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



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



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Dairy

Dairy

Livestock

Livestock

Forages

Forages

Grains

Grains

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Upcoming Events

El "Break" Info-Lechero 2025

September 3, 2025
September 10, 2025
September 17, 2025
September 24, 2025
October 1, 2025
October 8, 2025
October 15, 2025
October 22, 2025
October 29, 2025
November 5, 2025

Dairy Spanish Webinar Series, free but registration required.  Only available in Spanish.

Retirement Accounts for Farmers

October 8, 2025

Free webinar

If I'm Not Here Tomorrow: Estate Planning for Young Farm Families with Children

November 5, 2025

Free webinar

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!

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.


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. 



CCE Livestock Program Work Team

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