Free, Confidential Support and Assistance for Any Farmer in New York State
NY FarmNet works with farmers in times of crisis, change, and opportunity.
Founded in 1986 in response to the national farm crisis, NY FarmNet provides free, confidential, on-farm consulting to any farmer, farm family, or agribusiness employee in New York State. Our program operates an 800 help line where a caller can reach someone any time of day, throughout the year.
NY FarmNet consultants work with farmers in teams of two, one focusing on financial issues and one focusing on family or emotional issues. Financial consultants have a background in agriculture and assist with business plans, cash flow analysis, succession planning, life after farming, developing financial records and record-keeping systems, and loan applications, to name a few. Family consultants have a master’s level degree in social work or counseling. They work with farmers to improve family and marital relations, develop strategies for better communication, manage stress and anxiety, facilitate difficult discussions, and run family business meetings so that all members have a voice.
NY FarmNet was founded by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, and the main office still operates from Ithaca as part of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics &Management.
NY FarmNet 2019 Program Evaluation Report
Compiled by Amelia Parseghian and Kate Downs
Our Mission
We help New York State farms navigate times of transition, opportunity, and challenge. We accomplish our mission through educational programming and holistic consulting that addresses financial, family, and social stress.
Our Vision
To be a leading resource for farmers in New York State and help create a diverse, dynamic, and healthy agricultural community.
How we can help
Whatever your question or concern, NY FarmNet can help clarify your problem, brainstorm solutions, and develop a plan of action.
Depending on your specific question or concern, NY FarmNet will:
• Answer you directly
• Send you information
• Refer you to a different agency or resource
• Assign a NY FarmNet consultant to help you and your family
Issues we can assist you with:
Financial Analysis
Knowing where a business stands financially is a critical step in identifying options for a brighter future. Financial planning and analysis will give you accurate information to make decisions that impact the future of your business.
- Analyzing the present profitability of your farm
- Identifying options for improving farm viability
- Helping create useful cash flow budgets
- Evaluating proposed business changes and their impact on profitability
- Working with others to provide options for debt restructuring
Business Planning
A farm business plan is now required by most lenders. A business plan lets you know where you are, where you want to go, and how to get there. We offer free assistance with farm business analysis and planning.
- Financial and production analysis
- Feasibility studies
- Business plans
- Budgets and cash flow projection
Farming with Family
NY FarmNet consultants provide free, confidential assistance in strengthening the communication skills required for farm families to make the most of their dynamic structure.
- Setting goals
- Conflict management
- Management principles
- Conducting family meetings
- Financial management
- Business decision making
- Time management
- Farm succession planning
Personal Wellbeing
The pressures of running a farm can affect every aspect of your life. NY FarmNet’s family consultants can support you when dealing with issues that can disrupt your business, family, or personal well-being. Our consultants can assist with strategies to manage.
- Stress-related emotional issues
- Relationship issues
- Family and/or parent-child concerns
- Domestic violence
- Alcohol and drug concerns
- Grief/loss
- Depression and anxiety
- Farm conflicts and concerns
- Farm retirement, transfer, or exit adjustment
Retirement & Estate Planning
Planning for retirement can take as much effort as managing the business. With years of experience gained from helping other farm families, we can help plan the process so you are not alone.
- Retirement planning
- Long-term care
- Estate planning
- Leasing farm assets
- Selling farm assets
- Income tax planning
- Legal questions
Business Transfers
Transferring your business requires careful managerial and financial planning. We know that farm assets are a major source of retirement income for many farm families. NY FarmNet is dedicated to providing farmers with assistance in all aspects of business transfers.
- Succession planning
- Non-family transfers
- Joint ventures/partnerships
- Help for start-up farmers
Agribusiness Professionals
We know that agricultural businesses are a critical part of our farming communities. NY FarmNet has expanded its services to work individually with agricultural business professionals who work directly with farmers in New York State. NY FarmNet will offer small and medium-sized agribusiness employees and owners free, confidential consulting from family consultants to address any personal well-being and behavioral health challenges they may be experiencing, as well as build resiliency.
NY FarmNet family consultants will focus on communicating with customers, navigating conflict, stress management, coaching, relationship support, coping with COVID-19 stress, planning and time management, as well as referrals to additional resources. We will not be offering financial consulting services to this group, and our work with farmers will continue uninterrupted.
Educational Presentations and Training
NY FarmNet provides educational programming to farmers, community and trade organizations, professional agencies, rural health practitioners, college students, and many others. Presentations can be provided in-person or online and typically last an hour. If you are interested in scheduling a program, contact NY FarmNet, rg523 [at] cornell.edu (nyfarmnet[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Examples of Educational Programming Provided by NY FarmNet Include (but are not limited to):
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
- Stress Management
- Farm Management
- Succession Planning
- Tax Awareness