Farm Business Foundations - Quick, Useful and Free!

Cornell Cooperative Extension's Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program (SWNYDLFC) invites farm managers and aspiring farmers to learn more about Farm Business Management through an interactive webinar series. "Farm Business Foundations" will be presented on Thursdays in May from 7pm - 8pm via Zoom webinar. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required by visiting tinyurl.com/farmbiz.

So, You Want to Start a Farm?: Thursday, May 6^th, 7pm - 8pm. Topics include the basics of starting a farm business, an outline of who's who, an introduction to available resources, and a discussion on "is farming right for you?".

Farm Business Planning for Beginners: Thursday, May 13^th, 7pm - 8pm. Topics Include farm management, marketing and regulations, insurance, and SWOT analysis. 

Analyzing Farm Enterprises: Thursday, May 20^th, 7pm - 8pm. Topics include "Hops, Hogs, and Honey - Oh My!", market analysis, evaluating assets, and farm diversification.

Farm Financial Management Basics: Thursday, May 27^th, 7pm - 8pm. Topics include record keeping methods, common financial statements, and tax considerations.

While webinars are free, registration is required by visiting tinyurl.com/farmbizor calling 716-640-0522. If you're not able to make it live, register anyway and you'll receive a workshop recording. Zoom capabilities are required.

Farm Business Foundations is a virtual workshop series for beginning and transitioning farmers presented by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program. Funding for this project provided by the State of New York, American Farmland Trust, and the Cornell University New York Dairy and Livestock Risk Management Education Project. This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28588. FSA Borrower Credits Pending.

Farm Business Foundations Flier (PDF; 1643KB)

Farm Business Foundations Information (PDF; 782KB)

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So, You Want to Start a Farm?

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Farm Business Planning for Beginners

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Analyzing Farm Enterprises

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Farm Financial Management Basics

New York State Fiber Conference

June 9, 2024
Bouckville, NY

Cash Rent and Custom Harvest Survey

To date, there is limited information available about rental rates and fees for crop harvesting.  Farms can use this valuable information for their farm business planning to help improve decision making and profitability. 

Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!

MeatSuite.com is a free resource provided by Cornell University where NY meat farmers can create a farm profile and list their bulk (wholes, halves, quarters) and bundled (i.e. Grilling Bundle) meat products.

Why should farmers join?

1. It's free and easy!
2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.

How do I join?

Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.

While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.

If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.

Sign Up for Our Weekly E-Newsletter

We send out a bi-weekly e-newsletter that has announcements, upcoming programs, and opportunities for you!  Registration is quick, easy, and free.  Click here to sign up today!

Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula, or Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive plant hopper from Asia and is an agricultural pest. In the United States, it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted Lanternfly has been found in New York State on Staten Island, all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and the Buffalo area. SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, and is also a nuisance pest. The nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants, but is especially detrimental to grapes, a black walnut, hops, maple trees and apples. New York State Ag and Markets supported CCE efforts to help bring awareness to communities and we developed this Public Service Announcement and would appreciate you sharing it with your member lists. 

To view the PSA please click here.

CCE Livestock Program Work Team

See the Livestock Program Work Team website for news, upcoming programs, and NYS Slaughterhouse Map.