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Resources by Kim Niewolny

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part I: Overview of Financial Systems for New and Beginning Farmers Sep 23, 2022 AAEC-114P (AAEC-296P)
Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part II: Introduction of Financial Systems for New and Beginning Farmers
There are many factors to consider before starting a new farm enterprise. Financial management is an important component in the startup and decision-making processes for beginning farmers. The purpose of this series of publications is to inform Virginia agribusiness owners and managers about farm financial risk management tools, techniques, and resources available to help them prepare and use a financial systems approach for their operations.
Sep 23, 2022 AAEC-115P (AAEC-297P)
Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part III: Introduction to Farm Planning Budgets for New and Beginning Farmers
There are many factors to consider before starting a new farm enterprise. Financial management is an important component in the startup and decision-making processes for beginning farmers. The purpose of this series of publications is to inform Virginia agribusiness owners and managers about farm financial risk management tools, techniques, and resources available to help them prepare and use a financial systems approach for their operations.
Sep 23, 2022 AAEC-116P (AAEC-298P)
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – Product Liability Insurance Considerations May 10, 2019 AAEC-175NP
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – A Conversation about Pricing May 6, 2019 AAEC-176NP
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – Delivery Considerations May 6, 2019 AAEC-177NP
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – Product Supply Recommendation Apr 26, 2019 AAEC-178NP
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – Food and Food Product Packaging Considerations May 10, 2019 AAEC-179NP
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – Storage Considerations May 8, 2019 AAEC-180NP
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant – Invoicing Considerations May 10, 2019 AAEC-181NP
Introduction to Labor Issues for Beginning Farmers
There are many factors to consider before you start a new farm enterprise. Labor issues are often underemphasized in the decision-making processes of beginning farmers. It is important to consider who you will hire, where you will find help, how you will manage your employees, and what legal matters are relevant to your farm.
Mar 18, 2020 AEE-106NP (ALCE-186NP)
Markets, Planning & Operations - Amy's Garden - Summer 2015 Jul 25, 2016 AEE-142NP
Mental Health Topics for Farm Families and Caregivers: An AgrAbility Virginia Program Resource Oct 14, 2021 AEE-150NP (ALCE-275NP)
The Basics of On-Farm Safety: An Introductory Guide by the AgrAbility Virginia Program Oct 14, 2021 AEE-151NP (ALCE-276NP)
A Resource Guide for Start-up Military Veteran Farmers
Deciding what career to begin after discharging from the military is an important decision. Because agriculture can often bring a new sense of purpose and leadership to a veteran’s life, many are choosing farming as their new career. Military veterans offer unique skill sets and discipline that are needed in the rigorous daily life of a farmer.
Oct 14, 2021 AEE-152NP (ALCE-277NP)
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Mountain View Farm & Vineyard (Part 1): Developing a farm enterprise Sep 22, 2023 AEE-31NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Mountain View Farm & Vineyard (Part 2): Exploring production goals Sep 22, 2023 AEE-32NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Mountain View Farm & Vineyard (Part 3): Measuring success Sep 22, 2023 AEE-33NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Mountain View Farm & Vineyard (Part 4): Economic challenges Sep 22, 2023 AEE-34NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Mountain View Farm & Vineyard (Part 5): Marketing challenges Sep 22, 2023 AEE-35NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Mountain View Farm & Vineyard (Part 6): Balancing on-farm and off-farm employment Sep 22, 2023 AEE-36NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Croushorn Farms (Part 1): Starting a new farm enterprise Sep 22, 2023 AEE-37NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Croushorn Farms (Part 2): Challenges to new farm enterprises Sep 22, 2023 AEE-38NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Croushorn Farms (Part 3): Land and tenure acquisition Sep 22, 2023 AEE-39NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Croushorn Farms (Part 4): Marketing and business management Sep 22, 2023 AEE-40NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Juba Farm (Part 1): Starting a new farm enterprise Sep 22, 2023 AEE-41NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Juba Farm (Part 2): Challenges to farming Sep 22, 2023 AEE-42NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Juba Farm (Part 3): Crops grown on the farm Sep 22, 2023 AEE-43NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Juba Farm (Part 4): Cultural differences in farming in the U.S. Mar 1, 2023 AEE-44NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Huntley Farm & Seitz Angus (Part 1): Overview of a farm enterprise Sep 22, 2023 AEE-45NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Huntley Farm & Seitz Angus (Part 2): Challenges in new farm enterprise Sep 22, 2023 AEE-46NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Huntley Farm & Seitz Angus (Part 3): Advice for beginning farmers Sep 22, 2023 AEE-47NP
Virginia Whole Farm Planning: An Educational Program for Farm Startup and Development
The purpose of the Introduction to Whole Farm Planning module is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in Virginia make informed farm planning decisions by introducing them to the whole farm planning process.
