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This year the Watershed Agricultural Council is celebrating 25 Years and it is first and foremost because of the relationships built with our participants who voluntarily join our program. We are proud to work together with them and our collaborative partners in the Watershed Region. Here is a great recap of the farm tour we hosted in May!
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Dairy farmers for seven generations, the Darlings have been running their family-farm operation in Delancey, NY since 1849. “We love farming because it’s a great way to raise your family and learn a lifestyle of good work ethics and responsibility. It’s something that’s in your blood. There’s no real way to explain it.”
As a WAC program participant just 2.5 miles from the Pepacton Reservoir, Dar-View Farm has benefited from best management practices made possible with the help of the Council and partnering agencies. Check out our latest Boots in the Barnyard Video to learn more about what we’ve accomplished through partnering with this amazing farm family.
Check out the 2017 Agricultural Program Annual Report and 2018 Workload here.
Check out the March 2018 ENews here.
Check out the latest Boots in the Barnyard video featuring Del-Rose Farm on our Success Stories page. Watch the youtube video here.
February, the shortest month of the year, still seemed to be jam packed with happenings in the NYC Watershed. We are excited to announce the closing of our new property which will host a new building in the next four years, read more here. We are proud to feature a great Ag participant success story in our latest installment of our Boots in the Barnyard video series, Del-Rose Farm. It’s also our favorite time of year in the Economic Viability Program, the Pure Catskills Guide membership drive is coming to a close. You can become a member by joining here. Read about how Forestry program staff presented at the New York Society of Foresters Annual meeting.
Read about these stories and more in the February 2018 ENews here.
Due to tomorrow’s (February 7, 2018) forecast and in the interest of safety and attendance, we have decided to postpone the regularly scheduled Easement Program Committee meeting to February 20th @ 11am (HAMDEN).
2018 started out with record low temperatures, learn about Winter Tips for Beef Producers here. Our Economic Viability program is offering business planning workshops and one-on-one planning through our partnership with CADE. Learn more here. Looking to buy produce locally, but not sure where? Check out Pure Catskills member Catskills Regional Harvest in Delhi for all your needs!
Read about these stories and more in the January 2018 enews here.
The Economic Viability Program is happy to announce our new Business Planning Program partnership with the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE). Funding through our program will be providing all WAC participants access to one-on-one technical assistance to develop a new business plan or update and existing one, work on a new business strategic direction, and/or developing a farm transition plan. Whatever your needs, we are here to help!
Elements of the one-on-one support include and are not limited to:
• executive summary
• mission/vision statements
• business description
• SWOT analysis
• market analysis
• marketing plan
• operations plan
• management summary
• financial plan & analysis
Your participation in our programs also includes access to The Farm and Food Business Incubator Winter Business Planning Workshop Series happening at the end of this month at the eCenter, 5 1/2 Main St, Delhi, NY.
January 27 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The first in a series of three business planning workshops, this session will focus in on the purpose and elements of your business plan and how best to approach building a three-year plan for your agricultural business. We will address the importance of the plan and work together through an outline to create the content. By breaking the plan down into its simplest form, we will make the process less daunting. A good business plan should not be complicated. We’ll focus on what’s important and give you the tools to continue developing your plan following the workshop.
February 3 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The second in a series of three business-planning workshops, this session will help you create your agricultural business’ marketing plan. We will examine your products, how you sell them and whom you sell them to and think through the best ways to connect with these customers. This session will include an overview of brand and messaging creation, packaging, online and social marketing, as well as relationship and collaborative marketing. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to reach your customers and the tools to help build your approach.
February 10 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The final in a series of three business-planning workshops, this session
will simplify your financial planning and give you the tools to create one-to-three year projections based on the goals you established in the previous two workshops. We will look at your potential income based on your products and marketing plan and break down the expenses that your business will incur to operate. If you are planning to apply for funding, we will look at the financial implications of your proposed project to your financials. Participants will leave with financial worksheets that can be packaged to comprise your business’ financial plan.
All are welcome to attend, and registration is required.
Contact corey@cadefarms.org or call (607) 433-2545 for more information.
It’s been another great year of farming in the NYC Watershed. As 2017 comes to a close, we look back on the work we have accomplished together as stewards of the land. This region and its rural heritage are vital to our way of life. Recognizing this, we have highlighted advocates and like-minded participants in our 2017 Annual Report.
As you read through its pages you will understand why we are proud to work with the farm and forest landowners in the NYC Watershed. Our staff is committed to the region, as are our program participants.”Watershed Proud” is about recognizing the commitment of participants, stakeholders and partners past, present and future. It is also about the Watershed Agricultural Council’s commitment to fulfill our mission. Next year marks our 25th anniversary, and we look forward to highlighting the collective efforts of countless individuals that have been the keys to our success.