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Farm Start-Up
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The average age of farmers continues to rise, but alongside this trend is an emerging new face of agriculture. The new face is of beginning farmers and ranchers who although may not come from agricultural roots, seek the knowledge and skills to be agricultural producers. They range from the retired to the young to the college educated to those working on a fourth or fifth career. While they do not have a specific age or area of expertise, many are savvy to the multiple resources available for starting a farm.
There are a tremendous number of resources to help beginning farmers and ranchers with planning, securing land, and making a success of their operation. As the premier farmer source for sustainable agriculture information, ATTRA offers important resources for beginning farmers and ranchers and people who work with them. On this web site you can learn about running a farm, transitioning to organic, business management, and marketing. There are also links to other resources outside of ATTRA under each topic of this section (see list below).
NOTE: Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Acrobat Reader.
ATTRA Resources to Help New Farmers
ATTRA Resources for Beginning Farmers
Starting your Farm Business
| Agricultural Business Planning Templates and Resources | Summary [HTML] [PDF/274K] |
| Enterprise Budgets and Production Costs for Organic Production | Summary [HTML] [PDF/844K] |
| Evaluating a Rural Enterprise | Summary [HTML] [PDF/300K] |
| Finding Land to Farm: Six Ways to Secure Farmland | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.5M] |
| Market Gardening: A Start-up Guide | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.1M] |
| Start a Farm in the City | Summary [HTML] [PDF/2.3M] |
| Sustainable Farming Internships & Apprenticeships | Summary [HTML] |
Sustainable Farming
| Agroforestry Overview | Summary [HTML] [PDF/917K] |
| Alternative Agronomic Crops | Summary [HTML] [PDF/326K] |
| Organic Crop Production Overview | Summary [HTML] [PDF/954K] |
| Sustainable Agriculture Organizations and Publications | Summary [HTML] |
| Sustainable Agriculture: An Introduction | Summary [HTML] [PDF/699K] |
| Sustainable Soil Management | Summary [HTML] [PDF/2.2M] |
Specialty Crops (Vegetables and Fruit)
| Herb Production in Organic Systems | Summary [HTML] [PDF/942K] |
| Market Gardening: A Start-up Guide | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.1M] |
| Resource Guide to Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production | Summary [HTML] [PDF/507K] |
| Scheduling Vegetable Plantings for Continuous Harvest | Summary [HTML] [PDF/429K] |
| Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1009K] |
| Sustainable Small-scale Nursery Production | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.1M] |
| Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.5M] |
Livestock Production
| Alternative Poultry Production Systems and Outdoor Access | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.2M] |
| An Illustrated Guide to Sheep and Goat Production | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.9M] |
| Cattle Production: Considerations for Pasture-Based Beef and Dairy Producers | Summary [HTML] [PDF/640K] |
| Goats: Sustainable Production Overview | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.5M] |
| Hog Production Alternatives | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.1M] |
| Multispecies Grazing | Summary [HTML] [PDF/365K] |
| Pastures: Sustainable Management | Summary [HTML] [PDF/657K] |
| Sheep: Sustainable and Organic Production | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.4M] |
Marketing
| Adding Value to Farm Products: An Overview | Summary [HTML] [PDF/524K] |
| Community Supported Agriculture | Summary [HTML] [PDF/806K] |
| Direct Marketing | Summary [HTML] [PDF/698K] |
| Entertainment Farming and Agri-Tourism | Summary [HTML] [PDF/542K] |
| Farmers' Markets: Marketing and Business Guide | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.3M] |
| Keys to Success in Value-Added Agriculture | Summary [HTML] [PDF/620K] |
| Moving Beyond Conventional Cash Cropping | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.1M] |
| New Markets for Your Crops | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.4M] |
Pest Management
| Biointensive Integrated Pest Management | Summary [HTML] [PDF/854K] |
| Biorationals: Ecological Pest Management Database | Summary [HTML] |
| Farmscaping to Enhance Biological Control | Summary [HTML] [PDF/1.4M] |
| Organic IPM Field Guide | Summary [HTML] |
| Principles of Sustainable Weed Management for Croplands | Summary [HTML] [PDF/188K] |
Organic Production
| Organic Certification Process | Summary [HTML] [PDF/455K] |
| Organic Farm Certification & the National Organic Program | Summary [HTML] [PDF/190K] |
| The Organic Chronicles No. 1: Mysteries of Organic Farming Revealed | Summary [HTML] [PDF/2.9M] |
Online Databases
| Beginning Farmer Resource Center | [HTML] |
| Biorationals: Ecological Pest Management Database | Summary [HTML] |
| Local Food Directories | Summary [HTML] |
| Sustainable Agriculture Organizations and Publications | Summary [HTML] |
| Sustainable Farming Internships & Apprenticeships | Summary [HTML] |
Non-ATTRA Resources
Beginning Farmer Curriculum:
Idaho-Rural Roots supports sustainable and organic agriculture and community-based food systems in the Inland Northwest. Their Cultivating Success™ Program provides beginning and existing farmers with the planning and decision-making tools, production skills and support necessary to develop a sustainable small farm.
