ITHACA, N.Y. — Agricultural lenders Community Bank, Farm Credit East, and NBT Bank have each given $5,000 to support training for NY FarmNet consultants. NY FarmNet recognizes that viable farm businesses are dependent on families who work well together. Providing the most up to date information, to help NY FarmNet consultants in their work with farm families, is a high priority for the NY FarmNet program. All program consultants are required to remain current in their skills by participating in high quality training. NY FarmNet Board President Mollie Pulver stated, “We are pleased with agricultural lenders’ commitment in supporting training to provide NY FarmNet consultants the latest tools available in working with farm families.”
Agriculture is becoming increasingly complex, as farms and the industry are facing pressures from changing markets, environmental issues, labor and environmental regulations. As a result, farm families are continually challenged to implement innovative management strategies. Well-trained consultants are key in helping farm families navigate a myriad of issues to strengthen farm viability throughout New York State.
New York FarmNet was established in 1986 to provide farm families with a network of information, contacts and services that are uniquely suited to financial and family challenges of agricultural business management. This program covers numerous aspects of decision making from partnerships and business transfers to stress management, family communication, intergenerational conflict, and business and estate planning. NY FarmNet is an integral resource to help farm families build positive solutions for future success via free, confidential on-farm consulting and is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell and the Dyson/SC Johnson College of Business. For more information on NY FarmNet, visit www.nyfarmnet.org.
–Ed Staehr, NY FarmNet