College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University

09/04/2026

A winged workforce is helping keep your favorite fruits and vegetables on the menu. Chances are, you pass by these tiny unsung heroes every day without noticing.

Amara Dunn-Silver, biocontrol specialist with Cornell Integrated Pest Management, explains some of the pollinator characters you're likely to encounter if you take a closer look.

08/20/2026

08/17/2026

The Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies is hosting our annual honey extraction event! Join us on August 21st from 10am-6pm to extract honey, build bird feeders and check out our newly planted pollinator garden. Free and open to the public!

08/17/2026

We have a new fall webinar series coming up:

Tax 101 – An Introduction to Income Taxes for Farmers
Sep 17, 2026 01:00 PM
Register at: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uFJqZWS8Qz-ResEuz_0gKA

This webinar focuses on good recordkeeping and what information your tax preparer will need to file your taxes effectively.

What you'll learn:

- Understand why accurate record keeping is essential;
- Know what documents are needed;
- Evaluate current record keeping systems and make changes;
- Identify common tax forms and schedules;
- Learn common tax terms and credits;
- Develop a seasonal tax to-do list;
- Understand the value of an on-going relationship with a tax professional.

This program is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. For guidance specific to your individual circumstances, please consult a qualified tax professional.

08/17/2026

If a "101" version of tax awareness and planning for farmers is too entry level for you - don't worry! We are hosting a November 4th Webinar that focuses on more complex topics aptly called "Tax 102."

You can register at: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QWl-5tqLSQWce7UxVnrTVQ

08/12/2026

08/05/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Stephen B. Ashley '62, MBA '64.

A trustee emeritus, devoted alumnus and one of CALS' most transformative benefactors, Steve dedicated decades of service to Cornell. His vision and generosity, including establishing the Cornell CALS Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, will have a lasting impact on our college, our students, and communities around the world.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Steve's family, friends and the many members of the Cornell community whose lives he touched.

Read more about Steve's life and legacy:

Trustee emeritus and philanthropist Stephen Ashley ’62, MBA ’64, whose service and advocacy for Cornell spanned more than five decades, died July 29 in Richmond, New York.

08/04/2026

Doctors recommend dietary fiber for healthy digestion, but to benefit from it, people not only need specific species of gut bacteria but the right strains of those bacteria to process the starches, according to a new study that advances the promise of precision nutrition.

Dietary fiber, which comes in a variety of forms prevents constipation, fosters healthful gut microbes and slows digestion to regulate blood sugar. It is found in several legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Previous studies examining the benefits of resistant starches found mixed outcomes, as some subjects benefited from it while others experienced no effect.

“We think that one of the reasons for that is because you need the right bacteria in your gut to process resistant starch,” said Angela Poole, assistant professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University and the College of Human Ecology at Cornell, and the paper’s senior author.

Read more: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/07/will-dietary-fiber-help-digestion-it-might-depend-your-gut-bacteria

08/03/2026

Congratulations to Mike Helms, Cornell IPM’s Pesticide Safety Education Program lead, on being named president-elect of the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators (AAPSE)! 🎉

This honor reflects Mike's longstanding commitment to pesticide safety, education, and outreach. Over the years, he has been a dedicated advocate for advancing pesticide safety education and supporting the professionals who deliver these critical programs across New York and throughout the country.

Congratulations, Mike! We’re excited to see what’s ahead! 👏

Learn more about AAPSE at: https://www.aapse.org/

Learn more about Mike's work at: https://cals.cornell.edu/people/michael-helms

08/03/2026

We were honored to host New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball and Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Wolters at Cornell AgriTech last week. Alongside hundreds of fruit industry members, they explored the latest Cornell CALS innovations and discoveries shaping the future of New York fruit production.

Their visit also included tours of several exciting research programs, from hop breeding to h**p biomaterials, showcasing the breadth of agricultural innovation happening at AgriTech.

We're proud to support New York’s agricultural industry through research, innovation, and partnership and we're grateful for the continued collaboration and support of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.