Land Stewardship Project sponsors Farm Beginnings classes each fall in Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin In the winter participants learn goal setting, financial planning, marketing, and sustainable farming techniques from established farmers and other professionals. In spring and summer participants work with specific farmers and attend farm field days. For more information, call 651-653-0618.
New England Small Farm Institute offers information and training for aspiring, beginning, and transitioning farmers. Their Growing New Farmers program in Belchertown, Mass. provides services and resources for new farmers throughout the Northeast. For more information, call 413-323-4531.
Beginning Farmer Programs and Projects:
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project supports farmers and rural communities in the mountains of western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians with education, mentoring, promotion, and community and policy development. For more information: 828-236-1282.
The Intervale Center of Burlington, Vermont offers two programs for new farmers. The Intervale Farms Program leases land and facilities to small organic enterprises and provides technical support with other more experienced farmers. Success on Farms works one-on-one with state farmers to strengthen their businesses. For more information, call 802-660-0440.
Iowa Beginning Farmer Center coordinates education programs and services for beginning farmer and retiring farmers. The center helps farm families develop skills in financial management and planning, legal issues, tax laws, technical production, leadership, sustainable agriculture, health, and the environment. Call 877-232-1999 or e-mail bfc@iastate.edu.
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership is a nonprofit organization that helps local agricultural enterprises achieve economic success. They create demand for locally produced agricultural products and provide business education to local agricultural enterprises. Contact Sarah Kelley, 508-295-2212x50, skelley@semaponline.org.
The NY Beginning Farmer Project is led by a team of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program. Their goal is to enhance the likelihood of success of new agriculture-based enterprises by making the best resources and training available to any new or diversifying farmer in NY. They have a website with educational materials, an online course taught by experienced Extension educators, coordinated regional trainings for new farmers.
Farm Incubator Programs:
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association provides "farm incubators"—educational farms where new growers can lease a parcel of land and gain access to equipment and advanced knowledge without having to buy it. The program also offers business planning assistance. Contact Bryan Green, 919-451-9804, busha_tierra@hotmail.com.
The Intervale Center of Burlington, Vermont offers two programs for new farmers. The Intervale Farms Program leases land and facilities to small organic enterprises and provides technical support with other more experienced farmers. Success on Farms works one-on-one with state farmers to strengthen their businesses. For more information, call 802-660-0440
Entrepreneurial and Diversified Agriculture (EDA) Program at Marshalltown Community College (MCC) offers associate degrees, certificates, and a bilingual (Spanish/English) non-degree continuing education courses in entrepreneurial and diversified farming. The program teaches sustainable farming techniques and effective small business strategies. It provides practical knowledge in local food production, environmental stewardship, small business planning and hands-on experience with Central Iowa farmers practicing sustainable agriculture, vegetable production, and/or certified organic farming. The program offers certified organic farmland, a wash/pack facility and shared-use equipment for students to use to incubate their farm businesses. For more information, call Linda Barnes (641-844-5788) or Norm McCoy (641-844-5785).
Federal Resources for Beginning Farmers:
USDA Farm Service Agency offers two financing programs for land purchase by beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. The new Farm Bill provides for the Land Contract Guarantee Program and the Direct Farm Ownership Loan Program. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Land Contract Guarantee Program was created because traditional methods of farm entry and farm succession are no longer adequate to meet current challenges. This pilot program will explore whether land contract sales are a viable alternative for beginning farmers and ranchers. The pilot program will be available in Indiana, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
USDA Risk Management Agency
RMA also helps farmers and ranchers learn how to improve their risk management skills.
Mentoring Programs:
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network runs a Farmer-to-Farmer Program that links experienced farmer-mentors with beginning growers. The program requires new farmers to pass on what they have learned to others. For more information, call 256-520-2400.
