Future Harvest
Future Harvest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1998 that delivers education, training, advocacy, and research in sustainable and regenerative agriculture to approximately 800 farmer and consumer members across the Chesapeake Bay watershed region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersCockeysville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Future Harvest does
Future Harvest Inc. (formerly Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, FHCASA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization (EIN 52-2132982) founded in 1998 and headquartered in Cockeysville, Maryland. It delivers education, training, advocacy, and applied research to advance sustainable and regenerative agriculture across the Chesapeake Bay watershed (Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Pennsylvania). The organization serves approximately 800 members — small and beginning farmers, established growers, consumers, food businesses, landowners, nonprofits, and agricultural educators — through a portfolio of free or grant-funded programs, most of which impose no fees on participants.
Core programmatic offerings include the Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP), a free 12-month immersive curriculum founded in 2009 that has trained more than 400 aspiring farmers and operates at ~90 trainees per cohort; the Field School, a year-round continuing-education series delivering roughly 35 hands-on workshops, tours, and intensives annually on partner farms; the Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI), a USDA 2501 grant-funded 9-month leadership program for historically underserved farmers; the Choose-Your-Own Consultant Program, which provides $1,000 grants for one-on-one consulting engagements; the Sustainable Farming Fundamentals 10-week online course; and Feed the Need mini-grants ($2,000-$3,000) linking farmers growing food to food-assistance providers. Supporting initiatives include the Million Acre Challenge (a coalition with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and others targeting one million acres of healthy Maryland soils by 2030, with 50+ farmers managing 43,000+ acres already enrolled), the Go Grassfed Initiative, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program with NRCS offering 100% conservation cost-share, the Voice 4 Change advocacy program credited with passage of the 2017 Maryland Healthy Soils Act, and the Annual Conference — the largest sustainable-agriculture conference in the Mid-Atlantic, drawing 450-700 attendees. The underlying technology stack is modest: Wild Apricot membership software, an online classroom for the Sustainable Farming Fundamentals course, webinar recordings, and a public community calendar, with no proprietary software product, no public API, and no mobile application.
The business model is nonprofit and donation-driven. Revenue streams include individual and corporate donations (one-time, recurring monthly, stock, planned giving), membership fees from the ~800-member base, ticket/sponsorship/exhibitor revenue from the annual conference, and a diversified grant portfolio spanning federal USDA programs (2501, BFRDP), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience & Access Coalition, and various private foundations. The customer base is diffuse across stakeholders rather than concentrated in paying enterprise accounts; pricing for end participants is effectively free, with the organization subsidizing farmer access through grants. Strategic execution is delivered by a small staff (1-10 employees) under Executive Director Grace Leatherman, with operational offices provided by Baltimore County and a Board of Directors governed structure led by Board President Thelonius Cook.
Future Harvest firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Future Harvest
- Legal name
- Future Harvest Inc.
- Website
- https://futureharvest.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Future Harvest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1998 that delivers education, training, advocacy, and research in sustainable and regenerative agriculture to approximately 800 farmer and consumer members across the Chesapeake Bay watershed region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Future Harvest industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Education and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)
Keywords
Where Future Harvest is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cockeysville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Future Harvest business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 52-2132982), Future Harvest relies heavily on individual and corporate donations. They accept one-time gifts, monthly recurring gifts, stock donations, and planned giving including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and IRA qualified charitable distributions.
- Membership Fees: Future Harvest operates as a membership nonprofit with approximately 800 members. Membership provides benefits including discount codes, member meet-ups, and special events.
- Conference Revenue: The annual conference generates revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, exhibitor fees, and advertising. The conference is the largest sustainable agriculture conference in the Mid-Atlantic, drawing 450-700 attendees annually.
- Grants and Foundation Support: Future Harvest receives grant funding from organizations including USDA (2501 grant for ALDI program), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and various private foundations. The Feed the Need program is funded through individual donors, Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience & Access Coalition, and Greater Washington Community Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Beginner Farmer Training Program - Free |
| Other | Others | Choose Your Own Consultant - $1,000 grant |
| Other | Others | Feed the Need Mini-Grants - $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Freemium | Others | Sustainable Farming Fundamentals Online Class |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Future Harvest product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Future Harvest is a 501(c)(3) membership nonprofit that delivers sustainable agriculture education, farmer training, peer networking, and policy advocacy across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Its core offerings include a free 12-month Beginner Farmer Training Program, a year-round Field School of hands-on workshops, an annual sustainable agriculture conference, mini-grant and consultant programs for working farmers, and the Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative for underserved farmers.