Mar 2, 2022 AEE-50P (ALCE-289P)
Virginia Whole Farm Planning: An Educational Program for Farm Startup and Development, Land Acquisition and Tenure
The Land Acquisitions and Tenure module is designed to help beginning farmers and ranchers develop and implement their farmland tenure and transfer goals as part of the whole farm plan. Established farmers who are planning for the transfer of their farm may also find this module useful. The module includes concepts, worksheets, and examples to help you assess your resources and preferences for successful start-up planning.
Apr 6, 2022 AEE-51P (ALCE-288P)
Successful Farm Startup for Beginners: Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program
Starting a farm is an exciting yet challenging opportunity. As with any new undertaking, there is a lot to think about before beginning a farm venture. Gaining access to farmland, viable markets, capital and credit, as well as hands-on training and resources are some of the most important startup issues to consider as part of the planning process. You are likely asking yourself, “Where do I begin?” The purpose of this resource is to help newcomers make informed decisions at the start of the planning process. This “quick guide” is primarily designed for beginning farmers and ranchers, but service providers will also find this resource useful for answering questions about the farm startup process. This foundational work offers a valuable starting point on which to create a successful whole farm plan for a new agricultural venture.
May 12, 2020 AEE-67P
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Program: Virginia Beginning Farmer Profiles May 12, 2020 AEE-70NP
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Program: Technical Assistance & Resource Directory
The purpose of the Technical Assistance and Resource Directory is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in Virginia know what resources and resource professionals are available to them as they plan their new farm or ranch. The service and resource professionals featured throughout this directory are Coalition partners and are excellent points of contact for beginning farmers/ranchers and other service providers. The Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Program is a state-wide and coalition-based Extension program housed in Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
May 12, 2020 AEE-76NP
Virginia Farm to School Resource Guide: Helping Connect Virginia Foods to Virginia Schools
This Virginia Farm to School Resource Guide is designed to help cultivate connections between the many diverse stakeholders that support the Virginia Farm to School Program. This guide is intended to help facilitate locally and regionally-grown Virginia foods to school cafeterias and school-based meal programs. It contains research-based information, resources, and advice that can help start or expand a Farm to School initiative in your community. Farm to School programs locally and nationally come in many different shapes and sizes that are ultimately unique to the communities that develop them. Stakeholders that may find this guide helpful include: Virginia school nutrition directors, farmers, food distributors, Virginia Cooperative Extension professionals, and other school-based and agriculture-based educators and service providers interested in Farm to School programs.
Feb 2, 2024 AEE-77NP (ALCE-181NP)
Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project: Seven Springs Farm: CSA Farm Model Sep 16, 2013 AEE-78NP
An Evaluation of Program, Training, and Resource Needs of Virginia Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program
With funding from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program in fall 2010, the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program aims to meet the expressed needs of Virginia’s beginning farmers and support the development of social networks through which they can gain vital skills, information, technical assistance, and business capacity for long-term agricultural viability (see www.vabeginningfarmer.org).
Oct 11, 2024 AEE-81P
VCE Model of Community, Local, Regional Food Systems May 20, 2022 ALCE-154NP
Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems Apr 22, 2022 ALCE-155NP (ALCE-291NP)
Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems (CLRFS) Forum Report Oct 7, 2016 ALCE-156NP
Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems (CLRFS) Forum Executive Summary
Virginia’s food system directly impacts the survival and viability of farms and farmland; the economic development of rural and urban communities; the care, restoration, and resilience of ecological resources such as local waterways; and critical health issues. We use the language of community, local, and regional food systems to broadly define a complex and interconnected set of systems and pathways that comprise sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management to bring about social, economic, and ecological change that benefits all residents.
