The Farm Incubator and Grower (FIG) Program provides land and resources for vegetable, cut flower, herb, and pasture-based animal farm ventures for beginning landless farmers.
FIG is open to new applicants September-November, we work hard to select beginning farmers who are ready to start their own farm enterprise at the start of the following year.
Selected FIG farmers will have the option to lease small parcels of land from the agricultural commons, at a subsidized rate, based on the approval of a viable farm business plan.
FIG has land available in .25-2 acre plots and offers smaller plots and more support in the first year for FIG farmers, and more land and less support (as needed) as farmers establish themselves and their farm enterprise.
Ideal FIG candidates have:
- at least 1 year experience farming, preferably more (can be a combination of education, experience, apprenticeships)
- a plan for farming in your first year that includes what you would like to produce, and how much land, tools, and other resources you will need, as well as an outline of what resources you have already
-be committed to and grow by organic standards (no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fumigants, hormones, or unnecessary antibiotics, as well as crop-planning that includes compost amendments, crop-rotations, cover-cropping, and IPM)
-market locally as much as possible
-be able to work at least ½ time (minimum 20 hours/week) on your farming operation
-demonstrate a willingness to communicate and give and take feedback
-be able to work collaboratively with other FIG farmers and mentors on-site to collectively maintain the site, equipment, buildings, and tools
-be willing and able to attend meetings, workshops, and community events
What FIG offers for shared use:
-passive solar greenhouse for seed-starting
-barn for storage of personal tools, harvesting and marketing equipment
-potable well with water access points available throughout the farm for irrigation and/or livestock water
-wash-house for post-harvest of vegetables and cut flowers
-walk-in fridge space for post-harvest handling of vegetables and flowers
-freezer unit for storage of frozen meat products for meat handlers
-perimeter fence and portable fence materials available for management intensive livestock enterprises
-variety of hand tools for weeding, cultivating, and harvesting
-variety of harvest containers
-small walk-behind tiller, weedeaters, and mower
-a compact garden tractor with front-end loader, disc, plow, tiller, and bushog
-cold frames
FIG farmers are responsible for meeting all costs, will keep all profits, and will also have access to shared facilities and equipment.
FIG is open to new applicants September-November, we work hard to select beginning farmers who are ready to start their own farm enterprise at the start of the following year.
Selected FIG farmers will have the option to lease small parcels of land from the agricultural commons, at a subsidized rate, based on the approval of a viable farm business plan.
FIG has land available in .25-2 acre plots and offers smaller plots and more support in the first year for FIG farmers, and more land and less support (as needed) as farmers establish themselves and their farm enterprise.
Ideal FIG candidates have:
- at least 1 year experience farming, preferably more (can be a combination of education, experience, apprenticeships)
- a plan for farming in your first year that includes what you would like to produce, and how much land, tools, and other resources you will need, as well as an outline of what resources you have already
-be committed to and grow by organic standards (no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fumigants, hormones, or unnecessary antibiotics, as well as crop-planning that includes compost amendments, crop-rotations, cover-cropping, and IPM)
-market locally as much as possible
-be able to work at least ½ time (minimum 20 hours/week) on your farming operation
-demonstrate a willingness to communicate and give and take feedback
-be able to work collaboratively with other FIG farmers and mentors on-site to collectively maintain the site, equipment, buildings, and tools
-be willing and able to attend meetings, workshops, and community events
What FIG offers for shared use:
-passive solar greenhouse for seed-starting
-barn for storage of personal tools, harvesting and marketing equipment
-potable well with water access points available throughout the farm for irrigation and/or livestock water
-wash-house for post-harvest of vegetables and cut flowers
-walk-in fridge space for post-harvest handling of vegetables and flowers
-freezer unit for storage of frozen meat products for meat handlers
-perimeter fence and portable fence materials available for management intensive livestock enterprises
-variety of hand tools for weeding, cultivating, and harvesting
-variety of harvest containers
-small walk-behind tiller, weedeaters, and mower
-a compact garden tractor with front-end loader, disc, plow, tiller, and bushog
-cold frames
FIG farmers are responsible for meeting all costs, will keep all profits, and will also have access to shared facilities and equipment.