Program Overview

Encouraging farmers to adopt regenerative practices matters, but real change depends on entrepreneurs creating viable markets for alternative crops beyond the standard two-crop rotation of corn and soybeans. These alternative crops improve soil, water and wildlife while strengthening farm and community resilience. Getting more farmers to adopt these crops requires access to reliable markets. That requires more businesses to process, distribute and commercialize diverse crops. The Sustainable Business Agriculture Incubator supports agricultural businesses that are adjacent to farming by helping entrepreneurs access capital, communicate with investors and scale successfully with hands-on guidance.

Key Benefits

  • All businesses accepted into the program receive coaching that is highly tailored to the needs of that business.
  • Early-stage founders are paired with more experienced entrepreneurs.
  • Structured peer learning for the cohort to share challenges, market insights and investment strategies
  • Participation in the program doesn’t just help one business succeed – it helps build the infrastructure needed for a more diverse and resilient agricultural system.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a current or aspiring agricultural entrepreneur with a business that embraces regenerative agricultural practices.
  • Reside in Iowa or farm in the state of Iowa or adjoining states.
  • Preference will be given to PFI members and businesses in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.

How to Apply

Stay tuned for updates on when the Sustainable Agriculture Business Incubator will reopen. Please email Savanah at gro.sremraflacitcarp@rual.hanavas for more information.

Program Partners

Grey Swan

Resources

SABI Dashboard from Grey Swan

The SABI Dashboard is available to all entrepreneurs. The purpose of the dashboard is to provide resources to help navigate the world of starting and scaling a business. This resource was produced by our partners at Grey Swan, and the advice is from their experienced team of experts in the field of business and entrepreneurship.