News Release 

Date: Mar. 7, 2008

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, communication specialist
Telephone: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
Cell phone: (315) 427-2714
Email: rschuelke@nyfvi.org


Cornell’s Small Farms program offers online training for beginning farmers


Startup farmers and those looking to diversify existing farms with new enterprises can get planning assistance through a nine-week online training course offered through the Cornell University Small Farms Program.

The course begins on March 19 and runs through May 21.

The training is part of an ongoing initiative by the Cornell Farms Program, the New York Beginning Farmer Project, designed to coordinate resources throughout the state and assist new farmers in establishing sustainable businesses through sound business planning and other training. The Beginning Farmer Project received grant funding from the New York Farm Viability Institute, a farmer-led nonprofit group that supports research and outreach efforts to help farms increase profits.

Designed in collaboration with educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension, the nine-week online course will ``benefit participants from a diversity of backgrounds, from those just exploring a new idea to those seeking to diversify or expand existing farm operations,’’ Erica Freney, project coordinator for the NY Beginning Farmer Project.

The online course is modeled after successful workshops held through the state that help new farmers prepare for business planning, marketing produce, and farming basics, such as choosing land and equipment.

``Many aspiring farmers live in urban areas or counties where demand is not high enough for such courses to be offered. Educators have observed that new farmers tend to be relatively internet-savvy, yet while they can easily `Google’ their way to mountains of farming information, few online sources exist to guide decision-making and new farm planning,’’ Freney said.

The Beginning Farmer Project online course starts with the student assessing goals and resources, and moves through marketing, enterprise selection, and environmental stewardship practices. The training ends by ``taking a hard look at profit potential and business planning,’’ Freney said.

Along the way, participants interact with each other through discussion forums, post questions for the instructors, collect resources relevant to each lesson, and complete activities like helping a fictional new farmer make decisions about his business.

Cornell Cooperative Extension educators Molly Ames, of Jefferson County, and Jessica Prosper, of Franklin County, will be teaching the online course.

``The beauty of online courses is that you can do them from the comfort of your own home, at whatever time of day suits your schedule. So sit down at the computer, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to start making your farm dreams a reality,’’ Freney said.

Course content includes the basics of building a business plan, evaluating land, equipment and facilities, regulations, taxes, and legal issues.

Course graduates will receive a letter of successful course completion that can be included in a business plan.

Course size will be limited. Cost is $200, with $50 due at registration. To register, call (315) 788-8450.




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.