Farm Business Plan Writing Course
Event Details
Date
December 6, 2023
December 13, 2023
January 10, 2024
January 17, 2024
January 24, 2024
January 31, 2024
February 7, 2024
February 14, 2024
Time
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Location
Zoom
Host
CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program & Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Liz Higgins
email Liz Higgins
As a farmer, you know the importance of planning, but writing a business plan? That can feel like a whole different field. Our eight-week online course is specifically designed for farmers like you. Whether you're seeking a loan, grant, or just need to get your business and transition plans in order, we've got you covered.
Click here to register and for a detailed description of meetings.
Why This Course?
- Practical and Down-to-Earth: Learn to create a plan that spells out your farming goals clearly and compellingly.
- Friendly for Non-Writers: Hate writing? No problem. We'll introduce you to easy-to-use tools like ChatGPT and voice recognition to break down that writer's block.
- Numbers Made Easy: Feel overwhelmed by data and financials? We'll guide you through simplifying your farm's financials into a format lenders and grant reviewers love.
- Flexible and Time-Saving: Busy schedule? Our course is mostly asynchronous, with optional weekly Zoom sessions for direct support. Plus, you'll learn to make a plan that's easy to update in the future.
Your Investment:
For just $100, gain skills and a plan worth thousands if done by a consultant. You'll continue to have full access to your plan for edits and updates after the course ends. The registration fee includes support for one farm plan, but the whole team on your farm can join in on the learning!
Who Can Join?
Anyone with a computer and reliable internet. Meet Your Guides:
- Elizabeth Higgins: An Extension Associate with a knack for turning horticultural know-how into profitable ideas.
- Bonnie Nelsen: A Farm Business Management Educator who knows exactly what it takes to keep a farm financially healthy.
Ready to secure your farm's future with a solid plan? Join us and turn planning from a chore into a stepping stone to success!
Agenda:
- Kickoff Week: Laying the Groundwork for Your Success
- Week 2: Sharpening Your Focus - Tailoring Your Plan
- Week 3: Laying the Foundation - Strategy and Competitive Edge
- Week 4: The Financial Frontier - Making Your Numbers Talk
- Week 5: Navigating the Market Maze - Strategies and Safeguards
- Week 6: Cultivating Team Strength - Management and Operations
- Week 7: Flex Week/TBD
- Week 8: The Grand Finale - Crafting Your Executive Summary
Dairy
Livestock
Forages
Grains
Upcoming Events
Farm to School Summit
November 20 - November 22, 2024 : Farm to School Summit
Syracuse, NY
Please join us at the inaugural NY Farm to School Summit, on November 20-22, 2024, at the Syracuse Oncenter.
Labor Roadshow VIII
December 11, 2024
December 13, 2024
December 17 - December 18, 2024 : Labor Roadshow VIII
Two in-person locations to choose from, along with a virtual option. Join them in navigating agricultural labor issues, connecting on common challenges, and exploring possible solutions.
2025 Dairy Day
January 7, 2025 : Dairy Day - Hamilton
Hamilton, NY
New Location! Lunch Included!
January 8, 2025 : Dairy Day - Ballston Spa
Ballston Spa, NY
Lunch Included!
Announcements
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!Document and Share Storm Damage
Mother nature has really been difficult over the last few days. Significant damage has been seen throughout NYS. Please let us know what types of damage your farm may have sustained during this time. This could be in the form of property damage, lost power, milk dump due to lost power, loss of livestock, loss of stored feed or growing crops.Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.
If your farm experienced any sort of damage, please reach out to any of the folks listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness. The CNYDLFC Team will continue to collect detail and submit to NYSDAM and the EDEN network.
Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business)
- First, ensure that all the people and animals on your farm are safe, and that there aren't any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check your structures!). If there's an emergency, call 911 - don't try to manage it all on your own.
- Second, document all negative weather impacts for your farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.
- Reach out to your insurance providers - farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.
- Then, share your farm's damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. We all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to Ag and Markets which can initiate a natural disaster declaration.
Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Office.
- Chenango: 607-334-5841
- Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-2135
- Herkimer: 315-866-7920
- Madison: 315-684-3001
- Otsego: 607-547-2536
- Schoharie: 518-234-4303
- Saratoga: 518-885-8995
Any of our CNYDLFC Team members (calls/emails/texts/site visit requests all ok)
Your county USDA/FSA service center.
Your county farm bureau manager
Please let us know how we can help you.
- Erik Smith: 315-219-7786
- Daniela Gonzalez: 315-749-3486
- Ashley McFarland- 315-604-2156
Your county USDA/FSA service center.
- Chenango: 607-334-3231
- Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-4015
- Herkimer: 315-866-2520
- Madison:315-824-9076
- Otsego: 607-547-8131
- Schoharie: 518-295-8600
- Saratoga: 518-692-9940
Your county farm bureau manager
- Region 3: Bailey Coon: 518-937-0566
- Region 5: John Wagner: 315-761-9770
- Region 6: Natally Batiston: 518-937-0269
- Region 7: Todd Heyn: 518-431-9338
Please let us know how we can help you.
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.The data that is collected, and the subsequent reports/findings/resources will be helpful for all of us to answer that call of "What's the average rental rate in my area?" and "How much do people charge to combine oats?"
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.