Index

Page numbers in italic indicate photos or illustrations; page numbers in bold indicate charts or tables.

A

accounting systems, 150–53

accountant or bookkeeper, 151

Cash Flow and Accounting Systems worksheet, 166, 292

choice of, 151–53

method of accounting, 151–52

accrual basis accounting method, 151–52

adaptability, cognitive, 223

advanced payment arrangements, 164, 258

advisors, 234

agreements

estate planning and, 238

loan, 147

partnerships and, 230, 234

wholesalers and, 99

AgriMet, 66

agritourism

customer education and, 251

farm tours and, 251

key points/advice, 122

location of farm and, 40–41

air quality, production regulations and, 244

alternative energy, 87

analysis, farm business and, 157–167

cash flow improvement, 164

enterprise analysis, 162–63

profitability, improving, 159–160

animals. See livestock

annual crops

Enterprise Selection: Annual Crops worksheet, 273

seasonal life cycles, 188

Tractor Needs worksheet, 296

annuals, weeds, 190

aphids, 191, 193, 193, 196, 199

application rate, maximum, 66

apprentices, labor needs and, 80

Arts, Courtney, 48

assets

budgeting and, 147–150, 149

fixed, 227–28

authors, 19, 264–65

B

bacteria, plant diseases and, 195–96

balance, burnout and, 259–260

balance sheets, 156–57

analyzing, 164

sample, 165

Balance Sheets worksheet, 166, 295

Barking Moon Farm, 260

barns, 56, 56

basics. See overview

bed-and-breakfast, on-farm, 122

beef. See Sweet Home Farms

beehives, 13, 13

benchmarking, profit, 162

benchmarks, financial ratios and, 165

berries

blackberries, 187, 190, 190

blueberries, 187, 187

season-extension equipment for, 58–61

Berry, Wendell, 93, 257

biennial crops, seasonal life cycles, 188

biennials, weeds, 190

biodiversity, 202

soil, increasing, 204

biofuels/bioenergy, 91

biogeochemical cycles, 178–185

carbon cycle, 180–82, 181

energy flow, 179–180

nutrient cycles, 182–84

water cycle, 184–85, 185

biological pest controls, 176

biological resources, 12

blackberries, 187, 190

Himalayan, 190, 190

blueberries, 187, 187. See also Goodfoot Farm

Blue Fox Farm, 18, 48, 48, 50, 50, 56, 56, 63, 67, 67, 76, 85, 85, 89, 89, 146, 146, 161, 161, 235, 235, 248, 249, 252–53, 252, 262, 262

