CANTON — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties has partnered to launch the Tri-County Ag Team, a new initiative aimed at better serving commercial agricultural producers across the region.

The team was formed to reflect the needs of North Country farmers and will focus on three core areas: dairy production and health, crop and soil science, and farm business management and economics. Members of the team will conduct on-farm research and provide technical assistance tailored to these critical sectors.

This collaboration allows the three county Extension offices to share high-demand services, building on a long-standing history of regional cooperation.

“As a dairy farmer, I am extremely pleased to see the level of talent Extension has recruited to this team,” said Mark Akins of Five Mile Farm in Lisbon. “It will provide the quality of service agricultural producers need. As an Extension board member, I believe the shared services model offers the economy of scale necessary for success today.”

Meet the Tri-County Ag Team

Colin Hostetter, Farm Business Management Specialist, holds a BS in Agricultural Business from SUNY Cobleskill and an MS in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. He brings a decade of experience in agricultural lending, with expertise ranging from start-up business planning to agricultural workforce development. Hostetter is based at the CCE St. Lawrence County office, located at 2043B State Highway 68 in Canton.

Eric Antrim, Crop and Soil Specialist, earned both his BS and MS in Plant Science from Fresno State University. Before joining the team, he worked with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Reedley, California, focusing on biocontrol research, nutrient and irrigation management, and pest control. His background will strengthen Extension’s on-farm research efforts across the North Country. Antrim is based at the CCE Jefferson County office at 203 N. Hamilton Street in Watertown.

Frans Vokey, Dairy Specialist, holds a BS in Physics from Middlebury College and an MS in Animal Science from Cornell University. With 25 years of experience in dairy management and herd health, Vokey previously worked for CCE of Lewis County and in the private sector, where he led a team providing evidence-based production consulting. He returns to Extension to help producers improve profitability and long-term sustainability. Vokey is based at the CCE Lewis County office at 7395 East Road in Lowville.

For more information or to connect with the Tri-County Ag Team, contact your local Extension office.