Blog

our friend Jay Dunbar is posting regularly to a rad little blog that focuses on microfarming & agricultural experimentation in and around Winston-Salem, NC. Check it out: http://astralamerica.wordpress.com/ Here's what he has to say about his work: Winston-Salem Microfarms is devoted to small-scale agriculture experiments, permaculture design efforts, and local foods events and organizations in […]

It's easy - just visit our Serve Your Country Food website and click on "Join the Map" Here's a little blurb from takepart.com: Serve Your Country Food: A Map of Young Farmers You may have heard that more young farmers are joining the sustainable food movement everyday, and now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Great!  […]

More on the Farm Beginnings program... We at Hawthorne Valley Farm are excited about a new program that we will be offering beginning in October 2009, called Hudson Valley Farm Beginnings®. This program will include nine classroom sessions in on-farm goal setting, strategic and business planning, marketing, and financial management, for those interested in developing […]

Sometimes we feature cool tools. This is a tool designed for outdoor peeing. It's called p-style. http://feministreview.blogspot.com/2007/04/pstyle.html and then there are these Japaneses knives. http://www.hidatool.com/shop/shop.html and Hoes. http://www.hidatool.com/shop/shop.html Do you know of some cool tools we should feature?

howtohomestead.org has an amusing collection of (actually useful) videos on everything from kombucha to humanure.  worth a look.  They're also accepting submissions... [vodpod id=Groupvideo.3189308&w=425&h=350&fv=] more about "» Kombucha and You", posted with vodpod How to Homestead We fancy ourselves the only site on the web providing you with a collection of unique how to homestead […]

Curt Ellis & Ian Cheney, the truck farm-driving, award-winning filmakers responsible  King Corn, have planned an amazing crash course in independent documentary for early September.  Applications are due this week!  Read on, or just download the flyer and application here: Wicked Delicate Film School. WICKED DELICATE FILM SCHOOL a crash course in independent documentary september […]

courtesy of Cooking Up a Story [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCfyP2tXSM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcookingupastory.com%2Fa-conversation-with-claire-hope-cummings%2F&feature=player_embedded] In this 4-part series, journalist, environmentalist, and author of Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds, Claire Hope Cummings speaks out on behalf of the natural world, and for a new approach to solving the environmental, social, and philosophical problems inherent in our present food system.

two sites will help you get your veggie trade on. The Farmer's Garden Do You Have Extra Garden Produce? Do you grow your own fruits or vegetables, but harvest more produce than you, your family, friends and co-workers can eat? Are you tired of eating zucchini, peas, beans or tomatoes every day? Does your family […]

Great resources, for urban and rural greenhorns alike! These publications are available free of charge from the ATTRA website or hardcopies are available free of charge by calling 800-346-9140. Both publications have comic-book like graphics which introduce the topic, and this is augmented with more in depth information and a good listing of resources. /*Start […]

Last weekend marked the 6th Annual Kickapoo Country Fair. The weekend was packed with a celebration of green-living and Kickapoo Culture, highlighted by the "Organic Heroes" Keynote Panel on Sunday. Congressman Ron Kind, Tim LaSalle of the Rodale Institute, Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association, Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group, Theresa Marquez […]

check out their map - click on carrots to see who's growing what and where. The San Francisco Garden Registry is a tool created by the San Francisco Victory Garden Program.  It is an online map and social networking tool created to connect city gardeners and to locate current or potential food production zones within […]

This is an important effort...watch the video. At People's Production House we are fulfilling the promise of citizen and community journalism by closing the gap in skills and access. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HTXbHmae7w&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesproductionhouse.org%2Findex.php%2Fmedia%3Ftask%3Dvideodirectlink%26id%3D15&feature=player_embedded] We believe a diverse, ethical, and independent media is an essential element of social change and we believe that historically excluded communities must be protagonists […]

for market farmers, specifically. Growing for Market Growing for Market is America's most respected publication about growing and direct marketing vegetables, fruits, herbs, cut flowers, plants, eggs, meat, cheese, and other farm products. Growing for Market covers farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture, the local food movement, organic growing, cut flowers, and much more. Growing for […]

