Lake Ontario Fruit Program Enrollment

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  • Pest Management
  • Cultural Practices

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  • On-Farm Research Trials

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A New Requirement for Small Businesses (Including Most Farms):

November 26, 2024

Beginning January 1, 2024, most small entities—including single member LLCs—must file online reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, disclosing information about the beneficial owners of the entities.  

This new reporting requirement—estimated to impact at least 32.6 million entities in 2024—was created by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Existing entities have until January 1, 2025, to make their first beneficial ownership information (BOI) report.

Do I have to File?  

If you are an LLC, Corporation, LLP or Limited Partnership in New York, yes you do. 

Any entity created by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or any similar office under the law of a state or Indian tribe, unless excepted from the reporting requirement, must file. Examples of exempt entities include tax-exempt and government. (The list of exempt entities is in this FAQ.)  

For-profit farms are not on the exempt list. Single-member LLCs are subject to BOI reporting requirements. Sole proprietorship farms are exempt since they do not file with the Secretary of State in New York. 

Why on Earth do I have to do this? 

In 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act on a bipartisan basis. This law creates a new reporting requirement as part of U.S. government efforts to make it harder for bad actors to use shell companies or opaque ownership structures to hide or benefit from ill-gotten gains. 

What Happens if I Don't File?  

You should file because the penalties are large, and it is straightforward to file. 

Failure to file a BOI report can result in severe civil and criminal penalties! If you don't file a BOI report, you could face a $500-per-day fine, up to $10,000, and up to two years in prison. 

Where to File: https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/....  

How will this information be used and who can see it? 

Beneficial ownership information reported to FinCEN is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FinCEN published the rule that will govern access to and protection of beneficial ownership information on December 22, 2023. According to the website, beneficial ownership information reported to FinCEN is stored in a secure, non-public database using rigorous information security methods and controls typically used in the Federal government to protect non-classified yet sensitive information systems at the highest security level. 

In accordance with the Corporate Transparency Act, FinCEN may permit access of beneficial ownership information to:  

·     Federal agencies engaged in national security, intelligence, or law enforcement activity. 

·     State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies with court authorization. 

·     Officials at the Department of the Treasury. 

·     Foreign law enforcement agencies, judges, prosecutors, and other authorities that submit a request through a U.S. Federal agency to obtain beneficial ownership information for authorized activities related to national security, intelligence, and law enforcement. 

·     Financial institutions with customer due diligence requirements under applicable law (to facilitate compliance with those requirements). 

·     Federal functional regulators or other appropriate regulatory agencies that supervise or assess financial institutions with access to beneficial ownership information (to supervise such financial institutions' compliance with customer due diligence requirements). 

What Information Will I have to Provide?   

For the company: 

·     Full legal name 

·     Any trade name or "doing business as" name 

·     Complete current U.S. address 

·     Jurisdiction of formation (including State or Tribal jurisdiction for a domestic reporting company) 

For each beneficial owner and each company applicant required to be reported:  

·     Full legal name 

·     Date of birth 

·     Complete current address 

·     Unique identifying number and issuing jurisdiction from one of the following non-expired documents:  

·     U.S. passport 

·     Identification document issued by a State, local government, or Indian Tribe  

·     State-issued driver's license  

·     If none of the above are available, a foreign passport, and an image of the document from which the unique identifying number was obtained. 

What is a "Beneficial Owner"? 

In general, beneficial owners are individuals who: 

1.  Directly or indirectly exercise "substantial control" over the reporting company, or 

2.  Directly or indirectly own or control 25% or more of the "ownership interests" of the reporting company. 

The rules for the program provide that beneficial owners do not include: 

·     A minor child, provided the reporting company reports the required information of a parent or legal guardian of the minor child and states that the individual is the parent or legal guardian of a minor (once the minor child reaches the age of majority, the report must be updated). 

·     An individual acting as a nominee, intermediary, custodian, or agent on behalf of another individual. 

·     An employee of a reporting company, acting solely as an employee, provided that such person is not a senior officer. 

·     An individual whose only interest in a reporting company is a future interest through a right of inheritance. 

·     A creditor of a reporting company. 

What are "Company Applicants"? 

Companies created or registered before January 1, 2024, are required to report only beneficial owners. Companies created or registered on or after January 1, 2024, must report the company applicants, in addition to beneficial owners. Company applicants include: 

·     The individual who directly files the document that creates, or first registers, the reporting company; and  

·     The individual that is primarily responsible for directing or controlling the filing of the relevant document.  

