Alternative Farming
Farm Safety
Financial Management
Human Resources
Risk Management
Lenders
Real Estate
Partnerships
Brochure describing the Farming Alternatives Program at Cornell University and the services the program provides. Publication ordering information is included.
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, Inc.
Brochure about the NOFA organization. Includes description, activities, publications, and membership information.
NOFA-NY Organic Certification Program Information for Dairy Farm Certification
1999 information and order form.
Direct From the Farm To You.
Brochure describing the New York State Farmers' Direct Marketing Association. Includes information on membership in the association.
ATTRA: Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
Brochure about the ATTRA program for sustainable agriculture. Its services, staff and national 800 number contact information are included.
1996 Listing of some publications available through ATTRA. A brief description of the ATTRA program and how to contact them.
NY Farms! A campaign to promote farming and protect farmland in New York State.
Brochure describing the NY Farms! Program's vision and mission and what we can do to help.
Sell What You Sow!
Handout briefly describing the book written by Eric Gibson Sell What You Sow! A growers guide to successful produce marketing. Information on cost and how to order the book are included.
New World Bookshelf.
Listing of available publications from New World Publishing. Topics include Business & Marketing, Growing, Greenhouse Business and other topics.
Adding Value for Sustainability
Markley, Kristen & Hilchey, Duncan. Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Farming Alternatives Program, Cornell University, 1998. Guidebook designed to provide Cooperative Extension agents and other agricultural professionals a background on small-scale processing enterprise development in order to educate interested producer, processors and communities. $8.50 per copy.
Farmers' Markets and Rural Economic Development.
Hilchey, Duncan, Lyson, Thomas, & Gillespie, Gilbert. Farming Alternatives Program, Cornell University, 1995. Booklet written for local economic development officials, Agricultural and Farmland Protection Boards, and Cooperative Extension staff outlining some of the results of a vendor study and discusses how public agencies can assist farmers' markets in contributing to rural development.
Farming Alternatives: A Guide to Evaluating the Feasibility of New Farm-Based Enterprises.
Nancy Grudens Schuck, Wayne Knoblauch, Judy Green, Mary Saylor. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Cornell University, 1991. Guide written for families and individuals interested in developing a new farm-based enterprise.
Direct Marketing of Farm Produce and Home Goods.
John Cottingham, James Hovland, Jordana Lenon, Teryl Roper, Catherine Techtmann. University of Wisconsin - Extension. Talks about direct marketing alternatives, feasibility, marketing goals, financial planning, regulations, merchandising, and other management concerns of direct marketing.
Charles R. Hall, Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Basic information for developing a plan to market fresh produce, including information on markets, transportation, selling methods, risks and rewards.
Marketing your produce directly to Consumers.
V.J . Parker-Clark. University of Idaho College of Agriculture-Extension. Explains how to decide on product selection, marketing alternatives (farmers mkts, u-pick, roadside, etc.), location, and personal expectations of direct marketing.
Farmers' Markets & Rural Economic Development.
Duncan Hilchey, Thomas Lyson, Gilbert Gillespie, Jr. 1995. Importance of Farmers' Markets in providing an entrepreneurial environment for vendors to help develop confidence, foster business skills, etc., as well as benefitting community areas surrounding the downtown markets via "consumer draw".
A Guide To Successful Direct Marketing
Texas A & M University System--Extension. Defines types and considerations of different direct marketing methods, establishing a business plan & marketing research , pricing strategies, advertising and promotion ideas.
Respiratory Hazards in the Farm Environment
Brochure produced by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health (NYCAMH). Explains many of the respiratory hazards farmers and farm workers should be aware of and how to prevent breathing troubles caused by the hazards.
Using Personal Protective Equipment on the Farm
Brochure produced by NYCAMH,New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. Discusses methods of protection for respiratory system, eyes, hearing, and hands. Information for ordering personal protective equipment from NYCAMH is included.
Farmsafe: Focus on Agricultural Health Series.
Brochure listing videotapes available through NYCAMH, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. The tapes address a variety of issues in agricultural safety and health. Information for ordering is included.
