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 sare-project-impacts-2016-2023 SARE Project Impacts: 2016-2023 In 2023, the SARE National Reporting, Coordination, and Communications Office (NRCCO) contracted with Insight for Action to conduct a post-project evaluation of four of SARE's regional grant programs. The purpose of the evaluation was to characterize key impacts made by SARE’s grantmaking from 2016 through 2023. The evaluation employed the Success Case Method (SCM) to […]
northcentral.sare.org resources anishinaabe-nandagikenjigewin-miinawaa-eshandizoyang-an-experiential-introduction-to-anishinaabe-science-and-food-sovereignty Anishinaabe nandagikenjigewin miinawaa Eshandizoyang: An Experiential Introduction to Anishinaabe Science and Food Sovereignty Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has launched an innovative middle school curriculum framework focused on Anishinaabe science and food sovereignty. Authored by Aamookwe Amy McCoy, the BMCC Anishinaabe science and food sovereignty educator, the curriculum aims to integrate Indigenous knowledge into education. The Anishinaabe, culturally linked Indigenous communities in the Great […]
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 farm-education-for-the-deaf-community-introduction-american-sign-language Farm Education for the Deaf Community—Introduction (American Sign Language) In this video, Monu introduces the video series created to provide farm education to the deaf community. The series is available in both in American Sign Language and Nepali Sign Language.
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 leaders-in-sustainable-agriculture Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture Featured on America's Heartland SARE partnered with PBS KVIE to produce an episode of RFD-TV's America's Heartland that features four farmers describing their commitment to sustainability, how they plan to meet farming challenges of today and tomorrow, and how SARE has impacted their farming and ranching practices. The full 24-minute video is available, as is each segment featuring the […]
www.sare.org resources managing-stress Managing Stress Farming and ranching are stressful businesses. One key metric of a farm's sustainability is its capacity to provide a quality of life that meets one of our most basic human needs - good mental health. This page highlights successful SARE-funded projects that are using innovative strategies to help farmers and ranchers manage stress. If you […]
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 reaching-women-in-agriculture-a-guide-to-virtual-engagement Reaching Women in Agriculture: A Guide to Virtual Engagement This guide brings together information, tips and tools to deliver effective and engaging online (and hybrid) education for farm and ranch women on topics related to farm viability, resilience and conservation. While COVID-19-related restrictions issued in 2020 that curbed in-person gatherings were the impetus for developing this resource, online offerings can help address barriers—travel time […]
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 […]
northcentral.sare.org resources down-on-the-farm-toolkit Down on the Farm: Supporting Farmers in Stressful Times Stress factors are high in agriculture. Farmers and ranchers face financial problems, price and marketing uncertainties, farm transfer issues, production challenges, family tension, and more. As a producer who has experienced stress herself, Meg Moynihan is poised to help agriculture advisors better respond to the stress they encounter on farms and in rural communities through […]
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.
northcentral.sare.org resources creating-change-in-the-food-system-the-role-of-regional-food-networks-in-iowa Creating Change in the Food System: The Role of Regional Food Networks in Iowa In Creating Change in the Food System, the authors present a case study of an integrated effort to build long-term local and regional food commerce in Iowa using a community of practice approach. This report, authored by Rich Pirog of Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems and Corry Bregendahl of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture […]
northcentral.sare.org resources cottage-food-launch-a-bakery-from-your-farm-kitchen Cottage Food: Launch a Bakery from Your Farm Kitchen In 2017, 130,056 farms sold food directly to consumers, accounting for more than $2.8 billion in sales (U.S. Census of Agriculture, 2017). New cottage food laws are creating new opportunities for farmers to launch and run bakery businesses out of their home kitchens. “These state-specific cottage food laws allow you to use your home kitchen […]
northcentral.sare.org resources pioneer-agroforestry-farm-tour-video-series Pioneer Agroforestry Farm Tour Video Series This six-part Pioneer Agroforestry Farm Tour Video Series features brief, detailed interviews with farmers who are advancing agroforestry in the Midwest. The series is currently available on the Savanna Institute’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Each video provides a concise overview of the entire farm operation at each farm, using a mix of farmer interviews and in-field […]
northcentral.sare.org resources sustainable-agriculture-resources-and-programs-for-k-12-youth Sustainable Agriculture Resources and Programs for K-12 Youth This 38-page guide to sustainable agriculture-oriented educational opportunities for schoolchildren features more than 75 programs and curricula nationwide. Updated in 2022, the guide includes direct links, program contact information, and ideas for integrating lessons into school programs.
www.sare.org resources bringing-independent-farmers-into-the-marketplace Bringing Independent Farmers into the Marketplace Fifteen years ago, it was unheard of for a small farm to sell beef to a supermarket. Supported by a SARE grant, grass-fed beef farmer Diana Endicott founded a family farm co-op to bring goods to market. Today, Good Natured Family Farms includes over 100 family farms and distributes products to 30 supermarkets, including meats, […]