Resources

The National Center for Appropriate Technology has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. Headquartered in Butte, Montana, NCAT has six regional offices in Arkansas, California, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Montana and Texas.

NCAT was created in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s to develop appropriate, low-cost, energy-saving strategies for underserved communities. In 1987, NCAT expanded its mission to include sustainable agriculture.

NCAT is a trusted, practical and accessible resource for individuals and businesses working to leave our world better than we found it. We do this through a trusted knowledge base, individualized technical assistance, facilitating practical solutions and providing accessible services to support sustainable agriculture and energy-saving solutions.

ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture Program 

The National Center for Appropriate Technology’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program is a trusted and accessible resource for farmers and ranchers. Producers need practical information on sustainable and organic agriculture, how to get started in farming, how to qualify for government programs that value land stewardship and resource conservation, and how to pursue such profitable niche markets as organic meats and grains or agriculture tourism.  

The ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program has built a trusted knowledge base over the last 30 years on everything from livestock, horticulture and agronomy to organic farming, marketing, and farm energy. This multimedia knowledge base is available free online at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG, and our agriculture specialists are always available to provide one-on-one technical assistance. To access our FREE technical assistance: 

  • Call ATTRA at 800-346-9140 (English) or 800-411-3222 (Spanish) 
  • Email or text your questions to askanag@ncat.org 
  • Submit questions through our website chat box  

For weekly updates, sign up for ATTRA’s Weekly Harvest newsletter. 

Soil for Water  

The National Center for Appropriate Technology’s Soil for Water Project aims to reach hundreds of family-owned farms and ranches encouraging them to try land management practices that improve soil health, catch more water in soil, reduce erosion, sustain diverse plant and animal life, and filter out pollutants. 

 The Soil for Water project grew out of persistent droughts which put a strain on agricultural producers across the country. The effort is combining the use of appropriate technology, peer-to-peer learning, and on-farm monitoring to encourage the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices across the country. 

If you are a farmer, rancher or land manager, and are interested in applying regenerative agricultural practices that improve soil health and the water cycle, visit the Soil for Water project website.  

Partner Organizations

Ranchin’ Vets 

Ranchin’ Vets, a California based 501 c (3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014, serves veterans on a national level, with a mission to help veterans transition from military to civilian life through a variety of programs offered within the ranching and agricultural industry.

The Ranchin’ Vets Operation Hire A Vet Program connects veterans with opportunities within the agricultural industry. Veterans in the program who need additional support receive a temporary stipend towards transportation, housing, and clothing as they pursue agricultural opportunities.

Ranchin’ Vets has partnered with Armed to Farm to provide transportation stipends to eligible participating veterans on an as-needed basis. In order to receive this transportation stipend for their participation in Armed to Farm’s training sessions, veterans will be required to register with Ranchin’ Vets. By successfully completing their registration, veterans will also receive access to the Ranchin’ Vets exclusive online Veteran Community, with access to agricultural job postings nationwide as well as other resources.

We are grateful to Ranchin’ Vets for their partnership and this opportunity to offer another level of support to the farmer veterans who attend Armed to Farm.