As part of Wholesale Success, FamilyFarmed.org is providing free one-on-one technical assistance to assist growers with market development and the implementation of risk management strategies.
Questions about the Wholesale Success Workshop, the Wholesale Success Manual, the On-Farm Food Safety Online Tool, or connecting with wholesale buyers in attendance at the workshop can be directed to James Pirovano at James@FamilyFarmed.org, or 708.763.9920.
Please visit these links for more information:
Wholesale Success program: www.wholesalesuccess.org
On-Farm Food Safety Program: www.onfarmfoodsafety.org
USDA Resources Available to Growers
Regarding Crop Insurance and Risk Management
The role of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is to help producers manage their business risks through effective, market-based risk management solutions. RMA’s mission is to promote, support, and regulate sound risk management solutions to preserve and strengthen the economic stability of America’s agricultural producers. As part of this mission, RMA operates and manages the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). RMA was created in 1996; the FCIC was founded in 1938.
USDA through RMA and the County Farm Service Agency Offices provide growers the opportunity of protection for almost all crops and some livestock production.
- Crop Insurance Protection – is available for:
– Individual Crop Policies – available for many crops
– Producers with 3 years of production history may import policies from other counties for crop protection not generally available in their county
– Whole farm gross revenue protection
- Non-insured crop assistance protection is available for almost all non-insurable crops & other benefit programs may also be available from FSA (http://fsa.usda.gov)
- With these programs, growers can be assured of a pay day (production sales &/or USDA protection benefits)
Some of the most popular information requests follow:
Farm level details and enrollment information on specific crop ins. programs are available from crop insurance agents (www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.htm).
ATTRA Resources:
Food Safety Resources:
- Write a Food Safety Plan On-line Question Tree | On-Farm Food Safety Project
- GAP Educational Materials | Cornell University
- NCMarketReady | NC State University
- Write a Food Safety Plan Template and Record Keeping Logs || Michele Schermann, U of MN
- How to Build a Handwashing Station in 10 Easy Steps For Under $20 || Michele Schermann, U of MN
Post Harvest Handling Resources:
- Wholesale Success: A Farmer’s Guide to Selling, Post Harvest Handling, and Packing Produce. | FamilyFarmed.org
- Small-Scale Post-Harvest Handling Practices: A Manual for Horticultural Crops | UC Davis
- Post Harvest Facts for Vegetables | UC Davis
- Links to a Comprehensive Collection of Post Harvest Handling Resources | UC Davis
- Cool and Ship: Low-Cost, Portable Forced-Air Cooler | NC Extension Service
- Pack and Cool: Portable Cooling | NC Extension Service
- Properties and Recommended Conditions for the Long Term Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, by Dr. Marita Cantwell.
- Production Guide For Storage Of Organic Fruits and Vegetables | Cornell University
- Post-Harvest Handling Decision Tool | Leopold Center
- Quality / Standards and Regulations | Purdue University
- Illustrated Guides to Grading Vegetables | Purdue University
Marketing Resources:
- Organic Price Report | Rodale Institute
- Cost Of Production | Enterprise Budgeting Tools | Iowa State
Worker Resources:
- Worker Training Video || Fruits, Vegetables, and Food Safety: Health and Hygiene on the Farm, (English, Spanish, Hmong, Creole) || Cornell University
Thanks to Atina Diffley, our Wholesale Success Trainer, for compiling this great list of resources.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
