EAST AURORA, N.Y. — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County (CCE Erie) is partnering with CCE Associations in Broome, Essex, Madison and Oneida counties to host a series of evening workshops on finding, affording, marketing, and leasing farmland. These “how-to” workshops are geared toward farmers and landowners, both farming and non-farming, who want practical advice on finding farmland or making their land available for agriculture. Western New York participants will meet in East Aurora and join the workshop via video conference. Participants from across the state will hear a presentation from each expert and then have a chance to ask questions. There will also be time to network with other farmland seekers and owners.
The second workshop in the series is entitled Where Do I Find Farmland and Can I Afford It? This workshop is for farmers looking for land. It will take place on October 29, from 6:30-8:00 pm at CCE Erie 21 South Grove Street, East Aurora NY.
Two experts will team up to introduce on-line tools designed to help farmers looking for farmland. Alexandra Morency, from American Farmland Trust-NY, will discuss the Farmland for a New Generation New York Farmland Finder, a searchable on-line database that helps farmland seekers and owners find each other. It is free and simple to use. Users can create a profile that describes the desired property or a farm profile that describes the available property. Alex is the New York Program Assistant. She is experienced with website management and outreach. She can provide insight into profiles that get results!
Alexandra notes, “Beginning farmers have identified access to land as the biggest challenge to getting started in agriculture. American Farmland Trust, with the support from the State of New York, is proud to coordinate the Farmland for a New Generation New York (FNG) program to help address this issue. The FNG New York Farmland Finder website contains a list of 189 farms available across the state as well as a list of 20 Regional Navigator organizations who offer personalized support to farmers seeking land and landowners who would like to make their land available to a farmer.”
Michael Parker, from the National Young Farmer Coalition, will discuss the Finding Farmland Calculator, an on-line mortgage calculator that teaches farmers about their financing options and creditworthiness. Users can build multiple purchase scenarios and then compare the total costs, monthly payments and personal scores on several financial ratios. Results can be downloaded for meetings with loan officers. As the Land Access Program Associate, Michael understands issues facing beginning farmers trying to find land. With abundant experience in direct-marketing for farms and a degree in accounting, he can help farmers find clarity when it comes to making financial decisions about farmland.
Michael says, “Starting a farm business often means taking several financial risks at once. The National Young Farmers Coalition aims to prepare beginning farmers to confidently approach the financial decisions related to farmland access. This Cornell Cooperative Extension workshop is an opportunity to learn about the financial planning tools and strategies we have to offer New York’s beginning farmers.”
Upcoming Workshops in series:
• How Might a Farmer Use My Land? How Much Should I Charge? • November 12, 6:30-8:00 pm
This workshop will help landowners and land seekers learn how to evaluate land for agricultural uses and how to set realistic land values.
• How Do I Write a Farmland Lease? • November 26, 6:30-8:00 pm
This workshop will help landowners and land seekers understand how to draft a simple lease that will protect both the lessor and the lessee.
Cost:
General Public – $10 per session / $30 all four sessions
Erie County Ag Enrolled – $7 per session / $25 all four sessions
Register:
Visit http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/events/2019/10/15/farmland-for-a-new-generation-ask-the-expert-workshops or contact Jolie Hibit (716) 652-5400 x176 / jah663@cornell.edu.
Accommodations for persons with special needs may be requested by contacting Jolie Hibit (716)652-5400 x176 or jah663@cornell.edu at least 5 days prior to the event.
For more information:
Contact Kathleen McCormick, CCE Erie Agriculture Educator (716) 652-5400 x146 or km864@cornell.edu.
Farmland for a New Generation New York (FNG-NY)
The five Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations hosting this workshop series are Regional Navigators for American Farmland Trust’s Farmland for a New Generation program. The program was developed in response to the impending transfer of nearly two million acres of New York farmland as the baby boomer generation begins to retire.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County