Resources for Farmers

In response to the climate of uncertainty we find ourselves in, Appalachian RC&D wants to provide a space for farmers to list their businesses, detail how things have changed for them, and direct customers to where and how they can buy directly from them. If you are a Northeast Tennessee farmer and would like your business listed on our Farms to Folks page, please fill out this form.

Local Resources

 

Local Food Guide | Appalachian Grown / Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

The Appalachian Grown Local Food Guide is a resource for farmers within a 100 mile radius of Asheville, NC. It is operated by ASAP, and listing your farm is completely free. The guide is updated frequently, and allows consumers to search for food near them and buy directly from farmers. ASAP also partners with Nourish Knoxville to provide their platform to farms within a 100 mile radius of Knoxville. Between these two organizations, all of Northeast Tennessee farmers are eligible to list their businesses.

Local Food Guide (ASD)Appalachian Sustainable Development

This local food guide covers Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, and is updated annually.

A.H.E.A.D. Appalachian Highlands Economic Aid Directory 

This site was created to give small businesses and the community a place to connect and learn how we can support one another during this time of uncertainty. They have compiled a list of small businesses that can use your support. If you would like your business to be listed in this directory, please complete the form (link at website). Let them know if you’re open, offering special dining options (to-go, curbside, delivery, etc), physically closed but offering online options, or any other news you feel would be important to communicate to our community.

Handling COVID-19 Best Practices for Agribusiness (UTK)

COVID-19 is spread primarily via close person-to-person contact, or when virus-containing droplets expelled during coughing or talking contaminate a surface that is later touched by a healthy individual. While most feed and supply stores continue to operate during disease outbreaks and other emergencies, preventive steps can be taken to protect the health of employees and customers.

Handling COVID-19 Best Practices for Produce Farms & Packinghouses (UTK)

While there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is a food safety concern, it is a worker health concern as it spreads via close person-to-person contact or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Food does not appear to be a likely cause of COVID-19 transmission, but many of the same practices used to prevent foodborne illness on foods should still be used to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 contamination on fresh produce and the risk of COVID-19 spread among farm and packinghouse workers.

Changes to the Domestic Kitchen Laws Regulating Tennessee’s Cottage Food Industry (UTK)

Reminders for new Cottage Food businesses regarding safety & production laws from UT Extension. Download the PDF.

Please reach out to Rachel Wheeler at rachel@arcd.org if you have questions about starting a new cottage food business in Tennessee.

Center For Profitable Agriculture: Vendor Bootcamp Webinar Workshops

Note that attendance of all four webinars will fulfill a Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) requirement in the Agritourism, Fruit and Vegetable and Value-Added Producer Diversification Sectors. For additional information regarding educational programs for TAEP requirements, please contact Erica Alexander at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, (615) 837-5324.

Merchandising Methods to Make Money

Tuesday, April 14 12-1PM EST

Join by Zoom or by phone: (646) 876-9923 with Meeting ID 927-759-877

Digital Marketing Trends

Wednesday, April 15 12-1PM EST

Join by Zoom or by phone: (646) 876-9923 with Meeting ID 290-479-500

Food Product Cost and Pricing Tools

Thursday, April 16 12-1PM EST

Join by Zoom or by phone: (646) 876-9923 with Meeting ID 759-027-724

Business Planning Basics

Friday, April 17 12-1PM EST

Join by Zoom or by phone: (646) 876-9923 with Meeting ID 402-824-592

Additional Resources

Farmer Relief Fund  | American Farmland Trust

To help directly support farmers impacted by the current crisis, American Farmland Trust is launching a new Farmer Relief Fund. Applications for grants are due April 26th. Details and application here.

UT Vegetable: COVID-19 Resources  | UT Extension

Updated Regularly

Publications and resources for fruit and vegetable growers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RFA Roundup: Spring Funding Opportunities  | National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Updated Regularly

Running list of current grant opportunities for farmers and ag industry professionals. 

National Young Farmers Sales Platform Comparison

March 2020

This PDF from the National Young Farmers Coalition lists and compares a number of online sales platforms that are focused on the agriculture industry.

COVID-19 Response: Grants & Loans for Farmers | Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

Updated Frequently

Access the Google Doc here.

2020 Southeastern Vegetable Crop Handbook | UT Vegetable Extension

2020 edition of the annual guide for vegetable production in the Southeastern United States, produced by the University of Tennessee.

Download the free guide here.

Crop Gleaning FAQ | End Hunger: Society of St. Andrew

The Society of St. Andrew is a great resource to glean your fields and get excess produce that you cannot sell donated to local feeding agencies. They provide a year-end tax document for anyone who donates. For more information on their program, visit: https://endhunger.org/donate-crops/ or contact Jeannie Hunter, the TN Regional Director, directly at tennessee@endhunger.org.

CAN COVID-19 Resources | Central Appalachian Network

CAN’s goal is to be a resource hub for the Central Appalachian region during the COVID-19 crisis. CAN presents a list of resources collected from their regional partners. Updated frequently

Access the resource list here.

COVID-19 News & Resources for Farm Employers | Farm Employers Labor Service

Updated frequently

Access the resource list here.

Articles

What’s in the CARES Act for Food and Agriculture | Farm Bureau

March 26, 2020

“Today’s article reviews the food and agriculture-related provisions of the CARES act. For the agriculture-related provisions, the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture received $9.5 billion, approximately 19% of the total food and agriculture provisions, to provide financial support to farmers and ranchers impacted by coronavirus. The funding is allocated specifically for specialty crops, producers who supply local food systems and farmers’ markets, restaurants and schools, livestock producers, i.e., cattlemen and women, and dairy farmers.” Read more.

A Closer Look at Farmer Aid in Senate Pandemic Package | National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

March 26, 2020

As farmers and communities all across the country continue to deal with the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Congress has been working around the clock to pass another round of emergency aid – this time targeted at small businesses and those who have lost income as a result of the crisis (including farmers), as well as boosting our medical capacity to respond.” Read more.

Farmers and food groups innovate to keep operations viable as coronavirus spreads | The Fern

March 19, 2020

“For Jody Osmund, who runs Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm with his partner, Beth, in Ottawa, Illinois, the shuttering of public spaces to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus presents a significant challenge. He typically distributes his farm shares at brewery taprooms around the Chicago area, which allows him to share a pint with customers while supporting local businesses. So how should he proceed when many bars and restaurants are closed, and heath guidelines demand that people keep their distance? Enter the pool noodle.” Read more.

COVID-19 Readiness Assessment for Continuity of Farm Business | PASA Sustainable Agriculture

This is an open-source checklist created by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, in collaboration with Penn State Extension, for developing a continuity of business plan during the coronavirus pandemic.” Read more.