—Schoharie County’s partners, including Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau, and the Institute for Rural Vitality, are coming together—again--for an Ag Solutions and Networking Expo.
In addition to breakout sessions on green and clean energy, farm transitions, value-added product development, and agritourism, there will be vendors, and at lunch, a New York Farm Bureau Public Policy session and roundtable discussion.
The free event will be held Tuesday, February 18, at SUNY Cobleskill’s Prentice Hall/the Institute for Rural Vitality, with registration starting at 8:30am, a vendor expo opening at 9am, and an introduction and welcome from 9:30-10am.
Breakout sessions will follow; a working lunch—again, free--and NYFB session will run from noon-1:30pm, with networking and the expo following until 3pm.
It’s all free but registration is required by February 11 at https://www.eventleaf.com/e/AgNetwork.
There’s also a virtual option with more information available at the link.
Liz Callahan, executive director for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties, said the 2025 Ag Expo grew out of the success of last April’s networking events in Carlisle and Middleburgh; about 50 people attended to share their concerns about farming.
Those sessions were put together by CCE and Farm Bureau and Ms. Callahan said the 18th is a chance to expand them with the help of additional collaborators like the IRV, County Ag Development Specialist Caroline Myran, NYSERDA, and National Grid.
“That was a great start. This is a way to keep the momentum going. We heard what people said and this is a way to respond—and keep listening,” Ms. Callahan said.
The breakout sessions will all have opportunities for Q&A and one-on-one conversations, she said.
The Ag Solutions Expo is the first of what they hope will be an annual event, Ms. Callahan said, and they hope to add on smaller events throughout the year, all with the goal of hearing what the ag community needs, meeting those needs, “and not making assumptions.”
Participants will able to take part in two breakout sessions.
Topics include:
Going Green—Renewable Energy Support for NYS Farms—the pros and cons of things like solar, wind, and anaerobic digestors.
Clean Energy Solutions for Greenhouses and CEAs—heat pumps, LED lighting, and PET rated water pumps for both new and retrofitted facilities.
Value Add and Product Development—advice from the IRV.
Secure the Future of the Family Farm for Generations to Come—insights and strategies on transitioning the farm to the next generation.
Growing Agritourism—free resources for attracting visitors and connecting with local, regional, and state tourism efforts.
Diversification in Action: Real Life Success Stories from the Farm.
Organizers are still seeking sponsors and vendors.
For more information on that, contact Mr. Smith at sesmithfarmmgtllc@gmail.com or (518)207-7112 or Deb Pernat at pernatdg@cobleskill.edu or (518) 255-5537.