JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program would like to remind the region’s agricultural producers that all businesses, including farms that have continued to operate during “NY PAUSE”, must have a safety plan in place. Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialists across the state have been working to develop resources and tools for farms to use to develop a plan specific to their farm to meet this requirement and help reduce liability risk. For local assistance, or with help obtaining paper resources where internet access is an issue, farms can reach out to Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Specialist, by calling 716-640-0522.

For food producing farms, these plans do not need to be submitted or certified with any agency, but they do need to be drafted, followed, and available for review at a moment’s notice by employees, visitors, or local health departments. The “NY Forward” initiative provides a base template for all businesses to use, available at forward.ny.gov. While farms do not need to use this format, they do need to develop a plan that covers: People (family, employees, vendors, visitors), Place (the work environment, shared equipment, and proper sanitization), and Process (mandatory health screenings, contact tracing, and communication). Farms should also incorporate recent guidance from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, “Interim Guidance for Prevention and Response of COVID-19 at Farms” available at agriculture.ny.gov. This outlines their recommended protocols and procedures for farms in the state. Additionally, the Cornell Agriculture Workforce Development program at Cornell University it hosting a series of webinars for industry specific guidance. All of the slides, recordings, and supporting resources are available on their website, agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu. These tools were developed to help make it easier for farms to meet the new state mandate and remain in compliance while protecting the safety of the farmer and employees.

This is a busy time of year for farms as they continue to work to provide safe, wholesome food while also balancing the weather, financial repercussions of the current pandemic, and day-to-day responsibilities. While this is an added task, it is important to complete as soon as possible to protect the health and wellbeing of the farm, employees, and from a legal risk management perspective. For more information about creating a farm safety plan and COVID-19 considerations in the Southwest New York region, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Specialist, at 716-640-0522 or kaw249@cornell.edu.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program specialists are here to help provide research-based resources and support during this challenging time. Their team of four specialists includes Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management (716-640-0522 or kaw249@cornell.edu); Joshua Putman, Field Crops (716-490-5572 or jap472@cornell.edu); Alycia Drwencke, Dairy Management (517-416-0386 or amd453@cornell.edu); and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844 or amb544@cornell.edu). While specialists are working remotely at this time, they are still offering consultations via phone, text, email, videoconferencing, and mail. They are also providing weekly updates with timely resources and connections via email and hardcopy and virtual programming. For more information, or to be added to their notification list, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader, at 716-640-0522, kaw249@cornell.edu or visit their website swnydlfc.cornell.edu. 

The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program is the newest Cornell Cooperative Extension regional program and covers Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben Counties. The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops regional specialists work with Cornell faculty and Extension educators to address the issues that influence the agricultural industry in New York by offering educational programming and research based information to agricultural producers, growers, and agribusinesses in the Southwestern New York Region. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. 

–Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Specialist,
with the SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program

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