Resources
There are many resources available in our region to help you build and grow your food business. Use the filters below to find resources specific to your location and business needs.
Farm to School Technical Assistance with Urban Farm AllianceUSDA is partnering with the Urban School Food Alliance to provide trainings and tools to school districts that will help them purchase high quality foods, while keeping costs low. In recent years schools have faced challenges in obtaining healthy foods consistently, efficiently and effectively. This initiative will support schools with school meals procurement, including the development of tools and training.
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Organic Certification Grant and Education OpportunitiesOCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.
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Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is a decentralized competitive grants and education program operating in every state and island protectorate. SARE is divided into four different regions that operate as separate entities and run grant programs for their states.
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USDA Programs and Support for Small and Mid-Sized FarmersSmall and midsize producers provide new opportunities for American agriculture across the country. This page provides small and midsize producers valuable resources and program information about access to capital, land management and conservation practices, managing risk, finding local markets, and other educational resources.
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Urban Agriculture and Innovative ProductionUSDA assists urban, small-scale, and innovative producers with growing, processing and selling. We provide technical and financial assistance for a variety of growing operations, including community farms and gardens, rooftop, indoor, and vertical farms, and hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities.
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Advanced Business Training - The Native American Agriculture FundThe Native American Agriculture Fund is a private, charitable trust serving Native farmers and ranchers through strategic grant making in the areas of business assistance, agricultural education, technical support and advocacy series.
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National Farm to School Network - Training Program for Agricultural ProducersThe Bringing the Farm to School project is an initiative aimed at preparing agricultural producers for farm to school markets.
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Food Purchasing Standards: Accepted Certifications and Label Claims by Value CategoryFood purchasing standards: Accepted certifications and label claims by value category is a document to support organizations in navigating the criteria, definitions, certifications and attributes, measures, and strategies to support and evaluate values-based procurement efforts.
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Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital ToolkitThe socially disadvantaged farmers & ranchers access to capital toolkit is designed to show practitioners how to unlock capital for the farms and the ranches most in need of investment.
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AgPlan - a Business Planning AppA business plan is your opportunity to tell the world about what your business is all about.
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USDA Local and Regional Food Systems Resource GuideLocal and Regional Foods are a small but vitally important part of agriculture sales in the United States (U.S.). According to the 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, the value of food sold through direct marketing practices, a marketing channel with only one or two steps between the producer and the consumer, was 9 billion dollars.
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