Small Acreage Farming Publications & Resources
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Affinity Farm: Strategies for Success on a Small-Acreage Farm > Video
At Affinity Farm, a small 5-acre farm within the city limits of Moscow, Idaho, Russell Poe and Kelly Kingsland grow some 40 varieties of vegetables. They are among the first each season with produce t . . . . . more details
At Affinity Farm, a small 5-acre farm within the city limits of Moscow, Idaho, Russell Poe and Kelly Kingsland grow some 40 varieties of vegetables. They are among the first each season with produce t . . . . . more details
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Buying Locally Raised Meat for Custom Processing > HTML
Most people who buy meat from a local producer purchase a live animal (or a portion of one) and have it butchered by a "custom-exempt" processing plant. This publication explains how the process works . . . . . more details
Most people who buy meat from a local producer purchase a live animal (or a portion of one) and have it butchered by a "custom-exempt" processing plant. This publication explains how the process works . . . . . more details
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Commercial Red Raspberry Production > PDF
A comprehensive guide to commercial red raspberry production in the Pacific Northwest. Includes chapters on cultivar selection, plantation establishment, plantation maintenance, plant nutrition manage . . . . . more details
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A comprehensive guide to commercial red raspberry production in the Pacific Northwest. Includes chapters on cultivar selection, plantation establishment, plantation maintenance, plant nutrition manage . . . . . more details
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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Idaho: Seasonal Eating Week by Week > PDF
How to find Idaho food producers who share their crops with subscribers via a program known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is focus of this publication. Some 60 food producers in Idaho offer . . . . . more details
How to find Idaho food producers who share their crops with subscribers via a program known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is focus of this publication. Some 60 food producers in Idaho offer . . . . . more details
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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): A Marketing Strategy for Small Acreage Producers in Idaho > PDF
For some small-acreage producers, a CSA program is a valuable marketing strategy that contributes to whole farm sustainability. This 7-page publication helps growers think through whether CSA is right . . . . . more details
For some small-acreage producers, a CSA program is a valuable marketing strategy that contributes to whole farm sustainability. This 7-page publication helps growers think through whether CSA is right . . . . . more details
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Creating Farmer Networks: A Toolkit for Promoting Vibrant Farm Communities > PDF
A toolkit for farmers, extension agents, community organizers, and other agricultural professionals interested in starting and maintaining a successful farmer network. The publication is divided into . . . . . more details
A toolkit for farmers, extension agents, community organizers, and other agricultural professionals interested in starting and maintaining a successful farmer network. The publication is divided into . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: An Overview and Introduction > PDF
This revision summarizes benefits, drawbacks, and requirements of several direct marketing options, including farmers markets, farm or roadside stands, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), U-pick, w . . . . . more details
This revision summarizes benefits, drawbacks, and requirements of several direct marketing options, including farmers markets, farm or roadside stands, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), U-pick, w . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: Costs and Enterprise Selection > PDF
This revision covers how to do a general budget analysis for your farm-direct enterprise. Includes how to identify fixed and variable costs and do a breakeven analysis. Author: Larry Lev . . . . .
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This revision covers how to do a general budget analysis for your farm-direct enterprise. Includes how to identify fixed and variable costs and do a breakeven analysis. Author: Larry Lev
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Farm-direct Marketing: Financial Management > PDF
This revision looks at several aspects of a successful farm-direct enterprise, including benefits of good farm financial planning, explanation of important terms used in financial planning, keys to su . . . . . more details
This revision looks at several aspects of a successful farm-direct enterprise, including benefits of good farm financial planning, explanation of important terms used in financial planning, keys to su . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: Food Safety and Product Quality > PDF
This is the new, eighth publication in the Farm-direct Marketing set. Includes information on aspects of keeping your products fresh and safe, such as proper cooling, handling, and storage, chilling a . . . . . more details
This is the new, eighth publication in the Farm-direct Marketing set. Includes information on aspects of keeping your products fresh and safe, such as proper cooling, handling, and storage, chilling a . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: Legal Guide to Farm-direct Marketing > PDF
This is the new, seventh publication in the "Farm-direct Marketing" series. Covers the risks and regulations associated with a farm-direct small business, including choosing and registering a limited . . . . . more details
This is the new, seventh publication in the "Farm-direct Marketing" series. Covers the risks and regulations associated with a farm-direct small business, including choosing and registering a limited . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: Location and Facilities for On-farm Sales > PDF
This revision discusses aspects of good location and facilities for a farm-direct marketing business, including location, site selection, parking, and types of facilities (such as a roadside stand or . . . . . more details
This revision discusses aspects of good location and facilities for a farm-direct marketing business, including location, site selection, parking, and types of facilities (such as a roadside stand or . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: Merchandising and Pricing Strategies > PDF
This revision discusses the strategies direct marketers use to make sales. It includes making a merchandising plan, display and packaging, customer service, pricing strategies and techniques, and prom . . . . . more details