What is the "FinCen Identifier"? 

An individual or reporting company may obtain a FinCEN identifier by submitting an application at or after the time that the reporting company submits its initial report. Each identifier is specific to the individual or reporting company. If an individual has obtained a FinCEN identifier, the reporting company may use that identifier in its report instead of reporting all of the required information for the individual. 

Where Can I get More Information? 

Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) Beneficial Ownership website: https://www.fincen.gov/boi  

Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) BOIeFiling website: https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/ 



more crops
Apples

Apples

Apricots

Apricots

Asian Pears

Asian Pears

Blueberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Cherries

Currants

Currants

Gooseberries

Gooseberries

Nectarines

Nectarines

Peaches

Peaches

Pears

Pears

Plums

Plums

Raspberries / Blackberries

Raspberries / Blackberries

Strawberries

Strawberries

Unusual Fruit

Unusual Fruit

more crops

Upcoming Events

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course Yates County

December 18, 2024
Penn Yan, NY

Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety as well as growers who are covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule or who anticipate being covered in the future should consider taking this course.

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires 'At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.'

View Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course Yates County Details

From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan

January 7, 2025 : Session 1: The 30,000-foot view, what are you trying to accomplish? What resources do you have?

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan (Liz Higgins)

  • Session 1: The 30,000-foot view, what are you trying to accomplish? What resources do you have?

January 14, 2025 : Session 2: Introduction to Project Management

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan (Liz Higgins)

  • Session 2: Introduction to Project Management

January 21, 2025 : Session 3: How Business Planning Becomes a Business Plan

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan (Liz Higgins)

  • Session 3: How Business Planning Becomes a Business Plan

January 28, 2025 : Session 4: Your Market and Your Competition

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm (Bonnie Nelsen)

 Session 4: Your Market and Your Competition


February 4, 2025 : Session 5: Revenue and Product Mix to Achieve Your Goals

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm (Bonnie Nelsen)

  • Session 5:  Revenue and Product Mix to Achieve Your Goals

February 11, 2025 : Session 6: Marketing Plan and Evaluation of Marketing Efforts

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm (Bonnie Nelsen)

  • Session 6: Marketing Plan and Evaluation of Marketing Efforts

February 18, 2025 : Session 7: The Basics of Financial Statements

Unit 3: Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business (Steve Hadcock)

  • Session 7: The Basics of Financial Statements


February 25, 2025 : Session 8: Enhancing Confidence in Your Numbers

Unit 3: Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business (Steve Hadcock)

  • Session 8: Enhancing Confidence in Your Numbers



March 4, 2025 : Session 9: Using Financial Statements and Financial Information to Plan and Evaluate an Enterprise

Unit 3: Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business (Steve Hadcock)

  • Session 9: Using Financial Statements and Financial Information to Plan and Evaluate an Enterprise
View From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan Details

Electric Weeding in Organic Perennial Crops

January 14, 2025

Join us for a free webinar on electric weeding in organic perennial crops.

View Electric Weeding in Organic Perennial Crops Details

Announcements

Fire blight management survey

Understanding your perspective on fire blight management systems.

Your input on fire blight management systems is crucial for guiding future research efforts - please help us out by completing a quick survey at https://opinion.wsu.edu/AppleManagement/

Hearing your views and experience from the field will be very valuable in making our research and recommendations realistic and actionable. PLUS you will receive an electronic gift card for $25. The survey will only take 20 min of your time.

Your opinions are important to us, even if you did not have issues with fire blight control and antibiotic resistance in your orchard.


Business Updates



Save the Date! - Scroll down for Upcoming Events

Have you missed a meeting recently? Scroll down for available recordings or pdf links or visits our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeOntarioFruitProgram

2024 Events:

6 Dec - Lake Ontario Fruit Program Advisory Committee Meeting - 10am -2pm, Gates Public Library, register now 

11 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII - Hudson Valley Community College, $75, Register Now

13 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII - Jordan Hall, Cornell AgriTech, $75, Register Now

17 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII additional topics - Webinar, 12pm - 2pm, $75, Register now

18 Dec - Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course Yates County - 8am-5pm, Penn Yan

18 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII additional topics - Webinar, 12pm - 2pm,  $75, Register now

