It’s EQIP Season!
EQIP is one of the best programs out there for small farmers – if you’d like to do something the US government considers a conservation practice, chances are you can get reimbursed for some or even most of the expense. The catch? Well, it moves at the speed of government. I’m typing this from […]
It’s Alive! Tests to Help Understand the Biology in Your Soil
Do you know what’s under your feet? If you’re reading this outside, the answer is no – because it’s estimated that upwards of 90% of the organisms residing in the soil are unknown to science. Healthy soil is a microscopic Times Square of bustling activity and nutrient cycling. While we have next to no understanding […]
What You Need to Do to Be Eligible for NRCS Programs
Did you know that there are roughly $30 billion available for NRCS programs? The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is an agency dedicated to preserving our nation’s natural resources and working lands. If your farm goals align with the practices the agency wants to promote, you have the opportunity to receive technical assistance or funding […]
The Small Farmer Viability Curve
Small farming can be a meat grinder. Yes, it’s an amazing job – there’s nothing more satisfying than growing the literal sustenance that people in your community depend on. But it’s brutal. The work wears on your body, the hours wear on your energy and the lack of a safety net wears on your nerves. […]
Building a Regenerative Farm – Paying Your People
In a previous post, we talked about having volunteers on the farm. But what about paid workers? How much should they earn? This is a tricky question. Of course, a farm is a business, so if we can reduce our expenses as much as possible, we can increase our profits, and either invest them back […]
Volunteers and “Free Labor”
Volunteers on your farm could either be the best thing that happens to you, or the worst. Like most things in life, the difference between the two is– “it depends.” There are a lot of factors that determine the outcome of the experience, but before we get into all of them, let’s discuss some of […]
Value-Added Producer Grants
What they are, who’s eligible and how to apply So, you want to apply for a Value-Add Producer Grant? I haven’t met a small farmer who isn’t interested in the Value-Add Producer Grant (VAPG). Who wouldn’t? Free money from the government to turn your raw products into something people will pay more money for? Sign […]