Incubator Farm Training Program

Start Your Farming Journey with New Entry’s Incubator Farm Training Program!

At New Entry, we offer hands-on, practical training for aspiring farmers looking to start and grow their own small farm businesses. Our Incubator Farm Program is designed to support you every step of the way, providing access to land, infrastructure, and expert guidance to help your farm thrive.

For more information on how to start farming on New Entry's Incubator Farm, contact Leah Jurman at leah.jurman@tufts.edu

After completing our Farm Business Planning Course and developing a solid business plan, you will be eligible to join our training farm in Beverly, MA, at affordable rates for up to three years. Here, you will find a supportive community where beginning farmers can learn and grow.

As a participant, you will benefit from:

Affordable Access to Land and Resources: Start farming without the high costs of land and infrastructure. We provide affordable access to farmland, irrigation, electricity, and basic farm tools so you can focus on building your business.
Shared Equipment and Facilities: Use our small farm equipment, produce wash stations, storage space, and unheated high tunnels. These shared resources help you manage your farm more effectively.
One-on-One Technical Assistance: Receive personalized guidance from experienced staff. Whether you need help with crop issues, business planning, or increasing yields, we offer support tailored to your needs.
A Supportive Farming Community: Join a network of farmers sharing knowledge and encouragement. Our collaborative environment ensures you learn from both peers and experts while growing your business.
Opportunities for Business Growth: We offer workshops on farm business management, marketing, and direct-to-consumer strategies, helping you build a thriving farm enterprise.

In short, New Entry’s Incubator Farm Program provides all the essential resources, expert support, and community connections you need to confidently start, manage, and grow your small farm business.

Eligibility:

To participate, you’ll need to:

Demonstrate farming experience.
Complete our Farm Business Planning Course.
Submit a complete farm business plan.
Review and agree to our Incubator Farmer Manual.
Submit your application before December 15th 2024. Apply here for the 2025 season.
Demonstrate proof of farm liability insurance.

What We Provide:

At New Entry, we make sure you have everything you need to succeed. Our comprehensive support includes:

Spring and fall plowing services.
Field-scale fertility and pH management.
Landowner fees covered.
Access to sanitary facilities.
Irrigation and electricity access.
Cover crop seeds for spring, summer, and fall.
Training sessions in the field.
Unheated high tunnels for season extension.
Storage space.
Small farm equipment for your use.
Produce wash stations.

Additional Services:

Personalized technical assistance.
Custom tractor work.
Access to additional farm equipment (fees may apply).
Pesticide services (fees may apply).
Cooler space for your produce.
Heated greenhouse for seedling propagation.

Cost:

For a ¼ acre farm in your first year, New Entry’s fees total approximately $1,500. This includes access to land, infrastructure, training, and equipment, but does not cover personal business fees, seeds, specialized soil amendments, or certain other supplies. For full details, please review the Incubator Farm Manual.

Tailored Technical Assistance for Farmers

New Entry offers comprehensive technical support to help you successfully manage both the production and business sides of farming. Our assistance includes:

Ongoing feedback and personalized support for your business and production plans.
Help with ordering seeds and equipment, obtaining permits and insurance, maintaining records, and accessing credit.
Guidance on marketing and selling your crops, whether through the New Entry Food Hub or other markets you identify.
After farming on the New Entry Incubator Farm for up to three seasons, we assist you in transitioning to your own independent farm site or help you find and evaluate farmland if you choose to farm elsewhere.

Farmers can also receive help with record-keeping, sourcing equipment and supplies, land access, and navigating permits and regulations needed to grow and market crops. Our goal is to provide all the resources and guidance necessary to help you succeed in launching and operating your farm.

Marketing Assistance

Learning to market your produce is just as important as learning to grow it. At New Entry, we provide comprehensive support to help you develop and implement a successful marketing strategy.

Marketing Plans: During the Farm Business Planning Course, you'll create a detailed marketing plan that outlines the products you plan to grow and the markets you’ll target, such as farmers markets, stores, and restaurants. New Entry will assist you in executing your plan by helping you make market contacts, connecting you with insurance and food safety resources, and guiding you in selling to a variety of customers.

New Entry Food Hub: A popular marketing option for beginning farmers is selling through the New Entry Food Hub. The Food Hub purchases produce at a fair market price, aggregates it, and sells it to CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members and low-income food access partners throughout the season. This opportunity gives you hands-on experience with the challenges of marketing and selling produce, a crucial step in building a sustainable farm business.

For more details on selling through the New Entry Food Hub, contact Sara Davis at sara.davis@tufts.edu.

Transitioning off the incubator:

Transitioning to Your Own Independent Farm. After three years on our Incubator Training Farm, we’ll assist you in transitioning to your own independent farm site. Our Transitioning Farmer Program offers technical assistance and referrals in areas such as:

Farm business planning.
Finding and assessing farmland.
Recommending small farm equipment.
Lease agreements and land conservation planning.
Farm production practices and management.
Linking to Massachusetts markets and direct marketing programs.
Applying for farm credit and loans.
Accessing custom farm services (land preparation, fertility).
Applying for USDA programs (crop insurance, conservation planning).
Continuing access to New Entry’s training programs and workshops.