www.sare.org resources the-basics-of-farm-business-planning The Basics of Farm Business Planning Sustainable farming and ranching means taking care of the land, the environment, people and the community, while the farm business makes a profit. Many farmers and ranchers choose sustainable farming and ranching as a lifestyle that reflects their values. Common goals include: Farm business planning is critical because it helps you to identify and achieve […]
www.sare.org resources guia-del-agricultorn-sobre-estructuras-empresariales Guía del Agricultorn Sobre Estructuras Empresariales Establecer y mantener la correcta estructura empresarial para la operación de su granja sienta las bases para un negocio agrícola estable y resiliente. La formación de una estructura empresarial puede ayudar a i) gestionar el riesgo mediante la protección de los activos de las personas propietarias ante las responsabilidades de la empresa; ii) promover las […]
www.sare.org resources growing-new-markets-for-specialty-crops Growing New Markets for Specialty Crops Voices from the Field is a podcast series co-produced by ATTRA and SARE that explores the different ways farmers are working to create new local markets for specialty and niche crops. Each partner episode will address a different production system or crop–from endives to small-grain value chains–and will feature farmers sharing their production and marketing […]
www.sare.org resources best-practices-for-the-sustainable-urban-farm Best Practices for the Sustainable Urban Farm For decades, urban farms and community gardens have helped meet the demand for fresh, local produce. Urban farms are diverse and adaptable, ranging from small farms on repurposed vacant lots to multilevel vertical farms and rooftop gardens. Often, they combine ecological farming practices with some form of infrastructure. Urban growers make clever use of their […]
www.sare.org resources beyond-fresh-a-food-processing-guide-for-texas-farmers Beyond Fresh: a Food Processing Guide for Texas Farmers A decision-making guide to planning, creating and marketing value-added food products made from sustainably-grown fruits and vegetables, written from a "farmer-first" perspective. As farmers face competition from meal-in-a-box companies, this guide aims to help farmers prosper in their own food distribution. This Food Processing Guide for Texas Farmers begins with decision-making and walks step by […]
www.sare.org resources what-is-sustainable-agriculture What is Sustainable Agriculture? A simple way to think about sustainable agriculture is that it involves producing enough food and fiber to satisfy today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. Farmers and ranchers who value sustainability embrace three common goals while running productive operations: To achieve these sustainability goals, a farmer typically views […]
www.sare.org resources transitioning-to-organic-production Transitioning to Organic Production Farmers and ranchers decide to pursue organic certification for many personal, financial and environmental reasons. This publication introduces you to the requirements of the USDA National Organic Program and outlines many of the key strategies producers use to make their three-year transition to organic production a successful one. It discusses the practice areas common to […]
www.sare.org resources scaling-up-your-vegetable-farm-for-wholesale-markets Scaling Up Your Vegetable Farm for Wholesale Markets For direct market farmers, expanding your operation to capture local and regional wholesale markets can represent an opportunity. But such a shift brings with it many changes to how you run your farm because the expectations that wholesale buyers have is much different than your direct market customers. Scaling Up Your Vegetable Farm for Wholesale […]
www.sare.org resources understanding-and-measuring-social-sustainability Understanding and Measuring Social Sustainability What is social sustainability? Social sustainability involves a focus on the well-being of people and communities. Just as sustainable agriculture promotes long-term ecological health and economic vitality, it also contributes to vibrant communities and regions and satisfying livelihoods for farmers, ranchers, and others in the food system. In many ways, success in one area of […]
southern.sare.org resources farm-to-fork-in-north-carolina Farm to Fork in North Carolina The Farm to Fork guide is a product of a year-long initiative in North Carolina that started a conversation between over 1,000 groups in the state about how to create a local food system. The guide provides key action ideas for building a sustainable food economy in North Carolina.
southern.sare.org resources sustainable-food-systems-for-georgias-agrarian-future Sustainable Food Systems for Georgia’s Agrarian Future In Georgia, demand for local, sustainable food exceeds the supply, but a lack of infrastructure limits the development of a local, sustainable food system. Through a Southern SARE planning grant, the Georgia Sustainable Agriculture Consortium was formed to coordinate and leverage resources across the state of Georgia and to determine the necessary components of a […]
southern.sare.org resources mount-pleasant-local-food-and-farm-assessment Mount Pleasant Local Food and Farm Assessment Download the Mount Pleasant Local Food and Farm Assessment. The Town of Mount Pleasant Planning and Development Department and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) collaborated to assess the needs and opportunities in Mount Pleasant, S.C. associated with developing a regional food system. To complete this assessment, they used qualitative and quantitative data on the region’s agricultural […]
southern.sare.org resources sweetpotato-production-for-kentucky Sweetpotato Production for Kentucky This 16-page guidebook, produced by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, covers all aspects of sweetpotato production in Kentucky. Topics include variety selection, production techniques, insect and disease management, harvesting, storage, marketing, and budgets. Full of colorful photos and helpful charts, this publication is designed to be a comprehensive guide for […]
southern.sare.org resources private-landowners-guide-to-forest-certification-in-the-south Private Landowners Guide to Forest Certification in the South Forest certification focuses on the process by which forests are regenerated, managed, and harvested in a sustainable system to protect soil, air, water, biodiversity, and other forest benefits. "Private Landowners' Guide to Forest Certification in the South," developed by the LSU Ag Center and Mississippi State University Extension, helps forest landowners understand forest certification, how […]
northcentral.sare.org resources resources-for-youth-education Youth and Sustainable Agriculture This Youth Educator Topic Room is SARE's one-stop shop for free sustainable agriculture educational resources—the results of 25 years of SARE-funded research—for youth and youth educators. Also, NCR-SARE's Youth Educator grants provide opportunities for youth to learn about sustainable agriculture (farming and ranching that is ecologically sound, profitable, and socially responsible). Youth Educator grants support […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crop-economics Cover Crop Economics Farmers around the country are planting cover crops on millions of acres to protect and improve the soil, and the more that farmers use cover crops, the more they value this conservation practice. Cover Crop Economics: Opportunities to Improve Your Bottom Line in Row Crops looks at the economics of cover crops in corn and […]
www.sare.org resources cultivating-climate-resilience-on-farms-and-ranches Cultivating Climate Resilience on Farms and Ranches Cultivating Climate Resilience on Farms and Ranches outlines the new challenges that changing weather patterns pose in agriculture throughout the United States, and what you can do to make your farm more resilient. By understanding the climate risks to your production system and practices that can reduce those risks, you can identify some management steps […]
www.sare.org resources building-a-local-food-movement Building a Local Food Movement Over the last 20 years, SARE grants have helped western North Carolina transform its agricultural landscape from one dependent on tobacco and outside entities to one that is self-sustaining within the community. Charlie Jackson, the executive director of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), has been using SARE grants to better understand the demand for […]
www.sare.org resources farmers-guide-to-business-structures Farmers' Guide to Business Structures Establishing and maintaining the right business structure for your farm operation lays the foundation for a stable, resilient farm business. Forming a business structure can help manage risk by protecting the owners’ assets from the business’ liabilities; promote good business practices through accounting and decision-making protocols; raise funds from outside investors; and ease the ownership […]
www.sare.org resources how-to-conduct-research-on-your-farm-or-ranch How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch This 32-page Ag Innovations Series technical bulletin provides detailed instruction for crop and livestock producers, as well as educators, on how to conduct research at the farm level using practical strategies and peer-reviewed research findings. How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch also includes a comprehensive list of in-depth resources and real-life examples—from […]