Q&A

DEAR NEW FARM:

I am hoping to eventually start a small organic farm producing eggs, goat cheese/milk and heirloom-style vegetables for the restaurant and natural whole-food industry locally. I was wondering if you could give me some direction on where I might get information as far as grants, loans and, most of all, USDA organic guidelines. I currently rent a house and keep only six hens, but I have always wanted to farm, and I have a family of five to help me too. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Travis Plank
Ohio

DEAR TRAVIS:

You can find all the guidelines to organic certification through the links on the homepage of our Organic Certifiers Database. After reviewing those along with the information we gave to Jennifer in an earlier question in this issue, begin working on an Organic System Plan, explore marketing options and talk to organic farmers in your region. Also be sure to check out New Farm Senior Editor Dan Sullivan’s article Money for nothing? There's no such thing for grant and loan resources that actually do exist, and let us know how things work out.

NF

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