This revision discusses the strategies direct marketers use to make sales. It includes making a merchandising plan, display and packaging, customer service, pricing strategies and techniques, and prom . . . . . more details
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Farm-direct Marketing: Personnel Management > PDF
This revision includes information on complying with labor laws, ways to find good employees, employee orientation and training, employee policies, and employee management. Author: Christy . . . . . more details
This revision includes information on complying with labor laws, ways to find good employees, employee orientation and training, employee policies, and employee management. Author: Christy . . . . . more details
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Growing Apples for Local Markets in Cold Climates > PDF
Offers the basics for getting started in a small scale commercial apple orchard, including sections on rootstocks, apple varieties, training and pruning, winter protection, fertility and groundcover . . . . . more details
Offers the basics for getting started in a small scale commercial apple orchard, including sections on rootstocks, apple varieties, training and pruning, winter protection, fertility and groundcover . . . . . more details
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Growing Blueberries in the Inland Northwest & Intermountain West > PDF
Highbush and lowbush blueberries are native to North America and can be harvested 2 to 3 years after planting. This publication covers selecting a growing site, recommended cultivars, preparing the si . . . . . more details
Highbush and lowbush blueberries are native to North America and can be harvested 2 to 3 years after planting. This publication covers selecting a growing site, recommended cultivars, preparing the si . . . . . more details
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Growing Mushrooms Commercially-Risks and Opportunities > HTML
Learn the basics of what you need to do to grow and sell mushrooms (especially specialty varieties, which are any mushroom species that doesn’t belong to the genus Agaricus). You’ll need to consider w . . . . . more details
Learn the basics of what you need to do to grow and sell mushrooms (especially specialty varieties, which are any mushroom species that doesn’t belong to the genus Agaricus). You’ll need to consider w . . . . . more details
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Growing Raspberries and Blackberries in the Inland Northwest & Intermountain West > PDF
Raspberries and blackberries have similar growing requirements and offer a market advantage to commercial growers, providing local customers with high-quality fruit. This publication covers, selectin . . . . . more details
Raspberries and blackberries have similar growing requirements and offer a market advantage to commercial growers, providing local customers with high-quality fruit. This publication covers, selectin . . . . . more details
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Growing Saskatoons in the Inland Northwest and Intermountain West > HTML
Saskatoons are shrubs that bear blueberry-like edible fruit. Popular in Canada, this superfood, a powerful antioxidant, is gaining the interest of US growers, who know it by other names like juneberry . . . . . more details
Saskatoons are shrubs that bear blueberry-like edible fruit. Popular in Canada, this superfood, a powerful antioxidant, is gaining the interest of US growers, who know it by other names like juneberry . . . . . more details
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Growing Strawberries in the Inland Northwest & Intermountain West > PDF
This publication covers selecting a growing site, recommended cultivars, preparing the site, planting, training, irrigation, fertilization, weed control, winter protection, pest and disease control, . . . . . more details
This publication covers selecting a growing site, recommended cultivars, preparing the site, planting, training, irrigation, fertilization, weed control, winter protection, pest and disease control, . . . . . more details
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Growing Wasabi in the Pacific Northwest > PDF
Describes wasabi cultivar selection, propagation methods, growing environments, irrigation and fertilizer needs, planting requirements, weed control, harvest considerations, storage, and insect and di . . . . . more details
Describes wasabi cultivar selection, propagation methods, growing environments, irrigation and fertilizer needs, planting requirements, weed control, harvest considerations, storage, and insect and di . . . . . more details
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Growing Western Huckleberries > HTML
From a leading huckleberry expert comes the information you need to start your own attempts at growing huckleberries at home or for market. This publication covers plant and growing site selection, st . . . . . more details
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From a leading huckleberry expert comes the information you need to start your own attempts at growing huckleberries at home or for market. This publication covers plant and growing site selection, st . . . . . more details
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Meadowlark Farm: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm > Video
Located on 9 acres near Nampa, Idaho, Janie Burns' meadowlark Farm is home to 70 sheep, 50 chickens, and 30 turkeys (all fed free range). Burns also grows a variety of vegetables on ¼ acre. She . . . . . more details
Located on 9 acres near Nampa, Idaho, Janie Burns' meadowlark Farm is home to 70 sheep, 50 chickens, and 30 turkeys (all fed free range). Burns also grows a variety of vegetables on ¼ acre. She . . . . . more details
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Nothing but Herbs: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm > Video
Barbara Arnold owns Nothing but Herbs, a 4 ½ - acre farm in the Idaho Panhandle. She shares her expertise on growing and marketing more than 230 varieties of herbs in this video presentation pr . . . . . more details
Barbara Arnold owns Nothing but Herbs, a 4 ½ - acre farm in the Idaho Panhandle. She shares her expertise on growing and marketing more than 230 varieties of herbs in this video presentation pr . . . . . more details
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Pasture Principles for Smaller Acreages > HTML
Ranchettes and small farms are cropping up in rural landscapes across Idaho, spurring demand for information on pasture management. This updated publication addresses the most common concerns (scripti . . . . . more details
