NIFTI Training Materials

The National Incubator Farm Training Initiative (NIFTI) offers over 200 resources compiled from dozens of organizations across the country related to best practices for Incubator Farm Projects.

From sample curricula, to farmer leases and manuals, to site management protocols, NIFTI's library contains a wide range of tools to help your organization better serve beginning farmers.

If you have a resource you would like see, or one you would like to share with other incubator farm community of practitioners, contact nesfp@tufts.edu.

Annual Farmer Survey Interview

Media:

  • Digital Download

Beginning farmer survey written by Agricultural Land Based Training Association (ALBA) to confidentially learn how farmers are doing after receiving one year of services from ALBA. Survey includes questions on experience with ALBA, growing practices, and business finances.

ATTRA Marketing Resources

Media:

  • Web Page

Various Resources and Guides on from ATTRA,  the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Information provided on marketing, business, and risk management.

Basic Business Planning and Recordkeeping NIFTI 2015

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  • Digital Download

A presentation on Basic Business Planning and Recordkeeping given by Gary Matteson of Farm Credit at the 2015 NIFTI National Field School. Additional resources available at farmbiztrainer.com.

 

Do you have a good understanding of what your students are going through from their perspective?  Students need to appreciate the core components of good business planning and why it is important to their success before they will latch onto the “numbers” that they generally try to avoid.  This session will include tips on how to integrate financial skills training and record keeping into all the skills your program is already teaching, with the end goal of helping farmers be business minded in their operations.

Big River Farms Training Classes

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  • Digital Download

Schedule and description of on farm training classes offered by the Big River Farms Training Program at the Minnesota Food Association.

Boletin Agricola Latina

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  • Digital Download

First issue of a Spanish newsletter from the Farley Center, which provides Midwestern Latina farmers with information about agriculture, especially oranic agriculture.

Breakeven Analysis

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  • Digital Download

Spreadsheet that helps calculate total fixed costs, total variable costs, and subsequent breakeven sales level.

Building a Low-Cost Cooler and Pack Shed

Media:

  • Digital Download

Handout that provides an overview of how to build your own pack-shed and walk-in cooler for a diversified vegetable/fruit farm. Based on a workshop held at the Farley Center's farm incubator.

Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities

Media:

  • Web Page

A guide published by USDA agencies, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and the National Center for Appropriate Technology, that outlines federal programs to support sustainable agriculture, forestry, entrepreneurship, conservation, and community development

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