During the recent Cornell Cooperative Extension Open Farm Day luncheon, a few additional farmers signed on and collaborative efforts brought ideas for a successful ag day of events to be held July 18, 2026. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Recently, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) held a luncheon to organize for the upcoming Open Farm Day. The event was a success with a few new farmers signing up. Additional meetings throughout the day brought collaborative ideas to intertwine annual agriculture events.

CCE Ag Economic Development Specialist Rich Taber was very thankful for the support and looks forward to a bigger and better Open Farm Day in July. 

"Thank you so much to all who participated in our CCE Chenango Open Farm Day luncheon last week,” said Taber. "We accomplished a lot and shared many useful ideas."

Taber said new farmers have been added to the roster, along with a few of last year’s farm participants and they hope to double the participants from last year, with possibly 10 to12 farms in total.

He explained Open Farm Day is a signature event of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and said their Chenango association is proud to offer farms and the public the opportunity to participate this year on July 18th.

The main objectives of Open Farm Day are to introduce new customers to high-quality products grown in Chenango County and generate sales for local farms, along with educating the public about agriculture by showcasing local farming enterprises, highlighting local food, responsible animal husbandry, production techniques, and offering farm tours or rides. Further information, addresses and maps to participating farms will be available closer to the event.

“It is our goal to make this event bigger and better in 2026,” he said.

Taber also thanked Commerce Chenango for hosting the event and providing the lunch for everyone.

Taber noted, in a related development later that afternoon, the Chenango County Dairy Day committee met and decided to hold their annual event on the same day as Open Farm Day, at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. He said that location will serve as "headquarters" for the Open Farm Day as well. 

Adding to the event-filled day, The County Planning Department will hold its annual county legislative agricultural tour, which has always been a separate event. 

"The event is designed to showcase Chenango County Ag farms and businesses to as many New York State legislators as possible,” said Taber. “Typically, they stop at three different farms/businesses during the day.”

“With all of these combined efforts, this July 18 event should be a powerful and impactful event for the farms and ag businesses of Chenango County,” Taber said.

"Months of planning and coordinating go into making Open Farm Day a success, so that visitors have an engaging and educational experience while supporting local agriculture," Taber continued.

"Farm products can be sold to the public, and farms and agro-businesses are encouraged to market their operations." 

"Some of this year's farms will again be Berry Brae Farm from out in Pharsalia, the Schmidt's Dairy and maple farm in Sherburne, and the Chenango County Historical Society,” he said.

Taber encourages other farms and businesses that might be a good fit for the Open Farm Day to participate.

To ensure the success of Open Farm Day, CCE Chenango has developed participation requirements. Please read and consider the policies carefully to determine if participating in Open Farm Day is a good fit for your operation.

The event application deadline is March 31. The application, guidelines and rules can be found at 

http://ccechenango.org /events/2025/09/20/open-farm-day.

For additional information, call 607-334-5841; ext 21, or email, rbt44@cornell.edu.