General Agricultural Resources
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency in charge of farm, ranch and forestry matters. USDA produces the Agricultural Census and the Agricultural Factbook, 2000. In addition, the USDAs Economic Research Services publishes Amber Waves. See your local State Departments of Agriculture for resources, programs and statistics specific to your state.
There are several agricultural related portals and directories, including the Agricultural Information Network, the National Agricultural Library, Agriculture Online, and P.E.A.R.L. Reports prepared by USDA Economics and Statistics Division (Searchable).
The Canadian Governments Agri-Food Trade Service provides excellent overviews of United States and foreign markets for food and other agricultural commodities. The U.S. market overviews include information on food distribution channels in specific regions of the country.
Adding to your current agricultural enterprise? Here is a checklist, article and bibliography for evaluating a rural enterprise.
Agriculture - Sample Business Plans
- Chicken Broiler Producer Business Plan (Canadian) – Chicken Broiler Producer Business Plan (Canadian)
- Dairy Operation (Canadian) Business Plan – Dairy Operation (Canadian) Business Plan
