Tools from Other Partners

• Appalachian Regional Commission's "Bon Appétit Appalachia!" - An online map of local food enterprises operating in Appalachia.
• CDC Healthier Foods in Communities - Learn about community strategies like farmers markets and gardens, and participate in discussions with other communities engaged in this work.
• Treasury's Financing Healthy Food Options Resource Bank - Training curricula and webinars for Community Development Financial Institutions on financing for local food systems, lending to food producers, and supporting other sources of healthy food in communities.
• EPA's Urban Agriculture and Improving Local, Sustainable Food Systems Website - Tools and resources for pursuing agriculture projects as a part of brownfield redevelopment and reuse.
• Partnership for Sustainable Communities Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook (PDF, 1.71MB) - A tool for urban communities interested in turning abandoned properties into community gardens and farms. The handbook provides guidance for developing a business plan for the startup and operation of an urban farm. Developed by EPA, HUD and DOT.
• Farm Credit Administration's Providing Credit to Farmers and Ranchers Operating in Local/Regional Food Systems (DOCX, 52KB) - A guidance document to institutions in the Farm Credit System about meeting the credit and services needs of local food farmers and certain farm-related businesses, such as food hubs, under existing statutes and regulations.
• Farm Credit Council's The Emergence of Retail Agriculture (PDF, 4.6MB) - This report explains challenges and opportunities for farmers and ranchers selling locally to help lenders better understand their needs.
• NOAA Local Catch (PDF, 256KB) - Resources and examples of local fishery projects funded through NOAA's Sea Grant program, including community-supported fisheries and local seafood brand development.
• Cornell Small Farms Program - Resources for farmers to better understand the regulations governing slaughter, processing and marketing of meat animals from small to mid-sized farmers.

Additional Resources

See USDA Toolkits and Handbooks