Agricultural Alternatives
The goal of the Agricultural Alternatives series is to help you evaluate all aspects of a given enterprise before you commit your time and money. Whether you are a full-time farmer looking to diversify or a part-time farmer looking to generate additional income from your property, there are many important issues to consider when selecting a new enterprise.
- Articles
Industrial Hemp Production
This publication provides information about hemp, including production history, policies, uses, market challenges, and production practices. It also includes sample budgets for production. - Articles
Potato Production
With many varieties and high consumer consumption, potatoes fit well with many small growers and can be marketed through various outlets. - Articles
Developing a Business Plan
An important task in starting a new venture is to develop a business plan, which is a "road map" to guide the future of a business or venture. - Articles
Feeding Beef Cattle
Beef cattle feeding is possible on small and part-time farms, but the cost of feeding drops significantly as the size of the operation increases. - Articles
High Tunnel Production
This is an ag alternatives publication on high tunnel production of vegetable crops. - Videos
Asparagus Grower Interview
Length 2:01Asparagus producer video explaining the benefits and drawbacks of asparagus production. - Articles
Sweet Corn Production
Initial investment is relatively low, and many field operations - such as land preparation, planting, and harvesting - can be custom-hired. - Articles
Off-Season and Accelerated Lamb Production
Sheep are ideally suited to small-scale and part-time farming operations in Pennsylvania due to their adaptability and nutritional versatility. - Articles
Meat Goat Production
Demand for goat meat, milk, cheese, and hide has steadily increased in the United States along with the proliferation of ethnic and specialty markets. - Articles
Irrigation for Fruit and Vegetable Production
Irrigation often is necessary because of the uneven distribution of precipitation throughout the year, especially during critical growth periods. - Articles
Dairy Goat Production
Dairy goat production is an alternative livestock enterprise suitable for many small-scale or part-time livestock operations. - Articles
Raspberry Production
Raspberry production is well suited to small farms, as a small area of raspberries can provide significant income and equipment needs for an acre or so of raspberries are not great. - Articles
Small-Scale Egg Production (Organic and Conventional)
Egg production on a small scale is one of the oldest animal farming enterprises in recorded history. A small investment may yield several years of income. - Articles
Small-Flock Turkey Production
Raising turkeys can be a satisfying educational activity as well as a source of economical, high-quality meat for your family and friends. - Articles
Hop Production
The growth of the craft brewery industry in the Northeast coupled with a series of hop shortages in the Pacific Northwest renewed interest in hop production in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. - Articles
Spring Lamb Production
Compared to most other livestock enterprises, spring lamb production has lower investment costs and labor requirements, and quicker returns on investment. - Articles
Cantaloupe (Muskmelon) Production
Cantaloupe is a crop that is well-suited to small-scale and part-time farms and has multiple markets for growers. - Articles
Asparagus Production
Asparagus is a perennial crop that lends itself well to small-scale and part-time farming operations. - Articles
Pepper Production
Peppers lend themselves well to small-scale and part-time farming operations. - Articles
Onion Production
Dry onions are a crop that lends itself well to small-scale and part-time farming operations. - Articles
Beef Cow-Calf Production
The beef cow-calf business is well adapted to small-scale and part-time farmers who have land suitable for pasture and hay production. - Articles
Introduction to Aquaculture
The type of aquaculture operation that you begin will be influenced by your financial and labor resources as well as available markets. - Articles
Agricultural Business Insurance
Risk management can take many forms, including insurance, production diversification, and business structure. - Articles
Budgeting for Agricultural Decision Making
The various types of budgets are used for different purposes and this publication provides information covering the most commonly used budgets in agriculture. - Articles
Managing Small Woodlots
Woodlot owners can improve your woods for the future or cause damage from which it might not recover for generations.