Mission:

To provide high quality educational programs that address the needs of local farmers, horticulturists, foresters and homeowners in Herkimer County.

Objectives:

Increase the competitiveness and profitability of commercial agricultural enterprises.
Encourage effective marketing strategies for agricultural products.
Provide clientele with the most recent information possible relating to their area of interest.
Promote the adoption of environmentally sound practices by producers and consumers alike.

The agricultural program of CCE Herkimer County is comprised of two main tracts. The first of these deals specifically with local issues which include consumer agriculture and horticulture, small livestock, natural resources and agricultural economic development. The most recent initiatives in ag. economic development have included the adoption of a Farmland Protection Plan, the involvement of planners and administrators in forming the Mohawk Valley Agricultural Region, dedicated to attracting newcomers to farming in a seven county area, and the creation of a local group involved in garlic and herb farming.

Dairy farming remains the mainstay of agricultural production in Herkimer County, with $47 million in sales generated annually. The Central New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops team provides high quality educational programs that address the needs of commercial agricultural producers in Chenango, Fulton, Montgomery, Herkimer, Schoharie and Otsego counties. The team includes a dairy and livestock Specialist and a Field Crops Specialist working in the six-county region. Educational activities provided by the Team to the agricultural community emphasize not only technical subject matter but also resource management and problem solving. Achieving profitability while meeting personal and business goals is stressed.

Link here to go to the CNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops website:
http://cnydairylc.cce.cornell.edu/

Farm Family Assistance Project

2009 marks the eleventh year of a unique partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County, NY FarmNet, and Herkimer County Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services. The purpose of the collaboration has been to provide improved support and assistance to the Herkimer County farm community affected by the stresses of operating a farm business and farm life.

In 2009 the focus of the year was printing the third edition of the “Herkimer County Farm Produce and Tourism Map” which was made possible in conjunction with a grant from Herkimer County Mental Health Services.   Copies are available at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office in East Herkimer. 

Click here for a pdf of this map, which lists many farms, recreational and historical sights of Herkimer County.

Click here to go the Community Walk webpage featuring an interactive map of the Herkimer County Farm Produce & Tourism Map