As summer approaches, farms are gearing up for a season of intense activity and growth—not only in the fields but also in professional development. This time of year presents a prime opportunity for those in agriculture to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and connect with others in the industry. Here at Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, summer offers a range of agricultural professional development opportunities tailored to both new and experienced professionals.
Learn more below about our upcoming online courses:
ASL101-SP: Transición a Supervisor (in Spanish)
Transition to Supervisor helps to develop leaders and focuses on skills to improve communication and manage conflict. Learn how to recognize our inherent biases and how to build better working relationships. Gain insight into your leadership style and learn how to effectively lead diverse and multicultural teams.
Course begins: Friday, June 20, 2025
Live Zoom discussions: Live Zoom discussions: Thursdays, June 26 – July 31, 4:00–5:00 PM ET
Register for ASL101-SP Transición a Supervisor
Visit the ASL Spanish page/Visita la página web del Liderazgo en Supervisión Agrícola
ASL106: Ethics and Employment Regulations (in English)
In ASL106: Ethics and Employment Regulations, you’ll explore how to implement fair and ethical labor practices in agriculture and why they matter. You’ll learn to recognize and prevent sexual harassment, understand wage and hour laws, and apply Equal Employment Opportunity regulations to foster a respectful, inclusive workplace. The course also covers best practices for handling employee discipline and termination.
Course begins: Friday, June 20, 2025
Live Zoom discussions: Thursdays, June 26 – July 31, 3:00–4:00 PM ET
Register for ASL106: Ethics and Employment Regulations
The last day to register for our ASL courses in June 25.
Course cost: $275 for NYS residents/$325 for out of state residents
Scholarship Opportunity for Dairy Producers
Thanks to the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NEDBIC), eligible dairy producers can apply for a $100 scholarship to help cover registration fees. Scholarships are available to participants from qualifying states in the Northeast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The scholarship is automatically applied during the registration process.
Learn more about the scholarship opportunity here.
By participating in AEM, farm employees will gain confidence in their English skills, helping to improve workplace communication, enhance productivity, and open doors to career advancement. For more information visit the AEM webpage.
Course begins: Friday, June 20, 2025
Practice sessions: Every Friday, June 27 – August 1, 2:00–3:00 PM ET
The last day to register is June 18, 2025.
Course cost: $99/mentee. Mentors are free.
Register for AEM: https://cvent.me/eZQ3wZ
This course will be offered for a limited time. This opportunity is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center. This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023 70027-40447.
For more information or to sign up for the Agricultural English Mentorship program, contact Mary Lewis at ml2656@cornell.edu.
Ag English Mentorship (AEM) program
Agricultural Workforce Development is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Annual Report, now available to the public. The report highlights the program’s continued commitment to strengthening New York’s agricultural workforce through research, education, and industry collaboration.