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Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator

Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator

Seeding the next generation of sustainable farm businesses.

Glynwood’s Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator is an ideal stepping stone for farmers ready to build their farm enterprises.

In recent years, the Hudson Valley has seen the launch of many new farm businesses that are now in their first several years of operation. Success during these preliminary years of business startup is crucial for long term viability. New farm businesses are often most financially vulnerable during this startup phase. Moreover, rates of farmer burnout and changes in career choice often occur at this stage of business development.

Therefore, to meet the evolving needs of new and beginning farmers in the region, Glynwood’s Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator program provides customized technical assistance to new and growth stage farm entrepreneurs. Glynwood staff works with each participating business to tailor a scope of services that may include:

  1. Business Planning
  2. Financial Management
  3. Farm Mentorship and Onsite Farm Visits
  4. Social Sustainability
  5. Training and Support in Marketing
  6. Legal Advising
  7. Land Access/Tenure Support*
  8. Additional Glynwood Workshops and Networking Support

*Glynwood promotes regional farmland access through its role as a network partner in the the Farmland for a New Generation New York program.

A sample Incubator overview can be viewed here. 

We accept applications to participate in the Farm Business Incubator Program on a rolling basis. Once we accept a participant into one of our Incubator cohorts, participants have the option of being part of the program for two years. To further support this mission, the Farm Business Incubator Program also makes scholarships available on a competitive basis when funding allows. 

For more information about the Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator, please contact Dave Llewellyn.

We are proud to be supporting the following pioneering farm businesses in our region through the Incubator:

  • The Sweet Freedom Farm Project is an abolitionist farm located in Germantown, NY. Founded by Jalal Sabur, the farm focuses on growing and distributing vegetables, grain, herbs, medicines, and maple syrup to communities affected by the incarceration system. 
  • Angel Family Farm is a 17-acre vegetable farm located in the black dirt of Goshen, NY. Founded in 2006 by Ana Angel, the farm sells its products through farmers markets and CSAs in New York City and New Jersey, as well as through the Food Sovereignty Fund.
  • Soumppou Kaffo is a lamb and African vegetable operation in Saugerties, NY. Farmer Kama Doucoure is a former GrowNYC Farm Beginnings participant and Glynwood livestock apprentice (2018).
  • Choy Division specializes in Asian varieties of vegetables grown for CSA, retail, and wholesale at the Chester Ag Center. Farmer Christina Chan is a member of the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition, and additionally collaborates with DIG, a Glynwood corporate partner. 
  • Ever-Growing Family Farm grows rice and vegetables in Esopus, NY using traditional African growing methods. Through a SARE grant, the farm is conducting on-farm research to compare different planting methods and seed varieties.
  • Grassroots Farm raises grass-fed beef in Stone Ridge, NY. A member of the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition, farmer Ryan Martens is transitioning herd management from Charles Noble.

Incubator Graduates and Alumni Businesses:

  • Back Paddock Farm – a 100% grass-fed beef operation founded by Allison Toepp and Patrick Knapp located in Ghent, NY.
  • Community Compost Company – the first collection and composting company in Ulster County, which retrieves organic materials from the waste stream and produces high-quality compost, founded by Eileen Banyra and Noa Simons.
  • Four Legs Farm – a meat CSA of pastured lamb and pork founded by Leanna Mulvihill. Four Legs Farm was acquired by Maitri Farm in Amenia, New York.
  • Fat Apple Farm – a sustainable, ethical livestock farm in Pine Plains, where John Agostinho raises pork, beef, eggs, poultry and lamb.
  • Featherbed Lane Farm – a draft horse-powered vegetable CSA in Ballston Spa. Farmer Tim Biello additionally works as a project manager for American Farmland Trust. 
  • Gilded Farms – a farm formerly located at the Chester Ag Center specializing in herbs and specialty vegetables. Farmer Brandon Horton now grows specialty produce for restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • Grass + Grit Farm – a pastured meat and egg operation with products sold at local markets and via a four-season CSA founded by Maddie Morley, Benjamin Roberts and James Walton. Grass + Grit lost access to land in 2019, and Ben passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2021. Maddie is now Assistant Livestock Manager at Glynwood, and James farms at 1812 in Rhinebeck. 
  • Lily’s Farm – a diversified farming operation that produces eggs, culinary herbs and edible flowers, founded by Lily Dougherty-Johnson. Lily has transitioned her operation to Peconic Land Trust’s Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm in Southold, New York. 
  • Lovin' Mama Farm – a certified organic, no-till farm in Amsterdam, NY. Corrine Hansch and Matthew Leon grow 250 varieties of specialty vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
  • Maple View Farm – a small, no-till vegetable operation run by Kyle Nisonger in Poughquag, NY specializing in farmers markets and wholesale accounts.
  • Radiance Farm – a small scale vegetable and cut flower farm run by Kayla Holterman in Chester, NY. During her tenure in the Glynwood Incubator, Kayla was provided land access and production support by DIG Restaurant Group & DIG Acres Incubator. 
  • Rise & Root Farm – a cooperatively run farm in the black dirt region of Orange County, New York. Jane Hodge, Karen Washington, Lorrie Clevenger and Michaela Hayes are the four co-owners and farmers.
  • Rock Steady Farm & Flowers – a diversified flower and vegetable operation in Millerton, New York.  The business is held in partnership between Maggie Cheney and D. Rooney.
  • Second Wind CSA – an organic, no-till vegetable farm in Gardiner, NY run cooperatively by Leslie Lewis and Anthony Post from 2019-2020. Leslie and Anthony now work at Titusville Farm in Poughkeepsie.
  • The Three Sisters Farm – a small vegetable operation run by Roberto Rodriguez. Roberto and his daughters Annette and Maria direct market a diverse range of produce grown in Kerhonkson. 

Thank you to our generous program sponsors

Supporters of the Farm Business Incubator

 

This program is currently funded through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program at USDA-NIFA (Award No. 2017-70017-27153), as well as through a generous sponsorship by partners at DIG Restaurant Group.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28588.

The Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator was launched thanks to generous support from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA, Grant #2011-49400-30628), Claneil Foundation, Cornelius King Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Hunter Grubb Foundation, Wells Fargo, Zegar Family Foundation and additional philanthropic support.