INCUBATOR FARM TRAINING PROGRAM
We are very excited to be piloting the launch of our Incubator Farm Training Program! Through a USDA Rural Business Development Grant and an award from the EQT Foundation, Grow Ohio Valley will have the opportunity to support small agriculture businesses in the Ohio Valley and strengthen our local food community.
PROGRAM MISSION AND GOALS
The Incubator Farm Training Program will facilitate the growth and development of small and emerging agriculture businesses in the Ohio Valley. The program will offer participants access to farmland, tools, and infrastructure to reduce farmers’ start up costs and accelerate the growth of their business. It will provide training and assistance to farmers to further assist with business planning and implementation. We will assist producers with marketing and selling their products through multiple local sales outlets.
Our goals for the 2026 pilot program are to facilitate the growth of three small agriculture businesses, increase sales of locally grown produce in our region, and expand our available infrastructure for future farmers.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE
Incubator Farmers will have access to farmland, infrastructure, tools, and equipment to support the growth of their business. Some of our available resources are:
outdoor urban farm
covered high tunnel
heated greenhouse
wash and pack station
cold storage
potting soil
hand tools
soil blockers
season extension tools
sales outlets
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING
Incubator Farmers will be assisted with the development and execution of their business and production planning, sales, marketing, and distribution of their products. As the program develops, Grow Ohio Valley will develop a training curriculum for Incubator Farmers, focusing on farm production and business management, including educational visits with successful local farmers.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply as a participant in the 2026 pilot program, please fill out the Incubator Farm Application below and send in an email to chloe@growov.org. Do your best to approximate quantities and dates during the production planning part of the application, but don’t worry about it too much, we will go more in depth with production planning later. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns when completing the application.