Hop on the Bus - We're Headed East

SOUTHWEST, NEW YORK (February 1st, 2024) – Are you a dairy producer interested in on-farm dairy processing? Looking to diversify your operation with direct to consumer sales? Interested in value-added production? Well, hop on the bus – we’re headed East!

On March 13th and 14th, Katelyn Walley and Margaret Quaassdorff from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be hosting a tour of value added dairy processing facilities in Eastern New York. The tour will include at least 6 stops and will depart from CCE-Genesee in Batavia, NY on Wednesday, March 13th at 8:30am. The tour will conclude on Thursday, March 14th at 9pm.

The cost to register is $100 and can be done online by visiting tinyurl.com/CceDairyTour. Final stop locations, times, accommodation information, and additional details will be shared directly with the participants after registering (or by request). Registration is due by February 26th, 2024.

Tour stops, subject to change, include: Trinity Valley Dairy (Cortland), Byebrook Farm (Bloomville), Don’s Dairy Supply (South Kortright), SUNY Cobleskill’s Dairy Processing Center (Cobleskill), King Brother’s Dairy (Schuylerville), and Argyle Cheese (Hudson Falls). There will be ample time at each tour location to hear about the farm business history and goals, identify challenges and opportunities of value added production, ask questions, and browse their farm stands and stores. Following the tour, we will provide an opportunity for participants to come back together for discussion groups and educational opportunities.

If you are interested in attending, or are in need of accommodations, and would like additional information, please contact Katelyn Walley at 716-640-0522 or kaw249@cornell.edu or Margaret Quaassdorff at 585-405-2567 or maq27@cornell.edu.

Funding for this tour was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, grant 21DBIVT1004-00. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties. Their team includes Katelyn Walley, Farm Business Management and Team Leader (716-640-0522); Camila Lage, Dairy Management (607-422-6788); Katelyn Miller, Field Crops (716-640-2047) and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844). CCE is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension, contact your county’s Association Executive Director. Allegany County – Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu or 585-268-7644. Cattaraugus County – Kelly McDonald, kmm525@cornell.edu or 716-699-2377. Chautauqua County – Emily Reynolds, eck47@cornell.edu or 716-664-9502. Erie County – Diane Held, dbh24@cornell.edu or 716-652-5400. Steuben County – Tess McKinley, tsm223@cornell.edu, or 607-664-2301.

Last updated February 9, 2024