Preference is give to applications received by November 29, 2020. Decisions will be made by December 2.
Description: Join the Old Fort at Hesperus Farm Incubator program to take the next step toward your goal of operating a farm in Southwest Colorado. This program provides educational classes, access to land, water and infrastructure (irrigation, post-harvest sheds, coolers and root cellar). Incubators join a team of farmers on 4 deer-fenced acres who run independent businesses but also cooperate with each other to produce a variety of foods at 7,600 feet. Marketing assistance is available through the Old Fort is also available, and incubator produce helps fill Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares as well as feeds students at the dining hall at Fort Lewis College.
About us: The Old Fort at Hesperus is a growing and multi-faceted answer to farmer training in the Four Corners region. Welcoming everyone from college interns for brief summer experiences to Farmers in Training (FIT) who cooperatively farm an acre, to incubator farmers ready to start a business, the Old Fort offers good (and challenging) growing conditions, supportive and knowledgeable staff, and rich resources for high elevation market farming. The Old Fort also includes a half acre education garden, two large high tunnels, and cattle and hay production.
Important: Before you apply, read through the Program Information and Site Guidelines available here:
https://www.fortlewis.edu/about-flc/initiatives/the-old-fort/sustainable-agriculture-training-programs/market-garden-incubator-program. Note that there is a $50 non-refundable acceptance fee.