Profiting from Layers, Broilers, Turkeys, and Ducks
Many new farmers get started with poultry, because it’s a relatively low-investment enterprise with a fairly quick turnaround time from start-up to revenue. The margins can be slim though, and farmers need to develop the necessary skill set to produce a product that is both safe and profitable. This course will help you get started with all the basic information to build a successful poultry enterprise.
Target Audience
Beginner – The course is for aspiring and beginning farmers (individuals with limited or no experience with poultry rearing) seeking to learn about poultry production and the marketing, processing, and sales of poultry and poultry products in New York State. (NOTE: You do not have to be farming in NYS to benefit from the production-oriented information in this course. Only the regulatory information covered is NY-specific).
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, you will:
- Know the basics of poultry production from field to plate
- Have knowledge of breed selection, production systems, flock management practices, and cost of production
- Identify rules and regulation for sale of poultry products to various market outlets
- Understand business and marketing plans as they relate to poultry production
Webinars
The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions, readings, and assignments in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to the experience, webinars will be woven into the online interface of the course to allow you to meet on a weekly basis to learn from outside presenters and address your farm questions in real time. If you miss one, they are always recorded and posted for later viewing.
Webinar Schedule
In 2025, this course will be offered live for 6 weeks on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 PM (Eastern) from November 4 – December 9. While we encourage live attendance, so you have the opportunity to engage with presenters and ask questions, all webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely, and can return to participate in the live webinars in future offerings of the course if you wish. Join us!
Your Instructor
Michelle Proscia, the Agriculture Production Program Manager for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Sullivan County, NY, has been with the organization since 2013. She offers technical assistance and educational programming to farmers and community members in the area of Agriculture. She received her bachelor’s degree in Large Animal Science from Delaware Valley College. Michelle has also managed a small farm that raised poultry, sheep and pigs.
Rachel Moody grew up on a family dairy farm and participated in 4-H showing cattle, goats and chickens. She has been in ag education for almost two decades and is currently a livestock educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Capital Area Ag and Hort Program in the Albany area. Rachel and her husband purchased her family’s farm where they have a farm store and raise poultry, sheep, cattle and have a team of drafts.
Student Testimonials
“The material was great, and the pacing of the online lectures had a good flow.”
“As someone new to raising poultry, all the information was very eye opening. I can plan properly now that I have concrete information. I have a clearer idea of what is involved, and I am still excited to try!”
“The live aspect! Coming on each week live motivated me to stay committed. I enjoyed getting to listen to the teachers and speakers in real time.”
"Thank you for an exceptional course that offered real world application and subject
matter experts. I feel like I was able to take away new information that will improve my practices and help my farm become more sustainable."
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Course Tiered Pricing
The Cornell Small Farms Program offers a tiered pricing model to provide greater access to our online courses. To determine your course enrollment cost, please consult the chart below, and honestly identify your current financial situation.
We realize that not everyone is able to afford the price of our courses, so we also offer a small number of scholarships each year to New York State residents. To apply, please read scholarship requirements and complete the application here.