Cornell Cooperative Extension

Yates County
Tomatoes

Beginning & Small Farm Resources

Cornell Cooperative Extension works with beginning farmers as well as established farm businesses. We reference many of the planning materials on the Cornell Small Farms Program, which features planning tutorials, the Guide to Farming in NY, a guide to Livestock Processing Regulations, and videos full of practical farmer-to-farmer advice and production tutorials. The website also has the schedule for Cornell’s online beginning farmer classes.

Our team members are also available to consult one-on-one with prospective farmers, reviewing business plans, “vetting” ideas for soundness, and directing you to more in-depth resources as needed. We live and work in the North Country of NY, so we have practical experience and advice to offer for both production and for marketing plans.

Contact

Caroline Boutard-Hunt
Agriculture & Horticulture Development Specialist
cb239@cornell.edu
(315) 536-5123 ext. 4375

Last updated October 29, 2025

Agriculture

Cornell Small Farms Program

Cornell Small Farms Program graphic

Visit the Cornell Small Farms Program online for news, events, workshops and resources that can benefit your small farm.

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Cornell Small Farms Newsletter

Find resources and information for new and beginning farmers on the new USDA New Farmers website: https://newfarmers.usda.gov/

Events

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New York State Grown & Certified

The NYS Grown & Certified Program was designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products and assist farmers so they can take advantage of the growing market demand for locally grown foods that are produced to a higher standard. Certified producers are able to use a special New York State seal that indicates the producer adheres to higher standards of food safety and environmental stewardship. This certification also facilitates sales to local schools who wish to meet the state's 30% reimbursement program for the purchase of local foods. Our staff can guide you through the application process and help you to locate any grants to reimburse certification costs should they be available.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo launched NYS Grown & Certified in 2016 to help meet the growing consumer demand for local foods grown or produced to a higher standard. The program certifies New York State producers who adhere to high food safety and environmental stewardship standards. It is supported by a marketing campaign including on-product labels, promotional materials, such as the NYS Grown & Certified website, and sales materials, to educate retail and wholesale buyers on the value of the program. For more information on NYS Grown & Certified, visit certified.ny.gov, or follow the program on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Learn more at https://certified.ny.gov/. 

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA)

The Produce Safety Alliance provides fundamental, science-based, on-farm food safety knowledge to fresh fruit and vegetable farmers, packers, regulatory personnel and others interested in the safety of fresh produce. The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) is a collaboration between Cornell University, FDA, and USDA to prepare fresh produce growers to meet the regulatory requirements included in the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

To learn more, check out this PSA Fact Sheet or visit the Produce Safety Alliance Website.