2025 Events:

7 Jan - From Seed To Success: Unit 1 - Sessions 1  - Webinar

14 Jan - Electric Weeding in Organic Perennial Crops - Webinar, 2pm

14 Jan - From Seed To Success: Unit 1 - Sessions 2 - Webinar

16 Jan - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

17 Jan - 27 Feb - Ag Supervisory Leadership Course 104 - Register Now

21 Jan - From Seed To Success: Unit 1 - Sessions 3 - Webinar

23 Jan - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

28 Jan - From Seed To Success: Unit 2 - Sessions 4 - Webinar

30 Jan - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

Feb 4-5, 2025 - Western NY Fruit Conference - DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Rochester

4 Feb - From Seed To Success: Unit 2 - Sessions 5 - Webinar

11 Feb - From Seed To Success: Unit 2 - Sessions 6 - Webinar

13 Feb - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

18 Feb - From Seed To Success: Unit 3 - Session 7 - Webinar

20 Feb - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

25 Feb - From Seed To Success: Unit 3 - Session 8 - Webinar

27 Feb - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

4 Mar - From Seed To Success: Unit 3 - Session 9 - Webinar

7 & 8 May - 2025 Respirator Fit Testing Clinics - CCE Orleans


Webinar Recordings & Additional Meeting Materials

Check out the recordings of some recent webinars and/or conference materials from in person events: Recordings and Playlists are available at https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeOntarioFruitProgram

Recording of Precision Apple Cropload MANagement PACMAN technologies at the 2nd Annual WNY Fruit Grower Tour. https://youtu.be/yE6thvf4z0E

2024 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series - Water Wisdom: 
1/4 - Trends In Water Availability
2/4 - The Role of Water In Tree Fruit Physiology & Quality
3/4 - Smart Watering: Practices for Irrigation Management
4/4 - Water Wisdom Unplugged


2024 8-12 mm Thinning Meeting

2024 Capital Region & Western NY Petal Fall Thinning Meeting

2024 Statewide Pink Meeting

2024 Cornell Statewide Frost Protection Webinar

2024 Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the NYS IPM Program YouTube Channel

2nd Annual Lake Ontario Fruit Program's Winter Fruit Conference - 2024 pdfs

PACMAN Details and Resources, Meeting Recording Links below:
Developers Conference for Precision Crop Load Management of Apples Playlist - 2024
PACMAN Briefing - 2023








Scaffolds podcast

Many of you probably read Art Agnello's statewide tree fruit updates and recommendations newsletter, "Scaffolds". Dr. Monique Rivera is bringing it back, but in a new audio version. Episode one was recorded this week, and is now available for free online at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scaffolds


NYS Tree Decline Survey

Your answers could help find the solution to tree decline in the orchard.
NYS Tree Decline Survey


Food Safety Virtual Office Hours

Cornell Institute of Food Safety "Virtual Office Hours", Tuesdays Noon to 1pm https://cals.cornell.edu/institute-for-food-safety/resources/virtual-office-hours

Past recorded virtual office hours can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZJs5b7KUuvfcquH3ZtQHo5dSmF2m5MdQ


Pollinator Resouces

Now available Pollinator Resource Links


Meeting Recordings Now Available

Did you miss the recent meeting?  Check and see if we recorded it and added it to our website or Lake Ontario Fruit Program YouTube Channel.

Honeycrisp Meetup recordings available here.

Why are my trees growing so poorly? recording available here.

Additional Recorded Webinars listing with recording and resource link are available at
https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=838&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38



New Publication on Growing Pawpaws

Are you a fan of pawpaws? These custardy fruits can be hard to come across, so this guide provides information on how to grow your own pawpaw from seed, and how to care for grafted seedlings. Pdf on growing now available.​ https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=799&crumb=crops|crops|unusual_fruit|crop*50

New Weed Management Technology Survey

Want to move away from herbicide reliance? Are you using novel technologies to manage weeds? We want to know about it to inform our weed science research. A team of weed scientists from University of California Davis, Oregon State University, and Cornell University are asking berry, tree fruit, tree nut, and vine crop growers to take 5 to 10 minutes and answer this short and anonymous survey. Weed Technology Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEpfAijoP7puQDP

For more information on this survey please visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/swd1/2020/12/02/new-weed-management-technology/


Pollinator Webinar Series - Summer 2020

The Pollinator Webinar Series presented by Penn State cover bee health and pollination services.



Bloom Pesticides for Pollinator Health

A reference table created by Janet van Zoeren and Anna Wallis, is now available at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=711&crumb=pests|pests.

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