RESOURCE LIBRARY

Welcome to the At Ease Orchard Resource Library. Here, you will find valuable information and support to help you thrive in your agricultural journey. Whether you are just getting started or looking to expand your farming operations, these resources are designed to provide guidance, funding opportunities, and technical assistance.

USDA Resources

1. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

Provides financial assistance, loan programs, and disaster relief for farmers.

2. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Offers conservation programs, technical assistance, and funding to improve land and resource management.

3. USDA Rural Development

Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

Supports rural communities through loans, grants, and technical assistance for business development and infrastructure.

4. USDA Farm to Fork

Website: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans/veterans-and-entrepreneurship#I

Opportunities for veterans to get into ag through agribusiness, urban farming, and sustainable farming resources.

Getting Started in Farming

1. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)

Website: https://nifa.usda.gov/program/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp

Provides funding for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers.

2. Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC)

Website: https://www.farmvetco.org/

Supports veterans transitioning into agriculture with grants, resources, and a fellowship fund.

3. Veterans to Farmers

Website: https://www.veteranstofarmers.org/

Offers training programs and resources to help veterans start their own farming enterprises.

4. Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture

Website: adiafood.org/veteran-farmer-program

Offers a training program for veterans that develops new farmers and encourages entrepreseurship.

5.) National Young Farmers Coalition Land Price Calculator

Website: https://findingfarmland.youngfarmers.org/calculator

A DIY calculator to help navigate closing costs, taxes, and other financial costs associated with purchasing agricultural land. 

Beekeeping Resources

1. American Beekeeping Federation

Website: https://www.abfnet.org/

Provides education, resources, and advocacy for beekeepers.

2. Bee Culture Magazine

Website: https://www.beeculture.com/

Offers articles, how-tos, and resources on beekeeping practices.

3. Honey Bee Health Coalition

Website: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/

Provides resources and best practices for maintaining healthy bee populations.

4. Heroes to Hives (Michigan State University)

Website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/veterans/honeybee-pollinator-education/heroes-to-hives

Offers free beekeeping education and training to veterans and their dependents.

Funding Opportunities

1. USDA Microloans

Website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/microloans/index

Provides small, low-interest loans to help beginning and small farmers with operational costs.

2. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants

Website: https://www.sare.org/grants/

Funds projects that promote sustainable farming practices and enhance farmer profitability.

3. Farm Credit Services

Website: https://www.farmcredit.com/

Offers loans, leases, and financial services tailored to the agricultural community.

4. Food Animal Concerns Trust

Website: https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org

Offers Fund-A-Farmer grants for projects focused on improving animal welfare and sustainability.

5. FarmAid

Website: Farmaid.org

An advocacy organization offering a Farmer Hotline for crisis support, funding, and a resource guide specifically for veterans.

Farm Financial Literacy

1. Farm Answers

Website: https://farmanswers.org/

Provides resources on financial planning, risk management, and farm business management.

2. AgPlan

Website: https://www.agplan.umn.edu/

Helps farmers develop business plans to improve their operations.

3. Farm Finance Scorecard

Website: https://scorecard.fb.org/

Offers financial benchmarks and resources to help farmers manage their finances effectively.

4. Funding through Farm Service Agency

Website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2022/fsa_loansbeginningfarmersranchers_factsheet_9_22%20508.pdf

Lending programs for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers through USDA. This fact sheet outlines the program and qualifications.

Organic and Regenerative Farming

1. Rodale Institute

Website: https://rodaleinstitute.org/

Provides research, education, and resources on organic farming practices.

2. Regenerative Agriculture Initiative

Website: https://regenorganic.org/

Offers guidelines and resources for implementing regenerative farming practices.

3. Organic Farming Research Foundation

Website: https://ofrf.org/

Supports organic farming through research, education, and advocacy.

Raising Chickens

1. American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA)

Website: https://www.apppa.org/

Provides resources and networking opportunities for pastured poultry producers.

2. The Livestock Conservancy

Website: https://livestockconservancy.org/

Offers resources on raising heritage breeds and preserving genetic diversity.

3. Heritage Poultry Breeders

Website: https://heritagepoultrybreeders.com/

Provides information and resources for raising heritage poultry.

Homesteading Resources

1. Mother Earth News

Website: https://www.motherearthnews.com/

Offers articles, how-tos, and resources on homesteading and self-sufficient living.

2. Homesteaders of America

Website: https://homesteadersofamerica.com/

Provides resources, events, and networking opportunities for homesteaders.

3. Backyard Farming Connection

Website: https://backyardfarmingconnection.com/

Offers tips and resources for backyard farming and homesteading.

Apprenticeship Programs

1. National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

Website: https://sustainableagriculture.net/

Provides resources on sustainable farming apprenticeship programs.

2. WWOOF USA

Website: https://wwoofusa.org/

Connects volunteers with organic farms for hands-on learning experiences.

3. Apprenticeship.gov

Website: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/

Offers information on apprenticeship opportunities in various fields, including agriculture.

Free Online Farming Education

1. Open Courseware (OCW) Consortium

Website: https://www.oercommons.org/

Provides free online courses on various agricultural topics.

2. EdX Agriculture Courses

Website: https://www.edx.org/learn/agriculture

Offers free online courses from top universities on agriculture and farming.

3. ALISON Online Learning

Website: https://alison.com/

Provides free online courses on agriculture, farming, and sustainability.

4. DIY Farm Cooler Plans

Website: https://blog.uvm.edu/cwcallah/2018/12/22/cooler-construction-options-walls-and-panels/

DIY Plans for building insulated storage, a cold room, or warm room on your farm from the University of Vermont.

5. Farm Hack

Website: https://farmhack.org/tools

Innovative and creative low cost adaptive solutions for farmers, gardeners, and homesteaders.

Resources for U.S. Military Veterans

1. SCORE for Veterans Website: https://www.score.org/veteran-entrepreneurs Provides free mentoring and workshops for veteran entrepreneurs, including those in agriculture.

2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Programs Website: https://www.va.gov/ Offers various programs and benefits for veterans, including those transitioning to farming careers.

3. SkillBridge Program Website: https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/ Allows service members to gain civilian work experience and job training, including in agricultural fields, during their last 180 days of service.

4. Boots to Business (Course at the January 2025 Veterans IN Farming Conference) https://sba.my.site.com/s/