Upcoming Online Courses and General Info
See "All Courses" and "FAQ" link at right for full list and descriptions of courses we offer, and information about what to expect
Next Course Topics and Dates
- BF 201: Marketing What You Produce
Mar 5 - Apr 15, 2010 (6 weeks) - BF 101: What Do I Need to Do to Start a Farm Business?
Mar 5 - Apr 15, 2010 (6 weeks)
Registration
Courses are $150 each. Courses are open to anyone, but we have a limited number of out-of-state spots. We tend to focus on a NY audience because we can best connect NY farmers to their local service providers. If you plan to farm outside of NY, please email ejf5@cornell.edu before registering to be sure there is an out-of-state spot open.
General Information
You can utilize the lessons on this website freely. But if you want to "meet" other new farmers and share ideas and helpful resources with each other, and ask questions of experienced ag educators, you might enjoy and feel more confident about your planning by taking one of our online courses.
Courses are typically 5-6 weeks long and take place in a virtual "classroom". Once a week, the instructors will introduce a new lesson. When you log into the course you'll see materials to read and usually an assignment or discussion topic. You can complete the work anytime during the week. If a live seminar is scheduled, you'll be given a link to click at a particular time and date (typically a weekday evening). If you cannot make it, a recording of the seminar will be posted for you to review later.
Computer Requirements
You do not need any particular operating system or software, but you should have a familiarity with the functions of your computer. The more comfortable you are with new technology and distance learning, the more you will get out of the course. A basic dial-up connection should suffice, but you are likely to have some difficulties and your experience will be more enjoyable with a DSL or Cable modem.
Course Outline and Webinar Schedule
BF 201: Marketing What You Produce
March 4th, 2010 – April 15th, 2010
Most of us go into farming with the thought of making some - or all - of our livelihood through the sale of what we make or grow. Successful farmers plan each aspect of their operation carefully, and marketing is no exception. Completion of this online program will enable you to create a marketing plan that will help you maximize your return on your investment.Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least one of our 101-level online courses and/or have completed preliminary work in defining your farm or other agriculturally-based business goals and mission.
Course Objectives: This program will help you
- Link your farm’s mission and vision to your commercial goals and marketing strategy
- Understand the key elements of a solid marketing plan
- Analyze the competitive landscape and the opportunities for success
- Conduct market research on one or more of your potential products
- Implement effective marketing strategies, tactics and processes
We will host weekly webinars so participants can discuss their marketing plans share ideas and provide support and feedback to each other. Course participants are expected to submit weekly marketing plan updates to the course instructor for additional feedback. Additional collaboration is provided through weekly online forums to post questions for the instructor or other participants. FSA credit is available upon request.
Instructor: Laura Biasillo, Agricultural Economic Development Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County.
Schedule:
First Webinar: Thurs March 4, 7pm - Introductions, orientation, course structure, expectations
Week 1: Navigating the program site, introductions and welcome to course
Topics Covered: Introduction to Marketing
Webinar: Wed March 10th, 7pm - topic TBA
Week 2: Introduction to Marketing
Topics Covered: Competitive Analysis, SWOT Analysis
Webinar: Wed March 17th - Matt LeRoux, Marketing Channel study
Week 3: Marketing Strategy
Topics Covered: Mission Statement, Goals & Market Channels
Webinar: Wed March 24th, 7pm - farmer presentation
Week 4: Forecasting & Branding
Topics Covered: Sales Forecasting, Sales Mechanisms, Branding Strategies
Webinar: Wed March 31st, 7pm - Patty Albaugh, Adjunct at Binghamton University in School of Management & owner of Serenity Pet Treats
Week 5: Expense Budgets
Topics Covered: Sales Tactics, Expenses, Promotions (inc. point of purchase), Programs (types, costs, etc…)
Webinar: Wed April 7th, 7pm - Overview of marketing from PR Firm point of view
Week 6: Wrap Up
Webinar: Wed April 14th, 7pm - Wrap Up & Discussion of Marketing Plans
This course fee is $150. Courses are open to anyone, but we have a limited number of out-of-state spots. We tend to focus on a NY audience because we can best connect NY farmers to their local service providers. If you plan to farm outside of NY, please email ejf5@cornell.edu before registering to be sure there is an out-of-state spot open.
BF 101: What Do I Need to Do to Start a Farm Business?
March 5th, 2010 – April 15th, 2010
New farmers often ask “How does my enterprise officially become recognized as a farm?” This question has many answers, all of which you’ll learn as a participant in this course. The course is for aspiring or beginning farmers seeking to learn about the commercial, legal and tax implications of farming.Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, you will be able to
- Describe how a farm is characterized by federal income tax, state income tax and sales tax law
- Differentiate between local zoning laws and NYS agricultural district law
- Apply using NYS forms for agricultural property tax exemptions for land and buildings used in your operation
- Evaluate various forms of business ownership and determine which will be best for you at this time
- Identify rules and regulations (for marketing, food safety, facilities, etc) that are pertinent to the type of agricultural enterprise you plan to operate
The course will meet on a weekly basis using webinars so you can ask questions and collaborate with other participants and the instructor to address your farm issues in real time. FSA borrower training credit is available upon request.
Instructor: The course is taught by Stephen Hadcock, Extension Educator, with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County. Steve has over 27 years of experience helping beginning farmers understand the business management basics to starting a farm.
Schedule:
Dates for real-time webinars will be added in Febuary, one per week. Webinars are typically held at 7pm EST on a weekday evening.
Week 1: Introduction to Moodle (our virtual classroom)
Topics covered: Navigating in Moodle, course expectations, student introductions
Week 2: How Should I Organize the Business?
Topics covered: Common business structures, alternative options, mission & vision
Week 3: Income and Sales Tax
Topics covered: Relevant IRS law, Farmers Tax Guide, NY Tax Law
Week 4: What is the NYS Agricultural District Law?
Topics covered: Zoning, ag districts, property tax exemptions for farmers
Week 5: Permits and Regulations
Topics covered: Online permit assistance, sales tax, Dept. of Ag & Markets
Week 6: Record Keeping and Wrap Up
Topics covered: which records to keep, options and resources, final Q&A
This course fee is $150. Courses are open to anyone, but we have a limited number of out-of-state spots. NOTE: This course in particular contains several lessons that relate specifically to NYS laws, so out-of-state participants may need to do additional research to determine the details of their state's equivalent laws. If you plan to farm outside of NY, please email ejf5@cornell.edu before registering to be sure there is an out-of-state spot open.
