Funding Your Farm Plans
Do you have good ideas for a farm business you'd like to start, or for expanding or diversifying your existing farm business? Do you have access to all the funding you'll need to bring your ideas to fruition? If not, this course is for you. It can be very difficult to navigate the process of getting grants or loans, especially if you did not come to farming with a background in finance. If you do have a background in finance, that's a great advantage, but there are many opportunities available to food- and farm-related businesses that don't exist in other sectors.
This course will start by emphasizing the importance of a business plan to this process, including cash flow projections. Once we have created a baseline understanding of what work needs to be done before seeking funding, we will have guest speakers talk about funding from a bank’s perspective, from Farm Credit East, from USDA's various grant programs, and from economic development agencies. We will also highlight funding streams that are particular to different groups such as minority- and women-owned businesses, veterans, or agricultural-related nonprofits.
Target Audience
All levels - This course is for anyone who is seeking funding for a farm enterprise. Participants will get the most out of the course if they already have familiarity with basic business and financial concepts and terms, but the instructor will also explain these as the course progresses.
Course Objectives
If you are an active participant in this course, you will:
- Understand how to prepare your business for funding
- Learn how to research and find available funding
- Know which resources to gather for an application that has the potential to be approved
Webinars
The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions,
readings, and assignments in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to
the experience, webinars will be woven into the online interface of the
course to allow you to meet on a weekly basis to learn from presenters
and ask questions in real time. If you miss one, they are always
recorded and posted for later viewing.
Webinar Schedule
Live instruction for 2025 has concluded. You are welcome to enroll now to complete this course on a self-paced schedule and join our next live session in Winter 2026. All webinars are recorded and posted in your online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely and may return to participate in future live offerings of the course as well. Please join us!
Your Instructor
Myron Thurston is the Agricultural Economic Development Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and is a Senior Resource Educator in the Cornell System. His most recent position was in Agriculture Economic Development at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County and he worked with farmers there to help them prepare for expansion, diversification, and financial protection for their agribusinesses. He also is a grant reviewer for the USDA. Myron has a significant background in grant research and grant writing as he was in nonprofit fundraising and development for over a decade before coming to Cornell. He also served as the head of marketing for two nonprofits in Central New York. Myron grew up on a 100-year-old family dairy farm that milked around 350 cows and farmed on 2,000 acres in Oneida County, NY. He currently resides in Sherrill, NY with his wife, two children, a dog that loves to run with him, and a cat that is not very friendly.
Lynn Bliven
is the Agriculture & Natural Resource Issue Leader for Cornell Cooperative
Extension in Allegany County, NY. She began her career in 4-H and currently
works in Agricultural Economic Development, specializing in beginning farmer
outreach, local food systems and livestock production. Lynn and husband Shawn
operate a 52 acre farm in Rushford, NY raising grass-fed beef and lamb.
Student Testimonials
"We closed on our farm last month! We already have animals arriving and dump truck loads of compost delivered. We very literally could not have done it without you and the Small Farms Program. Thank you for all the work you do helping beginning farmers get the information they need, for taking time to meet with me and hash out our business plan and your input on it."
"This class has shown me how to take what I want to accomplish and has given me a starting point and the steps I need to take to reach my end goals. This class has been full of great resources that I’m going to spend the next few months looking into."
"The instructor is knowledgeable on the topic, fluent in the terminology, has industry experience. He delivers the information in an interesting and consistent manner. I learned things I didn't know, and I would take another course from him."
“Myron's presenting skills were first rate!I found him always engaged and so knowledgeable...especially considering that finance can be somewhat tedious!”
“Learning how to navigate and find all the funding resources available for farmers was invaluable. I know now how to apply for my grant and follow my grant status.”
Course Curriculum
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StartInstructor Contact
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PreviewWebinar Schedule and Zoom Participant Guide
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StartPre-Course Survey
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StartFORUM: Please Introduce Yourself
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PreviewKiva US - 0% Interest Loans on up to $15,000
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StartNavigating in Teachable, Getting a Course Completion Certificate and More
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StartVideo - What is Cornell Cooperative Extension
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StartWeek 2 Webinar Link, Slides and Recording
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StartFORUM: Week 2 - Questions from Week 1
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StartSet Yourself Up for Financial Success
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StartResources - SARE Guide for Building a Sustainable Business
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StartVideo - SAM Number
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StartVideo - How to Create an Ag Based Business Plan - NC State Extension