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Helpful Resources for Organic Farmers

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Farming
New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI) NESFI promotes small farm development by providing information and training for aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers.

NESFI offers an extensive resource collection, including publications and innovative farmer-guided programs that encourage sustainable small-scale agriculture.

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project New Entry assists people with limited resources who have an interest in small-scale commercial agriculture and want to begin farming in Massachusetts.

New Entry provides services for beginning farmers such as locating farmland, education, training, business/enterprise development, and production and marketing assistance.
UMass Extension UMass Extension sponsors statewide programs in agriculture, landscape, natural resources and environmental conservation, nutrition and education.

These programs, often in partnerships with other organizations, offer research and educational opportunities including workshops, conferences, distance education, training events, consultations, and applied research.
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Massachusetts Massachusetts state website for the Farm Service Agency. FSA administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs.
USDA Rural Development (RD) Massachusetts Massachusetts state website for Rural Development. Provides financial programs supporting essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service.

Rural development also provides loans to businesses and offers technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services.

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Grazing

Mass Grass Pasture-based farmers, NOFA/Mass, NRCS, UMass Extension and other groups have formed Mass Grass to organize educational programs, classes and initiatives relating to grazing and pasture management.

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Invasive Species
IPANE - Invasive Plant Atlas of New England A searchable internet-based database of invasive and potentially invasive plants in New England.
USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Protects and promotes U.S. agricultural health by regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities.

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Organic Programs & Organizations
ATTRA ATTRA provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, Extension agents, researchers, educators, farm organizations, and others involved in commercial agriculture - especially those who are economically disadvantaged or belong to traditionally underserved communities.
 
Baystate Organic Certifiers A USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agent. Located in Winchendon, Massachusetts, Baystate certifies farm operations in the Northeast U.S.

 
National Organic Program (NOP) The national program that develops, implements, and administers standards for organic agricultural products.

The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.
Massachusetts Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA/Mass) NOFA/Mass is a community of farmers, gardeners, landscapers and consumers working to educate members and the general public about the benefits of local organic systems.

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Plants & Animals

MassWildlife The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (also called "Natural Heritage") protects the state's wide range of native biological diversity.

The program's highest priority is protecting the 176 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and 259 species of native plants that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in Massachusetts.

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Soil Testing & Maps
Soil Testing from UMass Amherst Department of Plant & Soil Sciences Provides comprehensive soil testing for a small fee. Samples may be submitted by mail.
Web Soil Survey Provides online soil maps, data and information. You can search for soil information by address or other areas of interest, and create printable maps and soil reports of your results.

Web Soil Survey is operated by NRCS and has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties.

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Last modified: 06/26/2009