LEAF Workshops to Cover Business Planning & Farm Record Keeping

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (November 10th, 2016) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program will offer 2 workshops in the coming weeks as part of their 2016-2017 L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Workshop Series. On Thursday, November 17th from 6pm - 8pm at the Frank Bratt Agricultural Center there will be a workshop entitled “Business Planning for Beginning Farmers”. On Tuesday, November 29th from 6pm – 8pm at the Ag Center, there will be a workshop on “Farm Record Keeping and Tax Preparation”.

The “Business Planning for Beginning Farmers” workshop to be held Thursday, November 17th from 6pm to 8pm will introduce the new farmer to the basic format and concepts expected in a business plan. In addition to the actual farming, a farm operation requires management, record keeping, taxes, financing, marketing, permits, competition analysis, and research. Research is ongoing for suppliers, competition, new products and services, resources and most important - customer needs. Once your farm is established, you can revisit each area for improvements on a regular basis. It’s your business so make it the best it can be. Don't underestimate the importance of planning. While it is possible to start with minimal planning, successful businesses typically have a plan, know their market, their customers and have a good understanding of the financial requirements of the business. A farm business plan is also necessary in most instances when seeking financing. This workshop will be taught by Scott Miller, Business Advisor with the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College who has had several years of experience working with beginning farm business owners in our area.

“Farm Record Keeping and Tax Preparation” will be Tuesday, November 29th’s Workshop topic, to be held from 6pm to 8pm at the Ag Center. Running a farm is hard work, but it’s even harder if you don’t have a good record keeping system! With good recordkeeping you can improve your farm business performance and make your life easier. Get back to the basics with this workshop that will cover business structure, accounting and bookkeeping terms and methods, important financial reports, and best practices along with tax planning and important tax considerations for farm businesses. Instructors for this workshop will be Lindsay Eckman and Shannon Mardino, Farm Business Advisors with Farm Credit East in Mayville, NY.

The L.E.A.F. Workshop Series is open to the general public, including homesteaders, beginning farmers, established farmers looking to diversify and grow, agriculture enthusiasts, and everyone in between! The 2016-2017 Workshop Series will feature 23 workshops to be held in October and November of 2016 and February of 2017. This season’s L.E.A.F. Program is made possible through the generous support of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Each workshop will be 2 hours long and led by an experienced instructor. The cost to attend is only $5/family/workshop and light refreshments will be offered. The L.E.A.F. workshops are designed to be interactive, so participants are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to this collaborative environment! All of the workshops will be held at the Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center located at 3542 Turner Road in Jamestown, NY.

Pre-registration is required prior to the workshop to allow for adequate time to prepare printed resources and materials. Interested participants can register online by visiting www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua/leaf1617, by emailing kaw249@cornell.edu, or by calling 716-664-9502.

The L.E.A.F. Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua) in line with the County’s 20/20 Comprehensive Plan. CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated November 10, 2016