BFRDP Projects

Throughout this project, CADE has worked to increase the number of beginning farmers who operate successful, profitable farm enterprises in New York and maintain New York’s role as a leading agricultural State in the Northeast. This goal fulfills CADE’s 30 year mission to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York. By the end of the second year of this three year project, CADE implemented its goals in the following ways: 

1) supported the establishment of 9 new farms with high impact, deep touch “A-Z” business development services from farmland access to landowner/producer matchmaking, to business planning, product development, access to capital, and support with markets and sales; 

2) enhanced, strengthened, and ramped up operations of 423 beginning farms Statewide our mid/light touch services using business development and management workshops and webinars, on-farm events, facilitating networks/peer connections, interactive online content and resources, and referrals. 

3) offered 12 digital webinars and courses and 6 in-person intensive training sessions with mentor farmers in the Catskills (primarily Delaware, Schoharie, and Otsego counties) on climate smart farming practices. 
With a range of partners, our project has delivered relevant, “farming for a new era” content: 

• facilitated access to farmland in the Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware counties;
• technical assistance on securing farmland; 
• educational training via peer-to-peer mentoring, apprenticeships, skill shares; 
• legal and business support; 
• business development;
• financial planning;  
• product development;
• assistance in accessing capital;
• market R&D, market planning;
• producer/buyer/distributor matchmaking to secure market share;
• social support.