Past Conferences

Prelude Events:

The mission of The Farmers’ Museum’s annual conference A Celebration of Our Agricultural Community is to inform and inspire farmers as well as the public, unifying and driving the agricultural economy in Central New York.
The Farmers’ Museum recognizes the importance of contemporary farming and is committed to providing resources and networking opportunities for regional farmers to connect with information, potential partners, and prospective customers. The Farmers’ Museum desires to be an active member of the farming community, educating people about useful practices from both yesterday and today.
At the same time, this conference will empower the public to become engaged consumers, providing opportunities for people to learn more and get involved. It is in fostering a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the various processes involved in farming, as well as the issues farmers face today, that we support and stimulate the agricultural evolution that is so vital to the health and well-being of our citizens, our animals, and our land. We start local to go global, becoming a dynamic force in the agricultural movement that will shape the 21st century.
With a focus on the theme Careers and New Ventures in 2017, the conference will provide essential tools and inspiration to take positive action: Leading experts in the fields of business, production, technology, and more will teach about the careers and ventures available in agriculture. Farmers will have the latest and best information to grow their businesses and products in exciting ways, while also broadening capabilities and capturing a new customer base. General attendees will learn how to better their families and their communities by making informed choices about their food and recreation.
The face of agriculture is changing and the future of food is now! As farming adapts new practices and confronts major challenges, the opportunities are endless. This is an exciting time at The Farmers’ Museum – we shake the dust off the crops and usher in a new season of outreach and advancement!

Conference on Saturday, November 4th, 2017 from 9 AM – 4 PM

Agenda:
The first half of the conference will take place in the Louis C. Jones Center,
located in the Main Barn at The Farmers’ Museum.
8:30 – 9:10 AM Check-In & Exhibitor Visits
9:10 – 9:15 AM Welcome and Introduction of [Update from Albany]
Danielle Henrici (Director of Education, The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum)
9:15 – 9:30 AM Update from Albany
Senator Gillibrand or Commissioner Ball (waiting to confirm)
9:30 AM Introduction of Keynote Speaker Danielle Henrici
9:30 – 10:15 AM Keynote Speaker
Origins Café and the Youth Food Movement on the Future of Food
10:15 – 10:30 AM Break and Exhibitor Visits
10:30 – 11:00 AM FFA & 4-H Presentations
11:00 – 12:15 PM Panel Discussion on Trends in Agriculture
Craig Haney, Rebecca Morgan, and MacKenzie Waro
Moderated by Dr. Jason Evans, SUNY Cobleskill
12:15 – 1:00 PM Lunch & Exhibitor Visits
1:00 – 4:00 PM Breakout Sessions

Prelude Events:

“Climate Change and Agriculture” Lecture by Dr. Robert L. Thompson, Visiting Scholar at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.  Dr. Thompson speaks on climate change from a global perspective and how it affects agriculture across the map. The event takes place Wednesday, March 30 at 7 PM in the museum’s Louis C. Jones Center.

“Farming Success in an Uncertain Climate” Lecture by Dr. David W. Wolfe, Professor of Plant and Soil Ecology, Cornell University.  Dr. Wolfe discusses recent historical weather and weather pattern changes affecting agriculture in the northeast, followed with climate projections for the region.  The event takes place Wednesday, September 28 at 7 PM in the museum’s Louis C. Jones Center.

“The Future of Food – A Dinner and Conversation with Origins Cafe and the Local Youth Food Movement” Enjoy a full service, four-course, locally-sourced dinner from Origins Cafe served by Youth Food Movement representatives, followed by a talk with the Leonard sisters on how we can create a local food network which reduces our carbon footprint and supports the health of the global community.  This is a night to inspire and empower our community to eat and grow locally! The event takes place Wednesday, November 2 at 6:30 PM in the museum’s Louis C. Jones Center.

Conference on Saturday, November 5^th, 2016 from 9 AM – 3:30 PM

Agenda:

The conference will take place in the Louis C. Jones Center, located in the Main Barn at The Farmers’ Museum.

8:30 – 9:10 AM     Check-In & Exhibitor Visits

9:10 – 9:15 AM     Welcome and Introduction of Keynote Speaker – Danielle Henrici (Director of Education, The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum)

9:15 – 10:15 AM     Keynote Address  Climate Risk, Resilience and the Future of Food – Dr. Laura Lengnick (Author of Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate)

10:15 – 10:30 AM     Exhibitor Visits

10:30 – 11:30 AM     Two Birds with One Stone: Policy for Environmental and Economic Sustainability – Dr. Jason Evans (Associate Professor of Agricultural Business Management, SUNY Cobleskill)

11:30 – 12:30 PM     Soil and Water: Successes and Challenges – Dr. M. Todd Walter (Professor and Director of the Water Resources Institute, Cornell University)

12:30 – 1:15 PM     Lunch & Exhibitor Visits

1:15 – 2:15 PM     Climate Change: It’s Time for All Hands on Deck! – Dr. Michael Hoffman (Executive Director, Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions)

