Farm Incubator Program

Our Farmer Incubator Program is a critical part of our Farmland Access Service, providing land to initiate or expand agricultural businesses. Participants can spend up to five years in the program. We currently have two operations successfully producing on the farm, and we accept applications to on a rolling basis.

• What is a Farmer Incubator?

  The SAHC Farmer Incubator Program seeks to support and develop new farm businesses by providing affordable access to land and farm resources. Active annual, perennial and livestock farming is balanced with resilient natural environments through a symbiotic relationship.
• What kinds of farm enterprises could work?

  As a leader in conservation, SAHC strives to support on-site farming enterprises while sustaining and improving the environment.

  The farm site is suitable for a variety of enterprises, including (but not limited to):

  • Small-scale livestock (beef cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, swine)
  • Annual and perennial vegetables
  • Cut flowers
  • Herbs
  • Nursery plants
  • Bees
  • Mushrooms
  • Forest herbs
• Basic requirements:

  • 2 + years of direct farming experience
  • A written business plan either completed or in development
  • A commitment to grow products with ecologically sound,
    sustainable practices
  • The ability to work a minimum of 20 hours/week on
    your farming operation
  • A minimum one-year commitment to participate in the program
  • A willingness to work collaboratively with farm staff and other participant farmers, and to communicate effectively
  • Once accepted, a general liability insurance policy with a minimum $500,000 coverage
• What support is offered?

  We offer access to land, infrastructure and tools for up to five years (with affordable fee structure) for beginning farmers & ranchers*, limited resource farmers & ranchers* and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers*.

  We also offer support through training and access to our Farmer Education Workshop series.  Our Farm Pathways partnership with Organic Growers School and WNC Farmlink provides access to Farm Beginnings® (an 180+ hour, year-long Farmer Training Program) and land-seeking assistance in order for participants to continue farming after the program.

  * https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/outreach/slbfr/
• Contact Us

  For questions about the application process or the program, please contact SAHC Community Farm & Food Program Associate Chris Link at chris@appalachian.org or (828) 253-0095 ext. 203.