Farm Disaster Preparation Workshop to be Held

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 30, 2018) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture program is pleased to offer a Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate Workshop in Jamestown, NY. The information will help participating farms be better prepared to withstand a farm emergency with a higher level of resiliency.

The Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate Workshop is directed to all sizes of farms and all types of products. Dairy and livestock farms are especially encouraged to participate in the program due to their additional concerns regarding animal agriculture. This informative workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Frank Bratt Agricultural Center, 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown, NY. The cost will be $25 for the first person from a farm, and $10 for each additional person from the same farm. The fee will include the program, materials, and lunch.

This 6-hour training program focuses on pre-disaster education and preparedness, covering key topics such as:

Farm equipment safety on the road

Barn fire and structure collapse prevention

Minimizing storm damage, coping with power outages, and maintaining continuity of farm operations during community disasters

Reducing criminal activity and stored chemical risks

Enhancing livestock handling and biosecurity.

Participants are expected to complete all five sections, by listening to a presentation, participating in discussion questions, and making notes about what they intend to inspect and modify back on the farm. We expect this will lead to fewer overall insurance claims among participating farms, a safer and more secure food supply, and farm families that have a greater sense of readiness for unknown disasters.

Several farm insurance companies in New York are acknowledging this program and will provide an incentive for farm owners to participate. Farms that complete the Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate training will receive a dated certificate to provide to their insurer. The certificate may be a condition of eligibility for receiving a more favorable farm insurance policy review or a discount on the farm's annual insurance premium. The economic value of the recognition or discount will vary according to individual policies and policyholder circumstances.

Please register for this Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate Workshop by Thursday, April 12th by contacting Lisa Kempisty, Cornell Cooperative Extension Educator at 716-664-9502 X203 or ljk4@cornell.edu. This workshop is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, with support from the Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Program, and Farm Family Insurance.

The Agriculture Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua) in line with the County’s 20/20 Comprehensive Plan. CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 30, 2018