If you are like me, maybe you saw the pictures of the grand opening of the center last spring, or heard a little about it via our emails or website. But, like me, you may not realize how cool the space actually is, so I wanted to take this week to share what’s going on down there…

First, the Ag Biz Center development started way back in 2019, but like so many things, it became a bit derailed by Covid. However, thanks to funding by Chobani, it came together to open in April 2022, and we’ve been working steadily this fall and winter to ramp up resources there for farmers.

What is it?

The AgBC at CCE Madison is a 3-room space with a ton of tech resources for farmers and farm businesses, ranging from the basics (we have high speed internet and can help you Zoom) to more complicated options for the tech savvy (a podcasting studio!).

Resources include:

• Computers and internet access—there are PCs with a range of browser options and high-speed internet
• All the audio-visual equipment you need for Zoom meetings, including headphones, cameras, and mikes
• Private rooms for working in with your own computer (and good wifi access!) or holding small meetings
• Color printing and Laminating services
• Farm business book resource library
• Photo equipment, light boxes, and diffusers for high-quality product photography
• Video equipment for recording live footage and live streams (this requires some tech skill!)
• Podcasting studio with equipment (also for the more tech savvy!)
• Microscope with computer hookup so you can get good images of fecal or disease issues (plants and animals, not people!)
• Access to the agricultural library resources at Cornell (during office hours only)

I’m holding Office Hours in the Center twice a month from 1-3pm (usually the first and third Tuesdays each month, but check our website calendar as exact times vary). You can stop in with or without an appointment during these times, and I can help you start using the equipment, explore the resources available at the center, or work one on one with you on technical issues and training.

The Center is open for use beyond these office hours, but it’s best to set up an appointment for that first visit so you can get an orientation!

Services we can help with now include:

• How to use cloud-based programs, including:
  • Canva for graphic design
  • Website hosting and design, various builders
  • Mailing services like MailChimp and Constant Contact
  • Database and data management programs (like AirTable)
  • CRM programs (like Salesforce)
  • Meta (Facebook and Instagram) business management suite
• Working with Excel/Google Sheets—from the basics to using formulas, sorting, and more
• How to use Zoom
• Walking through some of the frustrating gobblygock of online service platforms (like getting an EIN number, setting up NY business services, figuring out things like Nursery licenses and sales taxes, etc)
• Accessing Mann Library (the Cornell ag library—they have so many online resources, I’ve barely even looked through a fraction!)

If you have a more complicated or specific technical question, it’s best to let me know in advance of office hours so I will be prepared or we can set up a private 1:1 time!

The two things I want to particularly highlight today are…

#1: A Lightbox for Produce Photo Shoots!

Since it’s winter, a lot of direct market farm businesses might be overhauling and updating your website. If your product photos are a little dated or dingy feeling, we have a full setup to shoot better product images, including a camera and tripod and a two-foot square lightbox. (We also have an adapter so you can bring your own camera or cell phone to use with the tripod setup.)

It’s pretty snazzy—there are colored backdrops based on what light and colors you want, as well as a range of color settings and brightness levels from the lighting in the box.

Here’s some basics to get prepared for using a lightbox:

https://www.nfi.edu/light-box-photography/

#2: A Microscope!

We were trying to think about what sort of things farmers might be able to use, but that wouldn’t necessarily make sense to buy for an individual farm, and this was one of the suggestions. It ranges from 4x to 2000x magnification, and has a camera that connects to the computer monitor for you to take screenshots of your slides. We hope that this can help folks look at plant disease, insect, and fecal samples to aid in your pest management.

If you are coming in to use the microscope, here’s some pre-reading on the process of using the machine, and how to make a good slide (we have slide materials at the Business Center):

https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Microscope-Slides

If you are running livestock samples, please connect with me *in advance* to get a slide to go make at home, so that we don’t get germy at the business center!

https://microscope-microscope.org/microscope-applications/microscope-animal-fecal-analysis/

Let me know if you want to make an appointment to explore the space, or stop by during our twice monthly Ag Business Center Office hours!