"Where grows?--where grows it not? If vain our toil, We ought to blame the culture, not the soil." -Alexander Pope

- How-To-Start - Websites

Resources for Women in Agriculture

Community Gardens

A community garden is an excellent option for communities whose constituents do not own their own land. The American Community Gardening Association's guide to starting a community garden is designed to give many different groups the basic information they need to get their gardening project off the ground. A step-by-step fact sheet, this outline offers a briefing in the fundamentals needed to head in the right direction. For an example of a successful community garden, visit the Idaho Falls Community Garden Website.

Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an alternative agriculture movement that originally began among Japanese women in the 1960s. CSA allows people who do not own their own land to purchase a share of a farmer's yield. Both farmer and consumer share the risks and benefits in a cooperative relationship.

The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association provides information on the organizational and budgetary guidelines for starting CSA.

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center has compiled a nationwide searchable database of the country's CSAs.

For further information on CSA, see our interview with MSU faculty member Dr. Laura DeLind.

Farmers' Markets

Farmers' markets are where farmers come together to sell their produce and goods to the general public. Farmers' markets benefit both the farmer and the consumer as they provide a place where farmers can sell without paying a vendor to sell for them. This keeps the price of the goods relatively low and allows farmers and consumers to interact face-to-face. Locate some of the United States' many seasonal and year-long farmers' markets by searching on the USDA's nationwide database of farmers' markets.

The Agricultural Marketing Service and the USDA have compiled a description of the procedures involved in establishing a farmers' market on federal property.

Grass-based Agriculture

Grass-based farmers allow their animals to graze on open pasture. Farmers develop various strategies to protect their animals from predators, while also allowing them to graze on fresh grass. Grassfarmer.com provides information on how to get into grass-based agriculture. Included in this site are virtual tours of grass-based operations, grazing strategies for raising pigs on pasture, internship opportunities in Pennsylvania for beginning farmers, and tips from grass-based agriculturalists.

Also, see our interview with Julie Slezak of Slezak Farms for a discussion of her farm located in Clarksville, Michigan.

Organic Farming

Environment Canada and Manitoba Agriculture have compiled information on how to make the transition toward organic farming.

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center has an extensive compilation of organic marketing and trade resources. Included is information on laws and regulations, marketing, and support.

The Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies at Michigan State University has compiled a listing of organic farms located in Michigan.

Please see our biosketch of Jane Bush of AppleSchram Orchards located in Charlotte, Michigan.

Small Farms

Small farms are an excellent alternative to large-scale corporate farming. Many small-scale farms invest in specialty goods such as herbs, organic produce, goat milk, etc. What information and funding resources are available to assist small farms? The Rural Information Center offers an extensive listing of the resources available for small farms, including traditional and alternative funding sources and programs, disaster assistance, and various publications.

Urban Agriculture

There are many different ways to become involved in agriculture if you do not own land. Urban gardening ranges from growing your own tomatoes and herbs in plant pots to establishing small gardens inside your home or on your block. Urban gardens provide communities with healthy food and garden scenery. It improves the condition of the air and soil in or outside of the house. It also connects individuals to the food that they eat. Detroit has many urban garden projects, including the Urban Edible Forest. Their locations can be found on Adamah's Website.

The American Community Gardening Association lists some basic tips for successful urban farming.

Did you know that you can compost in your kitchen without having a compost pile outside? Here is an interesting article from City Farmer on how to compost in your kitchen with worms.