www.sare.org resources guide-to-honey-bee-queen-banking Guide to Honey Bee Queen Banking This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of establishing and maintaining a queen bank. The guide starts with the basics and walks the reader through each step to create a successful honey bank that includes a queen bee. Because queen bees are so critical in maintaining a bank, beekeepers center their focus on […]
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 berry-soil-and-nutrient-management Berry Soil and Nutrient Management Guide for Educators and Growers Commercial berry growers in the Northeast have traditionally made standardized fertilizer applications based on crop age or past fertilization practices, and not on site-specific data of plant nutrient status. This practice continues today, some 20 years or more after commercial berry crop guidelines for analysis-based fertilization programs became widely available. Adoption of soil health improving practices (including the consideration of physical and […]
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 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 building-an-on-farm-poultry-processing-facility Building an On-Farm Poultry Processing Facility Drawing on their own experiences and those of other poultry processing projects around the country, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project put together this comprehensive guide to planning and constructing a mobile poultry processing unit (MPPU) or stationary facility for on-farm poultry processing. The guide incorporates tips and lessons learned, case studies and example plans, and […]
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 guide-to-designing-a-small-red-meat-plant Guide to Designing a Small Red Meat Plant Meat plants can vary widely in use and design. How you build a plant depends on the types of processes you intend to have as part of your plant (e.g. slaughter, fabrication, production of ready-to-eat product). If you intend to construct, expand, or upgrade a locker-type meat plant, these plans were created to help you […]
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 dairy-your-way Dairy Your Way This publication was created to provide information that will help producers explore the many choices available for today’s dairy farms. This book is not intended to be a how-to dairy guide or manual. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for dairy farmers seeking success as milk producers, there are many options that can be profitable […]
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 […]
northcentral.sare.org resources the-new-growers-guide-to-producing-organic-food-grade-grains-in-the-upper-midwest The New Growers’ Guide to Producing Organic Food-Grade Grains in The Upper Midwest For farmers interested in producing food-grade grains, there are unique opportunities, challenges, and considerations for growing and selling these higher-value crops. These grains, destined for direct human consumption or as ingredients in products, have a range of markets, from breweries and distilleries to co-op groceries and restaurants. However, navigating these specialized markets requires careful planning […]
northcentral.sare.org resources livestock-waterers-and-watering-systems Livestock Waterers and Watering Systems A Handbook for Livestock Producers and Landowners What is the most important livestock nutrient? Water! Navigating through watering options to find a workable, financially feasible solution to livestock watering needs can be frustrating for ranchers. There are many choices and some options are incompatible with available land, labor, and capital resources. This handbook assists in […]
northcentral.sare.org resources pollinator-friendly-cover-cropping-for-vegetable-producers-in-the-upper-midwest Pollinator-Friendly Cover Cropping for Vegetable Producers in the Upper Midwest Growers are increasingly interested in adding cover crops to rotations to improve soil health, break disease cycles, and provide ecosystem services. In addition to these benefits, cover crops present an opportunity to add crucial floral resources and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects on the farm. However, identifying appropriate cover crop species and management […]
northcentral.sare.org resources iowa-meat-processors-resource-guidebook Iowa Meat Processors’ Resource Guidebook This guidebook explains the resources available at the local, state and national levels to assist small Iowa meat processors who seek to begin, upgrade or expand their businesses. This book also explains the necessary business and regulatory steps, and where to find guidance for each step.