Having the opportunity to “incubate” on an established organic farm removes barriers that typically challenge new farmers. The Organic Field School Incubator Program fosters viable independent farm businesses by providing access to land, training, markets, equipment, transportation, affordable supplies and inputs, and a community of support.

Presently incubating at Gardens of Eagan with the support of the Organic Field School is, “Fazenda Boa Terra,” the start-up farm of John Middleton and Lidia Dungue. On 2 acres of land they are growing over 90 varieties of fresh vegetables, flowers, and herbs and marketing through a CSA, at area farmers markets, and wholesale to the Mount Olivet Retreat Center.

John grew up surrounded by chickens, dairy goats, pigs, fruit trees, a large garden and woods where wild berries were harvested. The dairy farm his father grew up on was lost to fire before John was born, but he still ‘played farmer’ with his grandfather learning handy and mechanical work. After high school he went to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and earned a B.S. in environmental science with the intent of pursuing a career in conservation and biological research. By the end of his college career he was unable to take his focus off the inextricable link between nature, the environment, society and agriculture. After seven years of fulltime farming, including two apprenticeships, one internship and fours years in farm management plus one wedding to a phenomenal women and ideal farming partner he is ready for the next step—starting Fazenda Boa Terra.

Lidia was a city girl hailing from Santa Barbara not far from São Paulo. Growing up in the final throws of a military dictatorship, she learned young; the only route to be truly free was to work hard and learn everything you can. Her start in agriculture was a book, a cheesy romance novel that resonated for her. The heroin faced the challenge of saving her grandfather’s farm. To do this she withstood ridicule, criticism and resistance from a male dominated world as she worked through ag-school to learn the skills she needed to farm, and eventually become a successful farm owner and businesswomen. It was at this point that Lidia decided, she could do anything a man could do, and she would choose her own way to live. She pursued and received a degree in agronomics from UNESP Ilha Solteira after high school. After a few less than inspiring experiences working for fertilizer companies she decided to travel to America for some practical experience. She never gave much credence to organic farming as her education was in conventional thinking. That is, until apprenticing for a season on an organic farm in upstate New York. It was there she had the revelation that ‘organic farming really works’ and she was on her way to realizing her dream of owning and operating her own farm.

We are honored to have them here starting “Fazenda Boa Terra.”

Contact to inquire about incubator opportunities

2005- 2008 Incubator Success Story: Loon Organics

After working on other organic farms for two years, Laura Frerichs and Adam Cullip started Loon Organics as an incubator farm in 2005, renting 2 acres of certified organic farmland from Gardens of Eagan.  It provided a perfect start-up opportunity, as Laura and Adam were able to borrow or rent equipment, greenhouse, and cooler space from Gardens of Eagan.  The incubator farm model also afforded them the opportunity to build their farm business, gain vegetable production experience, and have on-farm mentorship during the crucial start-up years.

One of the major benefits of starting out on an incubator farm is the financial advantage of a low-cost and low-risk renting situation.   Laura and Adam both worked off the farm for supplemental income in order to plow all farm profits back into amassing the tractors, implements and tools to run a mid-sized vegetable farm.  By 2008 when they were able to buy their own 40-acre farm in Hutchinson, MN, they had 5 tractors, 2 coolers, and a host of implements to provide them with nearly everything they needed to get started on a new farm—this time with a farm mortgage.  In the 2009 season, they transitioned to being full-time farmers with a 125-member CSA and a booth at the Mill City Farmers Market.  Getting started on an incubator farm allowed for these beginners to learn, make mistakes, and set themselves up financially for a future career as successful organic farmers.

Click Here For A Complete Prototype Technical Case Study Of Loon Organics.

Includes a detailed financial section.

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