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Virginia Resources | National & Regional Resources | Federal Government Resources | Mentoring Guidebooks | Research Literature | Whole Farm Planning Resources for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers

  

   

Virginia Resources for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers 

The Coalition component of the project is collaborative in nature to adequately address the start-up needs of farmers and ranchers in Virginia.  Each Coalition member has a strong record of providing outreach, education, training, and resource services to farmers and ranchers in Virginia.

For Beginning Farmer & Rancher Resource Organizations specifically for Virginia, see the Coalition page.

The coalition members offer many educational and networking Events.

Virginia Technical Assistance Directory is under construction.

Virginia Farm to Table Plan:  Healthy Farms and Healthy Food for the Common Wealth and Common Good.

The goal of the initiative was to strengthen Virginia’s food system and economic future through the development of a comprehensive Virginia Farm to Table Plan that informs and integrates assessment, education, development of programs and infrastructure, policy and funding recommendations to address key issues facing farmers, food entrepreneurs, and communities.

Planning the Future of Your Farm:  A Workbook Supporting Farm Transfer Decisions, Virginia Edition

This workbook is primarily used by farm families looking to transition their agriculture operation.  Families can use the workbook by themselves or under the guidance of a trusted outside party.  This workbook is a needed resource for any agriculture producer looking to transfer their operation to future generations, family and non-family members alike.  

 

Whole Farm Planning Resources for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers

For Whole Farm Planning curriculum resources, see the Whole Farm Planning page.

 

National & Regional Online Resources for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) specializes in identifying resources about sustainable food systems and practices in support of USDA's effort to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and farmers worldwide.

BeginningFarmers.org

This site offers a comprehensive and up to date compilation of information resources for new, experienced, and potential farmers, as well as educators, activists, and policy makers interested in the development of new farm enterprises.

Center for Rural Affairs:  Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunities program

The Center for Rural Affairs is a longstanding organization that helps beginning farmers and ranchers gain access to the land, financing, knowledge and skills that they need to make a successful start.

Greenhorns

The Greenhorns is a grassroots non-profit organization made up of young farmers and many collaborators.   Their aim is to recruit, promote and support the new generation of young farmers in the 21st century America.   Online resources and social networking opportunities.

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)

MOSES resources are for the beginning farmer.  They are based in the Midwest, but they still are applicable for gathering information and resources.

National Young Farmers' Coalition. Building a Future with Farmers: Challenges Faced by Young, American Farmers and a National Strategy to Help Them Succeed

The National Young Farmers' Coalition surveyed 1,000 young and beginning farmer's across the United States.  This report outlines the challenges of beginning farmers.  

New England Small Farm Institute, Growing New Farmers Project

The GNF Project was the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive website of resources for beginning farmers as well as service provides who work with beginning farmers.  The website includes online program materials, research reports, practical and tools created by GNF Project partners. All of these resources can now be found in the “for new farmers and service provider sections” of the website.  The New England Small Farm Institute is the home organization of the project.

New England Small Farm Institute, Exploring the Small Farm Dream Program

Organization helping people to start small-scale commercial farming (farming as a business with intent to make a profit, rather than as a hobby or pastime), learn what it will take to start and manage a farm business, and decide whether that is something they really want to pursue.  

New York (NY) Beginning Farmer Project, Cornell Cooperative Extension

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 ag enterprises by making the best resources and training available to any new or diversifying farmer in NY.   These resources are helpful to others in different regions.

The Northeast Beginning Farmer Project

The NE BF Project is housed at the Cornell Small Farms Program and funded by the USDA’s Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program.   Similar to the NY Beginning Farmer Project, this larger program offers online courses taught by experienced Extension educators

Rodale Institute Next Generation

A section of the Rodale website that features news and resources for beginning farmers and ranchers, the next generation of agriculture.  

Southern (SARE) Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is a USDA competitive grants program supporting agriculture that is profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities.  Southern Region SARE is administered by a host consortium consisting of the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University with staff located at the University of Georgia-Griffin Campus, Fort Valley State University, and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Oklahoma.

Tuft University: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project began in 1998. New Entry is one of the first initiatives nationwide to assist immigrants and refugees to develop commercial farming opportunities.

