Farm Business Management
CCE of Onondaga County staff can provide information and work with a farm operator or beginning farmer to evaluate a change the business or assess a new business idea. CCE staff utilizes FINPACK software as financial tool for business review. FINPACK provides with abilities to look at the “now,” “What if,” and look at economic projections to reach business goals.
Staff can act as a sounding board and assist in identifying resources that would increase the likelihood of business success. There are several tools useful to farmers and new and beginning farmers as they analyze their business.
Labor Law Compliance
Farm employers must comply with NYS and Federal Labor laws. Minimum wage laws are applicable when the total cash remuneration paid all persons employed on the farm exceeded $3,000 in the previous calendar year. Under this wage order, all workers, with certain exceptions, must receive $7.15 per hour as of January 1, 2007. It excludes immediate family and minors under 17 years of age employed on the same farm as their parents or guardians who are paid on a piece-rate basis at the same rate as employees over 17. The wage order permits deductions for meals and lodging supplied by an employer, except for lodging for seasonal migrant workers. Payments in kind may be permitted at not more than the farm market value. Employers must post a summary of the wage order in a conspicuous place in their establishment, along with a copy of the general work agreement. The wage order permits specified allowances to be deducted from the minimum wage for meals and lodging supplied by an employer. However, an allowance for lodging is not allowed. To learn more about labor law
click here.
NEW FARM OR RURAL ENTERPRISE RESOURCES
Self reflection is important when beginning a new business. Resources for the business need to be analyzed and goals identified in order that the business meet the financial and lifestyle goals of the operator. For a list of questions to ask
click here. For the Onondaga County Farming Resource Packet
click here.
Small Farms Program
Learn about the latest small farm news, events, resources, career opportunities and projects at www.smallfarms.cornell.edu
NY Beginning Farmers
An online resource center offering self-guided online lessons, business planning templates, a farmer forum, and a training calendar directing aspiring farmers to regional workshops. Visit http://beginningfarmers.cce.cornell.edu for lessons and decision-making resources to help you form the foundation of your business.
Business Programs
Empire State Development provides a variety of assistance aimed at helping businesses. They offer loans, grants and tax credits, as well as other financing and technical assistance, to support businesses and encourage their growth within New York State. Visit their website by clicking here.
Onondaga County Commodity Fact Sheets
These factsheets will provide locations to gather useful information on local Onondaga County Commodities. If there is a commodity that is not listed here please email lmg277@cornell.edu for more information.
Beef Information
Beginning a Christmas Tree Farm
Central New York Auctioneers Companies
Christmas Tree Fact Sheets
Christmas Tree Growers Tips Article
Christmas Tree Location List
Christmas Tree Shearing Sheet from Onieda City
Cold Season Kale Factsheet
Fruit Trees Fact Sheet
Maple Coloring Pages
Maple Industry Fact Sheet
Maple Information from the Maple Association
Maple Syrup Production Beginners Guide
Organic Information Fact Sheet - Vegetable Growers
Problems with Rye and Fescue Grasses and Alpacas
Growing Degree Days in Onondaga County
Growing degrees are the number of heat units available to grow a crop – based on corn and soybeans. There are less than 1800 to as many as 2400 growing degree days or heat units within 5 ranges in Onondaga County. To determine the number of growing degree days for your business
click here.
Drainage Guide for New York State
Soil permeability related to rainfall and snow events is critical to success of a growing crop outside of a greenhouse environment. To learn more about rainfall and drainage in Onondaga County consult the
Drainage Guide for New York State.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Tools and Resources
To access on-line tools and resources available through the CALS Beginning and Diversifying web site
click here.
Marketing Your Farm Products
Identification of a market and sale of product is critical to the success of a direct farm marketer.
Four farm businesses in Central New York were used as case studies to learn more about costs and returns of various marketing channels used by 4 fruit and vegetable farms. To learn more about the experiences of these farms
click here.
Smart Marketing
CALS faculty created a series of monthly
Smart Marketing newsletters that focused on market access, market trends, and marketing strategies of farm and food commodities produced in Onondaga County and in New York State. To view the series
click here.
NY MarketMaker
NY MarketMaker is an Internet-based marketing mechanism that connects farmers and processors with food retailers and consumers. To learn more about and connect with NY MarketMaker
click here.
Risk Management and Crop Insurance
Production agriculture is one of the most capital intensive businesses that a business owner can engage in. Long term business viability can be achieved through managing risk related to price volatility and weather events through participation in Risk Management planning and using federally subsidized programs like the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Risk Management tools can be located
here.
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets provides educational opportunities for grower to research and find an agent and policy that is right for their cropping and livestock situation. For more information about the educational outreach initiatives provided by the NYS Crop Insurance Education Team
click here.
To learn more about risk management through the use of crop insurance
click here.
Each year faculty from Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences hosts a conference on current trends within the farm and food sector in early December. To view the proceedings and presentations from the 2008 Conference
click here.