A local food system is only as strong as its surrounding communities. The links below provide in-depth information on how to address community needs as you grow a local food system.

Farm Labor

Cover of farm needs assessment with a picture of a snowy field with the sun coming up

Cheshire Labor and Infrastructure Needs Assessment

Research in Cheshire County, NH to determine how to promote the economic viability of local farmers.Download File (763.26 kB)

Internship Curriculum for Food Farmers in the North Central Region

With support from an NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant, Betrand Farm developed 24 educational PowerPoint modules that can serve as an internship curriculum for food farmers in the North Central region.Download File (26.78 MB)

Additional Resources

The following resources, which were not funded or produced by SARE, contain valuable information.

Positive Practices in Farm Labor Management (an ATTRA publication)

Local Food and Healthy People

Cooperative Extension Farm to School Resources

Farm to School resources available from ASAP in North Carolina.

edible avalon logo

Edible Avalon Curriculum

This summer program curriculum teaches youth about local food systems and sustainable agriculture.  Download File (349.07 kB)

farm-to-hospital toolkit page

Farm to Hospital Toolkit

Tools farmers and hospitals can use to increase direct hospital purchases from local producers.Download File (1.43 MB)

Farm to School training toolkit

Farm to School Training Toolkit

Resources for ag educators and community leaders who are starting a farm to school program.Download File (1.80 MB)

REAP Farm to School Website

The REAP Farm to School program aims to "connect children, farms, and food."

Farm to School farm tour

Vermont Food Education Every Day

Includes guides for farmers and food service personnel working to increase local food in schools.

Additional Resources

The following resources, which were not funded or produced by SARE, contain valuable information.

Center for a Livable Future (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

Underserved and Urban Communities

how-to guide for aspiring urban micro-agricultural entrepreneurs

How-to-Guide for Aspiring Urban Micro-Agricultural Entrepreneurs

Created for city residents who want to increase their access to fresh, healthy and affordable food. Download File (19.80 MB)

Applying for an FSA Loan cover page with three pictures of farmers and directions

Plain Language Guides for New and Under-Served Producers

These plain language guides cover topics such as farm financing, accessing government programs, harvest practices and marketing. The plain language format makes this material accessible to beginning farmers, immigrants and other under-served audiences.

Old hands holding a bundle of celery

The Baltimore Farm Alliance

Lessons learned while building a farm alliance in Baltimore, MD.Download File (6.19 MB)

Additional Resources

The following resources, which were not funded or produced by SARE, contain valuable information.

Urban Agriculture-Best Practices and Possibilities (University of Missouri Extension)

Urban Agriculture resource database from RUAF (Resource Centers on Urban Agriculture & Food Security)