Employment
Estate Planning
Retirements
Farm Exiting
Farm Transfer
Students Coming of Age, Empire State College
Building Brighter Futures through Education and Career Planning.
RLS Career Center. Brochure describing the services provided through the RLS Career Center in Syracuse, NY.
The Employment Decision.
Discusses issues of concern to farmers considered outside employment.
Farm Family Letters: Seeking Off-the-Farm Work.
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 1989. Handout and exercises for farmers and families seeking off-farm employment.
Landing a Job: Strategies for Farm Wives/Women.
Iowa State University Extension, 1988. Handout helps women identify their skills which are applicable for off-farm employment. Includes a list of alternative, resume-ready descriptions of standard farm tasks and an example of a resume and a cover letter.
Moving On: Getting an Off-Farm Job.
Iowa State University Extension, 1987. Handout helps farmers identify their skills which are applicable for off-farm employment. Includes a list of alternative, resume-ready descriptions of standard farm tasks and an example of a resume and a cover letter.
The Rural Employment Service.
New York State Department of Labor. Brochure describing the services provided to employers and workers through the Rural Employment Service.
Farmers in Transition: Finding a New Career.
Katherine Graham, NY FarmNet, 1988. Handout and exercises for farmers looking for a new career.
Farmer's Employment Workbook.
NY FarmNet, 1995. ($12.00 per copy.) Comprehensive workbook on skill and interest self-assessment for farmers. Includes exercises, references, community referrals and additional resources. Includes many of the fact sheets in this section.
Occupational Cluster Charts
Organization of jobs/careers into similar areas.
Changing Directions: Your Resume.
Handout and exercises to help develop, write and effectively use a resume.
Skills for Farmers: Writing a Resume.
Sarah E. Drummond, et. al. Oklahoma State University, 1990. Fact sheet on how to develop an appropriate and well-organized job resume.
Skills for Farmers: The Job Search.
Sarah E. Drummond, et. al. Oklahoma State University, 1990. Fact sheet about setting up a strategy for searching for a job. Discussing such issues as: job parameters, ways to find job openings and phoning about a job lead.
Skills for Farmers: Assessing Job Skills.
Sarah E. Drummond, et al. Oklahoma State University, 1990. Fact sheet discussing the first step in searching for a job, understanding the occupation/s that are right for you. How to assess your skills and interests to fulfill this first step.
Skills for Farmers: The Job Application.
Sarah E. Drummond, et. al. Oklahoma State University, 1990. Fact sheet that examines the job application and attempts to take some of the mystery out of the process of completing a job application.
Skills for Farmers: The Job Interview.
Sarah E. Drummond, et. al. Oklahoma State University, 1990. Fact sheet discussing the purpose and goals of a job interview, how to prepare for the interview and some do's and don'ts of the job interview.
Skills for Farmers: Accepting and Starting the Job.
Sarah E. Drummond, et. al. Oklahoma State University, 1990. Fact sheet on considerations when a person receives a job offer.
How To Prepare Yourself for Job Interviews.
New York State Department of Labor, 1995. Brochure with tips on how to prepare and present yourself positively in a job interview
Website Reference Guide for NYSDOL
DOL Workshop List: July 2000. .
Estate and Succession Planning for Small Business Owners.
Loren Tauer, Dale Grossman, Cornell University, 1998. Manual discussing issues in estate planning such as objectives, property ownership, wills, trusts, tax considerations, life insurance, business organization, and probate and postmortem administration.
Your Land is Your Legacy: A guide to Planning for the Future of Your Farm.
Jeremiah P. Cosgrove and Julia Freedgood, American Farmland Trust. An approach to estate planning with two basic goals: Helping farmers find the best way to transfer their operation to another farmer, and to keep productive land in agriculture. Includes: Primary Strategies, Case studies, Conservation Options, Follow-up strategies, and suggested reading.
Getting Your Affairs in Order, Your Estate Planning "To Do's".
Grace A. Rossien. Your Money: A Financial Education Newsletter. Vestal, NY, 1995. Fact sheet defining estate planning, hiring professionals, important documents and other items that relate to estate planning.
Your Estate Planning Objectives.
Stuart Smith. Cornell University. 1995. Handout that can be used for ranking priorities within the family for different estate planning objectives.
Marcia L. Tilley. Oklahoma State University. Short booklet outlining basic steps and options involved in estate planning.
Family Issues in Estate Planning.
Jean W. Bauer. Minnesota Extension Service, 1989. Handout describing steps to take when planning an estate to prevent the ambiguities that can cause conflicts.
Life Insurance for Farm Families.
Mary J. Stephenson. University of Maryland, 1989-90. Fact sheet describing the types of life insurance policies, selection of insurance programs, protection needed, rates and partnership insurance for farms.
Trusts: an Important Estate Planning Tool.
Department of Consumer Economics & Housing, Cornell University, 1990. Fact Sheet discussing the two types of trusts and their uses in estate planning.
