News Release 

Date: Nov. 30, 2007
Contact Person: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
T: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
E: rschuelke@nyfvi.org 

NY Farm Viability Beginning Farmer Project Publishes “Guide to Farming in NYS”

"Do I need a permit to start farming?"

"How should I structure my business?"

The above questions, and a slew of others, are on the tongues of an increasing number of rural landowners that are exploring how to use their land for economic return. Those questions are also the genesis behind a new guide published by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell’s Small Farms Program, “Guide to Farming in NYS: What Every Ag Entrepreneur Needs to Know.”

The guide, published in part with grant assistance from the New York Farm Viability Institute, aims to help people learn the legalities and logistics of starting a farm.

``Extension educators across the state are responding to increased demand for information on farm startup by offering counseling and classes for aspiring farmers,’’ said Erica Frenay, coordinator of Small Farm Program’s beginning farmer project. ``The guide is an essential reference for new and existing farmers alike, providing answers to questions about taxes, business planning, labor law, zoning, regulations, marketing and many other topics that farmers need to know.’’

The guide is a compilation of fact sheets about common farm startup questions.

``This guide is the first of many new resources being developed by the NY Beginning Farmer Project, which is working to increase the likelihood of success of all new and diversifying farmers in the state,’’ Frenay said.

The beginning farmer project was launched in early 2007 and is led by a team of Cooperative Extension Educators and the Cornell Small Farms Program.

Copies of the “Guide to Farming in NYS’’ were been distributed to each county Cornell Cooperative Extension office. Additionally, the guide and individual fact sheets can be downloaded for free at www.smallfarms.cornell.edu (click on "Guide to Farming in NY” under Quick Links on the homepage).

The “Guide to Farming in NYS” received additional support from Northeast Farm Credit’s AgEnhancement Program and the Small Farms Program.

For information about the New York Beginning Farmer Project, contact Frenay at (607)255-9911 or ejf5@cornell.edu, or Anu Rangarajan, Small Farms Program Director, ar47@cornell.edu, (607) 255-1780.

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. The Institute receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfvi.org.