Stewardship Program

Farm Stewards may develop their own businesses at the Seed Farm in years two and three of the training program. The Seed Farm rents land, infrastructure, and equipment at reduced rates. The Seed Farm also provides mentorship to help Farm Stewards successfully start their new farm businesses. Farm Stewards may farm on Seed Farm land for up to 2 years, and are not guaranteed land at the Seed Farm beyond this period. For more information on farm tenure please see the Policies and Procedures section of the Farmer Manual.

The Seed Farm provides land, deer fencing, irrigation main lines - including pump and headers, greenhouse space, a pole barn, a walk-in cooler, tractor (with various implements), walk behind tiller, and washing facilities.  Participants must supply their own small tools, seeds, compost, mulch, and irrigation lines from the main headlines.

The farm manager assists new farmers with developing effective production and marketing techniques, and solving with weed, pest, and other problems, as they arise. Monthly “farm update” meetings between the farm manager and all farm stewards facilitate information- and idea-sharing, a critical component in building an effective learning community. In addition to informal support between new farmers, the stewards will be required to meet bi-weekly with either the farm manager or the extension educator to talk about current challenges and uncover potential resolutions.