bucket for collecting maple syrup attached to tree

Ag Economic Development

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County serves as a hub for agricultural entrepreneurship and economic development, connecting farmers to new food system initiatives that support healthy living and agricultural vitality. We provide technical assistance in production, marketing, business planning, and natural resources. In partnership with Cornell University's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences—ranked the world's top university for plant and animal science—we work to strengthen food and nutrition security, human health, and agricultural sustainability.

New farmers and those looking to diversify their operations can turn to our Agricultural Economic Development program for guidance, and we offer ongoing education through workshops, fact sheets, and one-on-one consultations to help farms stay competitive and profitable.

How We Support Farmers

We support the local food economy through the Broome County Regional Farmers Market, the Taste NY program, farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and our Grown in Broome buy local directory - helping residents buy directly from the farmers who grow their food.

Working with Visit Binghamton and the statewide CCE Agritourism Program Work Team, we help connect visitors with farm tours and on-farm experiences across the county. CCE Broome County also helps organize the NYS Agritourism Conference, bringing together farmers and industry stakeholders from across New York, and hosts Open Farm Day, a countywide opportunity for the public to visit participating farms. We provide on-farm education and technical assistance, including farm stand evaluations, to help farms build successful agritourism operations.

Farmers looking to grow their business benefit from a network of partners working alongside CCE Broome County. We connect farmers with education and technical assistance in labeling, packaging, value-added products, and marketing channels drawing on resources like Cornell Small Farms, the Cornell Food Venture Center, and mentorship through NY FarmNet. For farms looking to sell to schools, hospitals, and other institutions, we offer market readiness and wholesale training in partnership with Farm to Institution NYS, NYS Farm to School, and Cornell's Good Agricultural Practices program.

Rows of apple trees

Agricultural Districts

CCE Broome works with farms and community leaders on agricultural land use and environmental issues, guided by two efforts: the county's Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan and the New York State Agricultural Districts program.

In January 2019, the Broome County Legislature adopted an updated Agriculture & Farmland Protection Plan, setting goals and priorities for agricultural service providers - including CCE Broome - over the following five to ten years.

Landowners can enroll property in the Agricultural District each December. To register, contact our Agriculture Department at (607) 584-5007.

two women carrying a large holiday wreath

Annie's Project

Now in its tenth year in New York, Annie's Project is a six-week course that helps farm women build skills in agricultural business decision-making and connect with a network of peer support regionally and statewide. Sessions blend lecture, discussion, hands-on activities, and software training to cover risk management, business planning, financial statements, recordkeeping, marketing, estate planning, and employee relations.

New York offers several Annie's Project programs, each with its own focus:

  • Annie's Project Classic - An introductory course in agricultural risk management, designed for farm women involved in today's farming industry.
  • Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options - An online series helping farm women build financial skills and troubleshoot their own farm's finances.
  • Inspired by Annie's - Shorter, focused sessions on specific risk areas like production, marketing, or finance.
  • Managing for Today & Tomorrow - A farm transition planning series.