New York Farm Viability Institute Website Press Releases 

Date: April 12, 2007

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
(315) 453 3823 extension 103
(315) 427-2714

rschuelke@nyfarmviability.org

New York Farm Net’s Business Plan Consulting Featured at National Conference

New York Farm Net’s business plan consulting will be among the featured projects at the National Farm Management Conference to be held June 12-14 in Rochester, Minn.

New York Farm Net Communications Director Ed Staehr will share lessons learned in providing business planning assistance to agricultural producers.

Staehr was recently selected to present at the conference, a joint event of the National Association of Farm Business Analysis Specialists, the National Farm & Ranch Business Management Education Association, and the North Central Farm Management Extension Committee.

The 2007 conference theme is ``Professionals Influencing Today’s Agriculture.’’ The event is expected to draw more than 500 farm business educators and others that work in agricultural support.

New York Farm Net is a nonprofit group that provides free and confidential on-farm consultation in business planning, finances, farm changes, farm transfer, natural disaster, personal stress, family communication and marital conflict. New York Farm Net receives support from Cornell University’s agricultural economic department, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, and grant funds.

Between 2005 and 2009, New York Farm Net will receive more than $300,000 in funding from the New York Farm Viability Institute, a nonprofit that directs farm-level research to increase farm profits.

``Business planning education is part of the foundation that a viable, sustainable New York agriculture system stands on,’’ said Thomas Sleight, executive director of the Farm Viability Institute. ``Farm Net’s services and expertise are very important to producers. Whether we are talking about expanding a business, transferring ownership, getting out of debt or so many other scenarios, producers need to know there is someone to turn to.’’

For more information about New York Farm Net, visit www.nyfarmnet.org. 

New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. Please visit www.nyfarmviability.org.