Resources

ATTRA  National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service– is a program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).  They are committed to providing high value information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.

FarmMatch is a brand new tool designed to revolutionize how people choose their food! FarmMatch connects consumers worldwide with local farmers, buying clubs, farmers markets, and restaurants that offer fresh, sustainable, organic foods. the goal is to facilitate an explosive growth in direct farmer-to-consumer transactions thus transforming our landscape and health.

Future Harvest-Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture– (Future Harvest CASA) is a network of farmers, agricultural professionals, landowners and consumers living and working in the Chesapeake region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington DC. Future Harvest CASA promotes profitable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable food and farming systems that work to sustain communities.

GrowFood.org– The mission of GrowFood.org is to train a new generation of sustainable farmers and to reconnect people with farms. GrowFood.org connects farmers interested in teaching with people interested in farming. People use the website to find a wide range of opportunities on farms. Their network of thousands of farms in the USA and abroad encompasses season-long internships, paid work, short-term volunteer arrangements, educational programs and much more.

Maryland’s Best Agriculture– linking Maryland farmers with consumers. Join a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm and support local farmers while receiving healthful, fresh produce all summer/fall long.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Organic Certification– Details the process of getting certified in Maryland.

Maryland FarmLINK– helps Maryland farmers sell or buy farmland, mentor novice farmers and find important farming news and information. By providing valuable workshops & more for new and established farmers, Maryland FarmLINK can help to keep the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy strong and vibrant.

National Organic Program, USDA-The NOP is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. We are responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. Our regulations do not address food safety or nutrition.

New Farm-is the farm site for the Rodale Institute and the e-version of their fine magazine. Lots of good stories, informative articles, an organic price index, “nuts and bolts” information from the people who started publishing “Organic Farming and Gardening” a generation ago.

Organic Trade Association– The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment.

Maryland Pesticide Network Farmer Information Kit-This kit addresses the concerns of farmers in the Chesapeake Bay region with at-a-glance, constructive information on a number of important issues related to the use of pesticides, especially Best Management Practices (BMPs) and conservation planning to reduce pesticide impact on health and the environment.

Certified Naturally Grown– a non-profit alternative eco-labelling program for small farms that grow using USDA Organic methods but are NOT a part of the USDA Certified Organic program.

Permaculture Activist– Permaculture provides a new design language for observation and action that empowers people to co-design homes, neighborhoods, and communities full of truly abundant food, energy, habitat, water, income, and yields enough to share.

The Rachel Carson Council– promotes alternative, environmentally benign pest management strategies to encourage healthier, sustainable living.

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group-Lots of good photos and articles on actual farms and how that farmer farms, many of whom are organic.

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)-offers grants and educational programs for farmers and ranchers.

WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)– WWOOF farms offer a variety of educational opportunities, including growing vegetables, keeping bees, building straw bale houses, working with animals, making wine, and more.