Farmer's Clinic, Treatment of Agricultural Health Problems.
Brochure produced by NYCAMH, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. The brochure gives contact information for scheduling an appointment at the Farmer's Clinic.
Arthritis and Farmers, A Guide to Daily Living.
Brochure produced by the Arthritis Foundation describing arthritis, its impact on farming, management of arthritis and resources available through the Arthritis Foundation.
How Safe Are Your Tractors?
Brochure produced by NYCAMH, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. A tractor safety checklist and contact information for NYACMH is included.
Protection Through Observance: Power Take-Off Safety.
Brochure produced by NYCAMH, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. A list of PTO safety rules and information reminding owners of their responsibility to use a PTO safely and maintain it properly.
Safe Farm: How to Respond to Farm Accidents.
By Charles Schwab & Laura Miller. Fact Sheet giving information on how to respond to emergency situations safely. Part of the Safe Farm Series from Iowa Extension.
Safety in the Farm Workplace.
J I Case, June 1994. Brochure designed for farm families' and farm employees' safety on the farm. Illustrated with explanations of risks involved with the lifestyle, repetitive and changing work, age and equipment. References and videos also available.
Staying Alive: The Struggle to Save Farm Accident Victims.
Cheryl Tevis. Successful Farming, 1990. Report including personal experiences and information on how the reader can prepare for and involve the community in life-saving procedures required in the life-or-death situations you hope you will never need to use.
Play It Safe: The Farm Safety Challenge Game.
Brochure describing an educational game designed by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health (NYCAMH) to reinforce farm safety practices in a fun competitive atmosphere. Ordering information is included in the brochure.
Safe Farm: Match Age, Abilities to Farm Chores.
Iowa State University Extension, 1993. Fact sheet discussing youth developmental stages and matching farm chores for safety. From the Safe Farm Series.
Downsizing Farm Chores.
Cheryl Tevis. Successful Farming. February 1994. Article including survey results, informational articles about measuring tasks for children from toddlers to teens, with a child development table with age-specific characteristics, risks and suggestions for prevention.
We Kill Too Many Farm Kids.
Cheryl Tevis. Successful Farming. February 1994. Statistics, susceptibility by age and sex, costs of accidents resulting in injury or death, need for training, and 15 steps to farm safety discussed and illustrated in this article.
So That Kids Might Live.
Cheryl Tevis. Successful Farming. March 1991. Five pages of ideas for promoting farm safety for kids program. "A blueprint for action to help you get a program started in your community."
Dairy Farm Business Summary and Analysis.
Cornell Cooperative Extension. Brochure describing the DFBS program. Information on participating in the program is included.
Establishing and Reaching Goals.
Suzanne Karberg. Purdue University.1993. Fact sheet with information on defining, communicating about and consistency in setting goals. Stresses the importance of setting and reaching goals.
Utilizing Record Keeping Tools for Management and Profit.
Suzanne Karberg. Purdue University,1993. Short booklet emphasizing the importance of record keeping and explaining some basic record keeping strategies.
Joseph Shaltry. Michigan Cooperative Extension.1990. Guidebook with information and personal activities aimed at helping a farm family assess their financial situation.
Rate Your Survivability, What's the Prognosis for Your Dairy Operation?
Merv Freeman, Dairy Herd Management.January, 1995.18 question self survey to be used to calculate your survival status.
Important Farm Business Terms Defined.
Larry Langemeier, Fred DeLano, Michael Langemeier and G.A. Barnaby, Jr. Kansas Cooperative Extension.1994. Handout defining key farm financial terms.
Financial Considerations When Expanding Your Dairy Farming Operation.
John Brake. Cornell University, 1994. Research study examining processes involved with dairy expansion. Includes farmers' and lenders' perspectives and discussion of financial aspects.
USDA, SARE and ACE Fact Sheet on grazing, marketing and nutrient management. Focuses on management-intensive grazing.
Dairy Farm Cash Flow, Debt Repayment Ability and Financial Analysis.
