FARMERS RISING livestock incubator Farm program
Farmers Rising equips new and beginning farmers with immediate and long-term strategies to help you build financial resilience and address environmental risks inherent to farming. We accomplish this through 3 main avenues:
Our Livestock Incubator Program
As an incubator farmer, you will have the opportunity to develop and operate your own small, independent, livestock-based farm business in a supportive environment on Farmers Rising's Caledonia campus. You will learn practical strategies to employ in regenerative livestock production, farm business management, marketing, climate change mitigation and more, while taking advantage of the opportunity to grow your business in a low risk environment. If and when you're ready to purchase your own farm, Farmers Rising will be here to support you in that transition, as well.
Incubator Location
The incubator is located on 11.5 acres of pasture in Caledonia, Illinois. You will have access to farmland, electricity, water, permanent as well as portable fencing, limited on-site storage, technical and marketing assistance, and farm tools including livestock handling and transport equipment.
Incubator Farmer Support
As an incubator farmer, you will receive:
Eligibility
Farmers looking to develop a livestock-based farm business are eligible to apply for the incubator program. We will prioritize historically disadvantaged farmers - beginning, socially disadvantaged (including LGBTQ+), veterans, and limited resource farmers. Our mission is to lift up farmers of all kinds, especially those who have been unjustly denied access to land, capital, and resources. For further clarification on this point, please see the USDA definition of historically disadvantaged here.
For questions regarding eligibility, please email [email protected]
You may also sign up for our newsletter to receive information on future incubator announcements.
- Holistic training for financial and risk management;
- Climate change education; and
- Land-based technical assistance.
Our Livestock Incubator Program
As an incubator farmer, you will have the opportunity to develop and operate your own small, independent, livestock-based farm business in a supportive environment on Farmers Rising's Caledonia campus. You will learn practical strategies to employ in regenerative livestock production, farm business management, marketing, climate change mitigation and more, while taking advantage of the opportunity to grow your business in a low risk environment. If and when you're ready to purchase your own farm, Farmers Rising will be here to support you in that transition, as well.
Incubator Location
The incubator is located on 11.5 acres of pasture in Caledonia, Illinois. You will have access to farmland, electricity, water, permanent as well as portable fencing, limited on-site storage, technical and marketing assistance, and farm tools including livestock handling and transport equipment.
Incubator Farmer Support
As an incubator farmer, you will receive:
- Affordable access to farmland and equipment.
- Regular guidance and technical support from the Farmers Rising team, many of whom are regenerative livestock farmers.
- Independent, community-based support from our Incubator Advisory Council, comprised of regional farmers and farmer advocates..
- Access to our wrap-around programs and services, including free enrollment in our virtual, holistic farm financial and business planning course called Farm Beginnings®, a program which puts you in further contact with multiple experienced farmers and finance professionals.
- Membership in Upper Midwest CRAFT.
- Opportunities to interact with Farmers Rising's youth and adult education program participants.
Eligibility
Farmers looking to develop a livestock-based farm business are eligible to apply for the incubator program. We will prioritize historically disadvantaged farmers - beginning, socially disadvantaged (including LGBTQ+), veterans, and limited resource farmers. Our mission is to lift up farmers of all kinds, especially those who have been unjustly denied access to land, capital, and resources. For further clarification on this point, please see the USDA definition of historically disadvantaged here.
For questions regarding eligibility, please email [email protected]
You may also sign up for our newsletter to receive information on future incubator announcements.
Ready to learn more?
Explore the Farmers Rising Livestock Incubator Handbook
