Farm Business Incubator Opportunity – Hudson Valley

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Glynwood’s Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator (HVFBI) is an ideal stepping stone for farmers ready to build their own farm enterprises. The incubator offers access to low-cost land, equipment, infrastructure and housing. By working one-on-one with farmers on business and financial planning, technical skills and eventual land tenure transition, Glynwood’s HVFBI is taking a longer view on supporting a new generation of farmers in the region, equipping its participants with the tools and guidance to get there.

Situated on a 300 acre parcel in the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, NY,  the 3.5 year farm business incubator program spans four farming seasons and is designed to give participants an advantage as they develop and launch their farm businesses, beginning with a non-farming, workshop-intensive first year focused on business, financial, and practical skills, while undertaking on-site infrastructure prep for the coming seasons. Topics covered in Year 1 include strategic planning, operations, market research, business planning, management strategies, working with processors, marketing, pricing, basic finance, financial planning, inventory tracking, rotational grazing, tractor training, small engine maintenance, soil health and more. In addition to learning as a group, each farm business will also get one-on-one mentoring and technical assistance (TA) throughout the year.

The Farm Business Incubator has an emphasis on livestock production but we accept applicants for mixed/diverse enterprises. Most of the property is best suited for grazing livestock, specifically small ruminants, poultry and pork. We will also accept applicants for new vegetable or livestock operations that do not need access to land, and those who own or operate existing farms who will not be on-site at the New Paltz property. Off-site participants will be required to commute to the Incubator for all trainings, workshops and courses, most of which occur during the first year, and we will work together to find suitable methods for field visits. We also encourage applications for businesses looking to develop value-added products using sustainably raised vegetables and/or livestock.

In Year 2, with a year of planning under their belts, participants will launch their farm businesses while attending a handful of training workshops and continuing to receive ongoing TA from staff and instructors. During their second full farming season in Year 3, as they grow their market and community engagement, HVFBI farmers will continue to have access to TA if they need it and will be welcomed to any workshops offered. With a goal of transitioning to long-term land in late spring after Year 4 of the program, participants will focus on developing and strengthening strategic connections and relationship building in concert with their growing farm businesses. HVFBI staff and instructors will still be available to them for ongoing TA as needed through a transition to new land in late fall.

The farm business incubator program at the HVFBI is also open to farmers not in need of land, as well as farm managers/operators looking for training opportunities to develop their farm enterprise. Landed participants will take part in all on-site workshops and will have access to any needed TA along with the other members of their incubator cohort.

To apply, visit our website for more information. Initial applications are due December 1, 2016, with the program beginning in early May 2017.

Application Deadlines

• Application and letter of intent due December 1, 2016
• Upon first round acceptance, financial template and business questionnaire due December 19, 2016
• Finalists notified January 20, 2017
• In-person interviews at Glynwood February 1-28, 2017
• Participants notified February 28, 2017
• Participants move to area April 2017
• Program begins May 2017