Farm Business Incubator

Ready to start a farm of your own? We can help.

The Seed Farm Farm Business Incubator was created to meet the needs of new farmers that did not grow up on farms and therefore lack access to land, equipment, and capital.

On our 42-acre site, we provide access to land, infrastructure, equipment, and mentoring in order to break down the barriers to farm entry. We can help connect you with service providers, new markets, even promotional opportunities while you build a solid foundation for your farm business.

The Farm Incubator program is available to new farmers who can demonstrate adequate farming experience and solid marketing and business plans. Applicants must have some gardening or farming experience in order to start hand-scale farming on small plots (1/8-1/2 acre), with weekly check-ins and technical assistance.

Beginning farmers who have completed farm apprenticeships or internships, but who can benefit from frequent mentoring from Seed Farm staff and other area farmers, can apply to farm on a larger scale.

Applicants with a few years of experience under their belts are invited to assume a mentoring role on the farm.

START YOUR FARM

Resources available to incubator farmers include:

1/8 – 5 acres of land per farm;
cooler, greenhouse, and dry storage space;
tractors and implements;
wash/pack facilities;
water and irrigation system;
mentoring and technical assistance;
ongoing training opportunities.

RESOURCES

Apply Here!

Application Instructions

Farmer's Manual

Check Out Our Partner Organizations!

@2023 GROWING SEASON FARMERS

Kegan Hilaire, BlackBird Farms

Owned/operated by Kegan Hilaire, Blackbird Farms is a Certified Organic diversified vegetable production for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and wholesale growing on 4.7 acres. Kegan is in his third season as part of the Incubator Program.

AMIRAH MITCHELL, SISTAH SEEDS

Owned/operated by Amirah Mitchell and San Sankofa, Sistah Seeds is on its second year of producing seed crops of heirloom vegetables, herbs, and grains from across the African Diaspora, with a focus on African American, Afro-Caribbean, and West African cultural crops on 1.5 acres.

Billy McCullough, BLUE SUN growers

Owned/operated by Billy McCullough, Blue Sun Growers is a value-added culinary herb and spice farm business. Billy is in his second year as an Incubator Farmer and grows on 1 acre.

will christie, gathering light farm

Owned/operated by Will Christie, Gathering Light Farm is in its first year in the Incubator Program. Will grows culinary mushrooms for small-scale wholesale distribution to chefs and small markets.

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WILSON ALLEN, GOLDEN TROUT GREENS

Owned/operated by Wilson Allen, Golden Trout Greens is a market-garden vegetable farm selling to small-scale wholesale accounts. Wilson is a second year Incubator Farmer.

LIZZY BELLER, BUBBLY Hills FARMS

Owned/operated by Lizzy Beller, Bubbly Hills is a specialty cut-flower farm on just under half an acre. Lizzy grows flowers for her Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and the Nazareth Farmers Market and is a first year Incubator Farmer.

NATE FISHER, GARDEN ROSES

Owned/operated by Nate Fisher, Garden Roses is a horticultural rose production farm on ¼ acre. Nate is working on a rose breeding project and sells rose plants in his first year in the Incubator Program.