New Entry's farmer library has hundreds of resources on sustainable farming, marketing, and operating a successful small business. Our physical library at our office in Beverly, MA contains books, CD's, DVD's periodicals, pamphlets, and videos in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Khmer. You can also search the directory below for downloadable digital resources, helpful web sites, and online farming videos.
Please visit or email us at nesfp@tufts.edu if you can't find what you're looking for here. Sometimes we are out in the field, so it's best to let us know if you're planning on stopping by.
Finding money to purchase land and capital is a huge issue for many farmers. Bank loans, land contracts (aka contracts for deed), and family financing offer some solutions. The legal language behind promissory notes, security agreements, land contracts, and mortgages isn’t just “boilerplate.” Farmers will learn the basics behind these documents. Farmers are also exploring new opportunities such as crowdsourcing funds from farm customers, friends, and members. To avoid costly fines, farmers must pay attention to the state and federal securities laws that affect these opportunities. This webinar will give farmers knowledge of the legal basics when financing farmland.
The Farmer’s Guide to Working with Land Trusts is written for farmers, land trust staff, and farmer service providers. The guide gives an introduction to land trusts, explains how these groups can be powerful partners in a farmer’s search for affordable farmland, and provides detailed information about the process of working with a land trust.
Finding and securing land to farm is one of the biggest challenges that beginning farmers and ranchers face in starting a career in agriculture. Farmland prices are at a record high across the country and land has become increasingly unaffordable for farmers. The land surrounding our nation’s cities, where market opportunities are greatest for beginning farmers, is often the most difficult to access. This guidebook provides farmers with practical tools and resources for partnering with a land trust to access land.
The guide includes: An introduction to land trusts and conservation easements A toolbox of ways in which young farmers can partner with a land trust A guide for reaching out to a land trust, with detailed steps and information about what to expect once you do An overview of a typical land trust transaction, including a sample timeline and project budget An appendix, which lists organizations that may be helpful partners in the process of working with a land trust
New Entry prepared a Handbook for Small-Scale Poultry Producer-Processors that describes how to apply for licensure to process poultry using a Massachusetts-inspected MPPU. Producers are encouraged to use the guide to understand basic requirements for MPPU use and licensure. The guide contains:
Overview of Massachusetts regulations regarding poultry processing
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Step-by-Step guidance on completing the Mass Slaughter License application
What to expect after completing the application
Regulatory Resources
For questions or clarification about the Handbook, or for technical assistance in completing your local and state approvals for MPPU use, please contact the New Entry office at 978-654-6745.
This plain language guide is written for people who want to start a small farm business. This guide will help you think about the benefits and challenges of owning a farm before you begin, and will introduce you to services that will help you put your farm dream into action.
In this guide, you will learn about:
Skills you need to start a small farm
Risks & rewards of owning a farm
Resources for investing in your farm
Making a farm business plan
Marketing your products
This guide was written for small farmers in the Northeast United States, but can certainly be used in other regions - just keep in mind that some of the example figures might be different in your area.
A guide for small-scale poultry producers and processors using a Massachusetts-inspected mobile poultry processing unit (MPPU) or stationary on-farm facility. The guide was created by New Entry in partnership with the New England Small Farm Institute with input from Massachusetts state agencies, outlining the food safety and recordkeeping practices required of small-scale poultry processors operating under a slaughter license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including:
On-farm processing safe food handling plan
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
Standard Operating and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs and SSOPs)
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan
Sample Daily Use Report Logs for Massachusetts poultry processors
For questions or clarification about the Handbook, or for technical assistance in completing your local and state approvals for MPPU use, please contact the New Entry office at 978-654-6745.
New Entry Food Hub provides market access to beginning farmers, market-based training, and produce aggregation and distribution services to a broad array of consumers. We operate a Community Supported Agriculture program, food access programs for food insecure families and individuals, and donate produce to food banks and pantries, transitional living centers, and other social service agencies. Learn more about our 2020 Food Hub operations and impact - COVID-19 had an outsized impact on access to quality food and our farmers stepped up and met the need!
New Entry Food Hub provides market access to beginning farmers, market-based training, and produce aggregation and distribution services to a broad array of consumers. We operate a Community Supported Agriculture program, food access programs for food insecure families and individuals, and donate produce to food banks and pantries, transitional living centers, and other social service agencies. Learn more about our 2021 Food Hub operations, impact, and new partnerships!
The New England Small Ruminant Working Group created and distributed a survey of New England sheep and goat farmers in order to better understand two questions:
What are the most pressing IPM challenges for New England small ruminant producers?
What is the scope of these challenges?
The survey also aimed to provide a better understanding of New England sheep and goat farmers' knowledge and adoption of IPM practices to address these challenges, especially related to internal parasites.
This document serves as a report on the state of IPM challenges and practices among New England small ruminant producers, summarizing survey results and incorporating the input and recommendations of Working Group members, including veterinarians, Extension and other farm service providers, and several sheep and goat farmers.
Written by Sam Anderson (Livestock Program Coordinator, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project). Support from the Northeastern IPM Center.
Join New Entry Sustainable Farming Project hosts this webinar discussing the basic practical details of farmland leasing. Learn about the benefits of farmland leasing, elements of a good lease, finding the “right” relationship with a land owner, and expectations of engaging legal help. Presenters include Kathy Ruhf at Land For Good, Elena Mihaly at Legal Services Food Hub, and Noelle Fogg at New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.
This webinar is designed to give you the tools to stay on track during the growing season. New Entry Sustainable Farming Project and The Carrot Project give an overview of a new Financial Calendar tool. We dive into how the tool can help you stay organized with daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks. A successful beginning farmer is also on hand to help you adapt the calendar to your farm's needs and realities and create a personalized financial management calendar for your farm.
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