Record Keeping Resources

Software is available to help with record keeping, including: AgExpert Field Manager PRO software which can be used to keep track of crop and field records and to run what-if scenarios to see which production strategy gives the biggest boost to your bottom line.

Accounting software such as Quickbooks can be useful to track time, costs and revenues for different crops or parts of the business. The QuickBooks Farm Accounting Cookbook outlines how to set up a different “Class” for each crop and then generate reports to see costs and revenues.

• Classes as Enterprise Profit Centers and Cost Centers
• Setting Up Classes that Meet Your Information Goals

Brookfield Farm’s spreadsheets are suitable for a diversified market garden and available for $25 USD. These can be used to keep track of seed inventory, planting dates, greenhouse schedules, field records, and harvest records for a 500-shareholder CSA. The spreadsheets can assist in creating a crop plan, field planting schedule, field plan, seed order, greenhouse schedule, field records, and harvest records.

Presentation notes from Rowena Hopkins and Roxanne Beavers presentation at the 2008 ACORN Conference in Memramcook:

• Record-keeping for the organic audit and integrity

Rodale Institute's electronic Organic System Plan (US) help’s you assemble the necessary documentation to apply for organic certification through an accredited certifying agent. Although designed to be used in conjunction with the Rodale Institute's online Organic Transition Course, this tool can also be used independently. A complete Organic System Plan consists of one or more of the following elements, as appropriate to the individual operation: an Organic Farm Plan, an Organic Livestock Plan, and an Organic Handling Plan. Each component of the plan is broken into sections that correspond to the forms to be completed along the way.

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