Whole Farm Planning with Holistic Management

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Introduction

Whole Farm Planning offers new and established vegetable growers the management tools they need to help make decisions that move them toward short-term success and long-term sustainability (we define sustainability as economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially just). There are many versions of Whole Farm Planning available today (described below). This web page is a guide to resources that will help vegetable growers begin the process of Whole Farm Planning using the Holistic Management® framework¹. This framework brings current management theory and practice to the natural resource management situation by:

1) encouraging growers to a create a holisticgoal for their operation;

2) carefully examining and assessing all of their personal, financial, social and natural resources;

3) developing comprehensive short and long term plans;

4) making decisions on a daily basis; and

5) monitoring their progress towards meeting their holisticgoal.

The Process

Whole Farm Planning using the Holistic Management framework includes three basic steps: 1) defining the "whole" to be managed; 2) creating a holistic goal; and 3) testing decisions. Specific instructions are provided here to help get you started.

Getting Started

If you are ready to get started, we suggest that you first define your whole farm. Once this is complete, the next step is to create your holisticgoal. Finally, you will want to practice testing decisions.

Resources on this site (site map)

Additional Resources on Whole Farm Planning

We encourage those interested to examine the following resources to determine if this management framework will be of use to you.

• ATTRA page describing Whole Farm Planning using a Holistic Management framework: http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/holistic.html
• Kansas State University page on Whole Farm Planning: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/MF2403.pdf
• Kansas State University page with a list of lots of planning tools: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/kcsaac/Pubs_kcsaac/ksas3.htm
• University of Minnesota page comparing different frameworks: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/businessmanagement/DF6985.html
• The Allan Savory Center for Holistic Management page: http://www.holisticmanagement.org/
• Resources from the Northeast Class of Certified Holistic Management Educators Click Here

Who to call

I am a participant in the Northeast Holistic Management Certified Educators program. I’m available for individual consultation on Whole Farm Planning using the Holistic Management framework on a limited basis at no charge.

Dr. John M. Gerber

Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences

210 French Hall

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA 01003

(413)545-5301

jgerber@pssci.umass.edu

http://www.umass.edu/umext/jgerber/

Other UMass Vegetable Resources

For information on other key resources available for vegetable growers, see the Vegetable Team website at: http://www.umassvegetable.org/index.html

¹ Holistic Management is a registered trademark of the Allan Savory Center for Holistic Management