Business
In order to be economically viable, vegetable and small fruit growers must be good business people. Growers utilize a variety of markets in New York, including retail farm stands and farmers' markets, wholesale markets and produce auctions. Sales of produce continue to increase and expand in New York as growers create new markets for their product. Recent expansions have included more sales directly into New York City and year-round farmers' markets.Growers must also pay close attention to the costs of doing business on the farm. As costs of inputs such as fuel and fertilizers continue to increase, growers must find new ways to increase efficiency and help consumers understand the value of their products. By keeping costs under control and selling product at a fair price, growers are able to expand the industry in New York.
BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Relevant Event
2018 Empire State Producers EXPO
January 16 - January 18, 2018
Morning, Mid-day, and Afternoon Sessions
Syracuse, NY
Most Recent Business Content
The Cornell Small Farms Program helps farmers get expert assistance to facilitate all phases of small farm development, from initial growth to optimization to maturity. Online courses are available for aspiring, new, and experienced farmers through the Northeast Beginning Farmers Project. Sign up to receive the Small Find Farms E-newsletter to find out about resources, events, career opportunities and funding opportunities.
Judson Reid, Extension Vegetable Specialist
A produce auction is a wholesale market for regionally grown produce. Currently there are six produce auctions in New York State offering a wide variety of produce at competitive prices. This guide will provide basic information on the terminology of the auction, as well as how to purchase produce at these unique markets.
Currently, there are 6 produce auctions in New York State. These auctions are aggregation points that allow local farmers to sell their produce in wholesale lots to buyers from across the region. To document the economic impact of produce auctions on agriculture, local businesses, family farms, and produce buyers, the Cornell Vegetable Program worked with HarvestNY to survey top sellers and buyers.
A new Cornell Vegetable Program video shares general information about produce auctions, how buyers and sellers use the auctions to expand their businesses, and how local communities benefit from them.
Cornell Small Farms Program: Aiding in Small Farm Business Development
Last Modified: October 25, 2016
The Cornell Small Farms Program helps farmers get expert assistance to facilitate all phases of small farm development, from initial growth to optimization to maturity. Online courses are available for aspiring, new, and experienced farmers through the Northeast Beginning Farmers Project. Sign up to receive the Small Find Farms E-newsletter to find out about resources, events, career opportunities and funding opportunities.
Guide on How to Purchase at the NYS Produce Auctions
Judson Reid, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Last Modified: May 7, 2015
A produce auction is a wholesale market for regionally grown produce. Currently there are six produce auctions in New York State offering a wide variety of produce at competitive prices. This guide will provide basic information on the terminology of the auction, as well as how to purchase produce at these unique markets.
Video: New York State Produce Auctions
Last Modified: April 30, 2015
Currently, there are 6 produce auctions in New York State. These auctions are aggregation points that allow local farmers to sell their produce in wholesale lots to buyers from across the region. To document the economic impact of produce auctions on agriculture, local businesses, family farms, and produce buyers, the Cornell Vegetable Program worked with HarvestNY to survey top sellers and buyers.
A new Cornell Vegetable Program video shares general information about produce auctions, how buyers and sellers use the auctions to expand their businesses, and how local communities benefit from them.
More Business Content
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
CANCELLED: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) / Harmonized GAPs Farm Food Safety Training
September 26 - September 27, 2017
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Salamanca, NY
This event has been cancelled due to low registration numbers. Farm food safety is common-sense practices organized to assist farmers to improve their skill set to continue to grow safe and healthy food. Day One of this training will be an educational training on farm food safety principles and practices to provide the background and information for farmers to understand how to minimize the risk of food born disease contamination. Day Two will be for those who want help with writing a farm food safety plan.
Pickle Variety Twilight Meeting
September 26, 2017
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Ransomville, NY
Vegetable growers are invited to tour an on-farm plot of early generation Cornell downy mildew resistant pickle breeding lines. Dr. Michael Mazourek, Professor of Plant Breeding, and lab members, will be on site to walk growers through the plot and review plant selections. All growers that attend will be an integral part of helping make selections for the next generation of pickle varieties released!Season Extension - Stretching Tomato Season and Winter Greens
October 4, 2017
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Allegany, NY
What do you need to do to stretch out your high tunnel tomato season or establish a profitable crop of winter greens? Meeting the full season's nutritional demands of tomatoes under organic management is challenging. Juggling diverse succession crops and keeping the tunnel profitable year round adds an extra level of difficulty. Announcements
Produce Donations for Hurricane Relief
The ENY Commercial Horticulture Program is leading an effort to collect pallets of produce to send down to TX and FL for hurricane relief. Feeding American is handling the transportation. "Hard" crops accepted:- apples
- onions
- cabbage
- potatoes
- winter squash
- any other crop that withstand no refrigeration for a week
Farms donating product will receive a record of donation. Dates and locations of drop off locations in our region and across the state are provided.
You must be prepared to contact them in advance with details on what crop you are donating, how many pallets, which location you will be dropping your donation off at, and when they can anticipate your products. For more information on this effort and updates on locations, visit the ENY Commercial Horticulture's event details.
You must be prepared to contact them in advance with details on what crop you are donating, how many pallets, which location you will be dropping your donation off at, and when they can anticipate your products. For more information on this effort and updates on locations, visit the ENY Commercial Horticulture's event details.
Empire State Producers EXPO Proceedings Available
Proceedings from the Empire State Producers EXPO conference from 2011-2017 are available online.Cornell Vegetable Program - Cornell Cooperative Extension
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