Today’s Harvest Blog

Today’s Harvest is a valued, timely resource for stories, news, tips and information relevant to Northeast agriculture and our customers.
Farm tractor in a field during the fall harvest

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Business Tips and Tools

The Value of the Cooperative Model

Kristie Matuszewski

2025 marks the International Year of Cooperatives. Additionally, each October is observed as the national Co-Op month to recognize the value of people-centered businesses. Farm Credit East is proud to be a cooperative, collectively owned and operated by its customers. This cooperative ownership means customers have a voice in their cooperative through a customer-elected board of directors who are also customer owners. 

October 16, 2025

Map of the New York, New Jersey and New England states with check box above the map that read Your Voice in Ownership

Latest Tax Talk

Close-up of a U.S. Treasury tax refund check and IRS form 1042-S on top of a financial statement. Symbol of federal tax return and income reporting.
Tax Talks
Federal Government to Phase Out Paper Checks: What It Means for You

Early in 2025, the federal government announced an Executive Order aimed at modernizing how federal payments are handled. Under Executive Order 14247, signed in March 2025, all federal disbursements and receipts will transition to electronic formats by September 30, 2025. This change will impact individuals, businesses and organizations that receive or make payments to the federal government. 

September 30, 2025

Today's Harvest Blog

Couple of farmers examines the field of cereals
Business Tips and Tools
The 5 Cs of Credit for Young and Beginning Producers

Funding the startup of a new agriculture operation can be a tall task for any young or beginning producer. Remember the “5 Cs of credit” – a checklist of factors for young producers to consider when working to start and secure funding for a new agriculture business venture.

July 15, 2024

Rural home set back in agriculture pasture during sunset
Business Tips and Tools
Buying a Rural Property? Check for deed restrictions.

When buying a rural property, the buyer should always ask if the property has any deed restrictions as these can impose various limitations on how the property can be used and also potentially decrease the property’s value. 

July 09, 2024

side profile view of employee business woman wearing casual shirt sitting working at office desk with laptop pc computer indoors sign documents writing something
Tax Talks
Important Update Regarding Life Insurance Redemptions

In April, we discussed that the Supreme Court was hearing arguments in the Connelly v U.S. case regarding life insurance proceeds. With this case now decided, it will be important for individuals and small businesses owning life insurance to fund buy/sell agreements to include a review of these policies.

July 05, 2024

Farm workers harvesting apples
Tax Talks
New York Farm Employer Overtime Credit – Advance Application Opens July 1

In December 2023, we shared two important Tax Talks blog articles on the New York Employer Overtime Credit. The time to apply for an advance of the credit is fast approaching with NYS Ag and Markets opening the application on July 1, 2024. 

July 02, 2024

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