George Casler. Cornell University, 1991. Booklet with several worksheets, directed toward analysis of a dairy farm's cash flow situation, future debt repayment ability, and current financial situation.
Developing a Sensible and Successful Marketing Attitude.
Suzanne Karberg. Purdue University, 1993. Fact sheet on increasing marketing skills by developing a successful attitude toward marketing. Key points: Analyzing your risk-taking attitude, Understand the relationship between your attitude toward risk and your marketing attitude, etc.
Developing and Implementing a Successful Marketing Plan.
Suzanne Karberg. Purdue University, 1993. Fact sheet about developing a sound marketing plan that works for you as the first step to improving profitability. Key points: Finding reliable sources of marketing information, understanding the variety of acceptable ways to respond to price risks, etc.
Do You Have a Vision?
Carl Crispell. Cornell Cooperative Extension. Handout going over ways to take some first steps toward changing the present business situation into the ideal.
Analyzing Capital Leases.
Eddy LaDue. Department of Agricultural, Resource, and Managerial Economics, Cornell University. 1997. This publication discusses the characteristics of contracts that allow them to be considered leases for tax purposes and the procedures for economic analyses of leasing alternatives on a before and after tax basis.
Contracts, Notes and Guarantees.
Phillip L. Kunkel & Brian F. Kidwell, Minnesota Extension Service. Discusses Elements of a contract, Promissory notes, Types of notes, Third party agreements, and Regulation of promissory notes.
Achieving Success With A Business Plan.
Allen Prosch, Douglas Jose, et al., University of Nebraska -- CCE, (Draft1, Manual 1), 2000. Instructions and case study to prepare a farm business plan.
Action Guide: Agricultural and Farmland Protection for New York.
Kirsten Ferguson, Jeremiah Cosgrove & Teri Ptacek. American Farmland Trust, 1999. Explains Ag. District laws, "Right to Farm", Farmland Protection, purchase of Dev. Rights, Tax Relief, Land Use Planning & Ag. Economic Development.
Call to Action: Farmland Protection Success Stories in the Empire State.
Kirsten Ferguson, Jeremiah Cosgrove & Teri Ptacek. American Farmland Trust, 1998. Success stories of FP in the three critical farming areas of NYS -- Hudson River Valley, WNY/ Fingerlakes Region and Long Island.
Restructuring Debt After A Disaster.
Mary Misek, University of Wisconsin -- CCE. Deciding which debts to pay first, repayment plan, 7 making it work.
Hiring A Contractor After A Disaster.
Mary Misek, University of Wisconsin -- CCE. Deciding who to hire, interviewing, questions to ask references & construction contracts.\
Surviving A Financial State of Emergency: Strategies for Families After A Disaster.
Mary Misek, University of Wisconsin -- CCE. Suggestions for using financial tools to manage cash flow, ways to save & ways to postpone expenses.
Income Tax Deductions For Property Loss: Steps to Take After a Disaster.
Mary Misek, University of Wisconsin -- CCE. Records, appraisal, itemizing tax deductions and how to figure them.
When You Face Missing Payments After A Disaster.
Mary Misek, University of Wisconsin -- CCE. Where to begin, assessing income options, renegotiating payments to creditors, restructuring payments, what happens if you don't pay & creditor's options.
New Zealand Strategies for Competing in a Global Marketplace
A. DeMarree, Cornell Cooperative Extension. 2000. Article taking lessons learned from New Zealand Apple Growers and what this means for New York State growers.
Survive and Thrive Strategies for U.S. Apple Growers
A. DeMarree, 2000. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 8 points for helping Apple Growers thrive in the current Global marketplace.
Evaluating Human Resource Management in the Business.
Thomas R. Maloney. Cornell University, 1988. Handout of human resource topics appropriate to small business. Can be adapted for use on a farm. Presents questions on job requirements, compensation, and performance appraisals.
Farm Labor Regulations.
Dale A. Grossman. Cornell University, 1997.Information bulletin on employee or contractor, employee verification system, taxes, wages, insurance, safety and health, migrant workers, and youth employment.
Developing and Implementing Sound Hiring Practices.
