Agriculture Economic Development

The Agriculture Economic Development program supports a robust agricultural economy by helping local farmers find new markets and create more valuable products. It enhances farm competitiveness and viability by sharing research-based information and practices. The goal is to support a thriving agricultural sector that can evolve and succeed in a changing market environment.

New and Beginning Farmers

• Guide to Farming in NYS is a practical resource for both new and experienced farmers. It provides clear guidance on essential topics such as finding land, securing financing, understanding legal requirements, and managing farm operations.
• NYSDAM Guide for New Farmers offers a comprehensive overview of key resources for those starting or diversifying a farm in New York State. It includes state and federal support, land and soil information, funding options, and risk management.

Agriculture Business Planning

• Starting an Ag-Business? A Pre-Planning Guide helps farmers plan their agricultural business by guiding them through key steps like choosing a farm enterprise, understanding the market,and estimating costs. Simple checklists and worksheets make the planning process easier and help to make informed decisions before starting a business.
• Business Planning for the Agriculture Sector. A guide to business plan development for start-up to mid-size operations. It covers key areas like financial planning, market analysis, and setting goals to secure funding and ensure long-term growth.
• Building a Sustainable Business. A guide to developing a business plan for farms and rural businesses that includes tools, worksheets, and case studies to help farmers align their goals and strategies with their values and long-term success.
• Guide to Business Structures helps farmers choose the best legal structure for their operations, covering LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and more. It provides practical insights on liability, taxes, and management, along with tools like checklists and sample documents to guide farmers through the decision-making process.

Direct-to-Consumer Marketing

• Guide to Marketing Channel Assessment: How to Sell Through Wholesale and Direct Marketing Channels: offers tools to evaluate the success of farm business markets to ensure they’re the most profitable for your business.
• Resource Guide to Direct Marketing Livestock and Poultry: a guide to the regulations every livestock producer should know, providing details on everything from meat certifications to butchering cuts.
• NY Farmers Market Federation
• Hudson Valley CSA Coalition

Value- Added Food Production and Licensing

• Cornell Food Venture Center | CALS (CFVC) helps food businesses introduce new products by providing product safety evaluation, process development, and regulatory compliance guidance.
• NYS Department of Agriculture 20 C Food Processor Licensing, and other various licenses for food-based businesses in New York, including, Retail Food Store licenses, Warehouse licenses, and Slaughterhouse licenseshttps://agriculture.ny.gov/food-business-licensing

NYS Department of Health Guidance & Resources for Food Service Operators,NYS DOH issuing permits and regulating food service establishments except for NYS 20-C licensing.