“RAFI gives farmers information without attitude.”
-Rick Apple, North Carolina Farmer

Farmer’s Guides

The Farmer’s Guide to GMOs– This Farmers’ Guide to GMOs addresses some of the many issues that are associated with farmers’ use of GMOs. While this Guide is designed for US farmers, it is our hope that the information provided can be illustrative to farmers worldwide.
The Farmer’s Guide to the Development of New Farm Enterprises– This guide includes information on developing value-added products, identifying new farm opportunities, on-farm processing, selling your products, and more.
The Farmer’s Guide to Agricultural Credit– This guide is aimed at helping farmers get ready to ask a lender for the financing needed in new and innovative ventures. When used as part of an overall enterprise development strategy, it can help farmers and lenders achieve mutually beneficial results when they sit down to do business.

Contract Agriculture

Questions to Ask Before Signing a Poultry Contract – This publications was originally authored in 1995 by Mary Clouse, former poultry farmer and then Director of the RAFI Poultry Project. The original publication was revised and updated in 2005. While the questions are related to broiler contracts in general, most of the underlying issues raised are the same for pullet, egg, and turkey operations as well.
A Poultry Grower’s Guide to FSA Loans: This guide will walk you through the decision making process, help you weigh the risks and benefits of investing in a poultry operation, and understand the FSA Loan application process step-by-step.
GIPSA Fact Sheet – This fact sheet was produced by the RAFI in cooperation with the Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform and Farmersʼ Legal Action Group.
Binding Mandatory Arbitration Fact Sheet – Published by RAFI in 2007, this fact sheet explains how binding mandatory arbitration affects contract farmers.
The Farmer’s Guide to Peanut Contracts – This guide is intended for farmers who are considering growing peanuts for the first time and for those who are deciding whether to expand their operations and investment in equipment based on contracts in the United States. January 2007

Managing Specialty Crop Risks in North Carolina – Addressing risk is critical to the survival of family farms. Specialty crops in particular face a greater challenge. Over the past year, RAFI worked with specialty crop farmers across North Carolina to research and write the Managing Specialty Crop Risk in North Carolina report.
Disaster Programs and the Changing Face of Agriculture in North Carolina – Written by Scott Marlow in 2011, this report explores the growing gap between the needs of North Carolina farmers and the protection provided by federal disaster programs.
Documenting Disaster Losses – A farmer’s ability to receive assistance for disaster losses depends in large part on his or her ability to demonstrate the extent of those losses. The better the documentation, the more likely it is that a producer will be able to maximize the assistance he or she is eligible for. This guide helps farmers understand how to document the impact of disasters on their farms and apply for assistance.
Guide to Mass Poultry Mortality & Disposal – For poultry growers, the dreaded sound of the poultry house alarm going off means lost income and days of work ahead.When natural disaster, weather, equipment failure or disease threatens, farmers find themselves with the financial and logistical responsibility of disposing of large numbers of dead birds in a timely and safe way. This guide describes options available to farmers to effectively deal with the disposal of dead birds.

The Farmer’s Guide to the Development of New Farm Enterprises– This guide includes information on developing value-added products, identifying new farm opportunities, on-farm processing, selling your products, and more.

The Agricultural Reinvestment Report – This 2006 reports outlines a strategy for sustaining income and jobs in rural communities through investment in existing farm businesses. The report documents the role that direct-investment in farmer innovation can play in assisting rural, farm enterprises to transition to more profitable, sustainable models.

Landowner Oil and Gas Rights Leasing Education Packet
“Hydraulic Fracturing: Where are We Now” – This presentation provides a brief overview of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as well as in-depth analysis of compulsory pooling. The presentation was authored by RAFI Research & Policy Associate James Robinson.
An Overview of Pooling in Five Oil and Gas Producing States – Presentation made to the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commissions Study Group on Compulsory Pooling. Includes overview of policy behind pooling and pooling in other states, Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia.