The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition and the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council will be conducting two training workshops this month to help owners of dairy and livestock farms learn how to host a successful farm tour.

The four-hour long seminar will cover all aspects of farm tours from setting the date to messaging and parking cars. The workshop is free, includes lunch, and is scheduled for May 20 in Batavia and May 22 in Fonda.

Participants will also be entered into a drawing for a free professional photography session on your farm. Reservations are required.

Monday, May 20, 2013 – 10:30am – 2:30pm
Bohn’s Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia


Wednesday, May 22, 2013 – 10:30am – 2:30pm
The Winner’s Circle, 3293 Route 5, Fonda


Whether hosting a kindergarten class for an hour or organizing a larger tour that is open to the general public, this workshop will go over all details needed, as well as ideas and suggestions to ensure a positive experience for both host farms and tour participants.

In the morning, American Dairy Association and New York Animal Agriculture Coalition will present a comprehensive to-do list of organizing, promoting and conducting a farm tour. All participants will be provided free take-home materials to use on a farm tour including a complete farm tour kit, a set of 10 educational farm tour signs, as well as promotional items such as pencils, erasers, coloring books, brochures and more.

After lunch, a panel of farm tour veterans will share their experiences with a variety of different types and sized farm tours. Those experts will be available for questions and answers following their presentations.

All farm owners and tour organizers in attendance will be entered into a drawing to win a free professional photography session, valued at over $500. The session will include portraits of the farm family, as well as detail shots of the farmstead, animals, fieldwork and more. One photography session will be given out at each workshop location.

Reservations are required by Monday, May 13, 2013. Please contact Jessica Ziehm at
jaz67@cornell.edu to reserve your spot.