Deadline: 12-Sep-22
The Georgia Organics has launched Farmer Accelerator Program to combine 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.
The 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.
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 analysis for the usage of the funds.
Priorities
Georgia Organics will prioritize applicants of color, women applicants, LGBTQ+ applicants, disabled applicants, rural applicants, and applicants who are veterans of the US Armed Forces.
Funding Information
- Each receives $2,000 in professional coaching and nearly $10,000 in capital investment.
Eligibility 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.
For more information, visit https://farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org/accelerator