Herkimer County CCE awarded $75,000 Risk Management Education Grant

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer County has been awarded a competitive $75,000 Risk Management Education grant from the Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center to lead a regional initiative focused on strengthening risk management and emergency preparedness for agricultural producers and first responders across nine counties: Herkimer, Oneida, Chenango, Fulton, Madison, Montgomery, Otsego, Saratoga, and Schoharie.

This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

What’s ahead

The opportunity supports educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. The 18-month project will be conducted between April 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027.

Through this initiative, CCE Herkimer County and the Central New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops (CNYDLFC) Team will deliver a comprehensive emergency preparedness program that integrates scenario-based training and hands-on workshops to help farmers and first responders collaboratively develop and implement Farm Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). The program is designed to reduce disaster-related losses, enhance on-farm safety, and improve coordination during agricultural emergencies.

What is covered

The curriculum features five core training modules: Extreme Weather, Structural Damage, Water Contamination, Emergency Animal Handling, and Farm Financial Preparedness. Participants will assess farm-specific risks such as fires, floods, and animal entrapments while developing detailed safety protocols, insurance documentation, and emergency communication strategies. Specialized training will also be provided for first responders to strengthen safety practices and coordination when responding to farm emergencies.

Multi-channel approach

To expand access and ensure long-term impact, trainings will be offered in person and live online, with recorded sessions available for ongoing education. Each participating farm will receive an Emergency Preparedness Manual developed by CCE Herkimer County to support continued emergency planning and response. The program will also include accommodations to ensure meaningful participation by Amish and Plain community farmers.

Expected outcomes

By the conclusion of the project, participating farms will have actionable, farm-specific emergency plans that improve resilience, protect farm assets, and support financial continuity. Joint trainings will foster stronger partnerships between farmers and emergency personnel, creating a sustainable regional model for farm emergency readiness.

For more information about CCE Herkimer County go tohttps://blogs.cornell.edu/cceherkimer/ and for more information on the CNYDLFC Team, go to https://cnydfc.cce.cornell.edu/