How to Use This Site

 

This website was developed by the NY Beginning Farmer Project as part of our effort to improve the likelihood of success of new farm enterprises in NY. We hope this collection of online resources will help you complete some of the planning necessary to start a successful new farm-based business. There are three ways to use this site:

  1. Just wing it. Explore, read, pick and choose what you want. Use the Learning modules, or not.
  2. Create a user profile. This takes only a moment and gives you access to the customized features of the site, like the forum (where you can interact with other NY new farmers), and the ability to use online worksheets integrated throughout the lessons to work on your own farm plan.
  3. Sign up for an online beginning farmer course for the opportunity to work through the Learning modules with a group of peers and receive real-time guidance from an experienced extension educator.

NY Beginning Farmer Project


The NY Beginning Farmer Project is led by a team of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program. We launched the project in 2006 in response to increasing interest in farm start-ups. Our goal is to enhance the likelihood of success of new ag enterprises by making the best resources and training available to any new or diversifying farmer in NY.


This website is one of our projects. We also offer an online course taught by experienced Extension educators and using content from this website, and we coordinate regional trainings for new farmers (check the Events page above for dates and counties). For more customized, one-on-one assistance, contact your county's Cooperative Extension office (click "Get Connected" above)

 

NY Beginning Farmer Project Leadership Team:

Anita Deming - Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) - Essex County
Anu Rangarajan - Cornell Small Farms Program
Bernadette Logozar - CCE Franklin
Bob Weybright - CCE Dutchess
Chanda Lindsay -formerly CCE Cayuga
Erica Frenay - Cornell Small Farms Program
Jim Ochterski - CCE Ontario
Karen Baase - CCE Madison
Krys Cail - CCE Tompkins
Lynn O'Brien - CCE Allegany/Cattaraugus
Molly Ames - CCE Jefferson
Monika Roth - CCE Tompkins
Rebecca Hargrave - CCE Chenango

About our Funders

Funding for this project comes from the NY Farm Viability Institute and a Cornell Cooperative Extension Directors' Call grant. 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 is funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a key outreach system of Cornell University with a strong public mission and an extensive local presence that is responsive to needs in New York communities. The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work.