“No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, no culture comparable to that of the garden.” -Thomas Jefferson

- How-To-Start - Websites

Resources for Women in Agriculture

Websites for Rural Women

The Building Better Rural Places guide contains 82 federal programs offering funding assistance and advice in agriculture, forestry, conservation, and rural community development. The publication is a product of US Department of Agriculture agencies working together for sustainable rural development in collaboration with The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) and The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

Rural Womyn Zone is an online resource devoted to connecting and networking rural women across the United States. Rural Womyn Zone has created several great resources devoted to creating awareness of the issues rural women face and the importance of their roles:

-Ruralwomyn List - an online community of rural women that allows rural and agricultural women to connect across geographical barriers in order to explore the concept of a "rural women" group

-Ruralwomyn Chat - a chat room for rural women to use as a bulletin board, and for informal and formal meetings and seminars

-Ruralconnect List - a list for women who work with programs serving battered women and rape victims in rural areas, for sharing, networking, and problem solving around rural sexual and domestic violence

-The Rural Womyn Zone also has an article on violence against rural women detailing the characteristics of violence committed against rural women and the social and structural constraints that perpetuate violence against women. This article points out several issues that remain largely ignored in rural America.

Extension and Risk Management

Michigan State University has Area of Expertise Teams that offer specific programs in agriculture. The AoE teams specialize in agricultural enterprises such as farm management, sheep, forestry, youth development, dairy, and more.

Michigan State University Extension's Emergency Management Web page contains information on animal and plant inspection services, pest alerts, and management services, and tips for how to be prepared for natural disasters. It also contains Spanish publications and a "Hot Topics" section that offers information about such issues as the West Nile Virus, Exotic Newcastle Disease, and the Emerald Ash Borer.

The North Central Risk Management Education Center focuses on empowering the individual's agricultural strengths and skills through the North Central region of the US. This site includes a clickable map for relevant agricultural issues according to state and has an online agricultural risk and specialty crop library and the FINBIN financial database.

Farming Organizations and Associations

American Farm Bureau: The American Farm Bureau's mission is to implement policies that are developed by members and provide programs that will improve the financial wellbeing and quality of life for farmers and ranchers. Included in the site is a complete listing of state-based farm bureaus. Michigan Farm Bureau offers state-based news on agriculture and agricultural economics.

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) is a union-based organization for agricultural migrant workers. FLOC has succeeded in obtaining various benefits, creating safer working conditions, and raising wages for American migrant workers. The FLOC Website contains discussion of immigrant rights in both English and Spanish.

News and Legislation

Michigan Ag Connection, a subsidiary of USAgnet.com, offers resources to the Michigan agricultural community, including legislative updates and news relevant to Michigan and the US.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture, in its dual role of regulator and marketer, provides Michigan citizens with quality services and information on agricultural products by working cooperatively with many state, federal, and local agencies and other organizations, including universities, colleges, and associations.

The Michigan Farm Radio Network has served as the voice of Michigan farm families for over 30 years. Janelle Brose, the station's director, is a graduate of Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a native of Michigan.

Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

The Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA) teaches and advocates that local organic food systems create the necessary connections between healthy people, communities, and the earth.

Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) "is a collaborative effort to create and support more sustainable food and agriculture systems for producers and consumers in Michigan."

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services (MOSES) assists people in making the transition to a more sustainable organic style of agriculture.

Organic Growers of Michigan is a USDA certified network of organic growers and farmers with the purpose of providing various resources for those already involved in or wanting to begin organic growing.

The Organic Consumers Association is a grassroots, non-profit public interest organization which deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, corporate accountability, and environmental sustainability.

Searchable Databases and Maps

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

The US Department of Agriculture has created a nationwide database of Farmers' Markets, searchable by state.