From NY FarmNet - The Farm Hand Monthly E-Newsletter

October, 2026

Click Here to Make a Financial Contribution to Support the Work of NY FarmNet

From the desk of the Executive Director:

Before Winter Arrives

October has always been one of my favorite months. The colors are spectacular, the mornings are crisp, football is in full swing, and the World Series is just around the corner. But October also carries another message here in the Northeast: winter isn't far behind.

You would think that after 66 Octobers, I'd have learned my lesson. Yet every year I find myself staring at a list of projects I was sure I'd finish before cold weather arrived. Some of those projects are even the same ones I promised my wife back in May would be completed by now. Somehow, there never seem to be enough days. The truth is that life works that way for all of us.

Most of us know what needs to get done. We understand that putting off important tasks rarely makes them easier. We know there is a sense of relief and accomplishment when we finally tackle them. Yet between the demands of work, family, and the unexpected challenges that always seem to arise, it's easy to convince ourselves that there will be more time tomorrow.

The trouble is that tomorrow has a way of becoming next month, next season, or even next year.

As you think about your farm and family this fall, what is the project, conversation, or decision you've been postponing?

For many farm families, estate and succession planning sits near the top of that list.

Unlike stacking firewood after the first snowstorm or scrambling to finish a repair before a storm rolls in, the consequences of delaying transition and estate planning can last for generations. When plans aren't discussed and documented, families often face unnecessary stress, uncertainty, and difficult decisions at exactly the wrong time.

At NY FarmNet, we frequently work with families who know planning is important but struggle to find the right time to begin. The conversations aren't always easy, and the process can sometimes feel overwhelming. But we've also seen firsthand how valuable those discussions become when families take the first step.

You don't need to have every answer today. You don't need a perfect plan before you start. What matters is beginning the conversation. Maybe that means scheduling a meeting with your attorney. Maybe it means sitting down with family members to talk about future goals. Perhaps it simply means reaching out to a trusted advisor to help guide the process.

Whatever that first step looks like, now is a good time to take it. As the seasons begin to change, October reminds us that preparation matters. Some of the most important work we do isn't measured in acres harvested, crops marketed, or cows milked. It's measured in the future opportunities we create for our families and the legacy we leave behind.

Wishing you a safe and successful harvest season. In the meantime, I’ll get back to stacking that wood.

Greg Mruk

Executive Director, NY FarmNet

Learn More about NY FarmNet

NY FarmNet August Cases

15 New Cases Opened

23 Cases Completed

441 Cases In Progress

NY FarmNet is Hiring Consultants All Across NYS!

Learn More at: https://cals.cornell.edu/nyfarmnet/about/work-for-ny-farmnet

NY FarmNet Wins Dairy Distinction Award at 2026 NYS Fair!

NY FarmNet Presentations, Webinars & Events

Upcoming Free Tax Awareness Webinar for Farmers

Learn more about NY FarmNet webinars at: https://cals.cornell.edu/nyfarmnet/trainings-events

November 4 - 1-2 pm EST

This webinar focuses on tax concepts that can improve tax outcomes for the current year and the tax years ahead.

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to understand common tax concepts, know the difference between cash and accrual accounting; identify tax planning opportunities, identify specific tax strategies such as income averaging, paying children for farm work, capitalizing repair costs, deferring income, prepaying expenses, and making retirement contributions; work on a long-term approach to tax planning by consistently maintaining records, maximizing eligible credits, and making informed financial decisions; recognize potential impacts of changes in the current tax laws; and understand the need to develop a plan that includes the impact of state and federal tax laws.

For guidance specific to your individual circumstances, please consult a qualified tax professional.

Download the September Tax 101 Webinar Here

Upcoming Free Mental Health First Aid Classes

Learn more about upcoming Mental Health First Aid Classes at: https://cals.cornell.edu/nyfarmnet/trainings-events

November 6, 2026

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County

6064 State Route 22, Suite 5

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Click Here to Register

Friday, November 13, 2026

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hamilton Public Library

13 Broad St.

Hamilton, NY 13346

Click Here to Register

October 23, 2026

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Chemung Innovation Center

71 North Street,
Chemung, NY 14825

Click Here to Register

November 18, 2026

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hillview Free Library

3717 Lake Shore Dr.

Diamond Point, NY 12824

Click Here to Register

Resources & Opportunities

Dairy Farm Feeder School 2026

https://cals.cornell.edu/events/dairy-farm-feeder-school-2026

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Farmers, ranchers, agricultural landowners and others involved in agriculture across the United States are invited to participate in an updated national survey examining the current state of farm estate and succession planning.

Please share with others to take the survey.

The Farm Estate Planning Survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Participants may remain anonymous, and providing an email address at the conclusion of the survey is optional.

Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8YSF9QX

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FarmNet is proud to share the annual report from Cornell Ag Workforce development - they have been a wonderful partner and collaborator to us over the past years. We want to recognize and applaud the good work they do in serving the farms of New York.

Download the Report Here

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Supporting Rural Youth Mental Health: A Shared Commitment

For many years, Rural Minds has been a valued partner and supporter of NY FarmNet, helping to advance awareness and action around mental health challenges facing rural communities. As Rural Minds expands its focus to address the unique mental health needs of rural youth, their efforts align closely with initiatives currently underway at Cornell through NY FarmNet.

Through the leadership and dedication of Kendra Janssen, Audrey McDougal, and Kassandra (Kassi) Bailey, FarmNet has been working to strengthen support systems for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Dyson School, ensuring that students from agricultural and rural backgrounds have access to the resources, guidance, and assistance they may need as they navigate the challenges of academic and personal life.

We encourage anyone interested in learning more about this important topic to join the free Rural Minds webinar on October 7. The webinar will explore the mental health needs of rural youth and highlight opportunities to better support the next generation of rural leaders.

We are also proud to share that Charlie Moser, a recent Cornell graduate and former FarmNet intern, will serve as one of the webinar panelists, bringing valuable insight and perspective to the discussion.

Please use the link below for additional information and registration details.

https://www.ruralminds.org/rural-mental-health-connections-webinar

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County Launches Free "Regional Navigator" Webinar Series

Free, virtual event that provides information on accessing, conserving, using, and leasing land

BINGHAMTON, NY — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County invites farmers, landowners, and individuals across New York State of all experience levels to attend a biweekly webinar series running noon to 1 p.m. starting Oct. 6 and ending Dec. 1. The schedule for the series is as follows:

Oct. 6 - “Agricultural Assessment” with NYS Office of Real Property
Oct. 20 - “Land Use Zoning Explained” with Pace University
Nov. 3 - “Designing a Land Lease for You” with Sam Rose (Cornell Small Farms Program)
Nov. 17 - “Land Conservation Programs Overview” with Upper Susquehanna Coalition, Broome County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Otsego Land Trust
Dec. 1 - “Accessing State or County Owned Land” with Todd Hyman of Hylight Farms, NYS Office of General Services, Finger Lakes National Forest Grazing Program, and Wesley Daisley of Ontario County Department of Public Works

Note: Some sessions may run longer than the allotted time, depending on content. Individuals may select any or all of the sessions they wish to attend.

This webinar series will provide individuals with practical information about accessing, conserving, using, and leasing land. The overall goal of this series is to help participants make more informed land-use decisions, identify resources, and better understand opportunities around increasing access to, and conserving, agricultural land. Professionals statewide will offer useful information as well as participate in a Question-and-Answer session at the end of each webinar. Prepare your questions and come ready to learn!

Registration link: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7qp1rD6eQmaADKlT--eV9Q

Questions can be directed to Maisie Neuber, Beginning Farmer Educator, mln77@cornell.edu.

Contact:

Maisie Neuber, Beginning Farmer Program Educator

Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County

Email: mln77@cornell.edu