2:15 – 2:30 PM     Exhibitor Visits

2:30 – 3:30 PM     Workshop:  New Times, New Tools: Cultivating Climate Resilience on Your Farm – Dr. Laura Lengnick

November 14, 2015 from 9 AM – 4 PM

Agenda:

9 – 9:30 AM     Check-In and Exhibitor/Vendor Visits – Ongoing in Louis C. Jones Center (LCJC)

9:30 – 9:40 AM     Welcome and Overview (Danielle Henrici, Director of Education, TFM & FAM) – LCJC

9:40 – 9:45 AM     Introduction of Keynote Speaker (Paul D’Ambrosio, President & CEO, TFM & FAM) – LCJC

9:45 – 10:15 AM     Dr. Marion Terenzio, President of SUNY Cobleskill. Agricultural Education Beyond the College Campus – LCJC

10:15 – 10:20 AM     Introduction of Agritourism Keynote Speaker (Danielle Henrici) – LCJC

10:20 – 11:15 AM     Katharine Millonzi, Agritourism Specialist.  Eating Greener Pastures – LCJC

11:15 – 11:30 AM     Break and Exhibitor/Vendor Visits – LCJC

11:30 – 12:30 PM     ***Breakout Session 1 – Historic Village & LCJC

12:30 – 1:15 PM     Lunch and Exhibitor/Vendor Visits – LCJC and Crossroads Cafe

1:15 – 2:15 PM     ***Breakout Session 2 – Historic Village & LCJC

2:15 – 3:15 PM     ***Breakout Session 3 – Historic Village & LCJC

3:30 – 3:35 PM     Thanks and Farewell, Exhibitor/Vendor Visit Raffle Drawing (Danielle Henrici) – LCJC

3:35 – 4 PM     Short Documentary Film on Explosion of Beverage Based Agritourism Businesses in CNY – LCJC

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*** Breakout sessions will take place in the LCJC and throughout the Historic Village of The Farmers’ Museum.  Please feel free to jump tracks according to your interests.  You may refer to the Breakout Speaker Bios you received for details. 

*** During Sessions 1, 2, and 3 there will also be guided round-table discussions for anyone interested in continuing the conversation about how to develop the agritourism industry in Central New York.  Located in the Creamery Classroom.

Schedule is as follows:

Track 1:  Building Your Toolbox

Laura Biasillo, Cooperative Extension “Agritourism 101”

Jason Evans, SUNY Cobleskill “The Business of Farming”

Barbara Lang, Independent Consultant “Food and Experience Entrepreneurship”

Track 2:  The Farmers’ Perspective

Denise Warren, Stone & Thistle Farm “The Farm Gate is Open”

Matthew & Juanita Critz, Critz Farms “Big Programs & Special Events”

Kate Marsiglio, Stony Creek Farmstead “Sharing the Simple Life”

Track 3:  Visibility and Accessibility

Kelly Blazosky & Deb Taylor, CNY Fresh “Promoting the Flavors of Central NY”

Larry Bennett, Brewery Ommegang “Beer & Hops in Upstate NY”

Susan Green, Paperkite Creative “Branding & Marketing with Social Media”

November 15, 2014 from 9 AM – 5 PM 

Agenda:

9 – 9:45 AM     Check-In and Exhibitor/Vendor Visits – Ongoing in Louis C. Jones Center (LCJC)

9:45 – 9:55 AM     Welcome and Overview (Danielle Henrici, Director of Education, TFM & FAM) – LCJC

9:55 – 10 AM     Introduction of Keynote Speaker (Paul D’Ambrosio, President & CEO, TFM & FAM) – LCJC

10 – 10:30 AM     Richard A. Ball, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  Update from Albany – LCJC

10:30 – 11:15 AM     Don Smyers, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties.  Driving Agricultural Economic Development in Central New York – LCJC

11:15 – 11:30 AM     Break and Exhibitor/Vendor Visits – LCJC

11:30 – 12:30 PM     Jason Evans, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Business Management, SUNY Cobleskill.  The Changing American Food Landscape: Opportunities & Challenges for Northeast Agriculture – LCJC

12:30 – 1 PM     Doug Thompson, Owner and Manager, G & T Farm.  The Impact of Farming on Communities – LCJC

1 – 2 PM     Lunch and Exhibitor/Vendor Visits – LCJC

2 – 5 PM     ***Breakout Sessions – Historic Village and LCJC

5 PM     Thanks and Farewell, Exhibitor/Vendor Visit Raffle Drawing (Danielle Henrici) – LCJC

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*** Breakout sessions will take place throughout the Historic Village of The Farmers’ Museum.  Please feel free to jump tracks according to your interests.  You may refer to the Breakout Speaker Bios you received for details.

Breakout sessions are as follows:

Track 1:     Chobani, Painted Goat Farm, Hemlock Dairy Farm

Track 2:     Landreth Seed Company, Mill Hollow Maple, and Middlefield Orchard

Track 3:     Council Rock Brewery, Brewery Ommegang, and Cooperstown Brewing Co.

Track 4:     Pasture Management, Ortensi Farm, and Farm Service Agency 

Track 5:     Hessian Hill Farm, Handsome Brook Farm, and Organic Valley