Oct 7, 2016 ALCE-157NP
An Introduction to Drones : On - Farm Use and Safety Implications Jan 15, 2018 ALCE-169NP (ALCE-172NP)
AgrAbility Virginia Program Evaluation Brief: 2016 Survey Results Dec 5, 2022 ALCE-170NP
AgrAbility Virginia’s Mixed-Method Program Evaluation Approach and Considerations Dec 5, 2022 ALCE-171NP
Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Decision-Making Guide for Farm Service Providers and Educators Feb 10, 2020 ALCE-187NP
Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies - The Dunlap’s Beef Cattle: The Impact of Intergenerational Farm Transfer Mar 16, 2020 ALCE-188NP
Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies - The Cooper Family Story Feb 12, 2020 ALCE-189NP
Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies - The Johnsons’ Broiler Farm Feb 12, 2020 ALCE-190NP
Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies - The Montel Family: An Intergenerational Farm Feb 12, 2020 ALCE-191NP
Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies - The Family Vegetable Farm in Roanoke, Virginia Feb 12, 2020 ALCE-192NP
Lawn Care Safety for the Whole Family During COVID-19
As it is every year at this time, it’s finally spring and the grass is growing. What is different about this year though, is that the kids are home. It might seem like a good idea to send them outside to do some yard work while practicing social distancing—and it is! Fresh air and exercise can help ease the stress of being cooped up inside for months on end.
Apr 9, 2020 ALCE-193NP
Farm Stress and Grief in the Time of COVID-19: Strategies and Resources May 1, 2020 ALCE-202NP
Managing Farm Financial Stress for a Healthy Farm and a Healthy Farm Family May 24, 2021 ALCE-220NP (ALCE-249NP)
Best Practices to Managing Farm Financial Health and Wellbeing Sep 2, 2020 ALCE-222NP
Farmer Financial Health and Wellbeing Assessment: A Tool for Fostering Supportive Financial Conversations
Extension agents are closely involved in advising farmers and farm families on identification and mitigation of financial risks unique to the agricultural industry. Financial decisions are often time-sensitive and complicated, and the source of many sleepless nights to farmers and advisors alike. This tool is intended for use as a communication aid to foster safe, productive conversations between farmers and service providers. It is designed to complement related resources aimed at supporting the mental health of our farmers who make tough decisions under conditions of uncertainty on a daily basis.
Sep 28, 2020 ALCE-226NP
The Farm Safety, Health & Wellness Toolkit
Farmers nationwide are experiencing socio-economic crisis and Virginia’s farmers are no exception. Farmers in Virginia are under immense stress due to various threats including social threats (within the family or community), economic threats (including land or market loss and associated financial stress), political threats (such as systemic discrimination, racism, and disadvantageous political policy), and environmental threats (like drought, flooding, or pest infestation). Farmers in Virginia experience overwhelming feelings of stress and may encounter associated mental health issues due to the current crises and the threats they face.
