www.sare.org resources a-farmers-guide-to-crop-quality-for-wholesale-outlets A Farmer's Guide to Crop Quality for Wholesale Outlets This 20-page guide aims to support beginning farmers looking to improve quality and consistency of farm produce in order to expand sales to include wholesale accounts. Focused on tomatoes, cucurbits and greens, the guide includes photos of good and poor crop quality, as well as best practices for post-harvest handling techniques that will enhance crop […]
www.sare.org resources building-sustainable-farms-ranches-and-communities Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities This guide lists funding opportunities offered by federal programs, and is indispensable for anyone seeking government help to foster their innovative enterprise in forestry and agriculture. Specifically, it addresses program resources in community development; sustainable land management; and value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry. Thus, it can help farmers, entrepreneurs, community developers, conservationists, and many […]
www.sare.org resources walk-in-coolers-for-winter-storage Walk-In Coolers for Winter Storage Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) checked in with some experts—farmers and engineers—to develop resources for farmers interested in on-farm winter storage options, available for free download here. Each resource offers a case study for a specific facility design, and both outline the following considerations for a winter storage facility: Crop Considerations Storage Facility Layout […]
www.sare.org resources organic-broccoli-production-manual Organic Broccoli Production Manual Each summer, the Twin Cities experiences a shortage of locally grown, organic broccoli. So a team of local, organically-certified farmers worked to scale up organic broccoli production to meet the needs of wholesale accounts in the region. This guide provides steps that the Twin Cities farmers took in an attempt to scale up organic broccoli […]
www.sare.org resources crop-rotation-on-organic-farms Crop Rotation on Organic Farms This manual provides an in-depth review of the applications of crop rotation-including improving soil quality and health, and managing pests, diseases, and weeds. Consulting with expert organic farmers, the authors share rotation strategies that can be applied under various field conditions and with a wide range of crops. Crop Rotation on Organic Farms will be most […]
www.sare.org resources sustainable-food-purchasing-guide Sustainable Food Purchasing Guide This guide was published by the Yale Sustainable Food Project through a Northeast SARE grant to help institutions determine how to source the most sustainable food for their kitchens. It provides questions that buyers can ask producers and advice on certain farming practices that might affect the sustainability of produce, meat and fish.
www.sare.org resources high-tunnels High Tunnels Table of contents Case Studies-----------------------------2 High Tunnels and Marketing--------23 Site Considerations--------------------26 Selecting Your Structure-----------28 Construction Tips---------------------40 Environmental Management--------47 Soil and Crop Management---------54 Pest Management--------------------60 The manual was written by Ted Blomgren of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Tracy Frisch of the Regional Farm and Food Project, with Pennsylvania farmer Steve Moore. It was published by the […]
www.sare.org resources harvesting-crops-for-market Harvesting Crops for Market This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project shares information on when to harvest vegetables, how to prepare produce for harvest, and safe handling of produce after harvest. Download now: Harvesting_Crops_for_Market.pdf 1.42 MB Plain language guides from New Entry include: Applying for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program […]
www.sare.org resources guide-to-usdas-nass-end-of-season-fruit-and-vegetable-inquiry Guide to USDA's NASS End of Season Fruit and Vegetable Inquiry This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project helps farmers complete the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) End of Season Fruit and Vegetable Survey. The guide explains the survey's purpose and step-by-step instructions for completing the forms. Download now: Guide to NASS End of Season Fruit and Vegetable Inquiry.pdf 1,015.84 kB Plain […]
www.sare.org resources steel-in-the-field Steel in the Field Weed control demands time, labor and expense for every farmer every year. Steel in the Field shows how today's implements and techniques can control weeds while reducing—or eliminating—herbicides. In practical language, Steel in the Field presents what farmers and researchers have learned in the last 20 years about cutting weed-control costs through improved cultivation tools, cover crops and new […]