Suzanne Karberg. Purdue University,1993. Small booklet describing the process of hiring, from creating job descriptions to conducting interviews and making final decisions. Also includes outlines for drafting applications and employee agreements.
What Are Good Labor Relations?
Robert E. Perry. Nebraska Cooperative Extension,1976. Resource describing qualities and attitudes involved in healthy relationships with employees.
Hiring and Managing Farm Labor.
Joe Parcell, Melvin Brees. MU --Extension. 1999. Discusses how to hire & keep quality labor.
Human Resource Management on the Farm: A Letter Series.
Thomas R. Maloney, et al, Cornell University, 1988.Packet of 21 letters provides a basis for discussion of basic management principles and as a reference for farm managers interested in becoming better personnel managers.
Labor: Record Keeping Requirements for Farm Employers.
Farm Bureau Advocate, 1993. Handout describing the paper work requirements for farm employers.
When a Terminated Worker Won't Vacate Provided Housing…
Dale A. Grossman. Cornell University. Handout explaining the process required to request a farmworker to vacate provided housing after the termination of employment.
Laws Governing the Employment of Minors.
New York State Department of Labor. 1995. Booklet discussing the types of employment certificates and permits, some special occupations of minors, and the specific guidelines and prohibitions involved in the employment of minors.
Summary of State and Federal Regulations: A Guide for Farmers.
NYS Interagency Coordinating Committee on Farmworkers Services. 1994. Booklet of general information to assist the farmer in accessing the various regulations which must be complied with regarding farmworker issues.
How the New York State Labor Law Protects You.
NYSDOL 1993. Booklet describing the NYS labor law. Includes such topics as minimum wage, wage payment, meal periods, workers compensation, disability, etc.
Summary of NYS Labor Laws Relating to Farm or Food Processing Employment
NYSDOL, 1996. Bulletin listing various regulations and requirements for employers regarding farm labor.
Farmworkers' Guide to NYS Labor Laws.
New York State Department of Labor. 40 page booklet, in English and Spanish, describing laws that protect employee housing, pay, transportation, working conditions, and complaints.
Minimum Wage Standards for Farm Workers
NYS Department of Labor. Article 19-A of the New York State Labor Law, 1992.
Labor Standards For Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers.
U.S. Department of Labor Program Highlights. Fact sheet giving the Migrant and Seasonal Agriculture Workers Protection Act requirements and standards for agricultural employers, agricultural associations, and farm labor contractors.
The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
U.S. Department of Labor Program Highlights. Fact sheet explaining exemptions, registration, compliance, housing and other provisions in this worker protection act.
U.S. Department of Labor Program Highlights. Fact sheet giving the key requirement that employers must provide to be in compliance with the field sanitation standards.
Federal Child Labor Laws in Farm Jobs.
U.S. Department of Labor Program Highlights. Fact sheet giving the standards set for child labor in agriculture as they differ from those for nonfarm jobs.
Child Labor Requirements in Agriculture Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Booklet that is a guide to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act which apply to minors employed in agriculture.
The Rural Employment Service Brochure
NYS Dept. of Labor, 1997. Program Brochure and contact information for the Rural Employment Service. Helping employees and employers with employment issues in rural New York State.
QuickLink Brochure
NYS Dept. of Labor, 1997 Quicklink is a process that allows electronic matching between employees and employers. Brochure describes program and gives contact information.
Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act
US Dept. of Labor, 1996. Discusses wages - minimum wages, overtime pay, record keeping and child labor standards for full and part-time public or private sector workers.
Customize Your Farm Workforce.
LEAD NY. Pamphlet providing information on training opportunities which exist for your workforce.
Train That New Employee.
Stanley Telega. Pro-Dairy, Cornell Cooperative Extension. May 1994. Handout on orienting and training new employees to your facilities and philosophies.
Farm Personnel Management.
Kenneth H. Thomas and Bernard L. Erven. NCR Extension Publication, 1989. Bulletin providing principles and guidelines on hiring and keeping effective and efficient farm employees.
