University of Illinois Extension

Illinois Small Farms

Resources

National and Regional Organizations and Programs

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) is one of several topic-oriented information centers at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). AFSIC specializes in locating and accessing information related to alternative cropping systems including sustainable, organic, low-input, biodynamic, and regenerative agriculture. AFSIC also focuses on alternative crops, new uses for traditional crops, and crops grown for industrial production.

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
National Agricultural Library, ARS/USDA
10301 Baltimore Ave.
Room 304
Beltsville MD 20705-2351
ph. (301) 504-6559
fax (301) 504-6409
ATTRA

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas is the national sustainable farming information center operated by the private nonprofit National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). ATTRA provides technical assistance to farmers, Extension agents, market gardeners,agricultural researchers, and other ag professionals in all 50 states. Topics addressed by ATTRA can be categorized into three broad areas: (1)sustainable farming production practices; (2) alternative crop and livestock enterprises, and (3) innovative marketing.

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
P.O. Box 3657
Fayetteville, AR 72702
(800) 346-9140
M-F 8:30am-4:30pm CST
Food Alliance

Food Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable agriculture by recognizing and rewarding farmers who produce food in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways and educating consumers and others in the food system about the benefits of sustainable agriculture.

Food Alliance
1829 NE Alberta, Suite 5
Portland, OR 97211 (map)
Ph 503.493.1066
Fax 503.493.1069
FoodMAP

A comprehensive clearinghouse of marketing and processing information on identifying new markets, learning about alternative agriculture opportunities, locating processing equipment, understanding processing requirements and ingredients and finding information on a large variety of other topics.

National Agricultural Library, ARS/USDA

The National Agricultural Library (NAL) is the largest agricultural library in the world. It offers free library/reference services worldwide. Although primarily research-oriented, NAL also is home to the agricultural literature database, AGRICOLA, which is searchable online.

National Agricultural Library, ARS/USDA
10301 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville MD 20705-2351
(301) 504-5755 (general info.)
New Ag Network

Three universities—Michigan State University, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois—have joined resources to bring seasonal advice to field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture. New information is posted twice a month during the growing season and less frequently during winter. Our on-line newsletter features crop updates from organic growers and articles from university specialists about a variety of practices and new findings useful for organic growers. The information serves those interested in transitioning to organic as well as those currently practicing low-input or organic agriculture.

Comments:
The North Central Region Small Farm Task Force

The North Central Region Small Farm Task Force is composed of University Extension professionals representing the twelve north central states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The task force has developed a coordinated effort across the north central area to meet the needs of present and future small-scale agriculture. The website includes the Regional Resource Guide for Small Farms and the Sustainable Small Farm Information Network (SSFIN). The SSFIN is designed to provide quick and easy access to a wide range of sustainable agriculture information related to small farms. Farmers, educators, agency personnel and other information providers, will be able to explore alternatives to traditional farming systems more easily.

Small Farm New Farm Internet Resources

Ohio State University has a website (with a searchable database) that includes information on the following topics: Agri-Tourism, Crops Diversified Agricultural Enterprises, Enterprise Budgets, Livestock, Management, Value Added and Water Resources.

Small Farm Program

The Small Farm Program at the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is committed to meeting the needs of the small farm community. The goal of the CSREES Small Farm Program is to improve the income level and the economic viability of small farm enterprises through partnerships with the Land Grant System, and public and private sectors by encouraging research, extension, and education programs to meet the specific needs of small farmers.

The program publishes a newsletter, Small Farm Digest.

Small Farm Program
USDA-CSREES
Stop 2220
Washington, DC 20250-2220
(800) 583-3071.
Small Farms @ USDA
Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers

The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers is a one-year certificate program in grass-based dairying. The course provides opportunities for internships, mentoring, farm tours, and networking with experienced grass-based dairy farmers. You can also learn about grazing sheep, goats, and other species. Specialized scholarship support and a distance education option are available for this course. The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers is part of the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, with support from the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.

Publications

American Small Farm

American Small Farm is a nationally circulated publication catering exclusively to the interests and needs of the small farmer.

Innovative Marketing Opportunities for Small Farmers: Local Schools as Customers (PDF)

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service also offers a new bulletin, Innovative Marketing Opportunities for Small Farmers: Local Schools as Customers. The bulletin documents the success of the New North Florida Cooperative in creating a new marketing opportunity for limited-resource farmers in Florida's Panhandle region to deliver fresh produce to local school districts. The bulletin describes the development stages of the cooperative and building a business.

A Matter of Scale: Small Farms in the North Central Region
The New Farm

The Rodale Institute®, a global leader in regenerative agriculture, is devoted to innovative agriculture research, outreach and training through The New Farm® programs. The Institute’s website, www.NewFarm.org reaches a global community of food producers to exchange valuable “farmer-to-farmer know-how.” NewFarm.org presents expert resources for crop and livestock production, direct marketing, local food systems, policy campaigns and community-building collaborations. NewFarm.org is an electronic magazine covering the successes and challenges of organic and sustainable farming nationwide and beyond.

A Return To Common Sense

by John Ikerd (Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics,
University of Missouri)

John Ikerd combines an engaging story of personal transformation with sweeping analysis and a call for social change based on shared insights into what we know in our hearts to be real, true, right, and good—our common sense. By interweaving eye-opening life lessons with economic, political, scientific, and philosophical understandings, Ikerd paints an inspiring vision for human harmony and "a new word of order."

Small Farms/School Meals Initiative

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service offers a new brochure, Small Farms/School Meals Initiative, a step-by-step guide about how to bring small farmers and schools together so that farm-raised products can be purchased from farmer cooperatives by school districts for their school lunch programs.

Small Farm Digest

The Digest is published three times a year by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), USDA. Subscriptions to Small Farm Digest are available to the public at no charge.

To subscribe, contact:

Betty Hodges
Small Farm Program, CSREES, USDA
Mail Stop 2220
1400 Independence Ave, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-2220
1-800-583-3071
Rural Information Center: Small Farm Funding Resources
Small Farm Today

Small Farm Today is the original how-to magazine of alternative and traditional crops, livestock, and direct marketing. It was established in 1984 for the promotion of small farming, rural living, community, and agripreneurship.