annual vegetable production, 197–99, 197, 198, 199

market planning and, 126–27, 126, 127

profile, 168–69, 168, 169

bookkeeper, hiring a, 151

borrowing. See financial resources

branding, 128

budgeting, 137–150

assets, equity, liabilities and, 147–150, 149

cash flow and, 144–46, 145

expenses and, 139–141

farmers’ experiences and, 142–43

income and, 137–38, 138

profit and, 141

sample budgets, 141

Budgets and Variances worksheet, 166, 291

buffer strips, 213

building whole farm plan, 40–43

burnout, balance and, 259–260

business

growing the, 227–28

planning process, 136

business management, 135–169, 257–260. See also budgeting

about, 135–36

business planning process, 136

Farm Plan and, 166

financial statements, 156–57

record keeping, 150–55

running your business, 257–260

tips from farmers, 167

worksheets for, 166

business structures, 229–231

comparison of, 231

farmers’ experiences, 252–53, 252, 253

labor needs and, 80

limited liability structures, 231

partnerships, 230–31

sole proprietorships, 229–231

business team, 225

A beekeeper holding up a tray of a beehive

C

capabilities, 226

capital expenses, 139–141

capital investments, 161

carbon cycle, 180–82, 181

cash basis accounting method, 151–52

cash flow, 258

advanced payment arrangements and, 164

budgeting and, 144, 145

farmers’ experiences, 146

growing business and, 227

improvement, strategies for, 164

record keeping and, 153

Cash Flow and Accounting Systems worksheet, 166, 292

cash flow statements, 156

analyzing, 163–64

sample, 163

certification standards, 107

certified organic status, 45, 93

certified public accountant (CPA), 151

children, farm business and, 241, 241

climate, 39–40. See also season-extension; temperature

microclimate and, 40

cognitive adaptability, 223

Coleman, Eliot, 172–73, 196, 205

communications, family, 233

community, success and, 15

community garden, 46

community-supported agriculture (CSA), 118

CSA delivery, 47, 112

farmers’ experiences, 119, 119

key points/advice, 118

Market Bucks programs and, 126

competition, marketplace challenges and, 106

competition-based pricing, 105

compost/composting, 206–7

production regulations and, 243

computer spreadsheets, 138, 152

confined animal feeding operation (CAFO), 243

contingency plans, 239

Cooperative Extension Service, 11, 35, 40, 74, 86, 87, 196, 244

cost(s). See also expenses

profits and, 228

start-up, 115

cost-based pricing, 105–6

cover crops, 176, 203–4

creeping perennial weeds, 190

crisis, contingency plans and, 239

crop rotation, 176, 204–5

crops. See also annual crops; perennial crops

adapted to your area, 200–201

choice of, varieties and, 59

cover, 176, 203–4

cultivar selection, 176

environment-modification techniques, 60–61

fall/winter growing conditions and, 59

green manure, 205

insect damage and, 193

major nutrients and, 182

seasonal life cycles, 188, 188

season-extension and, 64

water-delivery methods, 71–73

crowdfunding, 147

cultivation, 176

customer(s). See also farm to consumer

listening to, 116

marketplace challenges and, 106

customer focus, marketing strategy and, 107

D

Davis, Karen “Mimo,” 10, 19, 62–63, 77, 83, 102–3, 233, 237, 261

farm profile, 129–131

decision frameworks, 223

degree-days, crops and, 39

Demeter Biodynamic certified, 45

DeMichiel, Adeline, 48, 48, 50, 50

demographics, marketplace challenges and, 106

depreciation

cash flow and, 144

expenses, 140

IRS tax rules and, 152

direct markets, 99–100, 101

advantages/challenges of, 100

examples of, 98

direct market techniques, 114–125

farm to consumer, 114–122

farm to retail, 123

food hubs, 124

listening to customers and, 116, 116, 117

online marketing/sales, 123–24

diseases, plant, 194–96

bacteria and, 195–96

fungi and, 195

management of, 196, 199

oomycetes and, 195

plant disease triangle, 194, 195

viruses and, 196

documentation. See record keeping

drip irrigation system, 68, 68, 72–73, 73, 77

drought periods

water quantity and, 39

water rights and, 38

Duschack, Miranda, 13, 13, 19, 62–63, 83, 102–3, 233, 237, 249, 256, 261

farm profile, 129–131

E

ecosystem. See farm whole ecosystem

education. See also learning; training

of customers, 251

efficiency

creating, 88–89

on-farm energy, 91

electric pump systems, 74–75, 75

employees

hired farmworkers as, 80–81

hiring and managing, 81–82

role of, in business, 233

employment, off-farm, 255–56

energy, farm, 86–87

about, 49

on-farm efficiency, 91

Farm Plan and, 87

flow of energy of farm, 179–180, 179

Simplified Farm Energy Assessment worksheet, 87, 288

energy audit, 86–87

enterprise

analysis, 162–63

evaluation, 125

Enterprise Selection worksheets, 31, 111

Annual Crops, 273

Livestock, 275–77

Perennial Crops, 278–79

entrepreneurship, 223–28

about, 221–22

growing business and, 227–28

opportunities, assessing, 225

opportunities, identifying, 224–25

resources, determining, 226–27

environmental quality regulations, 243

environment-modification techniques, 60–61

equipment. See also irrigation equipment

essential, 54–57

infrastructure and, 50–57

Infrastructure and Equipment Assessment worksheet, 75, 285

planning and purchasing, 52

procuring, 62–63

resources, 51

season-extension, 58–61

tractor, 52–53, 53

equity, budgeting and, 147–150, 149

estate planning, 238–240

evapotranspiration (ET), 65

expenses, 139–141. See also cost(s)

