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.
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.
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.
Crop Insurance Calculation Tools
The following workbook will assist farmers to understand the purpose of crop insurance and how it can be used to prevent financial disasters do to loss in crop yields and/or market losses. click here.
Dairy Farm Business Management Summary
CALS has analyzed on farm costs of milk production and revenue generated by dairy farms for over 50 years. The objective of DFBS is to evaluate the historical experience of the business and apply modern farm business management strategies that meet the goals of dairy farm operators and their families. To access copies of the summary click here.
