Farming Classes Being Offered

Jamestown, New York (November 20, 2019) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County is pleased to offer two classes for all sized farms entitled: (1) Stress Less Farm Financials: Beginning Record-Keeping and Reducing Farm & Family Stress. (2) Diversifying Your Farm Business - Hogs, Hops, and Honey – Oh My! These classes will be FREE to attend.

Stress Less Farm Financials: Beginning Record-Keeping and Reducing Farm and Family Stress is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County office, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, NY. Your dream career in farming is going great. Except for the weather, uncooperative neighbors, a non-communicative family member, and the occasional livestock or plant-growing issue… Yes, farming is stressful. There are many things out of your control and your farm is also your lifestyle, so it is hard to leave the stress at the office. However, you can implement some key strategies to make farming less stressful. Financial topics will include: record-keeping systems (paper to electronic) and financial document organizing tips. Join Ginny Carlberg, Financial Consultant and Teresa McMahon, Family Consultant from NY FarmNet, who will share ideas and tips for communication techniques, risk management, self-care and much more. This class will be discussion-style and relaxed, so please bring your questions and ideas!

Hogs, Hops and Honey – Oh My! is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County office, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, NY. Are you a beginning farmer looking for opportunities to try a new enterprise? Are you currently farming and looking for a way to diversify your farm business? Join Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Business Management Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program, for this interactive workshop that will give an overview of agricultural production options in our region. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to learn about enterprise budgeting and analysis, evaluating assets and optimizing production capacity, and marketing. Katelyn is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Animal Science and Ag Business Management with a Master’s Degree in Adult Learning, and owns and operates a diversified livestock farm.

These farming workshops are open to the general public, including homesteaders, beginning farmers, established farmers looking to diversify and grow, agriculture enthusiasts, and everyone in between. Participants of these discussion based classes will receive resources and opportunities for future follow-up. There is no fee to attend. This informational program is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County, with financial support from “Farmland for a New Generation New York” – in partnership with American Farmland Trust, and supported by the State of New York.” For more information, visit Farmland for a New Generation New York at www.NYFarmlandFinder.org.

To accurately plan for meeting materials, reservations are required by the Friday before the scheduled meeting you wish to attend, by contacting Tamara Bacho at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County at 716-699-2377 X 100 or tsb48@cornell.edu. For more information on this program, please contact Lisa Kempisty, Dairy/Livestock Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County at 716-664-9502 Ext 203 or ljk4@cornell.edu, who is assisting in organizing and facilitating the workshop.

Last updated November 20, 2019