Join us for a two-day, hands-on training designed to build essential skills in tractor operation, safety, and maintenance. This training is ideal for anyone working in agricultural settings who wants to gain confidence and competence with tractors and their implements. Participants will receive a combination of classroom instruction and practical tractor experience. Topics include proper […]
Farm Ops, the veterans in agriculture project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, is offering scholarships to attend CCE Allegany County’s Silvopasture on a Shoestring event. If you are a farmer veteran living in New York State, you may qualify for a Farm Ops Event of Choice Scholarship. Please click here to visit out Scholarship […]
Veterans are eligible to receive one scholarship per course season (September through March). These scholarships support a NYS veteran’s enrollment into one of the Cornell Small Farms online courses and may cover part or all of the course cost. Veterans should be prepared to demonstrate how the course they select will support their current farm operation […]
On Friday, December 5, 2025, the Cornell Small Farms Program will be holding a New York Small Farms Summit with gatherings at locations across NYS. In support of this effort, Farm Ops will host a farmer veteran gathering at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, NY. Registration will open October 20, 2025. Learn more.
The Growing Together project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, in collaboration with Farm Ops, is hosting a 3-day wellness retreat for farmer veterans in Central New York, November 14-16. This retreat is especially for veterans who are farmers, growers, and gardeners, but veterans working as educators or service providers are also welcome. The retreat […]
We hope you will join us for the 2025 New York Small Farms Summit: Stronger Together! This is an opportunity to meet other farmers and ag supporters, learn about research and education projects, and set priorities for future efforts to grow small farm success. This is one of eight sites hosting the Summit across New […]
Join fellow veterans Thursday, January 22, 2026, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. for a discussion on aspect of selling finished pigs and pork products. We will review the differences between custom exempt and USDA inspected meat processing facilities, and their implications and impacts on a farm’s pig/pork enterprise. Additionally, participants will get to talk with other […]
Join Adam and Ashley McFarland owners and operators of Top Notch Meats as they talk about their breeding decisions and management practices that have resulted in a breeding program that consistently produces champion pigs showcased for quality genetics and breed characteristics that produces the marbling, tenderness, and flavor that make family meals memorable. Their talk […]
When it comes to a healthy diet, the stereotype that pigs only eat slop or scraps could not be more wrong. A pig’s diet will influence its meat’s flavor. Overweight pigs are more likely to become lame and lazy, while well-fed pigs will have strong joints, lean muscles and energy. Protein and nutrient requirements shift […]
Livestock specialist Ashley McFarland and swine producer Adam McFarland- Top Notch Livestock & Meats will teach swine farmers how to recognize early signs of illness or injury in pigs. Participants will learn to observe daily behavior, and other key observations. The session will cover common indicators that change daily on a swine operation. Presenters will […]
Livestock specialist Ashley McFarland and swine producer Adam McFarland- Top Notch Livestock & Meats will guide beginning swine farmers through the essential steps of inspecting and pricing a pig for purchase. Participants will learn how to evaluate structural correctness, body condition, growth potential, and overall health. The session will cover identifying red flags and signs […]
Farm Ops is excited to host Physical Therapist Brian Westlake, DPT, Cert. MDT at the Clear Path for Veterans venue on Saturday, March 28, 2026 to discuss and demonstrate how farmers can use simple cause-and-effect movement analysis known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® to take control and recover from an injury as rapidly as possible. Brian grew […]
Join Farm Ops at veteran owned Centurion Farm, LLC and Benlauck Farm to explore a riparian forest raised pig operation that combines natural foraging with supplemental, nutrient-dense feed. The morning session at Centurion Farm, LLC will cover the temporary infrastructure used in support of this riparian forest-based operation. Participants will walk last year’s and the […]
Join us for an informative Working with your Butcher virtual seminar featuring guest speaker Ethan Scheffler, Meat Lab Manager and Operator at The Ohio State University. In this seminar, Ethan will share valuable insights on how to effectively work with your butcher, including key dos and don’ts that can make a big difference in your end product. […]
This farm tour is designed specifically for farmers interested in adding pigs to their operation or improving their current swine management practices on small acreage. Participants will learn the fundamentals of raising pigs in a sustainable and efficient while maximizing limited land resources. Topics will include breed selection, housing and fencing options, feeding strategies, pasture management, […]
