Plain language guide from the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, which aids farmers in extending their season into the winter. The guide outlines the benefits and costs of extending the growing season, several methods of season extension, and necessary materials and costs.
Guides and Manuals
Season Extension
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)- Plain Language Guide
Plain language guide from New Entry on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). The guide provides background on the importance of GAPs, the audit process, and developing a food safety plan.
Managing Risks on the Small Farm
Plain language guide from New Entry, designed to introduce farmers to the risks of farming. Explains the five types of risk: production, marketing, worker, legal, and financial, and provides worksheets for each farmer to complete.
Harvesting Crops for Market
Plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, which provides information on when to harvest vegetables, food safety information around handling produce after harvest, and how to prepare produce for harvest.
Financing the Farm: Applying for an FSA Loan
Plain language guide from New Entry that is designed to help farmers apply for a Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan, in order to provide extra resources to get started, expand, or own their own farm business. The guide explains the types of FSA loans available and provides instructions for applying and making a business plan.
Guide to USDA's NASS End of Season Fruit and Vegetable Inquiry
Plain language guide from New Entry that is designed to help farmers complete the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) End of Season Fruit and Vegetable Survey. The guide explains where to record farm information on the specific forms, and includes an example of the forms with support for how to complete the questions.
Selling at a Farmers Market
Plain language guide from New Entry that provides new farmers with information on how to begin selling farm grown products at a Farmers' Market. The guide includes support for choosing a market, applying to sell at the market, designing market displays, setting prices, making sales, and keeping records.
Applying for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Plain language guide from New Entry for farmers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which pays farmers and ranchers to implement practices that protect water, soil, and air quality. The guide explains how the program works and outlines eligibility, the application process, and how the money can be used.
Applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Plain language guide from the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project for farmers interested in applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which rewards farmers for being good “stewards” of their land. The guide includes information on program eligibility and an explanation of how to apply.
Guide to Running a CSA- Spanish
Spanish translation of New Entry's guide that outlines how to start a multi farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The guide includes information to support planning, outreach, shareholder meetings, distribution, season specifics, and end of season surveys.