NIFTI Training Materials

The National Incubator Farm Training Initiative (NIFTI) offers over 200 resources compiled from dozens of organizations across the country related to best practices for Incubator Farm Projects.

From sample curricula, to farmer leases and manuals, to site management protocols, NIFTI's library contains a wide range of tools to help your organization better serve beginning farmers.

If you have a resource you would like see, or one you would like to share with other incubator farm community of practitioners, contact nesfp@tufts.edu.

Farm Incubator Administration and Management

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  • Digital Download

Document that provides an overview of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, including history, staffing, budget, resources, activities, goals, and lessons.

Farm Incubator as a 501C3

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  • Digital Download

Document from the Farley Center that answers questions from the IRS pertaining to their application for 501(c)(3) status. Includes information on the organizations plans for farming, local food distribution, CSA sales, training and costs, educational/ charitable purpose, and yearly workshops provided. Following the submission of this information their 501(c)(3) application was approved.

Farm Incubator Case Studies

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  • Digital Download

Twelve case studies of farm incubator projects from across the U.S. conducted by the National Incubator Farm Training Initiative. Each case study is four full pages of information, including basic demographics (legal structure, numbers of staff and farmers served, acres, programs offered, etc.) as well as detailed discussions of project background, structure, operations, project management, lessons learned, and much more. The case studies also provide links to supplementary documents that offer insight and examples of the organization's work.

Farm Program Farm Report

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  • Digital Download

Farm report survey from the Intervale Center that asks farmers to report on the 2013 season, including marketing, income, labor, land use, and growing practices.

Farm Support Services

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  • Digital Download

Annotated list of resources compiled by the New Entry Sustainable Farm Project to assist incubator farm operations. Includes goverment programs, private companies, NGOs, grassroots groups, and consultants.

Farmer Fees

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  • Digital Download

Word document outline for fees due to incubator farm from farmers.  Should be adapted to specific incubator farm projects.  All Regions.  English Level: Beginning.  Farming level: n/a.  Literacy Level: Low.  Key Words: fees, organizational maintenance.

Farmland Access for New Farmers

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  • Digital Download

A brief overview of New Entry's farmland matching program, which helps connect farmers who get started on the incubator sites with available farmland in Eastern Massachusetts. Document includes program history, staffing, resources, and key activities.

Flow Chart - Business Planning Variables

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  • Digital Download

Word doc flow chart for farmers to illustrate different variables that affect their business planning.  All Regions.  English Level: emerging.  Farming level: Beginning. Literacy Level: Moderate.  Key words: business.

Food Safety Survey

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  • Digital Download

Survey from New Entry that asks farmers about general food safety practices, measures taken in the field, and post harvest procedures.

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