Business Management: Job Instruction: Four Steps to Success.
Joan S. Petzen and Andy Dufresne. Cornell Cooperative Extension. May 1995. Fact sheet for the supervisor. It describes the four-step method for job instruction, the most widely used and successful such process.
Employee Motivation: Practical Suggestions for the Dairy Farm Manager.
Thomas R. Maloney. Cornell University, 1998. Fact sheet for managers discussing practical ways to create a motivational environment in their business. Thus creating greater employee satisfaction productivity, and a higher level of business success.
Training and Orientation: Often Overlooked.
June Grabemeyer. Cornell Cooperative Extension. Fact sheet giving a five step process for teaching an employee to be a top performer on your farm.
What Employees Expect of Farm Families.
Thomas R. Maloney. Hoard's Dairyman, 1998. One page article for farm employers who are willing to view employment from the standpoint of the workers. Reviews some of the issues that family farm employees feel are important.
Profile of the Work Force on Dairy Farms in New York and Wisconsin.
Edwin McClenagan and Robert Milligan. Cornell University, 1998. Bulletin providing "a profile of the work force on dairy farms with more than 100 cows in New York and Wisconsin. May be used for development of effective research and education programs, for the recruitment and selection of new employees, and in the development of more effective compensation programs.
Employee Housing A Guide for Farm Employers.
Kay Embrey. Cornell Migrant Program. Cornell University. 1992. Bulletin for farm employers covering housing alternatives, funding opportunities, and legal requirements and gives recommendations to make housing comfortable, safe, and attractive.
Writing an Employee Handbook: A Guide for Farm Managers.
Thomas R. Maloney, Kristine T. Petracek. Cornell University, 1994. Guide to help employers think through their personnel policies and issues and write them down in a concise, understandable way. Intended to help farm employers create an employee handbook that is an effective management tool.
Employee Performance Appraisals-Not a Once a Year Thing.
Cathy Wickswat and Thomas Maloney. Investing in People. February 1998. Article discussing the steps in developing or refining a procedure for performance appraisals.
Three Key Elements to Ensure Successful Training.
Holly Shaul, Editor. Investing in People. March 1998. Article for trainers discussing steps to avoid hindering the learning process.
What You Can Do To Minimize Your Recruiting.
Sandy Buxton. Investing in People. April 1998. Article going over the goal of most farms to attract quality employees that want to stay for the long term and some of the factors that affect whether or not that goal is met.
The Importance of a Job Title.
Sandy Buxton. Investing in People. June 1998. Article explaining the need for a job description that clearly lays out a foundation of expectations and needs to both the potential employee and the current one.
Managing Teenage Labor.
Alison DeMarree. Investing in People. October 1998. Article giving pointers for coaching teenage employees.
Managing Work Habits.
Sandy Buxton. Investing in People. December 1998. Article with tips for motivating "problem" employees and promoting better work habits.
Managing a Workforce, Maintaining Positive Habits.
Dave Grusenmeyer. Investing in People. January 1999. Article encouraging a positive workplace atmosphere to maintain enthusiastic and productive employees.
Introduction to Risk Management: Understanding Agricultural Risks.
United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, Revised 1997. Discusses goals and risk tolerance, with sections on the areas of risk management: Production Risks, Marketing Risks, Financial Risks, Legal Issues, and Human Resource Risks.
Risk Management: The Checkup.
Bob Parkerson, National Crop Insurance Services. Guide to crop insurance and includes a risk management checklist to determine major risks for farm & the likelihood of occurrence.
Building A Risk Management Plan: Risk Reducing Ideas that Work.
USDA Risk Management Agency, August 1998. With articles on why farmers avoid risk management plans, issues to consider in building your risk management plan, a risk management skills assessment, a discussion of crop insurance, and an extensive resource index including printed, multimedia, and internet resources.
Managing Risk -- Understanding Pricing Markets is the First Step
James Romack, Ext / PRO-DAIRY. Explanation of cash, forward & futures mkts.for pricing commodities.
Cultivating Farm, Neighbor, and Community.