   

Federal Government Resources

USDA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA)

ATTRA offers resources for beginning farmers and ranchers and people who work with them.   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.                                          

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

AMS provides information on organic certification, market news, transportation of goods, and local food marketing.

USDA, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)

A federal program to address the needs of the changing agriculture generation, Section 7410 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub .L. No. 110-234) amended Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and made available in FY 2009, $17.2 million to fund a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). According to these legislations, a beginning farm is considered to be one that is operated by one or more operators who have 10 years or less of experience operating a farm or ranch.

USDA, Farm Service Agency (FSA)

FSA focuses on price support loans and payments, conservation programs, incentive, indemnity, and disaster payments for commodities, and other farm disaster assistance.   FSA now provides a new online Tool to Assist Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

NRCS works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.
(State Offices)

USDA, Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) 

Through coordination and collaboration, the Office of Advocacy and Outreach works across USDA to enhance access to services for the communities we serve.  

USDA, Rural Development (RD)

RD is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America by supporting loans to businesses through banks , credit unions and community-managed lending pools. (State Offices)

USDA, NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Learning Center

SARE's Learning Center is a treasure trove of sustainable agriculture information--searchable by type of product and topic.  Supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

USDA, Local Food Systems Concepts, Impacts, and Issues

This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local
food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and
producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food
systems.

National Agricultural Library, USDA, Start2Farm, New to Farming

A service of the National Agricultural Library, USDA, This is a general list of resources related to the topic New to Farming.  Topics include successful planning, farm management, effective marketing, expanding your farm, finding financing, and locating services.  

Mentoring Guidebooks

The On-Farm Mentor's Guide: practical approaches to teaching on the farm

Smith, M. (2005).  The On-Farm Mentor's Guide: Practical Approaches to Teaching on the Farm.  New England Small Farm Institute.  Belchertown, MA

Cultivating a New Crop of Farmers: Is On-Farm Mentoring Right for You and Your farm?

Hayes, K. (2005).  Cultivating a New Crop of Farmers: Is On-Farm Mentoring Right for You and your Farm?  A Decision-Making Workbook.  New England Small Farm Institute.  Belchertown, MA.

Research Literature

Expanding the Boundaries of Beginning Farmer Training and Program Development: A Review of Contemporary Initiatives To Cultivate a New Generation of American Farmers
Niewolny, K., & Lillard, P. (2010). Expanding the boundaries of beginning farmer training and program development: A review of contemporary initiatives to cultivate a new generation of American farmers. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(1), 65-88.  

Success in Farm Start-ups in the Northeastern United States
Gillespie, G. W. Jr., & Johnson, S. E. (2010). Success in farm start-ups in the northeastern United States. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(1), 31-48.

Farm Succession and Retirement: Some International Comparisons
Lobley, M., & Baker, J. R., & Whitehead, I. (2010). Farm succession and retirement: Some international comparisons. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(1), 49-64.    

Creating Access to Land Grant Resources for Multicultural and Disadvantaged Farmers
Ostrom, M., & Cha, B., & Flores, M. (2010). Creating access to land grant resources for multicultural and disadvantaged farmers. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(1), 89-105.

Theme Overview: Innovations to Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
McFadden, D. T., & Sureshwaran, S. (2011). Theme Overview: Innovations to support beginning farmers and ranchers. Choices Magazine Online, 2nd quarter.

Potential Challenges for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Ahearn, M.C. (2011).  Potential challenges for beginning farmers and ranchers. Choices Magazine Online, 2nd quarter.  

U.S. Farm Bill Resources and Programs for Beginning Farmers
Sureshwaran, S., & Ritchie, S. (2011).  U. S. Farm Bill resources and programs for beginning farmers. Choices Magazine Online, 2nd quarter.  

A Representative Farm Approach to Outreach with Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Zimmel, P., & Wilcox, L. (2011). A representative farm approach to outreach with beginning farmers and ranchers. Choices Magazine Online, 2nd quarter.

Approaching Beginning Farmers as a New Stakeholder for Extension
Meyer, L., & Hunter, J., & Katchova, A., & Lovett, S., & Thilmany, D., & Sullins, M., & Card, A., Approaching beginning farmers as a new stakeholder for extension. Choices Magazine Online, 2nd quarter.