April 24, 2026
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech Campus
The Institute for Rural Vitality is excited to announce the 2025 Mohawk Valley Business Plan Competition—an exclusive opportunity for graduates of EAC Business Development Bootcamps to compete for start-up funding, with more than $32,000 awarded last year alone. This competition is open only to Bootcamp alumni, making now the perfect time to join our current Business Development Bootcamp cohort to qualify to participate. The program, supported by Empire State Development, provides the hands-on training and guidance entrepreneurs need to prepare to launch or expand their business—and for the chance to compete in this year’s high-impact Business Plan Competition!
April 29th
6 pm – 8 pm
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech
Internal parasites can have a major impact on animal health and farm productivity. This hands-on parasitology lab will teach participants how to prepare, examine, and interpret fecal samples to identify parasite eggs in multiple species including sheep, goats, horses, companion animals and more.
Designed for farmers and animal owners, the workshop focuses on practical skills that can be used on the farm, in the stable, or at the kennel. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fecal samples to test during the class, allowing them to receive real results while learning how to perform the process themselves.
By learning how to conduct fecal egg counts, producers can monitor parasite loads, detect problems earlier, make more targeted deworming decisions, and potentially reduce veterinary and treatment costs.
The instructor will also discuss the equipment and simple lab setup needed to perform fecal analysis independently at home, helping participants build the knowledge and confidence to monitor parasite health in their animals moving forward.
Registration and Inquiries should be sent to padenev@cobleskill.edu
May 1, 2026
11am - 2 pm
Prentince Hall - SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of local talent, creativity, and entrepreneurship!
The Entrepreneur Expo brings together some of the region’s most exciting small businesses,
artisans, and food producers — offering products you can TASTE, TRY & BUY. From handcrafted goods and farm-to-table flavors to wellness products and innovative
local ventures, this vibrant marketplace highlights the best our community has to
offer.
Each year, the Expo grows bigger and bolder, connecting makers with new customers
and inspiring collaboration across industries. Whether you’re a shopper, a supporter,
a fellow entrepreneur, or a distributor searching for new local products, you won’t
want to miss this showcase of homegrown innovation and community spirit.
May 2, 2026
8:00am – 4:30pm
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech – Prentice Hall
The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill is hosting a New York Safe Boating Certification Course, an 8-hour class designed to introduce participants to the basic principles of safe and responsible boating. Students who successfully complete the course will earn their New York State Safe Boating Certificate, which is now required for anyone operating a motorized vessel under Brianna’s Law.
As of 2025, all motorboat operators in New York must carry a boating safety certificate. This requirement applies to boats with motors of any size, including personal watercraft such as Jet Skis, WaveRunners, and Sea-Doos, as well as sailboats with auxiliary motors. Operators must be at least 14 years old to receive certification.
This course is a great opportunity to prepare for boating season, learn essential
safety practices, and ensure you meet New York’s legal requirements before heading
out on the water. Cost: $20
Participants 18 years of age or older will pay an additional $10 fee to New York State
Parks for their permanent boating safety certificate after successfully completing
the course.
May 7 - May 8, 2026.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
FREE
SUNY Cobleskill is launching a new New Value-Added Dairy Product Development Microcredential Course! Offered free of charge, This program covers dairy value-added products (ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and butter) supports the resurgence of dairy production in the Northeast region, and meets the demands of a growing agribusiness sector.
This initiative is supported by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) so this course is free due to the Catalyzing the Regional Dairy Workforce Grant program.
Due to this program being supported by a grant there are some stipulations which need to be adhered to: photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, or other electronic or digital method of recording may be taken by SUNY Cobleskill, its employees or agents may be used by the College for advertisement, publicity, or information distribution; completion of course surveys to include valuable data for grant reports.
The hands-on learning experience takes place in SUNY Cobleskill’s $1.4 million Dairy Processing Center, which is certified by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets.
May 11 - 14
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech
This Dairy Processing Microcredential Series, an established, hands-on training opportunity
designed for individuals interested in starting a career in dairy processing, increasing
technical knowledge, or exploring on-farm milk processing. Thanks to grant support,
this program is offered entirely free of charge.
Participants will gain practical, industry-relevant experience in SUNY Cobleskill’s
$1.4 million Dairy Processing Center, fully certified by the NYS Department of Agriculture
& Markets. Each day of the series builds on the previous session, and participants
are strongly encouraged to attend all days to maximize learning outcomes.
May 11 – Introduction and Milk Quality
May 12 – Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP),
and HACCP
May 13 – Milk Receiving, Pasteurization, and Antibiotic Testing (Chemical Instruction)
May 14 – Titrations and Bacteria Swabbing
June 2026 - Dates TBD
In Person – SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech
Completely FREE thanks to full program subsidization for Empire State Development. Whether you’re new to beekeeping or ready to deepen your skills, these hands-on courses provide practical knowledge and expert instruction to support sustainable beekeeping practices.