No we’re not talking Simpsons. Here at Greenhorns headquarters on Smithereen farm we are teeming with Smithers ready to be passed out in exchange for good work or just our goshdarn downright appreciation. As the value of the dollar depreciates around the world, our chickens keep plopping out eggs and our cucumbers are fat and […]

there are some good findings here, courtesy of the University of Vermont's FarmLASTS program. Farm and Ranch Access and Tenure: Draft Research Summary Ownership About two-thirds of the country’s farm asset wealth is held in real estate. Farmland ownership is concentrated; four percent of owners hold nearly half the land. Agricultural land is increasingly in […]

we approve of efficient water use! here's a call out for a cool company in a cool town - Willits, CA, that is transitioning to a world beyond oil. they also have some funky videos with the "garden girl" DripWorks is located in northern California and has been in business for over 10 years, providing […]

this is a solid resource from Farm Aid. The Farmer Resource Network The Farmer Resource Network connects you to more than 400 organizations developing innovative approaches to producing, processing and marketing food from family farms. We're here to share our stories about successful farm operations and connect you to people with ideas to diversify and […]

as you know, we love maps. and here is an interesting food mapping project via Middlebury College, involving dining services, the geography department, and the college's organic garden.

plus 2 of our newest stickers! The FarmLASTS Project The FarmLASTS project addresses one of the most pressing issues facing U.S. agriculture. The future of our agriculture depends on the ability of new generations to establish successful farms and ranches. One of the biggest challenges to entry is gaining access to affordable and secure agricultural […]

equity trust, inc. works to preserve "farms for farmers".  here's a bit about their work: Land Tenure Issues and Preserving Farms for Farmers This Program's Goals * To encourage exploration of alternative approaches to the ownership of land; * To help local land trusts and others to preserve the affordability of farms for farmers; * […]

this is the latest from Schoharie Co-op Cannery Hello, Everyone: I thought it would be a good idea to update everyone on Schoharie Co-op Cannery's status and progress, as well as to ask for a little help. A visit to our website will tell you what's happening: www.schohariecannery.org

greenhorns, this is a most fabulous, understated dutch publication. a worthwhile subscription, and available online--such a lot of academic research avail to us: directories case studies post graduate programs for the academic agriculturalists especially. LEISA: The Center for Information on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture Here is their latest e-newsletter... you can also read […]

yes. it goes against many of our instincts to borrow money. Guiding thinking on this issue is borrow as little as you can. Pay it back as fast as you can. But you can't really can without a canner, or a kitchen, or a flame. Can you. Got to build back the infrastructure of food […]

Medium scale food processing. YES! we need more and better. May every PETSMART in america be converted into a smokehouse. Every walmart into a slaughterhouse Every Kmart into a farmers market May the retro-fitter install skylights and roof gardens. And may the parking lots become amphitheatres for local culture. here is a brilliant example of […]

Patti Moreno is known as the Garden Girl.  She's got a pretty rad site, and some great informational videos, including this on, on sustainable urban gardening. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmmBXqHpdV8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gardengirltv.com%2F&feature=player_embedded] and check out her how-to on drip irrigation here: http://www.dripworksusa.com/video/videoggtab.php

give them a shout, greenhorns... Hello from Farmers for the Future! We now have more than 1,800 members from all 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries. You have generated more than a million page views since the site launched last fall. Members have posted nearly 7,000 photos. How are your Crops looking? Jeramie […]

we highly recommend signing up for this Small Farms Monthly Update from Cornell - it's juicy reading.  Here's June... June 15th 2009 Small Farms Update Announcements * Organic Dairy Summer Field Days * Small Farm Quarterly Bulk Orders Available * NY Sustainable Ag Quarterly SPRING Released

ivili.org pulls together short films on practical sustainable solutions, such as this one on growing your own: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ivili.org%2Fvideo%2Fhomegrown-revolution-growing&feature=player_embedded] here is the founder's statement: One day early last year I came across a brilliant, innovative way of heating water for showers in a lodge in South Africa. it was cheap, lo-tech, easily replicable and it worked. […]

