Office of Advocacy & Outreach
- USDA Local Offices
- Financial Resources
- Learning Resources
- Advisory Committees
- Statistics
- Family Services
- News, Events & Highlights
- Student Programs
- Appeals Information
- Settlements & Claims Processes
- Initiatives & Mandates
| Image | Link |
|---|---|
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Start2Farm |
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Rural Atlas |
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Receipt for Service |
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2008 Farm Bill |
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2007 Census of Agriculture |
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USDA Budget |
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Know Your Farmer Know Your Food |
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USDA Open Site |
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Food Desert Locator |
Learning Resources
The information provided below is to assist
you in finding agricultural information and learning tools that may be
of particular interest to farmers and ranchers. This is not an exhaustive list, and we
encourage you to notify us of any links that you think should be added
by e-mailing us at AdvocacyandOutreach@osec.usda.gov.
Training in Loans and Programs
Learn about and leverage the loans and programs available through Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural Development (RD).
Various Agricultural Resources
Summaries for each of the below listed learning resources is provided in the following section.
All Agriculture Related
Business Resources
- Start2Farm
- How to Accept - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets Guide
Forestry Resources
Marketing Resources
Meat Processing Resources
Sustainability Resources
- Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
- Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Learning Center
Resource Summaries
All Agriculture Related
eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America. eXtension connects knowledge consumers with knowledge providers - experts who know their subject matter inside out.
National Agricultural Library (NAL)
The National Agricultural Library is one of four national libraries of the United States, with locations in Beltsville, Maryland and Washington, D.C. It houses one of the world's largest and most accessible agricultural information collections and serves as the nexus for a national network of state land-grant and U.S. Department of Agriculture field libraries. In fiscal year 2005 (Oct 2004 through Sept 2005), NAL delivered more than 80 million direct customer service transactions.
Business Resources
How to Accept - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets Guide
Is a Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for new and beginning farmers. This clearinghouse database is available through Start2Farm.gov and features information and resources for training and assistance programs available throughout the country, including those produced through the NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The Start2Farm clearinghouse serves as a one-stop reference for anyone looking for programs and resources to start farming and to be successful in their first years as a farmer or rancher.
Start2Farm also organizes a national Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Conference. The conference provides an opportunity for farmers to meet and learn from experts and to network with other farmers from around the country. The first Beginning Farmer and Rancher Conference was held in Orlando, FL on February 6 and 7, 2011 in conjunction with the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher annual meeting. For information about the latest conference please go to our conference page.
Forestry Resources
US Forest Service (FS) - Tree Search
500-plus Forest Service researchers work in a range of biological, physical, and social science fields to promote sustainable management of the Nation's diverse forests and rangelands. Their research covers a lot of territory, with programs in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and commonwealths. The work has a steady focus on informing policy and land management decisions, whether it addresses invasive insects, degraded river ecosystems, or sustainable ways to harvest forest products.
Agroforestry intentionally combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable landuse systems. Agroforestry takes advantage of the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock. Learn more about Agroforestry using the various publications available on this site.
Marketing Resources
Agricultural Marketing Service - Publications and Presentations
Meat Processing Resources
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Small Plant Help Desk
Sustainability Resources
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
(AFSIC) specializes in identifying resources about sustainable food systems and practices in support of USDA's effort to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and farmers worldwide.
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Learning Center - Local Harvest - A Multifarm CSA Handbook