Essex County Farm Asset Protection Strategies: Safeguarding Agricultural Legacies for Future Generations
Event Details
Date
November 14, 2023
Time
10:00am - 2:30pm
Location
Whallonsburg Grange Hall
1610 NY 22
Essex, NY 12936
Host
CCE Essex
Steve Hadcock
518-380-1497
email Steve Hadcock
Event Registration
Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Nicole Tommell and Steve Hadcock will host a workshop with CCE Essex on various farm asset protection strategies. Nicole is a Farm Management Specialist with the Central New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team. Steve Hadcock is a Beginning Farmer specialist with the Capital Area Agricultural and Horticultural Program. Nicole and Steve have many years of experience working with farm families on farm management and estate planning topics.
Topics included are:
- How can I use my current records to gauge how well my business is doing? Various suggestions will assist you in looking at your records differently.
- What can I do to retain employees? Ideas will be shared on how to get new employees off to a good start. Also, ideas on how to help retain employees as well.
- Am I ready to consider diversifying my business? Thoughts on how to approach evaluating the diversification of your farm business will be shared.
- When and how do I start the succession process? It is never too early to begin discussing farm succession/transfer. Topics will be covered to help you feel confident to begin the process for your business. Shared topics may help you with your process if you have already started.
Each participant will receive written materials and a flash drive containing various resources.
The workshop will be held on Tuesday November 14th at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall from 10-2:30. Locally sourced morning refreshments and lunch are provided.
Please register here by Nov 7th: Register Here This event is free
For more information about the workshop content, contact Steve Hadcock at seh11@cornell.edu or 518-380-1497.
Agenda
10:00 am - Welcome/ Introductions
10:15 am -Farm Management Records/ Reports
- Farm Financial Worksheet
- Case study
- Center for Farm Financial Score Sheet
- Participants will work individually on the case example and then discuss either in small groups or whole group discussions.
- Budgeting/ Cashflow /enterprise budgeting/Projections
11:00 am - Onboarding and Retention of Employees
- Onboarding Employees - basic requirements of documentation, safety videos - NYCAHM, Sexual harassment, job descriptions
- Risk and how to avoid it.
11:45 am - Lunch / Networking
12:30 pm - Diversification Opportunities (Tools to Evaluate a proposed business opportunity)
- Partial Budgeting Case Study
- Strengths/ Weaknesses (SWOT Analysis for the example business)
- Open Round Table Discussion on the SWOT
1:15 pm - Succession/Transition Planning
2:00 pm - Local Topics (30 minutes) round table discussion from producers
2:30 pm - Wrap up/ adjourn

Upcoming Events
2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Rain date is July 16.
2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
Kinderhook, NY
Join specialists Heather Kase, Scott Cosseboom, Nathaniel Westrick, and Anna Wallis for updates and a review of berry phenology and pest management. Presentations will be given on berry horticultural and pest management considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and minor fruit crops. Light refreshment & snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but there is no fee for attendance. 1.00 DEC credit will be available in categories 10, 1a, and 22
