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 2 in a series of 8 modules in International Rescue Committee's Micro-producer Academy. In this workshop, farmers will explore the pros and cons of indirect and direct marketing options. In addition to learning vocabulary and concepts with the help of PowerPoints, farmers will complete a pros and cons smiley face (or color dot system) ‘Activity Board’, and do some farmers’ market role play activity to explore these topics. In module 6, farmers will have a chance to build their direct marketing skill. 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 a lesson for identifying a new farmer’s English skills, particularly related to farming and selling produce. This lesson includes a series of activities to test English comprehension and speaking as well as an activity to let farmers identify the farming topics where they need more English language skills.

Global Growers developed a series of resources related to providing technical assistance to farmers with previous experience in commercial agriculture. Our technical assistance process begins with the Wholesale Readiness Assessment Tool. After the tool is implemented, theservice provider creates an individualized education plan (IEP) together with the farmer to map learning objectives. As we began to identify individual farmers’ learning goals, we started to create one-pager information sheets on market-readiness themes. The goal of the process and approach is to be learner-centered, rather than content-driven. While content is available, it is shared based on readiness and willingness of the learner to engage based on individual objectives identified.

This is a tangible structure tool to teach farmers in a one-on-one setting to manage established wholesale accounts. You will spend ~30 minutes introducing the farmer to the steps in selling to wholesale accounts, introducing them to the resource, how it is laid out, and how to use it. The rest of your time is supporting the farmer in hands-on practice with the resource until they have reached competency.

Preparing a good farmers market stand is difficult and there are a lot of tips and tricks that New American farmers need to learn. This training gives them that, while focusing on the skills that they may not have yet to make them good salespeople. The users guide is a guide to the PowerPoint and to the activities that are used in a two to three-hour classroom session with students. This teaching resource was developed by Cultivating Community in Portland, ME 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.

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 tool is designed for beginning farmers who want to learn vegetables names in English. This lesson includes activities for farmers to identify vegetables by reading, writing, listening, and seeing photos.

This tool can be used in any setting where marketing is taught and where farmers would benefit from learning which vegetables are most familiar to most American-born customers. This tool can be incorporated into an existing lesson on marketing, used while CSA shares are being packed, while farmers are in production planning, or at market stands.