Last Updated January 24, 2005
Small Farm Program (USDA/CSREES)
Meeting the needs of the small farm community
The goal of the CSREES program for small farms is to improve the income levels and economic viability of small farm enterprises in partnership with the land-grant university system and public and private sectors, by encouraging research, extension, and education programs that meet the needs of small farmers and ranchers.
Small farm programs are conducted to help small farm families better use community services, improve financial management, develop markets, assist in estate planning, emphasize on-farm research and demonstration, and prepare family members for employment opportunities.
Information Available
Small Farm Toll-free Number: 1-800-583-3071 — This toll-free number has been established by the USDA-CSREES to give small farmers much easier access and quicker response time to their questions or information inquiries on small farm issues. There is no cost involved with calling this hotline.
Electronic Mail Access: smallfarm@reeusda.gov — The Small Farm mailing group was established in 1995 under USDA-CSREES-Plant and Animal Systems. This medium is used to exchange small-farm-related information, to request ideas, share success stories, and provide notice of events, publications, and much more. Anyone with interests in small farms is welcome to subscribe. To subscribe to the small farm-mailing group, send a message to asimon@csrees.usda.gov. In the body, type subscribe small farm.
Newsletter — The Small Scale Agriculture Today newsletter has been merged with the Small and Part Time Farms' newsletter, to an entirely new stand-alone newsletter that will serve the readership needs of the land grant universities and public and private sectors, including the small farm communities nationwide. Call toll free: (800) 583-3071 to subscribe to the Small Farm Digest or write to: Small Farm Digest, Stop 2215, USDA-CSREES, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20250.
Publications — These publications on "Getting Started in Farming" can be obtained upon request:
- Getting Started in Farming
- Mostly On Your Own
- Part-Time or Small Farms
- So You Have Inherited A Farm
- Via The Home Farm
- Small is Bountiful
- Getting Started in Farming On A Small-Scale (USDA Publication)
- Overview of Small Farm Programs at the Land Grant Colleges and Universities
- Directory of State Extension Small Farm Contacts
- Small Farm Digest, a quarterly publication
- Proceedings of the National Small Farm Conference (1996)
- Getting Help for Your Small Farm from USDA
- Brochure on Small Farm Program
Fact sheets — Fact sheets have been developed on such topics as:
| aquaculture | asparagus | |
| beekeeping | blueberries | |
| brambles | American ginseng | |
| specialty corn | angora goats | |
| cashmere goats | dairy and meat goats | |
| specialty flowers | foliage plants | |
| earthworm production | exotic fruits | |
| herbs | exotic livestock | |
| mushrooms | shiitake mushrooms | |
| specialty mushrooms | northern nuts | |
| organic farming | peppers | |
| specialty potatoes | poultry | |
| pumpkins | sheep | |
| strawberries | specialty vegetables | |
| wildflowers | wood lots |
Small Farm Resource Guide – is a state-by-state guide to institutions, programs, and other resources useful to small farmers and those who serve them.
To obtain any of the listed items, write to the Small Farm Program, Stop 2215, USDA-CSREES, 800 9th Street SW, Washington DC 20024, or call (800) 583-3071.
Contact
Denis Ebodaghe
National Program Leader—Small Farms
USDA-CSREES, Stop 2220
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20250-2220
Phone: (202) 401-4385; Fax: (202) 401-5179
Email: debodaghe@csrees.usda.gov
Internet
www.csrees.usda.gov/smallfarms.html
The Small Farm Digest newsletter is available for viewing or downloading on this site. Other available items are the Proceedings of the First National Small Farm Conference, Overview of Small Farm Programs at the Land Grant Colleges and Universities, the CSREES and Land Grant System's National Plan for Small Farms, the Small Farm Resource Guide, a national listing of farmers' markets, and links to other useful sites.
