Dairy production remains the most important commodity in Western New York, a mainstay of the local economy and the top priority for COSA. However, fluctuations in the dairy market show the risks of depending on a single commodity. COSA will help Alfred State and the region build the capacity to diversify and develop value-added enterprises. By raising other species, such as sheep and poultry, and by producing vegetables, small fruits, and other crops for human consumption, COSA can serve as a model for small-scale diversified farms that are found throughout the Southern Tier.