Ranchettes and small farms are cropping up in rural landscapes across Idaho, spurring demand for information on pasture management. This updated publication addresses the most common concerns (scripti . . . . . more details
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Procedures for Planting Dryland Grasses for Small Acreage Landowners in Southeastern Idaho > PDF
Current and future small-acreage owners in southeastern Idaho can use this 9-page publication to help establish and maintain small acreage pastures with reduced irrigation water. With properly estab . . . . . more details
Current and future small-acreage owners in southeastern Idaho can use this 9-page publication to help establish and maintain small acreage pastures with reduced irrigation water. With properly estab . . . . . more details
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Raising Ratites: Ostriches, Emu, and Rheas > PDF
Ratites are mostly large, flightless birds that exist in the wild in Australia, Africa, or South America. But US growers have been raising them as alternative and likely healthier meat sources for dec . . . . . more details
Ratites are mostly large, flightless birds that exist in the wild in Australia, Africa, or South America. But US growers have been raising them as alternative and likely healthier meat sources for dec . . . . . more details
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Riley Creek Blueberry Farm: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm > Video
What does it take to become a small-farm blueberry producer? Stan Urmann, owner of Riley Creek Blueberry Farm, a five-acre farm in the Idaho panhandle, shares his experiences in this 45-minute YouTube . . . . . more details
What does it take to become a small-farm blueberry producer? Stan Urmann, owner of Riley Creek Blueberry Farm, a five-acre farm in the Idaho panhandle, shares his experiences in this 45-minute YouTube . . . . . more details
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Risk Assessment and Decision-Making Guidelines for Dairy Risk Management: Part 1 > PDF
Dairy farmers, particularly those who run small- and middle-sized enterprises, face significant economic challenges. Financial guidance is more critical than ever. This three-part series addresses thi . . . . . more details
Dairy farmers, particularly those who run small- and middle-sized enterprises, face significant economic challenges. Financial guidance is more critical than ever. This three-part series addresses thi . . . . . more details
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Risk Assessment and Decision-Making Guidelines for Dairy Risk Management: Part 3 > PDF
Dairy farmers, particularly those who run small- and middle-sized enterprises, face significant economic challenges. Financial guidance is more critical than ever. This three-part series offers tools . . . . . more details
Dairy farmers, particularly those who run small- and middle-sized enterprises, face significant economic challenges. Financial guidance is more critical than ever. This three-part series offers tools . . . . . more details
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Risk Assessment and Decision-Making Guidelines for Dairy Risk Management: Part 2 > PDF
Dairy farmers, particularly those who run small- and middle-sized enterprises, face significant economic challenges. Financial guidance is more critical than ever. This three-part series offers tools . . . . . more details
Dairy farmers, particularly those who run small- and middle-sized enterprises, face significant economic challenges. Financial guidance is more critical than ever. This three-part series offers tools . . . . . more details
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Soil Fertility in Organic Systems: A Guide for Gardeners and Small Acreage Farmers > PDF
Managing soil fertility is challenging because it requires considerable focus—you must consistently pay attention to the source, timing, rate, and placement of nutrient applications. This publication . . . . . more details
Managing soil fertility is challenging because it requires considerable focus—you must consistently pay attention to the source, timing, rate, and placement of nutrient applications. This publication . . . . . more details
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Specialty Potato Production and Marketing in Southern Idaho > PDF
US customers are increasingly willing to pay higher prices for gourmet or specialty potatoes that come in a variety of colors and sizes. According to marketing surveys, eight specialty cultivars—Carib . . . . . more details
US customers are increasingly willing to pay higher prices for gourmet or specialty potatoes that come in a variety of colors and sizes. According to marketing surveys, eight specialty cultivars—Carib . . . . . more details
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Strawberry Production: Overview > PDF
Strawberries are adapted to many growing regions in Idaho but are a labor-intensive, long-term commitment. This publication provides an overview of the factors involved in growing the popular berry, i . . . . . more details
Strawberries are adapted to many growing regions in Idaho but are a labor-intensive, long-term commitment. This publication provides an overview of the factors involved in growing the popular berry, i . . . . . more details
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Sustainable Small Acreage Farming in Idaho: Finding and Evaluating Land > HTML
Small acreage farming allows people to produce their own food and to develop various farm-based business enterprises. Establishing a small farm requires time and attention to many details. Evaluating . . . . . more details
Small acreage farming allows people to produce their own food and to develop various farm-based business enterprises. Establishing a small farm requires time and attention to many details. Evaluating . . . . . more details
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Understanding Budgets and the Budgeting Process > PDF
Budgeting is crucial to a business’ success. This publication helps you navigate this often intimidating task by discussing the four budget types most commonly used by agricultural producers (whole fa . . . . . more details
Budgeting is crucial to a business’ success. This publication helps you navigate this often intimidating task by discussing the four budget types most commonly used by agricultural producers (whole fa . . . . . more details
Resources
- Cultivating Success
- eXtension: Organic Agriculture
- Food Technology Center
- Idaho AgBiz - Crop Enterprise Budgets
- Small Farms
Local Information
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- Ada County 208-287-5900
- Blaine County 208-788-5585
- Canyon County 208-459-6003
- Fremont County 208-624-3102
- Lemhi County 208-756-2815
- Lewis County 208-937-2311
- Northern District Office 208-292-2522
- Payette County 208-642-6022
- Plant Sciences 208-885-2122