This brand new journal has some terrific content, quite relevant to greenhorns. Including: BURNING FOOD| How corn ethanol is effecting food supply in Zimbabwe, FOOD SCRUTINY| Why the sustainable food message needs a makeover, and much more. WHEEL: Yale Undergraduate Sustainable Development Journal You can download their first issue at http://www.yale.edu/wheel/wheel1.pdf

perhaps you'd like to share your theories, insights and bold gestures of genius with the larger biodynamic community... this just in from the biodynamics farming and gardening association: In order to foster an ongoing and inclusive conversation about future of the biodynamic movement, we are soliciting brief pieces on the current and hoped-for future state […]

via greenhorns ally Alida Candor of the California Institute for Rural Studies... Help inform policies, programs, and funding to improve organic marketing The California Institute for Rural Studies, a nonprofit research institution working to promote sustainable agriculture and increased viability of California farmers (http://www.cirsinc.org), is studying marketing barriers affecting small and mid-sized organic farmers. The […]

this is a great resource for the "landlesss many".  and there are some great workshops coming up, including the one below.  check out http://permacultureforrenters.com/ for more info.

greenhorns, this is interesting (helpful?) technology for you to know about: Food Web, Meet Interweb: The Networked Future of Farms By Alexis Madrigal May 22, 2009 Silicon Valley thinks the internet can transform anything from car sales to anonymous sex, but the way Americans grow and buy food is rooted in ancient, offline systems. Now, […]

Switch Farm Marketing's new  web application is intended specifically for farmers - it's affordable, and fast! Here's a note from the developer: I am excited to announce that our doors are now wide open. You can sign-up and have your website ready to go in just 60 seconds. (Normally this would take 2-4 weeks and […]

Whole Systems Design, based in Vermont, is an inspiring company and resource, Greenhorns. Regenerative Food Systems? Yes, please. From their website: What We Do We develop human habitats that yield perennial abundance and enduring value. We design and implement regenerative food, fuel, and shelter systems that thrive on current solar energy.

Milk-drinkers probably remember The Cornucopia Institute's report and scorecard on organic milk  (and if not, you should check it out) - - for many of us, it has become an invaluable tool in determining which organic dairy farms (and companies) should be trusted and supported. This time the Institute takes on Soy in "Behind the […]

Living in NYC and still without a CSA?  And don't have time to cook?  This is a rad partnership between Severine's landlords, Paisley Farm, and Sweet Deliverance, a NYC-based company which transforms farm-fresh, organic ingredients into deliciously wholesome meals and then delivers them to your home.

Mobile Poultry Processing Unit Training & Field Day Training Partners include: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, New England Small Farm Institute, Mass Dept of Agricultural Resources, Mass Dept of Environmental Protection, and Mass Dept of Public Health DATE: Friday, May 29th TIME: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm LOCATION: New England Small Farm Institute - 275 […]

Awesome resources made available by awesome bureaucrats!  From our friends at the Organic Farming Research Foundation. USDA Service Center Locator: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app Our last OFAN alert: http://ofrf.org/action/ofan/090507_alert.html Our resource page, which lists organizations that can help farmers apply for EQIP: http://ofrf.org/policy/federal_legislation/farm_bill_implementation/eqip_oi_resource_page.html

Any Canadian Greenhorns out there?  This would be a valuable experience. The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is accepting applications for their 2010 program. Applications are due by June 1, 2009 and forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at http://www.nuffield.ca/ApplicationForm.htm Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to enthusiastic individuals, between the ages of […]