This guide will assist trainers who want to teach non-literate and/or non-English speaking farmers about how to select the best irrigation system (flood, drip, or overhead sprinkler) for their situation. The advantage and disadvantages of each system are discussed using illustrations and examples from the farmers’ field experience. It covers how to distinguish between sources of sanitary drinking water which can be used for washing vegetables and sources of water which are only appropriate for irrigation, laws and regulations governing water use and access rights, and how to assess the potential for irrigation on a new parcel of land.This teaching resource was developed by Katie Painter of Global Gardens Refugee Agriculture Program at the Idaho Office for Refugees, in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions).

In this lesson, farmers learn about what makes the CSA model different from other marketing options, what American customers like about a CSA, and how to use knowledge of different veggie-types to pack diverse CSA shares. This teaching resource was developed by New Roots for Refugees, Catholic Charities of NE KS 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.

This presentation was developed for a non-refugee audience but the content can be adapted. The main objective of the presentation is for growers to understand that some crops are better suited to hoop-houses than others, based on seasonality and spacing. Growers will think about which crops to put inside the hoop-house, which I like to call the “high rent district,” and which to plant outdoors, for the greatest sales potential over the course of the season. Farmers will understand the concept of degree days and that both temperature and day length affect plant growth. Finally, an overview of marketing options is presented, so that farmers can begin to think about this before learning more in-depth marketing information in future presentations.

This series of five lessons covers a range of topics related to marketing. Participating farmers will learn about different ways to set up a market stand, make their stand successful and visually appealing, and answer common questions and requests from customers. These sessions also help farmers tie records of previous market sales to future crop planning. Many are appropriate for farmers with low or no literacy and numeracy, but some are best suited to more intermediate or advanced audiences with basic numeracy and English reading skills.

This is module 5 in a series of 8 modules in the Interational Rescue Committee's Micro-producer Academy. This training guide will help you, the trainer, to lead a 2-hour training on the building blocks of budgeting and recordkeeping. While this was designed to serve as one workshop, some of the activities can be used independently if desired. Farmers will understand what counts as income, and what counts as expenses, and will become familiar with basic recordkeeping words and forms. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee 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.

This is module 6 in a series of 8 modules in the International Rescue Committee's Micro-producer academy. This modules introduces farmers to post-harvest handling and food safety and farm rules, to maximize food quality and safety. Farmers will demonstrate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for market harvest days and will be able to identify what crops need and need not be cooled upon harvest. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee 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.

This is module 7 in a series of 8 modules in the New Roots Micro-producer academy. Module 7 introduces farmers to forms of currency, money handling and making change. This guide provides talking points for each slide in the corresponding PowerPoint presentation, and includes activity steps, tips for allowing farmers to reflect, and ideas for how to assess for farmer learning. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee 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.

This is module 3 in a series of 8 modules in the New Roots Micro-producer academy.This is an introduction to the concept of market gardening or farming, and to selecting crops that fit the market channel that producers anticipate using. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee 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.

This is module 4 in a series of 8 modules in the New Roots Micro-producer academy.Understanding the difference between personal and commercial production. Growing techniques (as well as farm rules) to maximize production and timing production based around the markets they hope to sell at. Farmers will draft a planting and harvest calendar for the market crops they have chosen, and they will draw a potential succession planting map for one crop. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee 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.

This is module 8 in a series of 8 modules in the Interational Rescue Committee's Micro-producer Academy.This guide will help you, the trainer, to conduct this lesson on marketing success. This can be done as one complete workshop or lesson, or individual activities can be pulled out and done independently with farmers. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee 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.