Appointment of Farm Business Management Specialist to Advance Sustainable Agricultural Development

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) has appointed Kate McDonald Polakiewicz as the Farm Business Management Specialist for the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program. This appointment directly supports the advancement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the agricultural communities of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By providing expertise in production economics and market analysis, the role aims to enhance farm productivity and promote sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to regional food security.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The focus on financial management and business planning is designed to improve the economic viability of local farms, fostering sustained economic growth and creating decent work within the agricultural sector.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Strengthening the business acumen of agricultural producers directly addresses poverty reduction by improving the profitability and resilience of farming enterprises.

Specialist Profile and Experience in Global Sustainable Agriculture

Ms. Polakiewicz brings 15 years of specialized experience in production and extension systems, with a background that reinforces a commitment to global agricultural sustainability.

1. International Development and Partnerships (SDG 17): Previously with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), she managed the Farmer-to-Farmer program, a key initiative promoting global partnerships through the exchange of technical assistance between US and international farming communities.
2. Research and Innovation (SDG 2 & SDG 9): She has managed large-scale agricultural research awards focused on scaling new technologies in horticulture, agronomy, and aquaculture for practical farm application, aligning with goals for sustainable innovation.
3. Global Field Experience: Her work on agricultural programs in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Uganda, as well as leading education on soil fertility and plant pathology in Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, provides a deep understanding of diverse agricultural systems and challenges.

Program Objectives and Collaborative Framework

The specialist’s initial objectives involve engaging with local farm operations to understand their needs and build a collaborative network. This approach is fundamental to the program’s mission, which is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of five counties, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Team Composition and Contact Information

Ms. Polakiewicz joins a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to sustainable agricultural development. For inquiries regarding farm business management programming that supports economic and environmental sustainability, contact Kate McDonald Polakiewicz at kem348@cornell.edu or 716-640-0522.

The full program team includes:

• Amy Barkley: Livestock Management Specialist and Team Leader
• Kate McDonald Polakiewicz: Farm Business Management Specialist
• Katelyn Miller: Field Crops and Forage Specialist
• Katie Callero: Dairy Management Specialist

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article focuses on agricultural support through farm business management, which is fundamental to improving food production and security.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The core function of the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) program described is to provide education and programming to farmers, enhancing their skills.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – By offering expertise in financial management, business planning, and market analysis, the program aims to improve the economic viability and productivity of farm operations.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights partnerships at multiple levels: the CCE program is a collaboration between a university and county associations, and the new specialist’s background includes managing international knowledge-sharing programs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The specialist’s role in providing programming on “financial management, production economics, business planning, and market analysis” directly supports this goal by helping farmers improve their business operations and profitability.
  • Target 2.a: Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services… to enhance agricultural productive capacity. The article is about the hiring of a specialist for an agricultural extension program (CCE), which is a direct investment in extension services to boost farm productivity.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The CCE program offers specialized programming to adult farmers, providing them with relevant business and financial management skills to improve their enterprises.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The specialist’s background in “scaling new technologies for practical farm use” and her focus on “production economics” align with improving economic productivity through innovation and better management practices.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing. The specialist’s past experience managing the USAID “Farmer-to-Farmer program,” which provided technical assistance from US farmers to communities abroad, is a direct example of international knowledge sharing.
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The CCE program itself is described as a “partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties,” exemplifying a multi-stakeholder partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Implied Indicator for Target 2.3: While no data is provided, progress could be measured by tracking the productivity and income levels of the farms that participate in the CCE’s business management programming.
  • Implied Indicator for Target 2.a: The article itself is an indicator of investment in agricultural extension services through the hiring of a new Farm Business Management Specialist. The existence and staffing of such programs serve as a measure of this investment.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Implied Indicator for Target 4.4: The number of farmers who attend and complete the educational programming offered by the specialist would be a direct measure of adults acquiring relevant vocational skills.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Mentioned Indicator for Target 17.6: The existence of the “Farmer-to-Farmer program” managed by the specialist is a concrete example and indicator of a knowledge-sharing partnership program.
  • Mentioned Indicator for Target 17.16: The formal structure of the “Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program” as a partnership between a university and five county associations serves as an indicator of a functioning multi-stakeholder partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: observertoday.com