CANTON – A disaster preparedness workshop for farmers that can lower insurance costs will be hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Wednesday, Jan. 15 at the Extension Learning Farm, 2043 State Highway 68.

Cornell Cooperative Extension has developed a new training program for farm owners to increase their resilience to small and large disasters. The Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate program will help farm owners plan for and manage disasters that may someday occur on their operations. This program will focus on pre-disaster education, preparedness, and mitigation steps farm owners can take regarding farm equipment safety on the road, fire or structure collapse, storm and wind damage, criminal activity, farm chemical risks, and biosecurity.

Vehicle accidents, collapsed barns, severe floods, and criminal activity, are examples of how events can put many farms in a vulnerable position regarding disaster preparedness. All farms can increase their disaster preparedness with a number of low-cost and no-cost strategies that will increase business reliance, and make the farm’s insurance agent happy as well.

This all-day workshop is intended for farm owners and managers. Presenters will be Jackson Wright, Dairy Specialist with the NWNY Dairy, and Anita Figueras, Finance Manager. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, Jan. 10. All are welcome.

The cost is $35, which includes lunch and refreshments, handouts, and a certificate of participation. It will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.

Farms that complete the Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate training will receive a dated certificate to provide to their insurer as a condition of eligibility for receiving a credit or discount. Farm Family Insurance, for example, is offering up to a 15 percent discount.

For more information or to register, contact Figueras at 379-9192 or arf22@cornell.edu.