WE PROPOSE TO DEVELOP A SUITE OF DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND PRODUCER FEEDBACK TOOLS SUPPORTED BY APPLIED RESEARCH AND EXTENSION EDUCATION PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES TO SERVE SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SCALE LIVESTOCK FARMS. THE PROJECT'S DELIVERABLES WILL SUPPORT AND IMPROVE FARM PROFITABILITY BY IMPROVING FARM MANAGER DECISION MAKING ASSOCIATED WITH MARKET CHANNEL SELECTION, MEAT PRICING, AND PRODUCT MARKETING. THEREIN, THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO EQUIP LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO IMPROVE FARM PROFITABILITY AND TO INVIGORATE THE STATE'S OVERALL CAPACITY FOR MEAT PRODUCTION. PRODUCERS WHO EXPERIENCE SUCCESS BECAUSE OF PROJECT PARTICIPATION WILL INCREASE PRODUCTION AND PRODUCT MARGINS. THIS PROJECT FITS WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES (AERC) PROGRAM AREA AND DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS PROGRAM AREA PRIORITIES (A1601) BY DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES AND DECISION-AID TOOLS FOR SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SCALE FARMS. THESE EFFORTS ARE IMPORTANTLY INFORMED BY COMPLEMENTARY APPLIED RESEARCH UTILIZING DATA NOT COLLECTED HERETOFORE. IN ADDITION, THE LEADERSHIP TEAM'S COLLABORATION WITH THE CORNELL SMALL FARMS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE ENROLLED IN THEIR VETERANS IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM. WHILE THIS PROJECT HAS AN EMPIRICAL FOCUS IN NEW YORK STATE, PROJECT OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES HAVE NATIONAL APPLICABILITY AND WILL INFORM RESEARCH, PRACTICE, AND POLICY IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.