Regular readers here will know that I'm a member of quite a few internet groups and forums, and find them an excellent source of knowledge.
Whether it's just by 'lurking' and only viewing what's being commented on, or actively participating in the discussion by contributing comments, there's much to be gained by communicating with a whole range of people all over the world who are doing similar things to you. The format allows you to ask what you think are the most basic questions without fear of ridicule, knowing that someone out there has an answer.
You get to choose your level of engagement to, by either reading the posts on each groups website, or by being sent emails of the posts, either singularly or as a daily digest. (Isn't technology amazing?)
Following are the discussion groups and forums that I find useful; you might want to check them out.
Community Supported Agriculture networking list
Organic Homesteading + Gardening
Also there's a whole new range of groups on social networking and blogging sites, and while I'm a newbie it that arena, some look promising.
Facebook groups Support Biodynamic Agriculture, Support Organic Farming, Students for Sustainable Agriculture
Flickr groups Local is Beautiful - Growing + Eating Local Food, Vegetables
What I really treasure are my favourite sites that weekly or monthly send out some of the best information available for what we are doing, and what we're interested in.
ATTRA Weekly Harvest newsletter
Organic Federation of Australia newsletter
Organic Trade Assn O'Mama Report
Lastly, a few blogs that I love to read before the days end ...
That's about all there is for me. It's far from exhaustive, although keeping up with it all can be tiring!
Now I know you've got some favourite sites and groups. What are they? Share them by adding them to the comments below.
Photo by goatopolis
Glad you found the list useful. The resources page here on the site has other sites and listings as well.
The web has been and will continue to be an amazing resource - the ability for the transfer of knowledge and the speed with which it can occur is great.
Look forward to seeing you here again.
Posted by: Andrew Hearne | July 02, 2008 at 18:01
WOW thanks for this list of great newsletters and websites. It looks like I'll have a few more blogs to subscribe too! My own blog is listed there in the URL under my name if you want to check it out or add it to the list. I'm just getting started, but I'm excited at the prospect the Internet offers to modern-day homesteaders.
Posted by: Off Grid Ebert | July 02, 2008 at 05:14
Surya,
Thanks for your inspiring comment.
Seems you've jumped headlong into immersing yourself in organic and biodynamic agriculture. I'll contact you by email offline to discuss matters further.
Posted by: Andrew Hearne | June 20, 2008 at 16:49
Dear All:
Hello.
This is Mr. Surya Nath Adhikari from Nepal - the Agricultural Country.
First, I would like to introduce myself in detail:
I am 39 year old Agriculturist having my own family farm.
I am wishing to make my Family Farm first Full Organic and then Transition into Bio-Dynamic Organic Farm.
I am former International J1Exchange Visitor (Trainee) for Farm & Industry Short Course Graduate (One YearCertificate) from University of Wisconsin -Madison, CALS , USA 2001-2002 batch. Presently, I am a Family Farmer and also a Managing Director of - BIO-DYNAMIC ORGANIC FARMING & SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SERVICE PVT. LTD.
I am also working as Country Representative/Partner from Nepal for-
(1) Communicating for Agriculture Exchange Program, MN-USA for Dairy, Field Crops, Horticulture,
Apiary and Fishery Placements in the US Host Farms ( Reference Maja Bherens: www.caepinc.org)
(2) The Global Cow Ltd, Vermont-USA for Dairy Placements only ( Reference- Jill Stahl Tyler: www.globalcow.com)
(3) IEPUK , UK for Dairy, Field Crops and Horticulture Placements only (Reference: Vanessa Peach: www.iepuk.org
(4) Worldwide Farmers Exchange (WFE)-assisting in sending applications and
screening trainees as well as trying to establish Fiber Based Productions Business Export to the US ( Reference: Christopher Barden/Ashley Medulan: www.worldwidefarmers.org)
(5) Rural Exchange-New Zealand, RENZ (Reference: Vicky Lucas: www.renz.co.nz)
(6) Life Member for Wisconsin Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) for various International Relationships. (Reference: Richard Daluge, Dean of Short Course: www.wisc.edu)
(7) Sending Trainees for the Bibber International, Australia for Winery Placements too (Reference: Sue Calghoris: www.bibber.au)
I am also Student/Trainee of Peter Proctor ( the Pioneer in Biodynamic Agriculture and writer of the Book 'Grasp the Nettle'.
As I am a former Trainee in International Agriculture Exchange Program, I know
that how important and necessary are the Agriculture Exchange Programs for the
young farmers from the Agricultural Country like Nepal .
I have very good and wide networks among Nepalese farmers who wish to
participate in such exchange programs for Practical Farming Experiences and Cultural
Exchanges. And, I have found and experienced that some people (farmers) wish to
go to different countries for the Different Agricultural Trainings. It depends upon their
training needs/ Farming Interests and the country love, choice and many more things that they have as a Country / Agricultural System CRAZE!
So, I am still interested to widen my Agriculture Networks among the other countries. If you are interested for this, Please do contact me.
Please do note that this Work-Exchange Programs can fulfill the Labor Shortage in the countries where Labor is the main Issue.
Also, alternatively- I have EXPLORED and am FEELING GREAT NECESSITY FOR going full ORGANIC FARMING AND ITS REVOLUTIONARY PRACTICES (my Main Interest) which has been Today's Most essential part of Farming- both for Human Health and the Environmental Concerns as well as for the life of the Farm Fields which is a farmer's Everything.
So, I have decided to move myself towards the Organic Farming System-(1) by knowing more and more about this farming system from grassroots level to convert/transition my own family farm to the Organic One which is in Progress and (2) by educating and providing full support and services to the Nepalese Farmers –TO GO ORGANIC by transitioning their Conventional Farms to the Organic One.
So, now my main INTEREST is to establish a Project/ Joint Venture Organic Exchange Program to educate and help Nepalese Farmers –TO GO ORGANIC. As well as I wish to establish an Organic Awareness (Educational) Institution by our Bilateral Venture/Efforts. And for this, we need to start both practical and theoretical awareness programs too.
So, Can we start either –(1)International Organic Exchange /Training/Employment Programs by Placing the Young Nepalese Farmers at Organic Host/Employer Farms OR-(2) Establish a joint venture On-farm Organic Farming Demonstration Project Program here in Nepal to educate Nepalese Farmers for Sustainability as well as bring Foreign Trainees/Visitors to Nepal too as an Inbound Programs ?
Please do let me know about it and I would love to get more information or suggestions regarding the matters for the Organic Practices and the movements in NEPAL .
There is also a VITAL DEMAND for the Organic Vegetable/Fruits and Food Crops.
Finally, my goal is to move towards Bio-Dynamic Organic Farming System to educate Nepalese Farmers about Bio-diversity and its Holistic Management in the Farm when we entirely all set for the Organic Farming Practices.
Thank you for your great support.
I am also wishing to attend any Seminars/Workshops/Short Courses/ Interaction Programs regarding the Sustainable Agriculture.
More in the next.
Hope to get reply.
Sincerely,
Surya
Surya Nath Adhikari (Former Exchange Visitor at UW-Madison-USA, Agriculturist & Global Exchange Partner)
Managing Director For-
BIO-DYNAMIC ORGANIC FARMING & SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SERVICE PVT. LTD.
Gothatar V.D.C.-8, Kandaghari , Birendra Chowk, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tele # 977-01-4990880
E-mail: bdorganic.agricultureservice@gmail.com
Govt of Nepal Regd No. 48702/064/065
Posted by: SURYA NATH ADHIKARI | June 20, 2008 at 16:20