Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) is a complex and potentially everchanging partnership between the federal government and private crop insurance providers. This module provides a general orientation to WFRP for trainers, links to resources that will allow trainers to access up-to-date information, and guidelines on how to introduce beginning refugee farmers to WFRP. It is suggested that trainers seek to make refugee farmers aware of the potential benefits and costs of WFRP (Activities 1 and 2), and to provide additional technical assistance and advocacy only for those farmers who choose to learn more and/or apply for WFRP. Farmers who are not proficient and literate in English should not attempt to purchase WFRP without the support of a trusted, bilingual advocate who can insure that the farmer understands all of a WFRP policy’s provisions and requirements.

This guide can be used to assist trainers who want to make good farm recordkeeping practices accessible to farmers with limited English and/or low literacy skills. It covers the reasons for and benefits of keeping good records for harvest and post-harvest activities, including compliance with food safety requirements. It explains what kinds of information need to be recorded and provides recommendations for when and how to collect that information. Tools which allow farmers with low-literacy skills to keep good records of on-farm activities are provided. This teaching resource was developed by Craig Demi of the Southside Community Land Trust in Providence, RI in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). 

This guide can be used to assist trainers who want to make good farm record keeping practices accessible to farmers with limited English or low-literacy skills. It covers the reasons and benefits of keeping good records for planning and planting, including compliance with food safety requirements. It explains what kinds of information need to be recorded and provides recommendations for when and how to collect that information. Tools which allow farmers with low-literacy skills to keep good records of on-farm activities are provided. This teaching resource was developed by Craig Demi of the Southside Community Land Trust in Providence, RI in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions).

Guided discussion draws on farmers’ traditional strategies for dealing with catastrophic crop failures to introduce the concept of crop insurance. Participants are introduced to basic concepts and vocabulary related to insurance. USDA’s Whole Farm Revenue Protection is introduced through a discussion of its purpose and benefits.

Participants will review costs and benefits of WFRP crop insurance and learn about eligibility, the application process, required farming practices and record keeping. They will be advised on where to find assistance with accessing information about WFRP, decision making, program application, compliance, and, when appropriate, collecting payments. Trainers may need to begin by reviewing what was learned about Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP), from Module 1: Introduction to Crop Insurance. This teaching resource was developed by Linda Seyler of Global Garden Refugee Training Farm in Chicago, in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions).

This is module 7 in a series of 8 modules in the New Roots Micro-producer academy. Module 7 introduces farmers to forms of currency, money handling and making change. This guide provides talking points for each slide in the corresponding PowerPoint presentation, and includes activity steps, tips for allowing farmers to reflect, and ideas for how to assess for farmer learning. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). Refugee farmer training programs across the country provided feedback on this lesson, which is now integrated throughout the guide.

This is module 5 in a series of 8 modules in the Interational Rescue Committee's Micro-producer Academy. This training guide will help you, the trainer, to lead a 2-hour training on the building blocks of budgeting and recordkeeping. While this was designed to serve as one workshop, some of the activities can be used independently if desired. Farmers will understand what counts as income, and what counts as expenses, and will become familiar with basic recordkeeping words and forms. This teaching resource was developed by International Rescue Committee in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). Refugee farmer training programs across the country provided feedback on this lesson, which is now integrated throughout the guide.