capital, 139–141

nonwage, farm labor, 86

operating, 139

as percentage of total, 159

reducing, 159–160

sample expense budget, 139–140

exposures. See risk management

F

fall/winter growing conditions, 59

family business dynamics, 232–241

about, 221–22

estate planning, 238–39

farmers’ experiences, 235–37, 235, 236, 237

next generation and, 241

roles in family business, 233, 299

succession planning, 238–39

family communications, 233

family limited partnership (FLP), 231

farm. See also community-supported agriculture

connecting the, 119, 119

as focal point, 112, 112

size of, 259

farm directories, local, 124

farm ecosystem. See whole farm ecosystem

farm energy. See energy, farm

farmers’ markets, 114–15, 114

customer education and, 251

key points/advice, 114

farm financing, farmers’ experiences, 161

farm labor. See labor, farm

farm map, 41, 41, 42

farm ownership, estate plans and, 239

farm partner role, 233, 234

Farm Plan, 266–299

icon for, 23, 23

farm products. See also production; specific product

described, 104

opportunities, assessing, 225

processing and, 113

strategies to enhance, 111, 111

what to market, 110–11

what to produce, 30

farmscaping, 212, 213

farm stands, 120

farm stays, 122

farm to consumer, 114–122. See also community-supported agriculture

agritourism, 122

farmers’ markets, 114–15

farm stands, 120

U-pick operations, 121, 121

farm to retail, 123

farm tours, consumer education and, 251

farmworkers. See labor, farm

feeds, quality of, 209

fertilizer, 176

cover crops and, 203

field border plantings, 213

field capacity, 65, 66, 66

financial loss, reduction in, 250

financial ratios, 165

financial resources, 12, 147–150, 258

bank loans/lending, 147–48, 165

government loans, 148

self-financing, 147

financial statements, 156–57

financial success, 15

Financing worksheet, 166, 294

first impressions, 128

fixed assets, 227–28

flowers. See Good Work Farm; Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers

food hubs, 124

food labels, 107

food safety, produce and, 243

forage quality, 209

Four P’s, marketing and, 104–5, 105, 108

fruits. See berries; Good Work Farm; Kiyokawa Family Orchards

funding, business. See financial resources

fungi, plant diseases and, 195

furrow irrigation, 73, 73

G

geese, 187, 187

goals. See also budgeting

Influence of Personality and Lifestyle Goals on Marketing worksheet, 99, 289

Mission and Goals worksheet, 33, 280

production and, 40

setting, 32–33

SMART, 32–33

water-delivery methods and, 71

goats/goat meat. See Sweet Home Farms; Vanguard Ranch

Goodfoot Farm, 18, 55, 55, 62, 78, 78, 88, 88, 112, 112, 142, 154, 154, 170, 210, 215, 215, 233, 248, 249, 253, 255, 255, 262, 262

production strategies, 186–87, 186, 187

profile, 44–45, 44, 45

Good Work Farm, 14, 14, 18, 18, 34, 34, 236, 236, 256, 256

horse-powered farm, 90–91, 90

profile, 92–93, 92, 93

government programs. See also USDA, financial resources, 148, 149

grains. See Rainshadow Organics

grants. See financial resources

grazing. See management-intensive grazing

Green, Carla, 19, 56, 77, 78, 89, 142, 143, 146, 155, 210–11, 214–15, 216, 235, 248, 253, 261