Product overview
Future Harvest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization (Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture) founded in 1998, advancing agriculture that sustains farmers, communities, and the environment across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of educational programs and services centered around sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Core programs include: the Field School providing year-round farmer education through workshops, tours, and webinars; the Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) offering a free 12-month immersive training experience for aspiring farmers; the Choose-Your-Own Consultant Program providing $1,000 grants for farmers to work with expert consultants; the Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) developing underserved farmers through a 9-month program; and the Annual Conference as the largest sustainable agriculture gathering in the Mid-Atlantic. Supporting initiatives include the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) offering conservation cost-share, the Million Acre Challenge to grow healthy soils, the Go Grassfed Initiative promoting pasture-based farming, Feed the Need mini-grants for food access, the Sustainable Farming Fundamentals online course, and a membership program with approximately 800 members. The organization operates a Voice 4 Change advocacy program and On-Farm Research initiative conducting long-term soil benchmarking studies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FHCASA (Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture): Full organizational name and acronym used on social media and some materials
- Go Grassfed
- Million Acre Challenge
- Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI)
Products and services
- Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) A comprehensive free 12-month immersive training program combining classroom curriculum with hands-on learning at sustainable farms for aspiring farmers in the Chesapeake region. Founded in 2009, has trained more than 400 farmers.
- Field School Year-round continuing education series for farmers featuring hands-on learning, skills building, professional development, and exposure to the latest agricultural research. Delivered through field tours, hands-on days, intensives, panel discussions, and webinars covering sustainable fruit, vegetable, and livestock production, land access, food safety, soil health, and specialty crops. Holds about 35 farmer- and consumer-education workshops, tours, and intensives each year.
- Annual Conference The largest sustainable agriculture conference in the Mid-Atlantic, held each January, gathering 450–700 farmers, educators, and food system professionals. Features 30+ sessions across seven tracks including Beginning Farming, Crop Production, Regenerative Agriculture, Grassfed Meat & Dairy, Business of Farming, and Environment & Policy.
- Choose-Your-Own Consultant Program Program providing $1,000 grants enabling farmers to work one-on-one with consultants of their choice to strengthen business operations and address challenges. Covers topics including marketing plans, financial record-keeping, nutrient management plans, and soil fertility.
- Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) Nine-month program funded by USDA 2501 grant empowering underserved farmers (Beginning, Socially Disadvantaged, Veterans, Limited Resource) with grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking, leadership development, community building, $1,000 stipend, free conference access, and one-year membership.
- Sustainable Farming Fundamentals Online Class Ten-week virtual classroom series offered January–April covering topics including goal setting, site selection, soil health, pest/disease management, crop planning, business planning, marketing, budgeting, food safety, and livestock. Features farmer speakers and homework assignments. Free for BFTP trainees with scholarships available.
- Feed the Need Mini-grant program providing $2,000–$3,000 to farmers growing food for food assistance providers. Addresses food access while supporting farmers to build resilient regional food systems.
- Million Acre Challenge Multi-year collaborative initiative to grow one million acres of healthy soils in Maryland by 2030 using soil health science, economics, education, and incentives. Partners include farmers, consumers, service providers, and funders. Enrolled over 50 Maryland farmers managing more than 43,000 acres as research collaborators.
- Go Grassfed Initiative Marketing and resource campaign supporting grass- and pasture-based farmers. Includes the Amazing Grazing Directory connecting consumers to grass-based farmers and Buying Club Toolkits for starting buying clubs.
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Partnership with NRCS offering 100% cost-share for Maryland farms to implement basic conservation practices and practice enhancements for soil health, water quality, and climate resilience.
- Membership Program Membership organization with approximately 800 members including farmers, consumers, food businesses, landowners, nonprofits, and ag educators. Provides benefits, networking, and community building.
Quantifiable outcome
- 400+ farmers trained in sustainable practices since 2009
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Future Harvest
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Future Harvest technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Future Harvest partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Common Grain AlliancecoreCommon Grain Alliance collaborates with Future Harvest's Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) to provide additional resources, events, and guidance to enhance skills and diversify farming practices for underserved farmers.
- Fields 4 ValorcoreFields 4 Valor partners with ALDI to support veteran farmers and provide training, resources, and community building for agricultural leadership development.
