Incubator Farms

An Incubator Farm is typically a place where people are given temporary, exclusive and affordable access to small parcels of land, infrastructure, and often training, for the purpose of honing skills and launching farm businesses.

These programs address barriers to those learning how to become a farmer, including access to land, capital, credit and opportunities to learn and develop skills in farm business planning.

SCG provides a four week and 16 week Regenerative Agriculture internship, as well as one-on-one technical assistance for individuals trying to start or expand their farm or food business. Learn how you can get involved.

Internship Program

SCG is pleased to offer both a Level I and Level II internship program focused on regenerative agriculture growing practices. Applications are now being accepted for Level I (4-week) cohorts starting in September 2024. The 4-Week Internship consists of eight workdays that occur twice per week for four weeks, each lasting 2 hours in length.

A stipend is included to help offset expenses such as travel and necessary supplies. This program is funded in part by the Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Problem Solving Grants Program.

Apply

Support

We provide hands-on education, mentorship and training in the following fields for those learning how to become a farmer:

  • Basic crop farming practices including regenerative agriculture practices and soil management
  • Business development including planning, finance and marketing strategies
  • Access to land to grow on incubator sites or through local landowners
  • Equipment, tools, high tunnel space, walk-in coolers, wash stations and a commercial kitchen
  • Connections with local networks including the USDA and Farm Service Agency
  • One-on-one mentoring with experienced farmers

Heartland Regional Food Business Center Partnership

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center covers our 5-state region of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The Heartland Center is dedicated to helping farm and food enterprises start up, grow, and connect with local and regional markets to make local food more accessible and feasible.

In partnership with The Heartland Center, Springfield Community Gardens can offer technical assistance regarding farm and food business development, including training, business planning, mentorship, marketing, and help accessing financing and other support. Contact us for support building your food or farming business.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Read the USDA's full statement online here and The Heartland Center's non-discrimination statement here.

Farmer Incubator Sites

Our training sites for the Farmer Incubator Program provide a well-rounded approach in addressing the complex needs of new farmers. See all our community garden sites here.

Interested in applying?

Contact us

Our Partners