Researching a Potential Small Acreage Enterprise Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Cinda Williams, UI Extension 2005

What type of information do you need? Production information about your crop or livestock enterprise Marketing information about your product Income and expenses projections

Passive vs Active Information Gathering Not all of the information you need will be available without asking, phoning, visiting Secondary information Primary is developed by your experience

Sources of Information Books, publications (library, bookstore) Journal articles (library, bookstore, subscribe) Other farmers Universities (Extension) Agencies (NRCS, SBDC, FSA) Non-profit organizations, farmer networks Internet

Universities/Extension Service Idaho Small Farms WSU Small Farms Missouri Penn State UC Davis Texas A&M horticulture.tamu.edu/alternatives/alternativelinks.htmlhttp://aggie- horticulture.tamu.edu/alternatives/alternativelinks.html

Federal (USDA) sites - general ● CSREES ● SARE ● Small Farm ● Natural Resources Conservation Service ● National Ag Library

State Agency sites – Idaho Department of Ag Marketing Organic – Idaho Small Business Development Center – Idaho Natural Resources Conservation Service

Agencies - Prices and statistical data Economic Research Service National Ag Statistical Service Ag Marketing Service (AMS)

Farmer sites The New Farm Cedar Meadow Farm Greentree Naturals

Organizations Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Rural Roots North American Farm Direct Marketing Association The Food Alliance

Periodicals/Journal publications Growing for Market Small Farm Today

Summary Read Attend conferences Network