Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources

Ideas on how to take care of yourself, your farm, and your local community. These resources offer support on the various aspects of farming during a crisis, with a focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic. The content was curated in partnership with educators, researchers and others. It is consistently updated as new information and resources are available.

https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/

Employment and Agricultural Workforce Questions

The Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development team has assembled many resources to help you protect your workforce, your business, and your markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find H2A updates and more!

http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/

Food Production, Processing and Safety Questions

Find answers to questions around the risks associated with food production and to your employees to ensure that a safe and robust food supply is maintained for the public. You can find useful links to expert resources to help address your specific questions. Resources are updated frequently as the situation changes and new information becomes available.

https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/

General Questions and Updates: NY Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)

Find the latest updates on coronavirus impacts in New York. This website is a one-stop source for links to resources for ag, workforce, food industry, food safety, dairy industry, horticulture, H-2A, family, animal care, business relief, and social distancing.

https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/

SCRUB Twilight Workshop Series

September 1, 2021 : Bin Blitz

Experienced growers and UVM's Ag Engineering present new strategies and cleaning tools to increase the efficiency and efficacy of bin cleaning, sanitation and management practices. Lead growers show and tell their bin systems, with lessons learned. Participants leave with a plan to improve/implement new practices.

September 8, 2021 : Low Cost and High Value

Evaluate low-cost (either money or time) improvements that make a big difference. Experience growers show and tell the thrifty improvements they made and summarize lessons learned, including trade-offs of spending money (or not) to lower risks and increase efficiency. 

September 15, 2021 : Wash/Pack Floors

Learn to improve or repair a concrete floor so that it is smooth and easy to clean. This workshop highlights concrete repair, cleaning and sanitation techniques, water management, products and resources, as well as show and tell from experienced growers, and Chris Callahan from UVM's Extension Ag Engineering.

September 22, 2021 : Wash Water Management

Experienced growers and facilitators dig into the fundamentals of managing produce wash water, including show and tell with lessons learned about wash water management, use and monitoring of sanitizers. All participants leave with a plan to improve/implement new practices.

September 29, 2021 : Tools for Employee Management and Empowerment

Develop management strategies/systems to retain and empower high-value workers, while improving crew morale and culture. Learn from experienced managers of loyal and reliable crews, the pros and cons of their current management systems, and how they came to be. Participants leave with resources and a plan to improve/implement one or more new practices or strategies.

October 6, 2021 : Bubblers/Aerators for Greens Washing

For growers wanting to install or improve a greens bubbler/aerator. Get feedback from growers who built/improved their own systems. Examine designs and DYI resources, as well as perceived quality and efficiency gains from bubblers as compared to other washing methods. This workshop features a panel of New York growers!