Tools and Resources
In addition to programs
that support local and regional food systems, USDA also offers a wide
range of tools that can help farmers, ranchers, other businesses,
communities, and individuals looking to build or take advantage of local
and regional food systems.
The list below is a sample of some of our favorites. If you have one that we missed, let us know.
Ask the USDA Expert Online - find answers to your questions
USDA Service Center Locator - find your local office for Farm Service, Natural Resources Conservation, and Rural Development agencies
Statistics and Mapping Tools:
- Census of Agriculture - Agricultural statistics for the nation, every state, and every county
- Farmer Market Locater - A searchable database of farmers markets
- Food Desert Locator -Maps income level and access to grocery stores for your neighborhood
- Food Environment Atlas - A mapping tool with 168 indicators of food, health and community
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center - The National Agricultural Library's local food experts
AMS Publications and Presentations - Information on farmers markets and local food marketing
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) - Information for farmers and other rural users on a variety of sustainable agricultural practices
ERS Local Foods Corner - Reports and other tools from the Economic Research Service, including:
- Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts and Issues
- Comparing the Structure, Size, and Performance of Local and Mainstream Food Supply Chains
Farm to School - Want to source locally in your child's cafeteria? Information for schools, farmers, and communities
Food Hubs - A catalogue of USDA's findings, resources, and support for food hubs
National Agroforestry Center - Combining agriculture and forestry
Nutrition information:
- ChooseMyPlate - Healthy food choices that make sense for you
- Growing a Healthier You - Nutrition information "from the farm to your table"
SARE Learning Center - Practical publications for farmers and ag professionals
- Local Harvest - A Multi-farm CSA Handbook
- How to Direct Market Your Beef - Handbook
- Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses - Handbook
Small Plant Help Desk - For small and very small meat processing plants
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: A How-To Handbook - A guide for accepting SNAP benefits at farmers markets
Our Partners
Our goal with the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food
web site is to help you better understand how USDA can support farmers,
ranchers, and communities. But, don't stop your search here! Our
partners offer many more resources that can support local and regional
food systems and improve access to healthy, affordable food.
Let's Move is a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
The People's Garden Initiative is an effort by USDA which challenges its employees to establish People's Gardens at USDA facilities worldwide or help communities create gardens. People's Gardens vary in size and type, but all have a common purpose - to help the community they're within and the environment.
Agriculture in the Classroom supports state programs by providing a network that seeks to improve agricultural literacy - awareness, knowledge, and appreciation - among Pre K-12 teachers and their students. The program is carried out in each state, according to state needs and interests, by individuals representing farm organizations, agribusiness, education and government.
ATTRA is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America. eXtension connects knowledge consumers with knowledge providers - experts who know their subject matter inside out.