The Food To Bank On program connects beginning sustainable farms in northwest Washington with training, mentors and market support while providing fresh high-quality food to Whatcom County's hungry. Contact Shonie Schlotzhauer, 360-647-7093x106, Shonie@sustainableconnections.org.
Georgia Organics' Farmer Mentoring & Marketing program teams established farmers with new farmers to transfer knowledge and expertise in sustainable growing. The program provides in-depth workshops and training in production, marketing, and financial planning. For more information, call 678-702-0400.
Land Stewardship Project sponsors Farm Beginnings classes each fall in Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin In the winter participants learn goal setting, financial planning, marketing, and sustainable farming techniques from established farmers and other professionals. In spring and summer participants work with specific farmers and attend farm field days. For more information, call 651-653-0618.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association operates a Journeyperson Program with hands-on, mentored training to help farmers find land and a situation where they can develop their business. The association also offers a Farmer-in-Residence Program at the 250-acre Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine. Contact Andy Marshall, amarshall@mofga.org, 207-568-4142.
Women Starting Out in Farming
Women, Food and Agriculture Network, based in Iowa, is a national network of women involved in sustainable agriculture. WFAN exists so that women can give each other the information, connections and encouragement they need to be effective practitioners and supporters of sustainable agriculture and healthy localized food systems.
Growing Places From the Vermont Women's Agriculture Network is a non-credit course designed for people who are considering starting an agricultural or natural resource based business.
The Pennsylvania Women's Ag Network Farmer-to-Farmer Online Information Sharing is an educational program for farm women designed to enhance peer learning, mentoring, and networking.
Immigrant Beginning Farm Programs:
Agriculture and Land-Based Training Program (ALBA) offers bilingual farmer training, business incubation on organic farmland, and collaborative marketing opportunities.
Contact Brett Malone, brett@albafarmers.org.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project helps immigrants and others with agricultural backgrounds to begin commercial agricultural enterprises in Massachusetts.
Contact Jennifer Hashley, 617-636-3793, jennifer.hashley@tufts.edu.
New Farmer Development Project educates and supports immigrants in New York City with agricultural experience to become local producers and establish small farms in the region.
Contact Michelle Hughes, 212-341-2256, mhughes@greenmarket.cc.
Minnesota Food Association's New Immigrant Farmer Project provides training for new immigrants and aspiring farmers in gardening, micro-farming, production farming, marketing, and land use planning. For more information, call 651-433-3676.
USDA Farm Service Agency offers two financing programs for land purchase by beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. The new Farm Bill provides for the Land Contract Guarantee Program and the Direct Farm Ownership Loan Program. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Land Contract Guarantee Program was created because traditional methods of farm entry and farm succession are no longer adequate to meet current challenges. This pilot program will explore whether land contract sales are a viable alternative for beginning farmers and ranchers. The pilot program will be available in Indiana, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa. For more information, contact the local Farm Service Agency office.
Books and Periodical Resources for Starting a Farm Business:
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses developed by the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. Available to read and print electronically.
A PRIMER for Selecting New Enterprises for Your Farm. Woods, Tim and Steve Isaacs. University of Kentucky. Agriculture Economic Series. 2000. Developed by the University of Kentucky as a tool for evaluating new enterprises for a farm or family business. Uses enterprise budgets to evaluate the profitability of a farm-based business.
Starting an Ag Business? A Pre-Planning Guide. Richards, Steve. 2004. Cornell University Department of Applied Economics and Management. This book is intended to help agricultural business operators (and future business operators) decide which enterprise is best for them to pursue with a full fledged business plan.
Growing for Market
P.O. Box 3747, Lawrence, Kansas 66046
Toll-free Phone: 800-307-8949
E-mail: growing4market@earthlink.net
Bi-monthly publication for direct-marketing enterprises—mainly vegetable and flower production.
Grubinger, Vern. Sustainable Vegetable Production from Start-Up to Market
Publication number: NRAES-104
Length: 280 pages
ISBN: 0-935817-45-X
Date of Publication: August 1999
Available from: NRAES Cooperative Extension
Phone: (607) 255-7654
E-Mail: NRAES@cornell.edu
www.nraes.org/nra_index.taf
For an extended list of local food resources, please visit ATTRA's Local Food Resources Section.
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This page was last updated on: June 16, 2010
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