Forms of Property Ownership.
Department of Consumer Economics & Housing, Cornell University, 1986. Fact sheet discussing terms and definitions of co-ownership, tenancy in common, joint ownership, etc. These issues are discussed in relationship to planning and writing a will.
Choosing a Guardian for Your Child.
Department of Consumer Economics & Housing, Cornell University, 1985. Fact Sheet discussing issues and considerations when selecting a guardian for your children.
Preparing Your Family Business for Another Generation of Success.
Mass Mutual Insurance Company, 1995. Brochure explaining 5 issues that will make or break the future of your family business, succession planning using life insurance is the focus.
Farming: Investment Planning.
Ready, Set, Retire Series from Iowa State University Extension, 1989. Discusses investment considerations before retirement and at retirement. Table lists investments, risks, returns, liquidity, management, protection from inflation, and tax considerations.
Farming:Without an Operating Heir.
Ready, Set, Retire Series from Iowa State University Extension, 1996. Discusses options for retirement when there is no child to inherit the farm: operating the farm, leasing the farm, custom hiring the work done, selling the farm, or transitioning to a young farmer.
Farming: With an Operating Heir
Ready, Set, Retire Series from Iowa State University Extension, 1989. When the goal is to retire and to transfer the farm, it is in the best interest to do it with low financial and emotional costs. Discusses issues important to the family where one generation is dependent upon the farm for retirement while the other is dependent on the farm for an income.
Farming: Special Considerations.
Ready, Set, Retire Series from Iowa State University Extension, 1990. Talks about planning for retirement and the issues of concern, help for setting retirement goals, and worksheet for estimating expenses and income.
Farming: Social Security Issues.
Ready, Set, Retire Series from Iowa State University Extension, 1991. Discusses important issues about social security prior to and after retirement.
Planning for Retirement Income
Consumer Economics and Housing Topics Worksheets, Cornell Cooperative Extension. Considerations and options when facing financial decisions (Not farm specific)
Looking Ahead: Planning for Retirement
Consumer Economics and Housing Topics Worksheets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 1991. Considerations and options when facing financial decisions (Not farm specific) Why Plan, How long will you be retired, What should you plan, How do you start a plan, and When should planning start?
Building up Social Security Benefits By Increasing Social Security Taxes Paid in Years Just Before Retirement.
George Casler. Cornell University, 1992. Fact sheet discussing the benefits and drawbacks of increasing social security benefits by increasing the payment of Social Security taxes in the last few years before retirement.
Social Security As Part of Retirement Income for Farmers.
George Casler. Cornell University, 1992. Fact sheet presenting basic information about retirement benefits available through the Social Security System.
A Perspective on Retirement Planning Issues for Farm Families.
John Brake, Cornell University, 1992. Fact Sheet discussing values, goals and preferences on retirement issues for farm families.
Many Farmers May Be Ineligible for Social Security Retirement Benefits.
Stuart F. Smith, Cornell University. Handout on the requirements needed to qualify for Social Security benefits.
A Route to Retirement.
Eleanor Jacobs. American Agriculturalist, 1995. Article discussing the issue of retirement and farm transfer when family members do not want to continue the farm. Highlights the NY FarmLink Project.
Assessing Your Retirement Readiness.
Cooperative Extension of Nebraska, 1981. Handout providing information about the decision to retire, as well as a retirement planning quiz and assessment.
Retirement Planning for Farm Families.
Ralph Hepp & Michael Boehlje, North Central Region Extension. Booklet describes options for the retiring farmer, investments, and Social Security plans. Appropriate planning tool for those farmers 10 - 15 years from retirement.
Can You Afford to Retire?
Trenna Grabowski (American Agriculturist, 6/96) . Your farm may be your biggest investment, but it may not be your best source of retirement income.
Your Land, Your Legacy.
AFT brochure. Conservation choices in farm estate planning.
Farmers in Transition: Deciding to Stay In or Get Out.
Katherine Graham, NY FarmNet, 1988. Handout and questionnaire helping farm families think about whether to leave farming.
Options for Farm Families Facing Critical Decisions.
John Brake and Tom Shephard, NY FarmNet, 1992. Resource suggesting criteria for decisions of a family's future and discussing the alternatives for those facing financial problems: finding a way to continue farming, getting out of farming completely, or scaling down the size of the farm.
Farmers in Transition: Evaluating Options for Change.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension, 1990. Resource discussing the identification of farm financial problems and considerations for several different decisions available to a farmer.
Winding Down Your Farm Operation.
John Brake, Cornell University, 1993. Booklet discussing the decision to quit farming. Directed toward farmers facing retirement, financial, or personal pressures.
Planning a Profitable Auction.
University of Vermont Extension Service, 1988. Practical information for preparing a successful auction. Includes timetables, sample sales agreement, and tips.
Managing Your Exit From Farming—Things to Think About.
