Farming in a Changing Climate

Utility-scale solar projects have been expanding across New York because of a need for renewable energy development due to changes in policies at the state level. Farmers and landowners are being approached with exploratory offers to lease (or purchase) their land for solar development. Leases can provide extra income to landowners, but this leasing decision can affect the property for many years. Many concerns exist and questions remain unanswered.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Oswego County hosted an online workshop to discuss some of the implications of solar sitting on farmland and how we can support renewable energy while protecting agricultural lands. This was the first of a two-part series organized by CCE of Oswego on the impact that climate change is having on the agriculture sector. Speakers included David Kay, Sr. Extension Associate in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University, Katie Malinowski, Executive Director with the NYS Tug Hill Commission, and Alaina Mallette, Planner for the NYS Tug Hill Commission. This free online workshop was held through Zoom on Thursday, May 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. and was open to all members of the general public.

This recording of this first workshop can be accessed at  https://vod.video.cornell.edu/media/Farming in a Changing Climate: Implications of Solar Installations on Agricultural Lands/1_j6ssqmxz.

The second in the series was on the implications of climate change on the future of agriculture. The goal of this workshop was to introduce climate science and to discuss why it matters from an agricultural perspective. Special attention was given to climate-smart farming practices that the agricultural community can adopt to become more resilient in the face of a shifting climate. Guest speakers were Dr. Allison Chatrchyan, Sr. Research Associate with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Director of the Cornell Climate Smart Farming Program, and Dr. Kitty O’Neil, Team Leader of the Northern New York Regional Ag Team, and a member of the Cornell Climate Smart Farming Extension team.

This recording of the second workshop can be accessed at  https://vod.video.cornell.edu/media/Farming in a Changing Climate: Implications of Climate Change on the Future of Agriculture/1_tzli9oal.

For more information on this two-part series please contact Joshua Vrooman, Agricultural Community Educator for CCE of Oswego County at jwv33@cornell.edu or 315-963-7286 ext. 200.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and provides equal program and employment opportunities. 

Last updated September 9, 2021