Financial Tips

Credit
Loan or lease? The advantages and disadvantages are spelled out in any easy-to-read format so you can carefully weigh the options.

Management
Is agritourism in your future? If so, think like a retailer first, and a grower second.

How to price a branded commodity — A brand "premium" refers to the amount you can charge above and beyond the usual market price for a product. In agriculture, entrepreneurs attach premium prices to commodities that reflect superior quality or value: Premium apples (or tomatoes or ice cream or lumber — you name it) at a premium price!

Risk Management Check-Up How are you in managing your operation's risk factors?  In 10 minutes or less you can find out!

Check Your Farm Business Plan? Take a minute to get an indication where your plan stacks up.

Case Study: Tips on how to start a new farm enterprise

9 Business Succession-Planning Mistakes to Avoid Most business owners expect to pass on some day their pride and joy—mostly likely to their children, but possibly to an employee or an outside buyer.

6 public relations tips you can use every day

A closer look at an income statement and balance sheet. Learn how both reports can help you achieve your business goals.

Are you getting all you can from your loan officer? Besides servicing your account, your loan officer can provide dependable advice on a range of financial issues.

Building a business plan. Learn how you can use your business plan to measure the success of your business.

Business management advice. Common sense tips that really make a difference.

Cranberry Grower's Planning Handbook. How to chart a business course under adversity — a free report.

Communication quiz. Take this interactive quiz to see how well you communicate with your employees.

How to be a better risk manager. To keep risk under control, start with a few basic steps.

Partnership predictor. Thinking about entering into a partnership? Take the following "Partnership Predictor" first. It may help you determine if a partnership is right for you.

Saving costs with less energy and lower interest rates. Are you taking advantage of these cost savings programs?

Top 10 tips for 2002. The top 10 business tips compiled by the First Pioneer farm business professionals for 2002 as presented at the 2001 Customer Appreciation meetings.

Who needs a consultant? Questions to help yourself determine if hiring a business consultant is right for your business.

Record-keeping
3 Resources to make payroll a little easier. The Farm Business Planner calendar; AgriPay Payroll Service; and links to Federal and state payroll information.

Records: What to keep and for how long? Handy guidelines to help you decide what financial records to hang on to and what to throw out.

Estate Planning
13 Estate Planning Terms You Should Know
Families delay doing critical estate planning for a variety of reasons: much of it deals with death or incapacitation, they don’t think they need planning, or it raises touchy family issues. Another reason is that they don’t understand the complicated jargon.

Do you need a will? Will your estate be at the mercy of federal and state laws? Learn how proper planning can help you provide for your heirs the way you want.

Business survival test. A simple test to see if your business is ready for the next generation or partner.

Estate planning tips. Questions you can ask yourself that may save you estate tax dollars.

Knowing your priorities will help you set your estate planning goals. A series of worksheets to assist you in setting your goals before you start an estate plan.

Appraisal
Do you need an appraisal? A simple questionnaire to help you decide if you need a business appraisal.

Taxes
Records: What to Keep and How Long.
Here are some guidelines to help you decide what to hang on to and what to throw out.

Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Act of 2003. First Pioneer's Summary of the Impact on Farm Taxpayers.

Education tax credits. Don't forget two important education tax credits.

New York State energy refundable tax credit. You may be eligible to a refundable tax credit on your electric and natural gas costs.

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