Farmer Resource Library

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.

New Entry's farmer library has hundreds of resources on sustainable farming, marketing, and operating a successful small business.

Pesticide Chart: Diatomaceous Earth

Media:

  • Digital Download

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.

Pesticide Chart: Kaolin Clay

Media:

  • Digital Download

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.

Pesticide Chart: Spinosad

Media:

  • Digital Download

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.

Plant Spacing Tool

Media:

  • Digital Download

This is a tool (not a lesson) for farmers or gardeners to use in the field as a reference for plant spacing when planting out crops. Growers should be oriented to this tool before using, but in lieu of an actual lesson plan, see tips below.

Post-Harvest Handling

Media:

  • Digital Download

Farmers will learn why it is important to use correct post-harvest handling techniques with different vegetables. They will learn about temperature, hydration and the proper tools and equipment for post-harvest handling. A post-harvest handling grid handout will be taught to reinforce and extend learning beyond the lesson. This teaching resource was developed by Transplanting Traditions in Chapel Hill, NC in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). Refugee farmer training programs across the country provided feedback on this lesson, which is now integrated throughout the guide.

Production Records Template

Media:

  • Digital Download

A simple excel spreadheet that helps farmers track their production totals for individual markets and by crop. Provided by Beth LaShell at the Old Fort Market Garden Incubator in Fort Lewis, CO.

Profitability and Cost of Production

Media:

  • Digital Download

This is a resource designed to introduce some key concepts to farmers familiar with basic production and marketing strategies: profit, revenue, profitability, cost of production, and enterprise budgets. The key takeaway is this: to make money, you need to make informed decisions about how much it actually costs to produce a crop. By working through several examples of costs of producing various crops, farmers can start to assess which crops are easiest to grow, highest grossing, and have the most potential for highest net profit.

Recordkeeping 1: Crop Planning and Planting Records for FSMA Compliance

Media:

  • Digital Download

This guide can be used to assist trainers who want to make good farm record keeping practices accessible to farmers with limited English or low-literacy skills. It covers the reasons and benefits of keeping good records for planning and planting, including compliance with food safety requirements. It explains what kinds of information need to be recorded and provides recommendations for when and how to collect that information. Tools which allow farmers with low-literacy skills to keep good records of on-farm activities are provided. This teaching resource was developed by Craig Demi of the Southside Community Land Trust in Providence, RI in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions).

Recordkeeping 2: Harvest and Post-Harvest Records for FSMA Compliance

Media:

  • Digital Download

This guide can be used to assist trainers who want to make good farm recordkeeping practices accessible to farmers with limited English and/or low literacy skills. It covers the reasons for and benefits of keeping good records for harvest and post-harvest activities, including compliance with food safety requirements. It explains what kinds of information need to be recorded and provides recommendations for when and how to collect that information. Tools which allow farmers with low-literacy skills to keep good records of on-farm activities are provided. This teaching resource was developed by Craig Demi of the Southside Community Land Trust in Providence, RI in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). 

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