. . . an initiative of the North Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council - building a better future for Marin, Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties

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Who we are

Cultivating Commerce is an initiative of the North Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.  We rely heavily on partnerships and our own membership expertise to educate and assist people in the sustainable use of agricultural and natural resources within Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake Counties of California.

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Links

The North Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council has identified several useful links for farming entrepreneurial information.  Our Cultivating Commerce site will be the repository for this useful information.  In addition, following this first list, some websites are included which illustrate a few simple steps [click here] people can take in their everyday lives to further conservation of natural resources.

California FarmLink is a nonprofit organization that provides farmers with the tools they need to lease and purchase land, access capital, and improve business and financial management skills

BeginningFarmers.org provides key information to support farmers just starting out, including a free planning guide for starting a farm.

 http://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/ provides sustainable small farms education.

Potential Loan financing: http://www.calcoastal.org/

Missouri Beginning Farmers Program which lists several informative guides to figuring out your farm needs.

The Center for Rural Affairs has considerable information useful to new and existing farmers.

The National Young Farmers Coalition keeps new farmers informed, and its blog answers many farmers questions.

Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire:  "Environmental, Economic, and Social Changes in Rural America Visible in Survey Data and Satellite Images."

Entrepreurial questions for beginning farmers are not restricted to the United States.  The United Kingdom studied entrepreneurial limits and strengths through the "Entreprenurial Skills of Farmers Project"   This UK project had two study areas:

1.  Identification and analysis of economic, social and cultural factors which hinder or stimulate the development of entrepreneurial skills, reflecting the strategic orientation of the farm
2.  Elaboration of strategies and tools to improve these factors for different farming strategies

Find our more at their website:  www.esofarmers.org.

 

Simple Steps in Conservation

Have you ever thought how you might make a difference in conservation with a few simple acts in your daily life?  Here are some suggestions from Amy in Mrs. Fowler's 4th Grade Class:

"Water Conservation for Kids" http://www.thewaterpage.com/water-conservation-kids.htm

"Environmental Concerns - Recycling" http://www.aaenvironment.com/environmental-concerns-recycling.htm

"Just for Kids" http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/just_for_kids/13936

"Great Ways to Go Green!" http://www.plu.edu/sustainability/How-can-I-be-involved/Great-Ways-to-go-Green-at-PLU/home.php