Old Fort Market Garden Incubator Program
Old Fort at Hesperus
18683 Hwy 140; Hesperus, CO 81326
This project is a partnership between Fort Lewis College, LaBoca Center for
Sustainability and Colorado Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop
program.
History:
2009: Introduced Incubator concept to Task Force as a long term idea for Old Fort property. Parcel known as upper
seedhouse was identified because it served as the college gardens prior to 1956 and was close to an irrigation ditch that
is fed by the Taylor Spring.
2010: LaBoca Center for Sustainability dissolves and offers grant opportunity for sustainable agriculture projects.
Request was submitted to create needed infrastructure including wildlife fencing and basic irrigation structures for
$18,000. Soil tests confirmed good soil quality.
2011: Old fence and oakbrush was removed surrounding the 6.5 acre plot. Wildlife fencing construction around
perimeter began in May and 2.5 acres were plowed and disked. Mike Nolan began as the trial incubator helping to set
up irrigation, planting schemes and growing models. Initial phase of fence was completed in June. Irrigation lines, a gas
pump and overhead impact sprinklers were purchased. Root crops were grown on 2.5 acres with good success. Beth
LaShell submitted a grant to Colorado Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop block grant program to provide training,
equipment and mentorship for participants. The Specialty Crop grant was selected and will support the program
through 2014.
2012: Ditches were cleaned during the offseason. Gates were constructed. 2400’ of gated pipe was purchased and a
diversion box was installed so that lower part of field could be more easily flood irrigated. Second year of trial
incubation added SouthWest Conservation Corp growing on a 1/8 of an acre in addition to Mike Nolan’s trial plot. Small
equipment was purchased including tiller for BCS-type tractor and hand tools (rakes, shovels, hula hoes). Hosted Field
Day in July and developed application procedure. Joined the National Incubator Farm Training Initiative (NIFTI).
2013 : Conducted first winter training program for nine inaugural incubators on 2.25 acres. Old Fort Market Garden
Cooperative formed. Seven incubators complete the season.
Proposed Schedule for 2014 Incubator Program:
Reapplication forms available for 2013 incubators: October 1st
New Incubator Applications available: Oct 21, 2013
New applications due: Monday, November 25, 2013 at 5 pm MST
Application review and Interviews: Nov 26 – Dec 15, 2013
2014 Incubators selected: December 16, 2013
Training/Planning classes begin: Jan 2014
Market Garden Incubator Information:
What we provide:
 Access to land and water
 Access to small-scale equipment (BCS-type tractor and tiller, hand tools, weed eaters);
 Basic land preparation in Spring
 Basic irrigation infrastructure (currently 3/16 acre of drip, 13/16 acre of overhead and flood using gated pipe)
 Educational classes
o Curriculum and books needed for training sessions
o Incubators will meet in January, February and March (7-9 meetings ; 3 hours per topic).
o Topics will include: Business planning, marketing, crop culture, crop planning; soils and soil fertility,
irrigation methods and cover crops;
 Business planning, crop culture, crop planning, soils and soil fertility, cover crops;
 Transplant Production and Irrigation basics;
 Recordkeeping, Vegetable Post-Harvest Handling, Food Safety; Marketing ;
 Capital Resources and Enterprise Development; Weed and Pest Management; Vegetable
Diseases;
 Regulatory requirements (insurance, workman’s compensation)
 Hands-on training at incubator site (One Saturday in April and one in May)
o Irrigation Systems, season Extension, equipment training
o Implementing your crop plan for successful marketing
 Assistance with developing Business Plan
 On-farm mentorship during growing season
 Assistance and monitoring of recordkeeping system during growing season
 Basic harvest/processing facility
What we require from you:
 Business Plan including marketing plan
o Resources: Ag Plan: (https://www.agplan.umn.edu/ or
 Farm Liability Insurance - Each incubator must have at least $1 million general and product liability
o Available through OFMGI cooperative based on acreage
 Membership in the Old Fort Market Garden Cooperative ($25/year)
 Attendance at all trainings sessions during Winter and Spring
 Adherence to Site Guidelines
 Commitment to project
 Developed crop plan
 Provide necessary seed/transplants, special equipment , harvesting supplies
 Recordkeeping skills and reports of production and marketing data
 Maintenance and irrigation of plot during growing season
o Time needed per week will vary with crop and plot size
 Adhere to organic practices and submit any proposed inputs to management
 Assistance with USDA Commodity Distribution Plot (up to 5 hours/season)
 Year-end clean-up of plot and seeding of cover crop (provided by incubator project)
Proposed Access Fees
Plot Size
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
1/8 acre
$125
$250
$375
$500
¼ acre
$250
$500
$750
$1,000
** 1st payment of fees due May 15th; 2nd payment due August 15
Non-refundable deposit of $50 due upon acceptance
Other Potential Costs
Custom tractor work (bed shaping, laying mulch) available for hourly rates
BCS and tiller is available for $20/hour plus fuel
Root crop storage available for $50/month/bay
We anticipate that total costs for 1/8 acre will be approximately $1,000 for year 1 if you do not have any growing or
harvesting supplies.
Special Notes:
Growing areas are not certified organic but organic practices will be used by incubators
Housing is not available on site.
No greenhouse or hoop house space is available. Incubators may construct low tunnels on plots.
No perennial plantings in 2013.