Nov 9, 2020 ALCE-233NP
AgrAbility Virginia Program Evaluation Brief: 2021 Survey & Interview Results Jun 29, 2021 ALCE-255NP
Assistive Technologies for Lower Extremity Mobility on the Farm Oct 15, 2021 ALCE-258NP
Assistive Technologies to Support Farmers with Low Vision or Blindness Oct 14, 2021 ALCE-259NP
Assistive Technologies for Upper Extremity Mobility on the Farm Oct 14, 2021 ALCE-260NP
Assistive Technologies to Improve Safety & Accessibility on Small Scale Diversified Vegetable Farms & Home Gardens Sep 7, 2021 ALCE-269NP
Taste of Farming: Writing an Agriculture Business Plan Mar 30, 2022 ALCE-296-1NP
Taste of Farming: Forestry in Virginia Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-10
Taste of Farming: Grazing Math Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-11
Taste of Farming: Beef Management 101 Apr 4, 2022 ALCE-296-12
Taste of Farming: Agroforestry Apr 4, 2022 ALCE-296-13
Taste of Farming: Small Fruit Production Apr 4, 2022 ALCE-296-14
Taste of Farming: Agritourism Apr 4, 2022 ALCE-296-16
Taste of Farming: Hydroponic Production Apr 4, 2022 ALCE-296-17
Taste of Farming: Things to Consider for Your New Farm (Ad)Venture Mar 30, 2022 ALCE-296-2
Taste of Farming: Key Agencies and Resources to Assist Your Farming Venture Mar 30, 2022 ALCE-296-3
Taste of Farming: Basic Soils Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-4
Taste of Farming: Vegetable Production and Food Safety Requirements Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-5
Taste of Farming: Integrated Pest Management Basics Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-6
Taste of Farming: Getting Started in the Greenhouse Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-7
Taste of Farming: Horse Management 101 Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-8
Taste of Farming: Pumpkins Apr 1, 2022 ALCE-296-9
What is an Agricultural Exoskeleton? Jan 12, 2023 ALCE-303NP
The Role of Farmer Input in the Design of Assistive Technologies: A Focus on Agricultural Exoskeletons ALCE-304NP
The Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program (brochure) Feb 17, 2023 ALCE-305NP
La Coalición de Granjeros y Rancheros Principiantes de Virginia (The Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program) Apr 4, 2023 ALCE-305NP
Information for New Pesticide Applicators Apr 19, 2023 ALCE-307NP
Floriculture: From Field to Vase Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-308NP
Starting a Small Scale Dairy (Part I): Raising a Healthy and Future Production Dairy Heifer Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-309NP
Starting a Small Scale Dairy (Part II): Small Scale Dairy with Cows or Goats Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-310NP
Starting a Small Scale Dairy (Part III): The Rest of the Story Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-311NP
Seafood Safety Regulations and Requirements Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-312NP
Sheep and Goat Production Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-314NP
Starting a Vineyard Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-316NP
AgrAbility Virginia Program Evaluation Brief: 2023 Survey & Interview Results
AgrAbility Virginia promotes safety, wellness, and accessibility on the farm through education, rehabilitative services, and assistive technology. AgrAbility Virginia is a partnership program between Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Easterseals UCP. AgrAbility Virginia is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). As a statewide program, AgrAbility Virginia works closely with Virginia's rehabilitation and agricultural service delivery system to increase organizational capacity and provide the best quality education and services for farmers across Virginia. AgrAbility Virginia works in partnership with the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and others to make recommendations for farmers regarding assistive technologies and new farm procedures and protocols that will make farming more comfortable and safer.
Jul 3, 2023 ALCE-318NP
Are you a Beginning Farmer?
You are likely asking yourself, “Where do I begin?” The purpose of this tool is to help you gather a solid basis of information as you consider your “start-up” situation. Once you have completed as much as you can of this worksheet (or if you have any questions along the way), please bring it to your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office to get guidance on where to go next: http://www.ext.vt.edu/offices/index.html. Good Luck! We look forward to helping you bring your farm vision to life!
May 12, 2020 ANR-91NP
Grape Production Injuries and Prevention
Grape acreage and production have been steadily increasing in the US. In 2010 there were approximately 23,000 farms with a total of 944,800 acres producing grapes. Ninety percent of these farms are smaller than 100 acres and about 16,000 of these were vineyards. California accounts for about 90% of the total production in the US. The next two largest grape producing states are Washington and New York and they produce approximately 6% and 2% respectively (NASS-USDA, 2014)
Oct 23, 2020 BSE-186NP (BSE-355NP)
Virginia Farm to Table: Healthy Farms and Healthy Food for the Common Wealth and Common Good Aug 29, 2018 CV-3 (SPES-27P)
Facilitating Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems Jun 10, 2019 SPES-144NP
Introduction to Soil, Conservation, and Place video series Jan 7, 2021 SPES-290NP
Food Deserts in Virginia
In 2012, Delegate Delores McQuinn introduced House Joint Resolution 88 and then in 2013 reintroduced House Joint Resolution 646 to request that the Virginia General Assembly review the issue of food deserts in Virginia. The Honorable William Howell, Speaker of the House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly, commissioned Alan Grant, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, and Jewel Hairston, dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University, to conduct a study of food deserts in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jul 3, 2024 VCE-294