CCE Food Systems Curriculum Cohorts

Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration, in partnership with CCE Broome, invite Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, Cornell University Extension Associates, and other food systems stakeholders across New York State, to join the fall 2025, winter or spring 2026 cohorts in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Food Systems curriculum through the eCornell platform! 

This curriculum is comprised of ten modules, spanning a broad overview of food systems across the state to understand the role that land access, urban agriculture, public health, farm-to-school, support of value-added production, and how labor and workforce regulations play in our food system. We also explore how food systems policy happens at a local and state level, and how it informs the work we do. 

Each module features content, resources, and video reflections from campus researchers and CCE staff across the state highlighting various programs and resources. Participants will gain access to resources and network with campus and other stakeholders across the state to help create stronger food systems programming leveraging the CCE system and partners across the state. Throughout the online curriculum, students will be challenged to reflect on module content through their current county activities, as well as generate an informal work plan to integrate lessons learned to create stronger programming and/or relationships.

Whether you are engaged in supporting production agriculture, market-based programs (farmers markets, value-added production, Taste NY), 4-H and youth development, farm business management, public health, nutrition and access, and preservation, or any other aspect of the food system across the state, or you just want to grow professionally, this curriculum is for you!

Participation in the curriculum is online and includes weekly Zoom sessions (dates listed below) to connect with colleagues, engage in meaningful conversations, and share experiences and lessons learned. 

Topic	Fall 2025 Cohort Dates (9am)	Winter 2026 Cohort Dates (1pm)	Spring 2026 Cohort Dates (9am)
Food Systems Fundamentals	Sept 12th	Jan 6th	March 18th
Reaching all communities in the Food System	Sept 19th	Jan 13th	March 25th
Food Systems Policy & Building Relationships	Sept 26th	Jan 20th	April 1st
Farm Labor & Workforce Development	Oct 3rd	Jan 27th	April 8th
Food Systems Work in Practice	Oct 10th	Feb 3rd	April 15th
Support of Value-Added Producers	Oct 17th	Feb 10th	April 22nd
Role of Public Health in Food Systems Work	Oct 24th	Feb 17th	April 29th
Community-Based Agriculture	Oct 31st	Feb 24th	May 6th
Farm to School	Nov 7th	March 3rd	May 13th
Land Access	Nov 14th	March 10th	May 20th

All cohorts utilize a weekly virtual debriefing session with a facilitated discussion of that module’s action plan questions. Each cohort experience will feature a kick-off webinar where we will introduce everyone to the eCornell platform, walk through the various interactive components of the curriculum, and discuss expectations for participation.  

We anticipate that the time commitment for participation will be ~ 4-6 hours per module (per week), and then engaging and reflecting on the content, as well as the module action plan to help strengthen your programming and create stronger local and regional relationships. You can put in the amount of time you need to absorb the content. Want to know what previous participants thought? Below are some reflections from a handful of Spring 2024 cohort members:

“As a CCE nutrition program coordinator with limited agricultural experience, it was a huge step up for me. It has allowed me to be a bigger part of the food system conversations/efforts in our county and in our state.” – Marie Gabalski, CCE Orleans

“I am really hoping to collaborate more with other program areas, make a conscious effort to work with underserved communities, and learn about and work more with urban agriculture to make urban farming more of a possibility for Dutchess County.” – Bethany Schulteis, CCE Dutchess

“(in the next six months I will give) More consideration of consumer education, enhanced community partnerships, increased involvement with ag career awareness and workforce development” – anon

The cost to participate in this cohort experience is $175. We invite you to apply using this link. The application link will be rolling, but will close two weeks before each cohort begins (August 29^th, 2025 & Dec 23^rd 2026). Announcements will be made regarding cohort acceptance and payment within one week of the closing period.

Questions regarding the curriculum or cohort experience can be directed to Vicki Giarratano (vlg4@cornell.edu) and Laura Biasillo (lw257@cornell.edu).