Farmer Resource Library

New Entry's farmer library has hundreds of resources on sustainable farming, marketing, and operating a successful small business. Our physical library at our office in Beverly, MA contains books, CD's, DVD's periodicals, pamphlets, and videos in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Khmer. You can also search the directory below for downloadable digital resources, helpful web sites, and online farming videos.

Please visit or email us at nesfp@tufts.edu if you can't find what you're looking for here. Sometimes we are out in the field, so it's best to let us know if you're planning on stopping by.

On-Farm Food Safety Checklist

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  • Digital Download

Use this on-farm self assessment to determine how to improve your farm's food safety protocols.  

On-Farm Poultry Processing: Preparation and Sanitation

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  • Video

On-Farm Poultry Processing Series (Part 1 of 3). Created for small poultry producers interested in processing their own birds using a mobile or stationary on-farm processing facility. This segment focuses on the preparation, sanitation, and supplies needed for food-safe processing. Created by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, with support from USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

For additional poultry processing resources and guides, visit:
nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/training/poultryresources.html

For poultry processing training opportunities in Massachusetts, visit: nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/training/mobilepoultrytraining.html

Operations Manual

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  • Digital Download

PDF operations manual for farmers involved in the Prairie Farms program.  Includes topics such as farmer responsibilities, land and equipment usage, resources, code of conduct, schedules and billing information.  Very specific to Prairie Farms but ouline can be helpful to other incubator projects.  All Regions. English Level: advanced. Farming Level: all. Literacy Level: advanced. Key Words: organizational resource, administration.

Organic Farming Course 2011 - MOFGA

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  • Digital Download

PDF Outline of two-day short course in organic farming, used to guide farmer trainers.  Includes schedule of course and lecture topics. All regions. English level: Intermediate. Knowledge Level: Beginner. Literacy Level: Moderate

Outreach for New Farmer Programs

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  • Digital Download

An overview of New Entry's work on outreach for new farmer programs. Identifies targeted mechanisms for outreach to recruit participants for specific programs. This document outlines staffing, resources, activities, and strategies.

Participatory Benchmarking Tool

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  • Digital Download

This guide shows trainers and staff how to use the benchmarking/competency tool with participants to assess skills, knowledge, and performance through self- and staff-administered assessments. You may use the provided materials and tools, or you may develop your own criteria/competencies as needed for your program. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville, VA in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). Refugee farmer training programs across the country provided feedback on this lesson, which is now integrated throughout the guide.

Pathfinder and CSA Farm Shares

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  • Digital Download

Article on the partnership between the World PEAS cooperative and Bridgewell, which provides services to individuals with disabilities and special needs. Bridgewell purchased 14 shares of produce from World PEAS in 2011.

Pennsylvania: Basics in Farm Employment Law

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  • Digital Download

Farmers benefit from building knowledge about often nuanced and complex farm labor legal obligations. Farmers need to know more about their employment law obligations before they can set priorities, decide on action steps and begin to take action.  This fact sheet covers basic farm employment law in Pennsylvania:  minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest breaks, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance.

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