farm profile, 216–17

Greene, Ellyn, 48, 48

greenhouse, 62

green manure crops, 205

Growing Farms course, 9–10, 14, 44

growth, capital investments and, 161

H

hand-scale farming, 47

hand-watering, 71, 71

hardiness zones, 39–40

headland space, 55, 88, 187

health insurance, 257

heat units, crops and, 39

hedgerows, 213

Heidia, Saul, 85, 85

high tunnels, 61, 61

Hoinacki, Beth, 18, 55, 62, 78, 83, 83, 88, 112, 142, 142, 154, 154, 186–87, 215, 233, 248, 253, 255, 262

farm profile, 44–45

honey. See Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers

hoop houses, 198, 199

hornworms, 193

horse-powered farm, 90–91, 90

human resources, 12, 21. See also labor, farm

capabilities, 226

growing business and, 228

lifestyle and, 24, 26

social capital and, 26

tasks, responsibilities and, 24

hydro energy systems, 87

I

icon, Farm Plan, 23, 23

Ideal Farm worksheet, 30, 271

ideas, central, 10

Identifying Your Farm worksheet, 27, 270

identity for farm, creating, 26–33

naming farm, 27

vision, values and, 27–30

income

budgeting and, 137–38

off-farm, 255–56, 258

individual development accounts (IDA), 149

Influence of Personality and Lifestyle Goals on Marketing worksheet, 99

infrastructure

about, 49

developing, 62–63

equipment and, 50–57

essential, 54–57

farm map and, 41, 41, 42

Farm Plan and, 75

horse-powered farm, 90–91, 90

irrigation equipment and, 64–78

planning and purchasing, 52

resources, 51

Infrastructure and Equipment Assessment worksheet, 75, 285

insect(s), 191–94, 193

crop damage and, 193

mouthparts of, 193

insect development, 191–93

adults, 193

eggs, 192

larvae, 193

metamorphosis, complete, 192, 192

metamorphosis, simple, 191, 191

nymphs, 192

pupae, 193

insect pests

cover crops and, 203

management of, 199

solar insect trap, 175, 175

Geese and chickens in an orchard

insurance

farmers’ experiences, 252–53, 252, 253

health, 257

liability, 254

Internet sales, 123–24

interns, labor needs and, 80

intervention, whole farm ecosystem, 174–76

inventory

growing business and, 227

management, finances and, 154–55, 155

investments, capital, 161

irrigation, logistics of, 76–77

irrigation districts, 38

irrigation equipment

gravity-flow system, 64

infrastructure and, 64–78

pump-irrigation system, 65

irrigation filter

flow meter and, 77

self-flushing, 70, 70

irrigation guns, 72, 72

irrigation pond, 67, 67, 76

irrigation pumps, 70

irrigation system

design factors, 67–70

designing, 65–70

farmers’ experience with, 76–78

holding pond, 67, 67

management of, 176

microsprinkler, 78

parts, maintenance and, 68

parts/setup costs, sprinkler, 73

well capacity/peak flow, 69

IRS tax rules, 152

J

Jagger, Chris, 18, 56, 63, 76, 85, 89, 126–27, 126, 161, 197–99, 233, 235, 235, 248, 252–53, 262

farm profile, 168–69

jobs. See also labor, farm, off-farm, 255–56, 258

K

Kiyokawa, Catherine, 95, 236

Kiyokawa, Michiko, 95, 236

Kiyokawa, Randy, 13, 13, 18, 63, 77, 78, 84–85, 85, 95, 116, 155, 155, 177, 236, 236, 240, 240, 248, 253, 262

farm profile, 94–95

Kiyokawa Family Orchards, 13, 13, 18, 63, 63, 70, 70, 77, 78, 78, 84–85, 98, 155, 155, 177, 177, 236, 236, 240, 240, 247, 248, 248, 253, 253, 262, 262

listening to customers, 116, 116, 117

profile, 94–95, 94, 95

Kuegler, Melanie, 18, 63, 76, 85, 126–27, 146, 161, 197–99, 233, 235, 235, 252–53, 262

farm profile, 168–69

L

labels, food, 107

labor, farm, 79–86, 79. See also WWOOFers

about, 49

availability of, 86

costs, reducing, 160

documentation for, 153

farmers’ experiences, 83–85

Farm Plan and, 86

irrigation and, 71, 71

labor needs, 80–81

production regulations, 244

seasonal, 80, 81–82

summarized, 86

labor laws, 82, 86

Labor Plan worksheet, 86, 286

lamb. See Sweet Home Farms

land

budgeting and, 140–41

crops, livestock and, 201

farm size and, 259

renting, 140

Land Resource Inventory worksheet, 35, 281

land use laws, 244

Lawrence, David, 236

Lawrence, Sarahlee, 19, 57, 63, 77, 84, 161, 161, 218, 236, 236, 240, 253, 253

farm profile, 217–19

laws. See also licenses and regulations

IRS tax rules and, 152

labor laws, 82, 86

land use, 244

learning. See also Growing Farms course

as central idea, 10

developmental stages, farmers, 12, 13–15

lessons learned, 260

legal issues, 238–240. See also agreements; laws, estate planning

lenders. See financial resources

lessons learned, 260

liabilities, budgeting and, 147–150, 149

liability insurance, 254

liability risk, minimizing, 251

licenses and regulations, 242–49

concepts, important, 247

farmers’ experiences, 248–49, 248, 249

processing regulations, 244–46

production regulations, 243–44

selling regulations, 246–47

life cycles. See seasonal life cycles

lifestyle

human resources and, 24, 26

Influence of Personality and Lifestyle Goals on Marketing worksheet, 99, 289

Quality-of-Life Assessment worksheet, 25

quality-of-life issues, 167

success and, 15

limited liability structures, 231, 253

line sprinkler system, 72, 72

livestock. See also production; Rainshadow Organics; Sweet Home Farms; Vanguard Ranch

adapted to your area, 200–201

Enterprise Selection: Livestock worksheet, 275–77

problem intervention and, 175

production regulations, 243

production strategies, 210–11, 210, 211

seasonal life cycles, 189, 189

Tractor Needs worksheet, 297

water and, 74–75, 74, 75

water-delivery methods and, 71

loans. See financial resources

location of farm, 40–41

M

management. See also business management; risk management

employee, hiring and, 81–82

practices, plant diseases and, 195

whole farm, 10, 12–13

whole farm ecosystem, 197–202

management-intensive grazing (MIG), 207–8

benefits/challenges, 209

manager

becoming a good, 82

role of, in business, 233

manure

green manure crops, 205

nitrogen cycle and, 182, 183, 207

water quality and, 69, 74

map of farm, 41, 41, 42

market(s), 98–100

about, 97

direct, 99–100

farmers’ experiences, 102–3

opportunities, assessing, 225

types of, 98–100

wholesale, 98–99

Market Bucks program, 126–27, 127, 169

marketing

about, 97

channel, self-assessment, 99

Farm Plan and, 99, 111

four ways, 101

success, keys to, 128

marketing challenges, overcoming, 108–9, 108, 109

marketing plan, 127

marketing strategy, 104–13

customer focus and, 107

farm as focal point, 112

farmers’ experiences, 108–9, 108, 109

Farm Plan and, 125

Four Ps, 104–5

how to market, 104–7

listening to customers and, 116, 116, 117

marketplace challenges and, 106–7

pricing and, 105–6

SIVA and, 105

what to market, 110–11, 111

when to market, 113

marketing worksheets

Influence of Personality and Lifestyle Goals on Marketing, 289

Marketing Strategy Comparison, 125, 290

marketplace, envisioning your, 102–3

market planning, 125–27

Blue Fox Farm and, 126–27, 126, 127

enterprise evaluation, 125

marketing plan, 127

Matthewson, Melissa, 260

metamorphosis

complete, 192, 192

simple, 191, 191

microclimate, 40

microhydropower systems, 87

milk processing regulations, raw, 246

Miskelly, Lisa, 18, 34, 34, 90, 236, 236, 256

farm profile, 92–93

mission, 21

Mission and Goals worksheet, 33, 280

mission statements

development of, 30–31, 33

sample, 32

monitoring, as intervention, 176

mulches, plastic, 60–61, 60

multibay high tunnels, 61, 61

N

natural features, 42

natural resources, 21, 34–41

nematodes, 193–94, 193

next generation, farm business and, 241, 241

nitrogen content, organic amendments, 207

nitrogen cycle, 182–84, 183

no-till systems, 208

NRCS. See USDA

nutrient cycles, 182–84

O

off-farm income, 258

online marketing/sales, 123–24

oomycetes, plant diseases and, 195

operating expenses, 139

operational success, 15

organic materials, uncomposted, 207

organic matter, soil and, 180, 202

overview, 9–19

big picture, 9–10

chapters, 14–15

farmers, 18–19, 18, 19

whole farm and, 10

P

partnership(s), 230–31

family limited partnership (FLP), 231

farm partner role, 233, 234

labor needs and, 80

limited liability partnership (LLP), 231

pasture, water-delivery methods, 71–73

payment arrangements, advanced, 164

perennial crops

Enterprise Selection: Perennial Crops worksheet, 278–79

seasonal life cycles, 188

Tractor Needs worksheet, 297

perennials, weeds, 190

personality, Influence of Personality and Lifestyle Goals on Marketing worksheet, 99, 289

pest controls, biological, 176

pesticides, 176

production regulations, 244

pests. See also insect pests, seasonal life cycles, 189

pH of soil, 206

physical resources, 12

farm map and, 41, 41

pickles, processing regulations, 246

placement of products, 105

planning. See also strategic planning; whole farm planning

business planning process, 136

contingency plans, 239

Farm Plan, 266–299

succession and estate, 238–240

whole farm ecosystem and, 174–76

planting(s)

field border, 213

planning practices and, 176

time of, 64

plant pathogens, reduction strategy, 187, 187

plants. See cover crops; crops; planting(s); weeds

plastic mulches, 60–61, 60

Polen, Mike, 19, 155, 210–11, 214–15, 235

farm profile, 216–17

Pollan, Michael, 216, 218

pork. See Sweet Home Farms

poultry. See also Sweet Home Farms, geese, 187, 187

power takeoff (PTO), 52, 53

preserves, processing regulations, 246

price of product/pricing, 104, 105–6

processing regulations, 244–46

meat, poultry and, 244–45

pickles, preserves and, 246

raw milk, 246

produce, food safety and, 243

production

goals, considerations and, 40

record keeping and, 214–15

strategies, integrated, 186–87, 186, 187

strategies, perennial, 177, 177

Production Costs worksheet, 166, 293

production regulations, 243–44

other, 244

produce, food safety and, 243

products. See farm products

profit(s), 141

costs and, 228

profitability, 259

improving, 159–160

production costs and, 142–43

profit and loss statement (P&L), 156

analysis of, 158–163

sample, 158

profit benchmarking, 162

promotion of products, 105

putting it all together

business management, 167

farm ecosystem and, 213

infrastructure, labor, and energy, 91

running a small farm business, 260

selling farm products, 128

strategic planning and, 43

Q

Quality-of-Life Assessment worksheet, 25, 26869

R

Rainshadow Organics, 19, 57, 57, 63, 68, 68, 77, 81, 84, 84, 98, 101, 101, 161, 161, 210, 236, 240, 240

