From NC Cooperative Extension, agricultural agent Debbie Roos provides practical guidance for selling directly to restaurants. It covers niche crop and variety selection prioritizing flavor, proper post-harvest handling, quality expectations, off-season opportunities, communication timing and frequency, professional service standards, and pricing strategy — emphasizing that small growers must differentiate through quality, consistency, and strong buyer relationships.

Join Mark Schonbeck for Part 9 of the “Soil Health and Organic Farming” webinar series by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and eOrganic. Learn about the functions of the soil food web and key components in promoting soil health and fertility and sustainable organic crop production.

From USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, this resource page compiles guides and programs supporting farmer cooperatives. It links to publications covering cooperative basics, member roles, startup processes, feasibility studies, and federal statutes. It also highlights USDA programs available to cooperative businesses and their members.

Join Mark Schonbeck and Diana Jerkins for Part 2 of the “Soil Health and Organic Farming” webinar series by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and eOrganic. Learn about ecological approaches to weed management in organic production systems.

This SARE publication provides guidance to farmers considering expanding their operations and branching out into wholesale markets. Topics include business planning, working with wholesale buyers, and areas of production that range from increasing yield and produce quality, to harvest and postharvest handling, food safety and more.

Join Mark Schonbeck and Diana Jerkins for Part 3 of the “Soil Health and Organic Farming” webinar series by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and eOrganic. Learn about the impacts of tillage on soil health, including practical, soil-friendly tillage practices for organic systems.

From the University of Wisconsin, this factsheet introduces cooperative food enterprises as vehicles for supporting small-scale producers and expanding local food access. It describes three cooperative types — producer, consumer, and multi-stakeholder — with Wisconsin case study examples, outlines basic startup steps, and points to cooperative development resources through UW Extension and regional organizations.

Join Mark Schonbeck and Diana Jerkins for Part 1 of the “Soil Health and Organic Farming” webinar series by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and eOrganic. Learn about the attributes of healthy soil, the role of organic matter, and how to monitor and enhance soil health in organic production.

This USDA report examines food hubs as intermediaries connecting local farmers to wholesale, retail, and institutional markets. It covers food hub definitions, business structures (nonprofit, cooperative, for-profit, and virtual), key functions like aggregation and distribution, constraints such as capitalization and liability, the regulatory environment, funding sources, and a roadmap for successful food hub development.

Join Mark Lipson at UC Santa Cruz and Mark Schonbeck from the Organic Farming Research Foundation for a discussion on how changes to federal crop insurance programs in the 2018 Farm Bill may impact organic and transitioning farmers.

This USDA factsheet outlines federal requirements for certified organic livestock production. It covers animal welfare standards, prohibited substances, feed requirements, and disease prevention and treatment protocols. It also details ruminant pasture standards — including a minimum 120-day grazing season and 30 percent dry matter from pasture — and highlights environmental and animal health benefits of organic management.

Under NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Organic Transition Initiative 823 is meant to help producers transitioning to organic operations by cost-sharing and providing technical support. Hear directly from ag professionals and farmers about their experiences with 823 and their ideas regarding how to best utilize this valuable conservation planning tool.