Three new farm businesses to begin program in 2015
Agricultural nonprofit Glynwood announces the inaugural class of participants in the Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator: Ferdinand’s Farm, Four Legs Farm and Community Compost Company. These three businesses will begin their operations at the Incubator, located on 330 acres of farmland in the Mohonk Preserve Foothills outside of New Paltz, in early 2015.
The Incubator, a collaboration with the Open Space Institute, provides the tools and resources agricultural entrepreneurs need to develop viable farm businesses in the Hudson Valley, including training in sustainable farming practices, business mentoring, and access to land, capital, housing and shared equipment. When their businesses have matured to the point of self-sufficiency, Glynwood will assist Incubator participants in securing permanent land in the region on which they can continue to operate their business.
“We are delighted to welcome these ambitious agricultural entrepreneurs to the Incubator,” said Kathleen Frith, Glynwood’s president. “By launching in the supportive, low-risk environment of the Incubator, we believe these businesses are primed for success. We look forward to fostering their growth, and in doing so strengthening the Hudson Valley’s sustainable agriculture economy.”
Ferdinand’s Farm will be a diversified farming operation that produces eggs, honey, culinary herbs and edible flowers. Founder Lily Dougherty-Johnson has been farming in the Northeast for the past two years.
Four Legs Farm will be a 150-member meat CSA that offers pastured lamb and pork to members. Leanna Mulvihill, the owner of Four Legs Farm, is a New Paltz native and former Glynwood livestock apprentice.
Community Compost Company will retrieve organic materials from the waste stream and produce high-quality compost in conjunction with local farms. Long-time residents of New Paltz Eileen Banyra, a city planner, and Noa Simons, a venture capital and small business consultant who spent her early childhood at Hawthorne Valley Farm in Ghent and currently maintains a small farm, are the principals of Community Compost Company.
For more information on Glynwood and the Open Space Institute, visit their websites at glynwood.org and osiny.org.
Photo courtesy Glynwood
