Profitable Poultry Resources

General Information

• SARE is a nationwide grant-making and education program with the mission of advancing sustainable innovations to the whole of American agriculture. SARE Outreach produces information on sustainable agriculture, primarily based on SARE research results.

• P.O. Box 3838, Butte, MT 59702; (800) 275-6228
• Provides assistance and resources to farmers and other ag professionals. ATTRA has a tremendous amount of information on nearly every agricultural enterprise, including sustainable poultry.

• USDA National Agricultural Library Rm. 132, Beltsville, MD 20705
• (301) 504-6559
• Provides online information resources, referrals and database searching, with specialized information on organic production.

• P.O. Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312; (919) 542-5704
• The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy protects genetic diversity in livestock and poultry species through the conservation and promotion of endangered breeds

Publications

• SARE; (301) 374-9696
• This in-depth guide brings the business planning process alive to help transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises. Free download online.

• Good Earth Publications; (540) 261-8775

• Good Earth Publications; (540) 261-8775

• Norton Creek Press; 36475 Norton Creek Road, Blodgett, OR 97326

• P.O. Box 85, Hughesville, PA 17737-0085
• (570) 584-2309

• By Joel Salatin, Polyface Farms
• Published by Acres U.S.A.; (800) 355-5313

• APPPA; P.O. Box 85, Hughesville, PA 17737-0085
   
• 570) 584-2309
• A comprehensive collection of informative Grit! articles written by pastured-poultry producers for pastured-poultry producers.

• The Stockman Grass Farmer; P.O. Box 2300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-9911; (800) 748-9808
• This monthly magazine is devoted to the art and science of turning grass into cash.

• Storey Publishing; 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247; (800) 441-5700

• Norton Creek Press; 36475 Norton Creek Road, Blodgett, OR 97326

• Acres U.S.A.; (800) 355-5313
• This 395-page book, written by SARE grantee Kelly Klober, offers valuable insight into rare, heritage and heirloom breed selection, chick raising, breeding and marketing for meat and egg production.
  

Online Sources

• A comprehensive, free guide to raising heritage turkeys.

• Available with membership to APPPA.

• A state-by-state listing of USDA and state-inspected processors that work with farmers.

• This 28-page guide from Cornell University on regulations is specific to New York, but has good general information.

• Find online cost calculators for poultry production and processing; and guidebooks (free PDF downloads) on building an on-farm poultry processing facility, food safety and licensing.

• NMPAN is a national network of people and organizations creating and supporting appropriate-scale meat processing infrastructure for niche meat markets. NMPAN provides information and resources to processors, producers, buyers, regulators and others.

• Compiled by NMPAN, this document covers the state-by-state laws concerning the federal on-farm poultry slaughtering exemption.

There are many budget tools available online to help pastured poultry producers calculate costs and returns. Here is a sampling:

• Poultry Enterprise Budget, University of Wisconsin's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems