outside RESOURCES for members
below is a list of other government prograMS AND OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources:
Serves as the state agency to support the farming industry through funding and education
USDA Farm Service Agency:
U.S. Department of Agriculture agency supporting the farming community through grant and loan programs
Worcester Regional Food Hub:
Commercial Kitchen/Aggregation Services
Designed to bolster a robust regional food system, the Food Hub’s mission is to increase local food access and consumption and recruit, retain, and incubate local food entrepreneurs, collectively building healthy, sustainable, and just communities.
Massachusetts Farm Bureau
Nonprofit association promoting and representing the interests of farmers in the Commonwealth
American Farmland Trust
Working to stop the loss of productive farmland and promote healthier farming practices
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
New Entry offers a diversity of training opportunities to help beginning farmers get started with their own agriculture enterprises
National Resources Conservation Service:
Federal agency supporting conservation practices of farmers
Worcester County Conservation District:
Offering soil health and conservation trainings to small farmers and homesteaders in Worcester County
The Carrot Project
Fostering sustainable food systems by supporting small and mid-sized farms and farm-related businesses
Northeast Organic Farming Association
A powerful source for education on organic agriculture
Land For Good:
Their mission is to ensure the future of farming in New England by putting more farmers more securely on more land.
Legal Services Food Hub:
The Conservation Law Foundation managed the Legal Services Food Hub to help farmers, food entrepeneurs, and related organizations access free legal assistance for their transactional legal needs.