Getting Established as a Farm Business

Once you have decided to start a farm operation, we have many resources that can help you navigate the legal aspect of becoming a business owner and help you plan for success.

While most businesses start out as sole proprietorships or general partnerships, they may eventually find that the legal liability and tax consequences are more beneficial if operating under a different structure. New York State recognizes seven different business structures including: sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company (LLC), business C corporation, business S corporation, and cooperative. Learn more about what structure is best suited for your operation and how to register your business with the state with our Business Structures Fact Sheet.

A business plan is a document that helps you to organize and succinctly summarize the vision you have for your business. The plan contains the operational and financial objectives of a business, the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realized. Learn more about writing your own business plan with our Business Planning Fact Sheet and Business Plans Fact Sheet.