NY FarmLink

New York ’s Business Transfer Resource

Transferring management responsibility and farm assets to the next generation or a non-family member is an important, but sometimes confusing process. In addition, exiting farmers face a limited amount of choices for retirement and new farmers face a tremendous uphill battle in order to obtain the necessary knowledge, skill, and finances. NY FarmLink provides educational resources, consulting, and opportunities that enable more farms to be transferred and joint ventures to be developed for the economic enhancement of New York State agriculture.

Farm Opportunities Website: A place to advertise farm opportunities in New York State. Listings include: farm owners who want to transfer their farm; farm seekers who want to work into farm ownership; farmers who are seeking business partnerships; farm management employment opportunities; and a farm rental property clearinghouse.

Free Business Consultation: Experienced consultants from NY FarmNet and Cornell University can help get the process started and help arrange your personal business transfer team.

Professional Referral Service: Referrals are made from a current database of experienced individuals to help you with specific needs – including lawyers, bankers, estate planners, insurance agents, financial advisors, and government agencies that work specifically with the agricultural sector.

Guides and Workbooks: publications and research into the various methods of business transition. Currently available:

Farm Transfer Guides: One guide for the senior generation and one for the junior generation. These guides will help you navigate the complex process of farm transfer in an easy step by step fashion.

Farm Partnership Guides: Whether you are going into a partnership, joint venture, strategic alliance, or just a contract, this guide will help you explore what type of legal and financial arrangements should be made before you start doing business together. Health Care Planning Guide:Money and business saving tips on how to navigate the confusing maze of health care programs in New York State.

Stories of Farm Transfer: Read about how other farm families have transferred their farms and about the challenges that they faced.

Do I need crop insurance?: A self-assessment tool that will help you decide if crop insurance is a risk management strategy that will be a value to your farm.

Coming soon:

Starting an Agricultural Business?: This is a pre-planning guide that will help you focus your thoughts before you tackle a full fledged business plan. Great for beginning farmers who need to sit down and really think about what they want to do!

Retirement Planning Guide: Farmers face some unique challenges when planning for retirement. This guide provides examples and strategies of how other farm families have managed this process.