General Information
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA)
- 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.
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
- 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.
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
- 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
Day Range Poultry: Every Chicken Owner’s Guide to Grazing Gardens and Improving Pastures
- Good Earth Publications; (540) 261-8775
Fresh-Air Poultry Houses – The Classic Guide to Open-Front Chicken Coops for Healthier Poultry
- Norton Creek Press; 36475 Norton Creek Road, Blodgett, OR 97326
Grit! – The American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) newsletter
- 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
Raising Poultry on Pasture: Ten Years of Success
- 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’s Guide to Raising Chickens
- 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
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Turkey Manual – How to Raise Heritage Turkeys on Pasture
- A comprehensive, free guide to raising heritage turkeys.
APPPA/Grit! Pastured Poultry Listserv
- Available with membership to APPPA.
(800) 233-3935
- A state-by-state listing of USDA and state-inspected processors that work with farmers.
Guide to On-Farm Poultry Slaughter
- This 28-page guide from Cornell University on regulations is specific to New York, but has good general information.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
- 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.
Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network
- 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.
State Poultry Processing Regulations
- Compiled by NMPAN, this document covers the state-by-state laws concerning the federal on-farm poultry slaughtering exemption.
Pastured Poultry Budget Calculators
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