Tammy Howard
Agriculture Specialist
Rocky Mountain West Regional Office
Topic Areas: Business Planning and Marketing, Organic Crops, Horticulture, Food Equity, Local Foods, Pest Management
Specific Areas of Expertise: Specialty crop farm management, business planning, goal setting, farmers market management, farmers market and farm business SNAP authorization, SNAP
Tammy Howard has over 20 years of experience with market gardening and assisting small and specialty crop farmers. At the National Center for Appropriate Technology, she works with beginning farmers and veteran farmers to assist them with their business planning practices. She also manages the Montana Farmers Market Network and helps market managers and farmers with becoming authorized to accept SNAP. She manages a small flower farm and homestead in Belgrade, Montana.
Education:
Master of Arts in Food Systems, Antioch University
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Science and Entomology, Colorado State University
Previous Experience:
Owner, 2011 to present
Nana Louie Farm, Belgrade, MT
Own and operate a small flower farm with subscription service.
Farm Manager/ Instructor, January 2004 – August 2005
Prescott College, Prescott, AZ
Managed 30 acre property of Wolfberry Farm with approximately 150 fruit trees, 2 acres in research plots, 5 acres of vegetable gardens, and fledgling shelter belt. Taught three Prescott College courses: Food Preservation/Seed Conservation; Plant Propagation; and Agroecology Field Methods.
Owner/Operator, February 2002 – December 2003
Tierra Farm, New Hope, NY
Operated a four-acre diversified vegetable farm. Carried out multiple duties of running a diversified farm, including business management, production, and marketing. Direct marketed at three farmers markets (including Ithaca Farmers Market) and to restaurants in the Finger Lakes region.
Extension Support Specialist (February 2000 – May 2002)
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Assisted in developing communication networks and programs with Extension, faculty, and farmers relating to sustainable agriculture and small farm activities at Cornell University. Organized and facilitated the Student Sustainable Agriculture Working Group activities and seminar series. Facilitated development of a collaborative web site with the Agriculture, Food, and Community Partnership. Participant on the New York State Small Farms Professional Development Team and the Small Farms Task Group.
Current Professional Affiliations and Committees:
Montana Farmers Market Network
Montana Double SNAP Dollars Steering Committee
Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger
Montana Farmer Veteran Coalition Chapter Organizing Committee
Featured Publications and Presentations:
Scaling Up Your Vegetable Farm for Regional Markets
Getting Started in Farming: An Introduction to Farm Business Planning
How to Accept SNAP Payments: A Guide for Montana CSA Farms