Farm Stories

Farmers and ranchers across the South are redefining agriculture. Below are examples of Southern producers running successful sustainable farming operations. Click on the names to read their stories.

Do you have an article about a model farm that we can share with others?

Email it to: info@ssawg.org.

Here are publications or links to websites that describe more farmer experiences: 
 
An Agriculture That Makes Sense: Making Money on Hogs, 1996, by Jodi Dansingburg of the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Doug Gunnick of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. LSP's latest case study shows that sustainable hog production on a diversified operation can be profitable and good for the environment. The 50-sow hog enterprise on a Minnesota farm minimizes expenses through such production practices as outdoor farrowing and low cost housing. And instead of focusing on increasing productivity no matter what the environmental, social and economic cost, the farm family emphases profitability. 8 pp. $4.00. LSP, 2200 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110; 612-653-0618. 

Farming More Sustainably in the South: Farmers' Stories, Vol. I

Farmers and ranchers throughout the South are developing agricultural systems for ecological, economic and social sustainability. This booklet published by Southern SAWG in 1994 discusses the innovative production techniques, resource management, and marketing strategies of 9 sustainable agriculture pioneers. Included are Tom Trantham (dairy), Lorna McMahon (organic cotton), Carol Eichelberger and Jean Mills (vegetable CSA), Bob Birkenfield (organic row crops), Joe Judice (sugarcane), Mark Cain (organic flowers and vegetables), Jim Whitfield (row crops, cattle, pigs), Bob Constien (pumpkins and vegetables) and Mark Wilkes (organic cotton). A few of the practices discussed include rotations, cover crops, composting, soil balancing, diversification, holistic resource management, natural husbandry, the use of beneficial insects, value-added processing and direct marketing. Readers will find these stories both practical and inspirational. 30pp. $10.00. Click here to order.

Farming More Sustainably in the South: Farmers' Stories, Vol. II

Farmers and ranchers throughout the South are developing agricultural systems for ecological, economic and social sustainability. This booklet published by Southern SAWG in 1996 discusses the innovative production techniques, resource management, and marketing strategies of 12 sustainable agriculture pioneers. Included ar Jackie Judice (sugarcane), Kenny Haines (organic vegetables), Alyce Birchenough and Doug Wolbert (dairy), Lynn and Vicki Steward (organic citrus), Abraham Carpenter (vegetables), Donna Lisenby and Nita O'Brien (grassfed beef and vegetables), M.R. Fulks (organic row crops and vegetables), Steve Smith (vegetables, beef, tobacco), Joe and Peggy Maddox (beef and lamb), Steve McKaskle (row crops), Andrew and Bernadette Goldstein (organic vegetables and flowers), and Bay and JoAnn Laxson (organic vegetables and citrus). A few of the practices discussed include rotations, cover crops, composting, soil balancing, diversification, holistic resource management, natural husbandry, the use of beneficial insects, value-added processing and direct marketing. Readers will find these stories both practical and inspirational. 40pp. $10.00. Click here to order.

The New American Farmer: Profiles of Agricultural Innovation, 2001, edited by Valerie Berton. Profiles 49 sustainable farms and details the effects of farming practices on profitability, quality of life, rural communities and the environment. Demonstrates that sustainable agriculture is viable throughout American agriculture. 160 pp. $10.00 for book, $5.00 for CD-ROM, or free on the web. Sustainable Agriculture Publications, 210 Hills Bldg, Univ. of VT, Burlington, VT 05405-0082; 802-656-0484; www.sare.org/newfarmer. 

Twelve Aprils Dairy, by the Southern SARE project. An online manual about Tom Trantham's grazing dairy with lots of information about his forages, paddocks, waste management and other systems. On the internet at: www.griffin.peachnet.edu/sare/twelve/trantham.html
 
Profitable Poultry: Raising Birds on Pasture, 2002, by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). Features farmer experiences on raising and marketing poultry using pens, movable fencing and pastures, plus a page of resources on production, processing, and marketing. 16 pp. Free. Contact SAN at 301-504-6422; www.sare.org/bulletin/poultry
 
Pastured Poultry: A Heifer Project International Case Study Booklet, 1999, compiled by Anne Fanatico. A report describing the experiences of 35 Southern farm families who participated in a SARE-funded project to produce and market pastured poultry. Includes data on pen-building, brooding, feeding, processing, marketing, legal matters, economics, and more. 40 pp. Free. ATTRA, 800-346-9140; http://www.attra.org/livestock.html#Poultry 

Whole Farm Planning at Work: Success Stories of Ten Farms, 1999, by Jill MacKenzie and Loni Kemp. These stories from the Great Lakes Basin states show the diversity of forms that whole farm planning can take and the different results that can come of it. 40 pp. $8.00. The Minnesota Project, 1885 University Ave West, Suite 315, St. Paul, MN 55104; 651-645-6159; mnproject@gte.net.