Duncan Hilchey & Nathan Leonard. 1996. Creative approaches for reducing farm-related land-use conflict.
Financing Beginning Farmers: An Evaluation of Farm Service Agency Credit Programs.
Nancy L. Thompson, et. Al. Iowa State University. 1995. Study explaining research evaluating the effectiveness of new federal programs to provide beginning farmers assistance in access to land, information and credit.
Take Charge in Changing Times: Dealing with Creditors.
Iowa State University, 1990. Handout that discusses financial decision-making steps to set up a spending plan, and strategies for dealing with debt and creditors. Not farm specific.
Kathy Prochaska-Cue. Nebraska Cooperative Extension,1983. Handout with practical steps for families to deal with creditors when their income will not cover all their bills.
Facts for Consumers: Fair Credit Reporting, Fast Facts.
Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of Consumer & Business Education. 1997. Fact Sheet answering frequently asked questions regarding credit-reporting agencies.
Fair Debt Collection.
Bureau of Consumer Protection. 1996. Fact sheet answering commonly asked questions about your rights under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Farm Service Agency Producer's Guide to Loan Programs.
USDA. Brochure with information on FSA loans includes types, purposes, criteria, eligibility and other items.
Farm Service Agency Loan Information.
USDA. Hand out with a chart giving basic information on FSA loans, types, amounts, rates and uses.
Know the Facts: New York's Agricultural Districts Law.
NYS Dept. of Ag & Markets. Brochure provides a quick overview and details the benefits and protection offered to farmers via the Agricultural Districts Law, enacted in 1971.
Local Laws and Agricultural Districts: How Do They Relate?
NYS Dept. of Ag & Markets. Brochure providing explanation and examples of the Section 305(2) mandate as it pertains to farmers and local municipalities.
Guidelines for Renting Farm Real Estate in the Northeastern United States.
Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension, 1985. Booklet outlining considerations when renting land and/or buildings. Includes information and suggestions for preparing leases and establishing rental agreements. Addresses both renter's and landlord's perspectives.
See also "Estate Planning"
Appraise Your Qualifications and Resources Before Farming Together.
Stuart Smith, SYF Fact Sheet 1.1, Cornell University, 1992. Resource outlining some considerations for farmers who hope to farm together. Also includes some exercises highlighting critical attitudes or decisions that should be assessed before farmers enter into a working together situation.
Forms of Business Organization.
John Brake. SYF Fact Sheet 1.3, Cornell University, 1993. Resource describing partnership and corporation forms of organization, and offering criteria for choosing a business organization for the farm.
Some Alternatives To Equal Share Farm Partnerships.
George L. Casler. SYF Fact Sheet 1.5, Cornell University, 1995. Resource discusses several farm partnership arrangements used by farm families as a step in the transfer of business ownership and management to the next generation.
Farm Partnership Arrangements.
C.A. Bratton, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 1983. Booklet presenting different types of partnership agreements, general tips for partners, and examples of agreements. It is written in "a general, non-technical manner...for families who may be in the stages of exploring joint-venture farm business arrangements or those who are working out a partnership plan for their situation."
Legal Aspects of Farm Partnerships.
Missouri Cooperative Extension, 1991. Short booklet discussing legal and other aspects of farm partnerships.
Setting up Your Own Business: The Limited Liability Company
Paul H. Gessaman, Nebraska Cooperative Extension, 1997. One article in a series providing information on principle forms of business organization. Contains a broad overview of the advantages, limitations, and tax implications of an LLC.
LLC: The new business entity on the block
Don Rogers, First Pioneer Farm Credit. Article discussing when using an LLC for a farm business may be appropriate.
NY FarmNet is a free and confidential information, referral, and consulting network for farm families in New York State. It is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension; the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets; the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University; and agribusinesses. Farmers and farm families who are seeking answers to family and business questions, or are experiencing financial, personal, legal, and other problems are encouraged to call the NY FarmNet toll-free number: 1-800-547-FARM. Printed materials, in addition to consultation or referral, are available for farm families and for people who deliver services and offer support to farmers on the preceeding topics: