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Farming

Growing for the Future: Education and Grant Programs for New Farmers

Many people come back to farming after careers off the land. Others find themselves wanting to keep up with new research and trends in agriculture. There are a number of training programs designed for new farmers, many of which are available as webinars and online. The National Farmer’s Union has the Beginning Farmer’s Institute. The […]

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Family Farm Farming

Food Sovereignty and the Family Farm

The Food Sovereignty Movement is a growing international movement that supports a community’s right to choose how and where their food is produced and what food they consume. This basic human right stands in opposition to corporate agribusiness, and family farmers and fishermen are leading the fight. The National Family Farm Coalition is supporting this […]

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Farming

Models to Protect the Farm from Development: Nonprofit Incorporation

Protecting the land from development is a critical piece of succession planning. Land trusts and conservation easements are a popular model. Less well known is the option to turn a farm or ranch into a nonprofit corporation. There are two non-profit models that can apply to farms: the 501(c)(3) and the 501 (c)(5). In addition […]

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Family Farm Farming Multigenerational Farming

3 Children’s Books That Embrace The Family Farm

Whether you and your loved ones are currently practicing the family farming lifestyle, are considering implementing some farming techniques, or simply want to celebrate the unique farming way of life, try picking up some literature that everyone can indulge in together. 1. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan This classic takes place in the Midwestern […]

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Farming

Addressing Food Waste on the Farm

Climate change and a projected population of 9 billion by 2050 means we are looking at a future of food insecurity. Agencies across the world are making plans and working on solutions. Food waste is a global problem, with 24% of the calories we grow in the world being wasted. Waste is assessed as being loss […]

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Business Family Farm Farming

Farm Planning for the Farmer with Limited Space

The idea of breaking ground on your own farm can be exhilarating: the idea of your children learning the hard work and ethics of farming, giving fresh produce and meats back to your friends, knowing exactly what your family puts on the table, what it ate, how it was grown, and what went into it. […]

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Farming

Climate Change and Water Resources for Agriculture: The EPA Report

The EPA has published a report on Climate Change and Water Resources that details a number of areas of concern for agriculture. The increase in global temperatures, even by a couple of degrees, causes more water to be evaporated from the earth and held in clouds in the atmosphere. When we have rain, it’s more water […]

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Business Family Farm Farming Multigenerational Farming Succession Planning

Multigenerational Farming: New Models for a New Generation

Heritage breeds, CSAs, farmer’s markets, artisan cheese: farming is getting an injection of cool from farmers looking to change the face of agriculture in America. Clean food, slow food, organic food, local food: the movements may be a small part of the agricultural giant, but their share is growing. Consumers are starting to pay attention. They want […]

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Business Family Farm Farming Multigenerational Farming Succession Planning

Battlefields to Farmfields: Innovative Farm Internships for Returing Veterans

Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields is a multi-award winning short documentary about the training programs and internships being developed by and for returning veterans who have transitioned to farming. Out of 21 million US veterans, 800,000 are unemployed and 100,000 are unemployed and homeless. US farmers are getting older, and young farmers are not stepping up to […]

Categories
Farming

Precision Ag Key To Successful Farming?

Precision ag, the process of combining data, such as seed attributes, weather patterns and soil condition, to create a ‘prescription’ for the best crop and fertilizing scenario can be complicated, but according to reports, it’s here to stay. Since it is here to stay, successful farming incorporates the process in day-to-day operations. Small Steps Granted, many systems are not easy […]

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