- Mid Atlantic Black Farmers Caucus (MABFC)coreMABFC collaborates with ALDI to bring additional resources and guidance to enhance skills and diversify learning, growing, and farming practices for Black farmers in the region.
- University of Maryland ExtensioncoreUniversity of Maryland Extension partners with Future Harvest on educational programming, research, and farmer training, including collaborating on the Beginner Farmer Training Program's classroom component.
- Maryland Farmers Market Association (MDFMA)minorMDFMA collaborates with Future Harvest on the Find-a-Farmer Map to help consumers locate farms and markets selling fresh produce, meats, flowers, grains, or dairy in their region.
- Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG)minorMWCOG partners with Future Harvest on the Find-a-Farmer Map to direct consumers to local food resources across the metropolitan Washington region.
- Delmarva GrownminorDelmarva Grown collaborates on the Find-a-Farmer Map to help consumers locate local farms and agricultural products across the Delmarva peninsula.
- Chesapeake Bay FoundationcoreChesapeake Bay Foundation is a key partner in the Million Acre Challenge coalition, working with Future Harvest to advance regenerative agriculture, improve water quality, and build soil health across Maryland farmland.
- Pasa Sustainable AgriculturecorePasa partners with Future Harvest on the Soil Health Benchmark Study, enabling Maryland farmers to participate in research to better understand how their practices affect soil fertility.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Future Harvest competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- University of Maryland Extension: The state's cooperative extension service delivering farmer education, research, and technical assistance, partnering with Future Harvest on the BFTP classroom component and providing overlapping educational programming.
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: A larger environmental organization with a broad portfolio spanning water quality, policy advocacy, and farmer engagement, partnering with Future Harvest on the Million Acre Challenge to advance regenerative agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA): A multi-state umbrella of organic farming associations offering farmer education, conferences, and certification across the Northeast, comparable to Future Harvest in mission and educational programming scope though at significantly larger geographic scale.
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE): A USDA-funded national program offering grants, education, and research for sustainable agriculture, operating at significantly larger scale than Future Harvest and serving as both a potential funding source and overlapping educational resource.
Direct peers
- Pasa Sustainable Agriculture: Pasa is a Pennsylvania-based sustainable agriculture organization offering farmer education, field days, conferences, and soil health research, directly comparable to Future Harvest's model and an explicit partner on the Soil Health Benchmark Study.
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: A Carolinas-based sustainable agriculture nonprofit offering farmer education, an annual conference, and advocacy programs structurally similar to Future Harvest's Mid-Atlantic programming model.
- Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA): A Maine-based sustainable and organic agriculture organization providing farmer training, an annual Common Ground Country Fair, and education programs, highly comparable to Future Harvest's regional nonprofit sustainable agriculture model.
- Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF): A California-based sustainable agriculture nonprofit focused on farmer education, advocacy, and farm-to-table programs, offering a structurally analogous regional sustainable agriculture nonprofit model to Future Harvest.
- Organic Farming Research Foundation: A national nonprofit funding organic farming research and education, comparable to Future Harvest's research (On-Farm Soil Benchmark Study) and farmer education mission though with a national rather than regional scope.
Others
- Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience and Access Coalition: A regional coalition providing funding and coordination for food access programs, identified as a Future Harvest partner providing financial support for the Feed the Need Fund addressing food access in the Chesapeake region.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Future Harvest social profiles
Digital presenceFuture Harvest financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Future Harvest leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Future Harvest funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Future Harvest M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Future Harvest
What does Future Harvest do?
Future Harvest is a 501(c)(3) membership nonprofit that delivers sustainable agriculture education, farmer training, peer networking, and policy advocacy across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Its core offerings include a free 12-month Beginner Farmer Training Program, a year-round Field School of hands-on workshops, an annual sustainable agriculture conference, mini-grant and consultant programs for working farmers, and the Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative for underserved farmers.
Is Future Harvest a public or private company?
Future Harvest is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Future Harvest founded?
Future Harvest was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Future Harvest based?
Future Harvest is headquartered in Cockeysville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Future Harvest make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are membership Fees, conference Revenue and grants and Foundation Support.
Who are Future Harvest's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are University of Maryland Extension, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). Direct peers are Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and Organic Farming Research Foundation. Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience and Access Coalition is listed as an others.
Does Future Harvest have an API?
No public API is recorded for Future Harvest.
What industry is Future Harvest in?
Future Harvest's product category is Agricultural Education and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative), with a secondary code of EDAOAOAO, Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices. Its NAICS code is 115112 and its SIC code is 700.