Apply Online for the Headwaters Incubator Program

Apply online for the Headwaters Incubator Program here! The application period for the 2025 farming season runs from October 1^st until 5:00 PM on November 30^th, 2024.

Only one application is needed per farm. If an applying farm consists of multiple owners, list just the primary point of contact’s information below. However, please make sure to detail everyone’s farming skills and experiences in this form.

"*" indicates required fields

Contact Information

Name*

First Last

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Phone*

Email*

Headwaters Incubator Program Application Questions

1) What is your Farm’s name?*

2) Is your farm business registered with the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division? What is (or will be) the business structure (LLC., sole proprietor, S-Corp, etc.)?*

3) How much land are you seeking to rent at Headwaters Farm next year?*

4) List the owners of this farm business. What is each person’s role and expected contributions?*

5) Please summarize your proposed farm business and vision (enterprises / crops, markets, scale, etc.).*

6) Describe each owner's background in farming and business?*

7) Please describe the relevant farm or business systems that you have managed (been a primary decision maker or overseer) and your level of experience with each. Examples might include farm crew oversight, irrigation, propagation, bookkeeping, crop planning, marketing, harvest, etc.*

8) What personal qualities do you possess that will help you to establish a viable farm and business?*

9) What are the immediate financial goals for the farm (first year or two)? In five years, what is the net income (profit) you need to generate from the farm business for farming to be worth your while?*

10) Where will you sell your products? How will you access those markets?*

11) What do you see as your niche or competitive advantage?*

12) How much time can you commit per week to farming (include production, administration, sales, and all other aspects of running the business)?*

13) How much capital (money) do you have available to start your farm business?*

14) What is your approach to managing weeds?*

15) What is your approach to ensuring soil fertility and soil health?*

16) Make sure to review the most recent Farmer’s Manual.

What offerings or services of the farm business incubator program do you believe will be most critical to your farm businesses’ success?*

17) The simplified budget below is one way to display your projected income and expenses. Feel free to use this template (linked here) or create your own, then include with your resume/s below. To download the linked spreadsheet template, go to File > Download, then choose a format. Approximate HIP costs can be found in the Farmer’s Manual:

Line Items in Farm's Projected Budget	HIP Year 1 (First year in the incubator program)	HIP Year 5 (Fifth year in the incubator program)
Amount of Land in Production (acres)
Income (specify your enterprises
Enterprise 1
Enterprise 2
Enterprise 3
Other Enterprises
TOTAL Income (Gross Income)

Expenses
Land Rental
HIP Facilities/Equipment Rentals
Other HIP Costs
Production Supplies (seed, row cover, fertilizer, t-posts, trellis, tarps, etc.)
Tools and Equipment
Sales, Marketing, & Outreach
Utilities & Fuel
Insurance & Certifications
Administration
Labor (the cost of hiring others)
Owners Draw (how much the owners pay themselves)
Capital Investments (items over $5k)
Other
TOTAL Expenses

NET PROFIT (Income - Expenses)

18) How did you learn about the Headwaters Farm Business Incubator Program?*

19) Please provide three references:*

Please include names, title or relation to applications, and phone/email for each.

19) Please upload a resume for each owner of the farm, as well as a completed budget form (using the template from question 16 or your own), and any optional materials you want to share (see below for details)*

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 32 MB.

A complete application packet includes:

Application form (this form)
Optional materials you may want to provide: resume(s), crop plan, cash flow budget, enterprise budgets, balance sheet, or other documents related to your farm, business or experience

You can also email, mail, or drop off your application packet to:

Attn: Rowan Steele
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
5211 N. Williams Ave.
Portland, OR 97217
rowan@emswcd.org
(503) 939-0314

Press "Submit" below to send your application. You may also save your progress using the "Save and Continue Later" button, which will generate a unique link you can return to later to complete your application. Applications will be accepted between 8am on October 1st and 5pm on November 30th. Late applications cannot be accepted.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.