Some Reminders from Your Friendly, Neighborhood, Extension Agent

By Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Specialist

Renting Land (and Landowner Relationship Management)
If you haven't already, now would be a great time to take some fresh, home made (or freshly bakery bought) cookies to landowners that you're renting from. Check in with them and ask about any upcoming parties/weddings/events that they might be hosting to avoid running tractors down the road on that specific day. Make sure they're okay with everything you're doing, ask about their summer, and check in on your written lease agreements.

Monkeypox: CDC Guidance for Farm Worker Housing
From Cornell Ag Workforce Development: Monkeypox is circulating in the population. The CDC has posted guidance about the spread, symptoms, and guidance on their website. For congregate housing settings, there should be increased sanitation measures to prevent the spread of Monkeypox among the farm workforce. As a farm manager, be sure to communicate with your employees, respond to cases, and encourage increased handwashing/cleaning. It might also be a good time to pull the personal protective equipment back out. 

Fall Income Tax Planning

Contrary to how things usually work out, the best time for income tax planning isn't December 26th. While those last minute drives to pick up a new tractor are always fun, start thinking about your income tax situation NOW before you're even busier out in the fields. Give your accountant a call, tally up your current income and expenses for the year, and plan for any necessary purchases or deferments. Last Fall, our team of Farm Business Management Specialists hosted a Farm Tax School Webinar Series. The recordings are all available
here: farmbusiness.cornell.edu/home/cce-farmer-taxschool/

DAP Funding for Farm Business Planning
A reminder that there is still Dairy Advancement Program Funding available for dairy producers who are looking to improve their recordkeeping (Quickbooks, DairyComp, etc.); go through the Business Planning process to prepare for succession, expansion, or changes; or to develop and implement comprehensive nutrient management plans. DAP is funded by NYSDAM and NYSDEC. To apply or to learn more, you can contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll or Camila Lage in Southwest New York. DAP funds cover 80% of the cost of the project up to $2,500 - $10,000 depending on the project.  

New York State Farm Directory
NYSDAM is creating a farm directory that will connect consumers to farm products, as passed into law in February of 2022. Farms need to update their website profile OR opt-out. This includes sharing your contact information, the types of products you produce and sell,
and any other details you'd like to share about your farm. You can always join back in or opt out later. You can make those adjustments by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/farmdirectory. You can also call the Farm Directory Team at 518-485-1050. 

Support Your Local CCE Association
Our program, Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team, is a unique partnership between Cornell University and the 5 CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben Counties. We're funded through local CCE Association shares, along with State/Federal funding and research grants. It's important to support your local CCE Association in all of the great work that they do to help keep our team going. You can do this by enrolling/subscribing/joining, volunteering by serving on their boards and committees, and calling your local legislators to share all of your positive experiences with CCE. 

USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs of Organic, Transitioning Producers in New York

Applications for reducing the costs of organic certification are due October 31, 2022. Apply by contacting your local FSA. You'll need to provide documentation of your organic certification and expenses. Your certifying agency may be able to help.