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Extension at Dyson

Extension and Outreach Programs
Extension Resources

Cornell Outreach: Dyson Extension Programs

The farm and food sector is a complex system of people, businesses, policies, and regulations. Dyson extension and outreach programs examine production costs, business planning, and labor management at the farm level; executive education for food retailers and cooperative leaders; selling specialty crops in local markets; commodity crops in the global marketplace; and land use and dairy policy. Affiliated programs focus on international development.

Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Logo.
Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management Logo.

As a land grant institution, Cornell University has a legacy of leveraging its academic resources for the greater good of farms, food, businesses, the environment, the community, and the world. The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management is shared by the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The Dyson School partners with the CALS extension system, “putting knowledge to work to serve a public purpose.”

Getting Involved: Student Opportunities with Dyson Extension Programs

Dyson undergraduate and graduate students can participate in agriculture Extension programs in several ways (sometimes for college credit or pay) including:

  • Internships and fellowships
  • Research assistantships
  • Independent research projects
  • Campus employment
  • Extension-affiliated courses
  • Service-learning experiences
  • Short-term study trips (domestic or international)

The first step to getting involved is usually a conversation with your advisor, a faculty mentor, or a specific Extension program contact. You may also peruse the many resources and program websites linked on this page to find open opportunities.

Todd Schmit headshot.

“I offer opportunities to my undergraduate advisees and students to conduct applied research with me and, where suitable, involve them in my Extension programming activities. For graduate students, involvement in Extension activities and engaging with industry, agency, and government stakeholders is an expected part of their graduate program.” Todd Schmit, Professor at Dyson

Blueberries being harvested.

Cornell Cooperative Enterprise Program (CEP)

Collaborative business models range from local buying groups to Fortune 500 companies. Cornell’s CEP focuses on agriculture- and food systems–related cooperatives and associations. Whether you’re looking to establish a new business collective or need help managing an existing member-owned organization, CEP likely has a resource or upcoming event you’ll find helpful.

CEP also benefits Dyson students with access to internships, industry events, and courses designed around collaborative enterprise.

VISIT THE CEP WEBSITE

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Cornell Agribusiness and Rural Development Program (ARDP)

This Cornell agricultural Extension is committed to helping agribusiness firms of all sizes succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. ARDP resources and programming focus on topics such as management, marketing practices, alternative business structures, and inter-industry characteristics that affect policy, performance, and economic development. Dyson AEM majors can also concentrate in agribusiness management.

A person filling out tax forms with a calculator, laptop, and binders.

Cornell Tax Schools

Led by farm and small business experts, Cornell Tax Schools help accountants, consultants, and attorneys better understand their clients’ tax preparation needs—these programs also fulfill CPA- or IRS-required continuing education requirements. In addition to two-day workshops and special seminars, the minds behind the Tax Schools also conduct original research that furthers the industry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CORNELL TAX SCHOOLS

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Food Industry Management Program

Dyson’s Food Industry Management Program (FIMP) is a leading source of scholarly research on food retail and manufacturing; it’s also home to rich educational programming for students and industry executives. Dyson AEM majors can also concentrate in food industry management.

EXPLORE FIMP

Farm machinery in a field.

Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development

Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development is dedicated to developing the people who feed our local families—and the world. Part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), this robust program provides a wealth of professional development and regulatory resources for farm and agribusiness employers and workers: employment trends research, labor law information, leadership training, recruiting and onboarding guides, just to name a few.

DISCOVER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Additional Extension Programs at Cornell and Dyson

From local crisis assistance to nationwide movements, Dyson Extension programs also include valuable services, resources, and learning opportunities such as:

A man and woman in baseball hats pose in a greenhouse.

 NY FarmNet

With a mission to help New York State farms navigate transition, opportunity, and challenge, FarmNet provides free, confidential, on-farm consulting to any farmer, farm family, or agribusiness employee in the state.

A man kneeling in front of a cow writing on a clipboard.

Dairy Farm Business Summary and Analysis (DFBS)

The DFBS project helps NY-based dairy farmers make sound business decisions and set future goals by providing a clear picture of their current financial situation.

Milk in a store’s refrigerator case.

Dairy Markets and Policy

This collective of faculty experts from several land grant universities provides tools and resources (such as milk futures and dairy margin coverage data) to decision-makers.