John Brake, NY FarmNet. Handout presenting issues which must be discussed when leaving farming is seen as a management decision. Provides a brief overview of bankruptcy, along with tips for using an attorney and other resources, and basic steps in making the decision to leave farming.
Yes, there is life after dairying.
Lorraine Stuart Merrill. (Hoard's Dairyman, 2000?) Change can be traumatic, but alternatives to farming can be fulfilling.
Managing Change and Its Related Stress
Claire E. Hebbard Robson, NY FarmNet. Article written for helping apple growers recognize the changes in the apple industry, and recognizing this change as a source of stress.
Adapting to Change in the Fruit Industry: Growers Building New Beginnings.
By Claire E. Hebbard Robson, NY FarmNet. Article on developing a strategy for change, discusses the Grief Cycle as it pertains to change and loss.
Two-Generation Farming, Step 1: Getting Started.
Don Hufstrand. Iowa State University, 1994. Booklet explaining the need to examine the present situation carefully in order to develop a successful two-generation farming operation. Examines questions like: Are you ready for a partner? Does the family have a common vision of where they are going and what they want to accomplish? and others.
Two-Generation Farming, Step 2: Selecting a Business Arrangement.
Don Hufstrand. Iowa State University, 1994. "To successfully transfer your business to the next generation, you must select the proper business transfer agreement or series of agreements for your situation. Also, you must develop the agreement you select to meet your individual needs." This booklet takes a realistic look at these issues.
Two-Generation Farming, Step 3: Making it Work.
Don Hufstrand. Iowa State University, 1994. "The underlying success of a business agreement depends upon healthy family relationships. Probably more two-generation business arrangements fail because of poor family relations than any other reason."
Transferring Your Farm business to the Next Generation.
Jim Polson, Robert D. Fleming, et. al. Ohio State University, 1996. Bulletin discussing 5 key questions asked by farm families regarding farm transfer. Topics are: business viability, two-generation communication, what to transfer and in what order, tax issues.
Long Term Installment Land Contracts
Robert Gardner, Myron P. Kelsey, and Philip E. Harris, 1997. Defines long-term installment contracts as a method of transfer and finance, discusses advantages and disadvantages, as well as considerations in preparing the contract.
Are You Willing to Give Away Your Farm? or Can Your Son or Daughter Afford to Buy Your Farm?
George Casler. Cornell University, 1992. Handout discussing financial aspects of transferring the farm to younger generation. Includes examples.
A Message to the Owners and Potential Owners of "Last Generation Farms".
George Casler. Cornell University, 1993. Discussion of issues surrounding the decline of agriculture and potential impact on senior and junior generation farmers.
Considerations in Planning the Transfer.
John Brake. Cornell University, 1993. Resource discussing basic plan development and decision making involved in transferring a farm from one generation to another.
Partnership Families Need Mutual Respect
Eddie LaDue and Carl Crispell, Hoard's Dairyman, 1994. Discusses the importance of respect within partnership families, and discusses the differences between the generations, and in-laws.
How Families Work Children into the Business.
Eddy LaDue and Carl Crispell, Hoard's Dairyman, 1993. Article discussing methods used by families to work children into the farm business.
Farm Transfer Agreements: Keys To Success.
Carl Crispell and Eddy LaDue, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 1992. Short article offering several keys to developing successful transfer agreements. The article is abbreviated from a longer research paper available from the Department of Agricultural, Resource, and Managerial Economics.
The Farm Transfer Process in New York Farm Families.
Jane McGonigal. Cornell University, 1991. One of an 8-part series of research on New York State farm families. Discusses the process of transferring the farm business across generations.
Farmers in Transition: Taking Charge During the Transition.
Katherine Graham, NY FarmNet, 1988. Handout discussing emotional and family issues involved in the decision to leave farming.
Farmers in Transition: Coping With the Loss of the Farm.
Katherine H. Graham and John R. Brake. Cornell University, 1988. Fact sheet discussing emotional stages of coping with the loss of the farm.
Transferring Authority and Control Tests Family Farms.
Eddy LaDue and Carl Crispell. Hoard's Dairyman, 1994. Article discussing methods used by farm families to transfer authority to the younger generation successfully.
Assessing the Current and Future Viability of a Farm Business.
George L. Casler. Cornell University, 1994. Fact sheet written to explore the realities of farm viability when considering the younger generation taking over a farm operation from the older generation, whether it will be a short-term transfer or over a long period of time.
So You Want to Buy a Farm?
George L. Casler. Cornell University, 1994. Fact sheet on getting started farming by buying a farm. "The intent… is to help young people who want to be farmers to think realistically about the possibilities of a successful career in farming as an eventual owner-operator."
Roger's Rules for Farm Transfer
First Pioneer Farm Credit.
Farm Transfer Process.
First Pioneer Farm Credit 20- year outline.
Ownership Transition Services Brochure
See also Partnerships in Section 1