www.sare.org resources the-small-ruminant-toolbox The Small Ruminant Toolbox Sheep and goat enterprises offer diversification opportunities for small and limited-resource farmers. This Small Ruminant Toolbox was developed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in order to provide a collection of information for small ruminant producers and educators. The Small Ruminant Toolbox includes many publications, presentations and other resources that will be helpful […]
www.sare.org resources farm-to-hospital-toolkit Farm to Hospital Toolkit This twelve-part document contains tools that farmers, ranchers and hospitals can use as they work to increase direct hospital purchases from local farmers.
www.sare.org resources creating-farmer-networks-a-toolkit-for-promoting-vibrant-farm-communities Creating Farmer Networks: A Toolkit for Promoting Vibrant Farm Communities This toolkit provides information and resources needed to create a successful farmer network. It is intended for farmers, extension agents, community organizers, and other agricultural professionals. A farmer network—sometimes called a discussion group, gathering, or conference—is a way for farmers to exchange information, socialize, learn, and connect with peers on a regular, ongoing basis. What […]
www.sare.org resources how-to-guide-for-aspiring-urban-micro-agricultural-entrepreneurs How-to-Guide for Aspiring Urban Micro-Agricultural Entrepreneurs The How-to-Guide for Aspiring Urban Micro-Agricultural Entrepreneurs was created by Sustainable Urban Development for residents of West Philadelphia who want to increase their access to fresh, healthy and affordable food. The guide equips anyone interested in urban farming with the information they need to reclaim vacant lots in the city and build a for-profit urban farm. […]
www.sare.org resources guide-to-financing-community-supported-farms Guide to Financing Community Supported Farms Since it is not always easy to obtain loans from traditional financing sources, farmers are exploring alternative funding opportunities to meet their needs. Unconventional financial arrangements, which are new to the agricultural sector, include a variety of mechanisms where financial transactions take place between the community and farmers. Community financing, represented by both monetary and […]
www.sare.org resources working-with-your-food-safety-inspector Working With Your Food Safety Inspector Small-scale processors are often at odds with food safety regulations and thus inspectors because the regulations are based off of large-scale production practices. So, Michigan State University PhD student Jennifer Buckley used a NCR SARE grant to find out how to make both the processors and inspectors more satisfied with the system. Her findings are […]
www.sare.org resources edible-avalon-curriculum Edible Avalon Curriculum An NCR-SARE Youth Educator grant helped four youth educators develop the curriculum and programming to expand Edible Avalon’s summer youth programs: Summer Program for Youth (SPY) for K-8 students, and Youth Leadership Program (YLP) for High School students The Edible Avalon-Summer Youth Program is a unique opportunity to immerse the next generation in sustainable, organic […]
www.sare.org resources community-based-food-system-assessment-and-planning Community-Based Food System Assessment and Planning With the help of a Southern SARE grant, researchers at Virginia Cooperative Extension and other students and faculty from North Carolina and Virginia Universities completed case studies around the Appalachian region to determine the various components of the food system that contribute to or interfere with its sustainability. They developed this guide, which helps communities conduct […]
www.sare.org resources case-studies-on-setting-up-microloans Case Studies on Setting Up Microloans According to a study conducted by The Carrot Project, 25 percent of farmers that request financing are denied access to credit needed for start-up and expansion costs. In 2009 and 2010, the Massachusetts-based nonprofit set up collaborative microloan programs in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. They facilitated 15 loans, with a median loan size of $12,300, […]
www.sare.org resources cheshire-labor-and-infrastructure-needs-assessment Cheshire Labor and Infrastructure Needs Assessment In 2011, New Hampshire's Cheshire County Conservation District explored the labor and infrastructure needs for farms in the county to provide farmers, agricultural service providers and community members with the information they need to promote economic viability of agriculture. The needs assessment reports on labor-related barriers faced by farmers in Cheshire County as well as […]