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2 CapitalPress.com May 15, 2015 People & Places Beginning farmers get a helping hand Headwaters Farm Incubator assists growers as they learn By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI Capital Press PORTLAND, Ore. — Be- ginning farmers generally face no shortage of obstacles — lack of land, lack of equip- ment, lack of money, lack of experience. The Headwaters Farm In- cubator, situated on 60 acres near Portland, Ore., helps new growers surmount these hurdles by providing resourc- es and expertise at a price they can afford. The program was launched in 2012 by the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, which aims to equip growers with conservation-oriented skills they can later apply on their own land. “We’re looking to increase the number of new farmers, we’re trying to keep land in production and we’re trying to make sure it’s well-stew- arded,” said Rowan Steele, the incubator’s manager. The district bought the former ornamental nursery for about $1.3 million in 2012, dedicating part of it to riparian restoration and di- viding 30 acres into blocks of about 1-2 acres apiece. Growers rent these parcels and pay to use the incubator’s tractors and water, but the program offers ways to ease the financial burden. The lease is set at $600 per acre, but farmers are only expected to pay one-quar- ter of the price during their first year. The cost increases incrementally until growers pay the full value in their fourth and final year of the program. Payments for water are waived for those who install water-preserving drip irri- Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press Rowan Steele, manager of the Headwaters Farm Incubator near Portland, Ore., speaks about the crops and facilities on the 60-acre property. The program trains conservation-oriented beginning farmers. Western Innovator Headwaters Farm Incubator Location: Southeast of Portland, Ore. Size: 60 acres Property cost: $1.3 million Founded: 2012 Owner: East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District Number of farm operations: 13 Mission: Preserving farmland and training conservation-oriented new growers Duration: Farmers graduate after four years Amenities: Irrigation system, two tractors, tillage equipment, barn, cooler, greenhouse, washing stations, office space gation systems, and farmers who are diligent in con- trolling weeds can avoid the $200 yearly management fee they’d otherwise incur. While the district is un- likely to ever generate profits from the incubator — or even break even — the goal is to graduate farmers who share its values of conserving soil and preventing erosion, Steele said. “It’s a good investment, from our perspective,” he said. Across North America, there are 111 farm incubators averaging more than 10 acres each, according to data from Tufts University. Farm incubators allow growers to build a client base for their crops without first making major investments. Pete Munyon, a vegetable grower, said the availability of irrigation, cold storage, ma- chinery and washing stations at the incubator has allowed him to concentrate on his business rather than worrying about developing “infrastruc- ture.” “You’re able to get a pro- fessional farm going a lot cheaper,” he said. The incubator provides farmers with time to find their niche, said Emily Cooper, who is producing crops on the property for the second season. Cooper initially focused on selling bulk vegetables in- tended for canning but found the demand was insufficient. She has now diversified to in- clude fresh produce. “It gives you the freedom to make some mistakes and experiment,” she said. Not every aspiring farmer is offered a spot at the incuba- tor, though. Steele said he typically only accepts half the appli- cants to the program, choos- ing those who have a solid business plan and preferrably some experience with food production. Other programs in the Portland area already provide people with the opportunity to explore their “farm intrigue” or serve as apprentices un- der other growers, he said. Headwaters Farm Incubator is geared toward honing farm- ing skills and expanding sales channels. “We’re essentially a springboard for people who have the knowledge and com- mitment to begin that pro- cess,” Steele said. Rick Reddaway began growing produce on a quar- ter-acre owned by his in-laws before joining the incubator program in 2013. Since then, his revenues have risen every year and he’s aiming to earn enough from farming to stop working other jobs during the off-sea- son. With his final year at the incubator approaching, Red- daway is preparing to “wean” himself from the facilities and borrow money for a tractor. Leasing or buying a suit- able property is another prior- ity, he said. “I’m at the point I’m looking for options. Find- ing a place is my biggest con- cern.” With several other grow- ers nearing graduation, the district is examining how to assist them with the transition. One idea is to partner with Multnomah County to identi- fy properties at risk of losing their deferred property tax status because they’re not be- ing farmed. Those landowners could then lease their proper- ties to incubator graduates. “It seems like a natural progression,” Steele said. “We’re generating new farm- ers. Let’s connect them with someone who is trying to keep the land in production, what- ever the reason.” N. Dakota farm boy who lost arms finishes high school MILNOR, N.D. (AP) — An 18-year-old North Dakota boy who lost both arms in a farm accident 15 years ago is graduating from high school and preparing for college in Minnesota. Parker Sebens fell into a running grain auger on the family farm near Milnor, in far southeastern North Dako- ta, in September 2000, when he was 3 years old. He spent 54 days in a medical center near Minneapolis, where he went through more than 50 hours of surgery before an in- fection forced doctors to am- putate