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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County is represented by Kathleen McCormick (she/her).

With family roots in Iowa cornfields and Wyoming ranchland, Kathleen has a keen appreciation of those who make their living from the land. Kathleen joined the staff at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County (CCE Erie) in 2019 to become a Regional Navigator in the Farmland for a New Generation network. Prior to becoming a Regional Navigator, she worked for the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (WNY PRISM) where she was part of a team that focused on management of an invasive grass (Brachypodium sylvaticum). Kathleen came to WNY PRISM from the Western New York Land Conservancy where she was responsible for land protection and stewardship. She has a Ph.D. in kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. in ecological landscape design and planning from the Conway School, and a B.S. in biology from the University of California-Irvine. Kathleen’s training and experience has taught her that healthy land means healthy people. She is delighted to be doing work that keeps land in farming and encourages careful stewardship.

Learn more about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County is a participating Navigator organization in Protecting the Great Lakes Through a Farm Navigator Network project.

Great Lakes Farm Navigator Spotlight: Kathleen McCormick

Name, Pronouns: Kathleen McCormick, she/her

Organization: CCE of Erie County

Title: Agriculture Educator

Where in the Great Lakes region do you work? 

I work in the Lake Erie watershed, in Erie County, NY. Our county includes Buffalo, the second largest city in New York State, and is a mix of urban, suburban, and rural land. We are fortunate to have prime soils, ample water, and a climate moderated by Lake Erie. 

What brought you to this work? What is your connection to agriculture or to the watershed? 

With family roots in the cornfields of Iowa and the ranch lands of Wyoming, I have a keen appreciation of those who make their living from the land. I didn’t grow up on a farm, but I have lots of extended family who did and such happy memories of visiting them — watching my cowboy cousins wrestle calves at Uncle Carl’s place, going for a ride with Uncle Dave in his big John Deere, collecting eggs with Aunt Irene, cranking the ice cream maker for Aunt Virginia. I want to help ensure that farming continues to be an option for families who want to do it. That means keeping land in farming and encouraging its careful stewardship. 

What is your area of expertise? In what ways do you typically work with farmers and farmland owners? 

Kathleen assists next generation farmers in search of land and farmers preparing for retirement by connecting them with one another, and to the tools, educational resources and technical experts they need to achieve their goals. 

 How are you hoping to grow from your experience as a Great Lakes Farm Navigator? 

Knowledge is power. Pooling knowledge, skills, and expertise with others who are passionate about keeping land productive and in production will energize our work, bring new perspectives, enhance problem solving, and grow the network of farmers and landowners CCE Erie can reach. 

What is one piece of advice you have for farmers who are looking to transfer their farm to a new generation? Or do you have advice for farmers entering agriculture and seeking access to land? 

Start early, keep an open mind, be willing to experiment.