Tuesday May 14, 2013
Baby salad greens are a great addition to your small farm. They're very popular with CSA shareholders, as salads are a staple in many households, and more tender and easier to prepare than entire heads of lettuce. As a farmer, you can use the cut-and-come-again method to have a continuous harvest from the same seed for much of the season.
Growing and washing baby salad greens can be a little challenging, as they require some special handling, but once you've got the infrastructure in place, they can be a great seller.
Tuesday May 7, 2013
If you just got baby chicks this spring, they may be ready to branch out beyond the chick starter that you've been feeding them. There are lots of "extras" that chickens enjoy and some that even enhance their health. And you can feed them kitchen scraps -- they are like live compost machines! But be careful because some kitchen foods are not good for them, or can give their eggs an off taste. Learn about what's good and what's not, and whether you should supplement with grit, oyster shell, or cracked corn.
Sunday April 28, 2013
Finances, business licenses, business plans -- if you're starting a farm business, you might be wondering where to begin. And if you're starting the farm itself at the same time, you've got animals, crops, and equipment to think about. Or perhaps you need to start at ground zero: buying or leasing the right farm.
It can seem overwhelming. And spring is already well under way. I've assembled a couple of overviews for you, with links to deeper, more detailed information on each topic. Sometimes the big picture is what you need, and sometimes the details are where you need to focus. Enjoy!
Saturday April 27, 2013
If you're a beginning farmer, you may not be connected with all the possible sources of grants, loans, workshops, courses, and educational resources that are available to you. I've compiled a list of some places where you can get started. This isn't an exhaustive database, but it should get you connected with the people who can tell you about still more opportunities that may be specific to your geographic region. Remember that resources can come from public and private sources - private nonprofits, the US government, local, regional and state-level nonprofits or private organizations.