his arms. Even without prosthet- ic arms, Sebens can still do things like driving and tex- ting, using the remaining stumps of his arms. “People can feel sorry for me, but I think that goes away after they see how much I can do,” he told KSTP-TV. He even shoots pool with his dad, Mitch Sebens. “He kept impressing us KSTP-TV/Lee Zwiefelhofer via AP Parker Sebens, 18, sits in a computer lab at Milnor Public School in Milnor, N.D. Sebens who lost both arms in a farm accident 15 years ago is graduating from high school and preparing for college in Minnesota. Sebens fell into a running grain auger on the family farm near Milnor, in far southeastern North Dakota, in September 2000, when he was 3 years old. all the way through; he just learned one thing after an- other,” his father said. “When I think about it, it’s hard to think about what he’s had to go through growing up when the other kids had it so easy, but he did it.” Parker Sebens soon will be getting two prosthetic arms, then heading off to college at Minnesota State Universi- ty Moorhead. After college, he’d like to become a motiva- tional speaker. Mother Rene Sebens is finishing a scrapbook for her son as his graduation day nears. “I thought for a long time he was going to die there, I re- ally did,” she said. “I guess I just wanted everyone to know he’s living it and accomplish- ing everything that we want him to.” Family, friends and even strangers have helped him immensely as he’s grown up, Parker Sebens said. He’s gotten thousands of cards and letters over the years and they keep coming. “They really just push me to get everything done,” he said. “I just wish there was just a way to give back to ev- eryone.” Parker Sebens said he has been determined throughout his life to find ways to do the things he wants to do. Aside from cooking and laundry, there is very little he can’t do. “Every day he amazes me,” Mitch Sebens said. Calendar Friday, May 15 Washington FFA Convention, 8 a.m., Washington State Universi- ty, Pullman. Saturday, May 16 Washington FFA Convention, 8 a.m., Washington State Universi- ty, Pullman. PerryDale Parents Club Taste of Italy Dinner and Auc- tion, 4-9 p.m., Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall, Ore., 503-932-0558, fundraiser to supplement educational needs for students. Sunday, May 17 Frozen Assets: How we can and why we should save the world’s frozen water, 7-9 p.m. Capital Press Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate officer John Perry Chief operating officer Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2015 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. 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Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com www.AgDirectoryWest.com www.OnlyAg.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller www.facebook.com/onlyAGdotcom twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo www.blogriculture.com Index Van Tassell Student Lounge at Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee, Wash., 509- 943-0705. Mountaineer and climate scientist Steven Ghan takes us on a visual journey along the North Cascades, showing evidence of glacier retreat and shares solutions to prevent global ice melt and how to preserve our snowpack. Wednesday, May 20 Seafood HACCP Segment II, 8: 30 a.m.-5 p.m. University of Idaho, Boise, 208-364-6188. This workshop is for seafood processor personnel who develop, reassess and modify the HACCP Plan and manage verification activities. Thursday, May 21 Saturday, June 13 Food Allergen Workshop, 8: 30 a.m.- Rickreall Gun Show, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Polk County Fair Grounds, Rickreall, Ore., 503-623-3048. 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, Yakima, Wash., 360-902-1961. Food allergen workshop for processors, retailers, consultants, sanitarians, regulators. Wednesday, June 3 Frozen Assets: How we can and why we should save the world’s frozen water; 7-9 p.m. Walla Walla Public Library, Walla Walla, Wash., 509-943-0705. Mountaineer and climate scientist Steven Ghan takes us on a visual journey along the crest of the North Cascades, showing evidence of glacier retreat and shares solutions to prevent global ice melt and how to preserve our snowpack. Sheep in the Foothills, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Boise Foothills Learning Center, Boise. Sunday, June 14 Rickreall Gun Show, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Polk County Fair Grounds, Rickreall, Ore., 503-623-3048. Saturday, June 20 Ketchum Kalf Rodeo, 1-9 p.m. Glenwood, Wash., Glenwood. Sunday, June 21 Washington Potato and Onion Association Annual Convention, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Northern Quest Casino, Airway Heights, Wash. Ketchum Kalf Rodeo, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. Glenwood, Wash., Glenwood. Monday, June 22 Washington Potato and Onion Asso- ciation Annual Convention, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Northern Quest Casino, Airway Heights, Wash. Tuesday, June 23 Washington Potato and Onion Asso- ciation Annual Convention, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Northern Quest Casino, Airway Heights, Wash. Saturday, July 11 94th Annual Idaho Ram Sale, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Twin Falls County Fairgrounds, Filer, Idaho, 208- 334-2271. Drought ................................. 3 Ag Education ................... 14-16 Dairy .....................................11 Livestock ..............................11 Markets ............................... 13 Opinion .................................. 6 Correction A caption for a photograph provid- ed by the Oregon State University Extension Service on the front page of the May 8 edition misidenti- fied the grass being examined by Clare Sullivan, OSU Extension field crop agent. Sullivan is examining tall fescue, not perennial ryegrass. Capital Press regrets the source’s error.