profile, 218–19, 218, 219

ratios, financial, 165

raw milk, processing regulations, 246

receivables

cash flow and, 258

terms on, 164

record keeping, 150–55

accounting systems, 150–53

crop rotations and, 204

farmers’ experiences, 154–55

inventory management, finances and, 154–55

keeping good records, 153

production and, 214–15

regulations, 107. See also water rights

concepts, important, 247

licenses and, 242–49

processing, 244–46

production, 243–44

selling, 246–47

remote systems, livestock water, 74, 75

rent

equipment rentals, 52, 160, 228

land rent, 140

resources, 12. See also financial resources; human resources

determining required, 226–27

management, pest identification and, 196

natural, 21, 34–41

NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services), 36, 87, 91, 149

tangible and intangible, 226

responsibilities, farm business and, 24

retail, farm to, 123

retirement, 257

return on investment (ROI), 160

ridge-till systems, 208

risk management, 250–57

about, 221–22

customer education and, 251

farmers’ experiences, 252–53, 252, 253

first line of defense, 250–51

process, steps in, 250

roles in family business, 233

Family Business Roles Activity, 299

root washer, 50, 50

root zone, managed, 66

roundworms. See nematodes

row covers, 60, 60, 176, 198, 198

Ryan, Adam, 18

farm profile, 44–45

A farmer spreading crop covering sheet

S

sales

increasing, 159

record keeping and, 153

Samuels, Ashanti, 19, 218, 218

seasonal agritourism, 122

seasonal labor, 80, 81–82

seasonal life cycles, 188–196

crops, 188, 188

diseases, plant, 194–96, 194, 195

livestock, 189, 189

pests, 189

season-extension

advantages and disadvantages, 58–59

Blue Fox Farm and, 198, 198, 199

equipment for, 58–61

key points, 64

when to market and, 113

self-financing, 147

selling farm products, regulations and, 246–47

selling proposition, unique, 128

Shannon, Anton, 14, 14, 18, 90, 236, 236, 256

farm profile, 92–93

shareholders. See farm partner role

sibling trust, 241

site selection, 64

SIVA, 105, 105, 108

skills, capabilities and, 226

Skills Assessment worksheet, Farm Team, 25, 267

slow food movement, 47

Slow Hand Farm, 19, 54, 54, 89, 89, 214, 214, 259, 261

CSA marketing, 119, 119

profile, 46–47, 46, 47

SMART goals, 32–33

social capital, 26

social change, 15

software, accounting, 152–53

soil(s), 34

at field capacity, 66, 66

health of, 198–99, 201–2

organic matter in, 180, 202, 204

tillage of, 207–8

types of, 34–35, 71

soil amendments, 176, 206–7, 207

soil capability

classes, 36–37

subclass, 37

soil fertility, 35, 93, 174, 177, 202

soil management plan, 176

soil moisture, conservation of, 204

soil pH, 206

Soils Assessment worksheet, 37, 282

soil series classification, 34

soil texture, 35

soil texture triangle, 35, 36, 36

solar-powered systems, 87

sole proprietorships, 229–231

spider mites, 193

spreadsheets, computer, 138, 152

sprinkler irrigation system

in-ground pipe/permanent risers, 78

microsprinkler, 78

parts/setup costs, 73

strategic planning, 21–43

Farm Plan and, 25, 27, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 38, 42

goal setting and, 32–33

human resources, 24, 26

identity for farm and, 26–33

natural resources and, 34–41

whole farm planning, 10, 22–23, 41–43

strip-tillage systems, 208

subsidies. See financial resources

success

as central idea, 10

elements of, 15, 171

measures of, 167

succession planning, 238–240

surface water, livestock access to, 74, 74

sustainable agriculture

compost/soil amendments, 206–7, 207

crop rotation, 204–5

energy flow on farm and, 179

farmers’ experiences, 261–63, 261, 262, 263

key practices in, 173, 203–9

management-intensive grazing, 207–8

SARE program, 87, 149, 178, 181, 185, 203

tillage, reduced, 207–8

vision statements and, 28

Sweet Home Farms, 19, 56, 56, 77, 78, 89, 89, 143, 143, 146, 146, 155, 214–15, 235, 248, 253, 261

