LIBERTY – Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County invites farmers, gardeners, landowners, agricultural professionals, and community members to participate in our educational programs focused on climate resiliency, invasive species management, soil and water conservation, and poultry production.

Planning for Climate Resiliency on the Farm - Tuesday, September 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m

Climate challenges continue to impact farms across New York. In this informative workshop, participants will learn how to evaluate key features of their agricultural landscapes, including slope, water movement, wind direction, soil characteristics, and other environmental factors that influence farm productivity and resilience.

Presented by Kitty O'Neil, Ph.D., CCA, Statewide Agricultural Climate Resiliency Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York, the workshop will help attendees understand how to work with existing landscape features to improve long-term sustainability and prepare their farms for future weather and climate challenges. Participants will gain practical strategies for developing climate-smart farm plans that protect natural resources while supporting agricultural productivity.

Invasive Species Walking Tour at the Hurleyville Rail Trail - Wednesday, September 2

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension educators for a guided walking tour focused on identifying invasive plant species and understanding their effect on local ecosystems and landscapes. Participants will learn how to identify common invasive plant species, understand their impacts on native ecosystems, and explore effective management and control strategies.

The tour will also provide practical guidance on steps landowners, gardeners, and community members can take to protect natural resources and support healthy, resilient landscapes. The tour offers an excellent opportunity for gardeners, homeowners, and land managers to gain firsthand experience identifying invasive species in the field.

Mastwood Farm Tour: Managing Water, Soil, and Slope - Sunday, September 20, Kerhonkson, NY

Offered in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County, this educational farm tour will showcase how Mastwood Farm is addressing challenges related to water movement, flooding, erosion, and steep terrain through innovative conservation practices.

Participants will tour the farm and learn about innovative conservation practices, including a stormwater pond designed to reduce flooding and erosion, new tree crop plantings that improve soil health, specialized equipment for managing steep slopes, and strategies for water management, erosion control, and climate resilience. Attendees will gain practical insights into how farms can improve environmental stewardship while maintaining productive and profitable operations.

Poultry Processing Roadshow - Tuesday, September 22 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This hands-on workshop provides beginning and experienced poultry producers with the opportunity to learn proper poultry processing techniques from start to finish. Each participant will receive a bird to process and take home while learning the complete poultry processing workflow, including humane handling and dispatching, scalding and plucking, evisceration and sanitation procedures, chill tank management for food safety, packaging and labeling, and proper transportation and storage of finished poultry products.

Participants will leave with a fully processed chicken, processing tools, and the practical skills needed to perform poultry processing on their own farms. There is a $25 registration fee for the Poultry Processing Roadshow, which includes hands-on instruction, processing tools, and a chicken that participants will process and take home.

To register for these events, visit: www.sullivancce.org/events.