Global Growers is a garden and incubator program located outside of Atlanta, Georgia, which offers a range of opportunities to New American farmers. While new farmers often approach opportunities to access land with the idea that the biggest available site is the best site, this isn't always the case. A number of factors, outlined in this fact sheet, can help determine which site is the most appropriate for a new farmer. Global Growers' intake process is intended to match farmers with the opportunity most suited to their abilities and needs, and set the tone for participation in the program.

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.

A presentation from the 2015 NIFTI National Field School on Land Matching and Acquisition by Noelle Fogg of New Entry.  

Learn about the New Entry Farmland Matching Service's three-pronged approach to helping beginning farmers access farmland outside of the incubator farm: systems, hands-on technical assistance, and partnership building. This presentation explores what makes a “successful” farmer-farmland match, and best practices for managing a farmland matching service. 

A presentation from the 2015 NIFTI National Field School on Program Evaluation by Dr Noah Ranells of NC A & T State University Cooperative Extension Program and Eugenia Gusev of the International Rescue Committee. 

Program Evaluation, both qualitative and quantitative, is critical to all new farmer training programs. The Most Significant Change technique ( MSC), a qualitative and participatory story driven evaluation methodology will be presented for its use in agriculture development programs across the world. Quantitative evaluation options for training program sustainability and participant entrepreneurial success will also be shared.

A presentation from the 2015 NIFTI National Field School by Jennifer Hashley of New Entry and Aaron Newton of Lomax Farm Incubator work to support thier farmers after particiation in the incubator program.

A presentation on Basic Business Planning and Recordkeeping given by Gary Matteson of Farm Credit at the 2015 NIFTI National Field School. Additional resources available at farmbiztrainer.com.

Do you have a good understanding of what your students are going through from their perspective?  Students need to appreciate the core components of good business planning and why it is important to their success before they will latch onto the “numbers” that they generally try to avoid.  This session will include tips on how to integrate financial skills training and record keeping into all the skills your program is already teaching, with the end goal of helping farmers be business minded in their operations.

A presentation from the 2015 NIFTI National Field School by Aley Kent from the International Rescue Committee. 

“Community-based” and “participatory” are big words in our work world of late. But what do we really mean by this? And how do we build programs that build farmer participation in a way that maintains the integrity of our educational programs? This session will share some key tools that can help you to navigate increased participation without losing your marbles.

A presentation from the 2015 NIFTI National Field School in Durham, NC. Presentations by Alice Topaloff of ISU Extension and Nikki Siebert Kelley of Lowounty Local First explore how to develop and refine your Incubator Farm Project's curriculum usining currently available models. 

Word document to help farmers identify the variables in choosing different marketing options.  Options covered include: farmers markets, CSAs, wholesale markets, internet markets, chain and independent grocery stores or restaurants, institutional markets, u-pick, farm stands and packing companies.  All Regions.  English Level: Advanced.  Farming Level: all. Literacy Level: Advanced.  Key Words: marketing, wholesale.

PDF Assessment form used by organizations to determine a farmer's past history and experience with farming/gardening.  Can be easily adapted to other programs.  All Regions.  English Level: Advanced. Farming Level: n/a. Literacy Level: Advanced. Key Words: assessment, evaluation, administrative.