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Cornell University

Public Safety Communications Center

Division of Public Safety

Building Your Farm Future: Practical Steps

Start Date: January 21, 2026
Start Time: 12:00 am
All Day Event? Yes

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is launching a six-week online course designed to help aspiring and beginning farmers build the confidence and skills needed to start and successfully manage a farm business. The series begins January 21, 2025, and runs weekly through February 25, 2025.


Educational Objectives:
Participants will:



  • Build confidence in their ability to start and run a farm business.
    Gain a deeper understanding of resources needed for success.
    Identify personal knowledge gaps and learn where to find help.
    Explore available resources for starting and managing a farm business.
    Course Schedule:


Week 1 (Jan 21): Introspection, Goal Setting, and Vision – Skills and resource assessment, business planning basics, regulations, and available resources.
Week 2 (Jan 28): Livestock Focus – Starting a livestock farm and understanding insurance needs.
Week 3 (Feb 4): Infrastructure Focus – Evaluating land suitability and exploring business structures.
Week 4 (Feb 11): Fruit & Vegetable Focus – Starting a vegetable or fruit farm with and conducting enterprise analysis.
Week 5 (Feb 18): Ornamental Horticulture Focus – Starting a cut flower farm and understanding tax implications.
Week 6 (Feb 25): Business Planning & Marketing – Financing options, market planning, and wrapping up the business plan.


Who Should Attend:
Aspiring farmers, beginning farmers, and anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of farm business management.



Registration for event has CLOSED.