livestock production strategies, 210–11

profile, 216–17, 216, 217

SWOT analysis, 42–43

conducting, 42

SWOT variables and, 43

SWOT Analysis worksheet, 42, 284

Freshly tilled fields

T

tasks, farm business and, 24

taxes

growing business and, 228

IRS tax rules, 152

team, business, 225

technology

labor costs, reducing, 160

marketplace challenges and, 107

temperature. See also climate; season-extension

fall/winter growing conditions, 59

hardiness zones, 39–40

tillage

conservation, 208

reduced, 207–8

time management, growing business and, 228

timing

crops, livestock and, 201

labor costs, reducing, 160

opportunities, assessing, 225

tractor, 52–53, 53

headland space for, 55

Tractor Needs worksheets, 296, 297, 298

training, labor cost reduction and, 160

Turner, Chinette, 19, 232

farm profile, 132–33

Turner, Renard, 19, 55, 84, 84, 108–9, 108, 232, 263

farm profile, 132–33

U

U-pick operations, 121, 121

Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers, 8, 10, 19, 62–63, 62, 77, 83, 83, 220, 237, 237, 248, 249, 256, 256, 261, 261

marketplace, envisioning, 102–3, 102, 103

profile, 129–131, 129, 130, 131

Urban Buzz, 13, 13

Urban Buzz, 13

USDA

Farm Service Agency (FSA), 148

NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services), 36, 87, 91, 149

Plant Zone Hardiness Map, 40

SARE program, 87, 149, 178, 181, 185, 203

Web Soil Survey, 34–35

V

values

farm identity and, 27–30

Ideal Farm worksheet, 30, 271

Values and Vision worksheet, 28, 29, 166, 272

value words, 29

Vanguard Ranch, 19, 55, 55, 84, 84, 98, 104, 232, 263, 263

marketing challenges, overcoming, 108–9, 108, 109

profile, 132–33, 132, 133

variances

analysis of, 157

Budgets and Variances worksheet, 166, 291

vegetables. See also Goodfoot Farm; Good Work Farm; Rainshadow Organics; Slow Hand Farm

Blue Fox Farm annual production, 197–99, 197, 198, 199

crop rotations and, 204, 205

season-extension equipment for, 58–61

viruses, plant diseases and, 196

vision, 21

farm identity and, 27–30

Ideal Farm worksheet, 30

Values and Vision worksheet, 28, 29, 166, 272

water-delivery methods and, 71

vision statements, 28–30

sample, 28

value words and, 29

Volk, Josh, 19, 46, 54, 89, 89, 119, 119, 214, 214, 259, 261

farm profile, 46–47

W

wastewater, land application of, 243

water, 37–39. See also irrigation system

groundwater, 38, 39

holding pond, 67, 67

livestock and, 74–75, 75

surface, 38

wastewater and, 243

water, quantity of, 39

water access, 37–39

case study, 37–38

irrigation and, 76

water capacity, 65

water cycle, on farm, 184–85, 185

water-delivery methods

drip irrigation system, 68, 68, 72–73, 73

furrow irrigation, 73, 73

hand-watering, 71, 71

irrigation guns, 72, 72

line sprinkler system, 72, 72

water intake rate, 66

water quality, 39

irrigation system and, 69–70

protection of, 204

Water Resources Assessment worksheet, 38, 283

water rights, 37–39

Land Resource Inventory worksheet, 35

website sales, 123–24

Web Soil Survey site, 34–35

weeds

cover crops and, 203

management of, 187, 190

seasonal life cycles, 189–190

well capacity, 69

whole farm, described, 10

Whole Farm Components, 22–23, 22

whole farm ecosystem, 171–219

biogeochemical cycles, 178–185

guiding principles, 200–202

management of, 173, 197–202

overview, 171–73

planning, intervention and, 174–76

production strategies and, 186–87, 186, 187

seasonal life cycles, 188–196

whole farm management, 10, 12–13

whole farm plan, building, 40–43

whole farm planning, 10, 22–23

wholesale markets, 98–99, 101

advantages/challenges of, 99

wildlife habitat, 176

wind, farm energy and, 91

windbreaks, 40, 50, 213

WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), 84, 253

Y

yield, increasing, 159