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Gardening and Farming Associations



Farming and Gardening Agencies, Associations, Networks, and Organizations

It has come to my attention that there is a growing network of international associations that share the goals, objectives, and ideals of Tumbledown Farm--perhaps not always completely, but sufficiently for us to dedicate a page to the exploration of many very good connections for information, networking and news. I have had to search these out here and there over time. I hope this page serves as a good, quick introduction to others who may be exploring this territory for the first time.

  • Acres U.S.A.  A web site, book catalog, and newsletter promoting organic farming, homesteading, and the like.  May require overlooking a few references to "Gaia" and the like, but overall a great list with which to begin reading about the subject.
  • The American Pastured Poultry Producers' Association (APPPA). Their goal is to assist pastured poultry producers. APPPA encourages people to learn and exchange information about raising poultry on pasture, exchanging techniques, innovations, and advice.
  • ATTRA - The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, funded by the USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It is an educational and research service for farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States. They have 250 titles published and available to rural market gardeners and the like. They'll also research a subject and write up a response if there is not a publication and summary readily available to answer a particular question.
  • The Ecological Farming Association.  An activist association with educational programs and publications.  Self-described as supporters of " strengthening soils, protecting air and water, encouraging diverse ecosystems and economies, ...honoring rural life  [and] producing healthful food.
  • Farm & Garden | Building Sustainable Lives.
  • I Heart Farms, stories and pictures of real people and real food.
  • Kokopelli. They seek the "liberation of seed and soil," 'nuf said. They also maintain a seed bank with a great seed catalog for traditional varieties of vegetables.
  • The NEW FARM Web Site (was http:/www.newfarm.org) is now returning to its roots as part of the Rodale Institute web site.  The old archived organic farming articles and any new publications can be found now at the Rodale site.
  • Ohio Grazing Network, includes the "Amazing Graze" Newsletter.
  • Pro Specie Rara. This group lists as its purpose the following: safeguarding the diversity of domestic plants and animals, obtaining and saving our cultural heritage as represented by traditional varieties and breeds of plants and animals, and allowing access to seeds and breeding animals, and the like.
  • SARE--Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. SARE is another USDA funded "alternative approach" (= not beholden to "agribusiness") to farming. In other words, it promotes farming systems that are "profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities." In my book that means they are most likely also traditional.
  • Urgenci. This network supports four fundamental ideas: partnership, proximity, solidarity, and the producer/consumer tandem. It aims to maintain and expand peasant agriculture, to implement food sovereignty in all regions and communities of the world, to improve health through food and to fight against hunger and malnutrition, to develop citizenship in the economic sphere as well as social networks of solidarity between producers and consumers and between people in urban and rural communities, to educate people on the environment and citizenship, and to fight against exclusion and poverty through the building of solidarity networks whether in rural peasant or urban contexts, or by bringing them together.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Alternative Farm Systems Information Center. The section of the National Agriculture Library that provides information about sustainable and alternative agricultural systems, crops and livestock.
  • Uniterre. This association works for the defense of farmers and rural communities around the world, especially taking on regulations, legislation, and legal action on their behalf.