Alternative Agriculture and Natural Resources
While Dairy Farming dominates the agricultural landscape in Delaware County, other farm enterprises are a vital part of its heritage and future. These include the greenhouse/landscape nursery enterprises, vegetables, livestock and poultry, equine industry, field cash crops and fruits, timber, aquaculture, forestry products and maple production and many more. Extension Educator Janet Aldrich at jla14@cornell.edu or phone: 607-865-6531 works with producers through the following programs:
Ø Programs to cover all issues of forest management for the forest owner.
Ø Small Scale Farm Enterprises – a bi-monthly newsletter aimed at small farm enterprises and innovative farming methods.
Ø Extension Connection’s Agriculture Section works to keep farmers abreast of grants, agricultural conferences, farming opportunities, and key issues affecting all farmers.
Ø Farm Start-up Programs for new farmers wanting to start a non-dairy operation in the region or established farmers who want to diversity operations. It focuses on business planning and regional resources that can help new farmers succeed.
Ø Workforce Trainings – multi-day schools designed to update the skills of commercial horticulturalists and livestock producers.
Ø Targeted conferences in horticulture and livestock production.
Ø Insect & Disease Diagnosis – Interface with Cornell Diagnostic Labs may be required.
Ø Free pH Testing
Ø Soil Testing for Nutrient Levels – sent to Dairy One (fee required).