Last week, a team of three Cornell Educators visited a Guilford farmer to assist in converting a greenhouse bedded pack system to freestalls; which will help with cow cleanliness and comfort. Cornell is currently in the initial planning stage, taking measurements and designing the barn. When finished, they will send blueprints, plans, and suggestions to the farmer. (Submitted photo)

GUILFORD — Recently, a dairy farmer realized he should rebuild his stanchion barn to a free-stall barn and concluded he would need some guidance. He called the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Chenango County and asked for help.

“I received the call from the dairy farmer who happened to be the Amish farmer I helped about ten years ago, when he and his family members were looking to move here. I helped their four families locate farms,” said Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator Rich Taber.

“It was during our conversation, I found out he wanted to turn his hoop barn, otherwise known as a stanchion barn, into a freestall barn,” said Taber.

He said he knows the guy quite well and has been to his Guilford farm about a dozen times, helping and educating him.

Taber said when the farmer called requesting help for the new barn, he reached out to a few Cornell experts, including Farm Strategic Planning Specialist PRO-DAIRY Tim Terry and Central New York Dairy Specialist Daniella Gonzalez Carransa.

“It took a couple months of rescheduling the appointment, due to unexpected life events, but finally the three Cornell staff paid a visit to the farm.” he said.