Farmer ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

Four Bellies Farm, members of the 2020-2021 Accelerator Class, photo credit: Jenna Shea Photography

Farmers come through our doors striving to build a successful career in agriculture.

They want to feed their neighbors, steward the land, possibly continue a family tradition of farming, enjoy a good quality of life, and care for their rural communities. We’ve seen many of these farmers succeed but we’ve also seen many people begin farming only to quit after a few years. Why?    

 Farming is a business and as with all businesses, there are benchmarks for growth.

These benchmarks signify pivotal moments when a small to medium-sized farm needs strategic investment to either scale up or evolve their business from day-to-day survival mode to true sustainability. While commodity agriculture uses one-size-fits-all solutions, these farmers need personalized coaching services, investment in large infrastructure, labor support, and other critical services that are often out of reach.

The Georgia Organics Farmer Accelerator Program aims to fill these gaps by combining expert coaching with tailored, on-farm investments to grow the vitality and resiliency of Georgia farms and improve the quality of life for its farmers. Our Accelerator farmers receive coaching in the fields of accounting, business and finance, profit analysis, loans and leasing, production, and employee management. Each Accelerator farm is eligible for financial support to offset the cost of infrastructure, continued education, employee stipends, healthcare costs, and climate-resilient investments.

The Accelerator Program will accept ten farmers for the 2023-2024 cohort. Each receives $2,000 in professional coaching and nearly $10,000 in capital investment.

2023-2024 Accelerator Program Facts +

All Accelerator farms must create one of these plans while in the program:

  • Food safety plan
  • Organic systems plan
  • Crop rotation
  • Enterprise budget
  • Employee handbook
  • Business plan (internal or external)

In order to utilize the capital investment once in the program, all Accelerator farmers must work with coaches consistently for a minimum of 2 months and develop a cost-benefit anaylsis for usage of the funds.

 Ideal farmer candidates fit most or all of the following criteria: 

  • Are managing soil-based operations

  • Have at least two years of farming experience

  • Currently have land (either leased or owned) 

  • Show a commitment to sustainability and community building 

  • Have knowledge of on-farm record-keeping and currently has a system in place 

  • Have a clear idea of farm goals

  • Have an interest in continued education  

2022-2024 ACCELERATOR Class

Rogers Greens and Roots

Snapfinger Farm

Gannon Organics

Crossroads Farm

High Hog Farm

Phoenix Gardens

Polyculture Production

CHECK OUT OUR FARMERS ON THE MAP!

“The Accelerator program gave us a lot more confidence in how we farm and what we do and connected us with coaches who we can ask the important questions.”

Ladybird Farm (Accelerator Class of 2021)

“I've been able to acquire technical assistance, financial assistance, one on one mentorship, coaching, and resources. This program really leveled me up!”

Starlit Roots Farm (Accelerator Class of 2020 + 2021)