The University of Massachusetts (UMASS) makes available services to farmers who have recently immigrated to the United States. The UMass Extension has professional staff to assist producers with research on the production of traditional crops. UMass Extension also provides research on new ethnic crops that have the potential to be grown and marketed in Massachusetts.

Two tools that can greatly assist immigrant farmers are the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis and the Risk Management Checklist.  Click here to access the SWOT Analysis and click here to access the Risk Management Checklist.  

Spanish version of the SWOT Analysis

Spanish version of Risk Management Checklist

UMass Extension, in cooperation of the USDA Risk Management Agency, provides new and immigrant growers with tools to assist in evaluating and managing potential risk. These tools include:  risk management, protecting and investing in your land and resources, building and improving your marketing, education and assistance, food safety, and, access to land and capital.

UMass Extension is committed to assisting producers, that may have language barriers, receiving materials and assistance in their native language.

The following links may also provide valuable resources or information for farmers starting out in Massachusetts:

Beginning Farms

Center for Rural Affairs

Land for Good

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

Nuestras Raices

Rural Information Center

World Farmers

For information or assistance contact a UMass Risk Management Specialist:

Paul Russell at pmrussell@umass.edu or Tom Smiarowski at tsmiarowski@umass.edu