Cornell University Offers Online Courses For Experienced and New Farmers – Ag Matters

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Or for that matter teach a new dog old tricks. Cornell Cooperative Extension offers online courses for the most experienced farmers to those who are just beginning.

No matter what level of farm experience you have, there is a class appropriate to your operation.  Classes are as basic as "starting at square one" and continue through how to make financial plans and record keeping.  Cornell has divides classes into 4 divisions:

• Just exploring farming

- Not yet sure if it’s right for you. You may (or may not) own land, but have not yet taken any steps to develop an agricultural business.

• Actively planning to start a farm

- You have rudimentary knowledge, but seek more information about production, marketing and business management practices.

• Farming 1 to 3 years

Exploring and learning what is and isn’t going to work for your particular operation.

• Farming 4 to 10 years

- Maturing your farming systems and possibly still diversifying.

Some classes even explore the specifics on growing exotic crops like; berries, mushrooms and organic grains.  Classed run between 5 to 7 weeks, get more details at Cornell's Beginning Farmer's website.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension