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Small Farm Business

A listing of resources for small farm management and marketing.

Calendar of Events

UMass Extension Calendar of Events

Year round workshops, hands-on training, networking opportunities in the Pioneer Valley and beyond.

Farmers Markets

Locate a Farmers Market in Massachusetts

Contact list for selling your products at a Farmers Market in MA

Permit information for selling at a Farmer Market in MA

Local Resources

CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture)
Works to strengthen the connections between farms and the community, by creating and running programs that link farmers, community members, and markets.
CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training)
Cooperative effort of local organic and biodynamic farms organized to enhance educational opportunities for farm apprentices in the Pioneer Valley/ Berkshires/ Hudson Valley.
Franklin County CDC
Provides an opportunity for business owners to
build their capacity to make sound decisions that will
launch or grow their businesses. Also home to The Western Mass Food Processing Center.
Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange
Co-op store owned by more than 600 farmers who raise and produce crops, livestock, nursery stock, dairy products, maple syrup, forest products and more. Member farms are located in Franklin, Hampshire, and Berkshire counties in Massachusetts plus Windham County, Vermont and Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Thousands of products for the home, farm, yard, garden and pets of all kinds. In business for more than 90 years!
Hilltown CDC
Offers individual business counseling as well as business planning workshops.
Mass Aggie Seminars
Series includes workshops on Growing Apples in the Home Garden, Intro. to Growing & Pruning Grapes in the Home Garden, Managing Weeds Organically in the Home Landscape, Wildflowers for Beginners, Grafting Apple Trees,
Massachusetts Agricultural Commissions
Everything you need to know about Ag Coms and how to start one or participate in one. Ag Coms serve as a local voice advocating for farmers, farm businesses, and farm interests, provide visibility for farming and forestry, work with other town boards on issues facing the town, help resolve farm related problems or conflicts and protect farmland.
* Assists with natural resource management
Massachusetts Center for Agriculture
The Center for Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst integrates the research, applied education and outreach work in agriculture, food systems and natural resources at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. It serves as a portal through which individuals, industries, and agencies connect with scientists and educators.
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Comprised of four key divisions -- Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Technical Assistance -- tasked to support, regulate, and enhance the Commonwealth’s agricultural community.
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
Provides legal and policy information and technical support at the local, state and national levels.
Natural Resources Conservation Services
Federal agency offering assistance of soil conservationists, soil scientists, agronomists, biologists, engineers, geologists and resource planners who help Massachusetts landowners develop conservation plans, create and restore wetlands, and manage other natural ecosystems.
New England Small Farm Institute
Promotes small farm development by providing information and training for aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers. Services include an extensive resource collection; innovative, farmer-guided programs; and advocacy for policies that encourage sustainable small-scale agriculture. Located in Belchertown, MA.
UMass Extension Green Directory
Valley CDC - Small Business Assistance
Provides a range of free services to meet the needs of low and moderate income individuals. These services, available to both start-up and existing businesses, include business plan development, cash flow analysis, and marketing, as well as access to community loan funds.

LandLink

LandLink

Seeking land to farm? Have land you'd like to sell or lease to a farmer?

Farm and Market Report

The Farm and Market Report is the Department's bi-monthly newsletter which includes a Commissioner's Column, program/grant updates, workshop/educational updates, news from USDA, along with a Calendar and Classified section. It is distributed to over 5000 emails within the agricultural community in Massachusetts.