Viva Farms
Viva Farms is a 501c-3 nonprofit farm business incubator established in 2009 that provides bilingual training, land access, infrastructure, and market channels to aspiring and limited-resource farmers across Skagit and King Counties, Washington, supporting 30+ incubating farms across 100+ acres.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersBurlington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Viva Farms does
Viva Farms (legally Grow Food, DBA Viva Farms) is a registered 501c-3 nonprofit Farm Business Incubator and Training Program established in 2009 in Washington State. The organization empowers aspiring and limited-resource farmers by providing bilingual (English-Spanish) training in holistic organic farming practices alongside access to land, infrastructure, equipment, marketing support, capital, and community. Its core products include the Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture (an annual April-to-October bilingual educational program), the Farm Business Incubator (with plot sizes from 1/8 acre up to 20 acres), an AgPark medium-term land-tenure program, and market-access channels including a weekly CSA subscription program, a wholesale produce program serving Pacific Northwest restaurants and retail, a Farm to School initiative, and farmer's market sales. Supporting programs include bilingual workshops, public and private farm tours, and the recently completed 'Viva El Suelo' documentary on soil-health conservation.
Viva Farms operates across two Washington locations: the original Skagit County site (Viva 1 in Burlington and Viva 2 AgPark in Mount Vernon) and a King County site (Student Farm and incubator in Woodinville) established in 2019, totaling more than 100 acres and supporting over 30 incubating farms. Distribution channels are regional, concentrated along the I-5 corridor and Seattle metro area, with incubating farms selling through aggregators such as Puget Sound Food Hub and Farmstand Local Foods, and independent farms marketing to entities including Whole Foods and over 80 Seattle-area restaurants. Certifications include USDA Organic and GAP applied across the incubator portfolio.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: individual and corporate donations (including DAF, payroll giving, IRA distributions, and in-kind gifts), grants (USDA NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Award 2021-70033-35709, USDA TOPP, Skagit Valley Food Co-op Growing Good Fund $100K in 2023, Russell Family Foundation $75K in December 2023), programmatic revenue from CSA subscriptions and wholesale produce sales, and suggested-donation farm tours ($20 public, $300 private groups). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Interim Executive Director Rob Smith (joined 2014), with a core staff of approximately 12 spanning program direction (Micah Anderson, Anna Chotzen), education, communications, sales, and farm operations.
Viva Farms firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Viva Farms
- Legal name
- Grow Food
- Website
- https://vivafarms.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Viva Farms is a 501c-3 nonprofit farm business incubator established in 2009 that provides bilingual training, land access, infrastructure, and market channels to aspiring and limited-resource farmers across Skagit and King Counties, Washington, supporting 30+ incubating farms across 100+ acres.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Viva Farms industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Education and Farm Incubation Services
- NAICS
- Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)
- SIC
- Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Work Exchange & Farmstay Programs (WWOOF/HelpX-Style) (EDAIAGAK), Agricultural Production & Farm Operations (EDAOAOAA), Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH), Succession, Governance & Ownership Transition Advisory (AFACAJAO)
Keywords
Where Viva Farms is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Viva Farms business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Viva Farms is a registered 501c-3 nonprofit organization (EIN #20-4396437) that accepts individual and corporate donations, recurring gifts, DAF donations, IRA charitable distributions, payroll giving, and in-kind donations of goods and services.
- CSA Subscriptions: Weekly Community Supported Agriculture boxes available for pickup along the I-5 corridor, providing fresh produce to subscribers.
- Wholesale Produce Sales: Wholesale program providing mixed vegetables and berries to Pacific Northwest establishments including restaurants, farmers markets, and retail locations.
- Farm Tours and Workshops: Public tours ($20 per person suggested donation) and private/group tours ($300 for groups of 30 or less) generate revenue while educating community about farming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Public Farm Tours |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Private/Group Farm Tours |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Viva Farms product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Viva Farms operates a Farm Business Incubator and Training Program providing bilingual (English-Spanish) education in holistic organic farming through the Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture, alongside land access, shared infrastructure, equipment, marketing support, and community resources for aspiring and limited-resource farmers. The organization also distributes produce from its 30+ incubating farms through a CSA program, wholesale channel, and Farm to School initiative across the Pacific Northwest.
Product overview
Viva Farms is a non-profit Farm Business Incubator and Training Program offering a unified portfolio of agricultural education and support services. The core offerings include the Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture (bilingual training program running April-October), the Farm Business Incubator with AgPark land tenure component, and a suite of market access programs (CSA, Wholesale, Farm to School). Supporting services include Workshops & Events, Tours, and the Viva El Suelo documentary project. The organization supports over 30 incubating farms growing certified organic produce including vegetables, berries, herbs, microgreens, flowers, eggs, and seeds. All programs operate from two locations in Skagit County and King County, Washington.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports over 30 incubating farms between all locations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Viva Farms
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Viva Farms technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Viva Farms partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Skagit Valley Food Co-opcoreDonated $100,000 to Viva Farms through their Growing Good Fund in 2023 to support local, organic agriculture and the future of farming in Skagit Valley. Partnership includes farm tours and community events.
- 1% for the PlanetminorViva Farms is a member of the 1% for the Planet network, which connects businesses and nonprofits to protect the planet. Businesses can join and name Viva Farms as their beneficiary, directing 1% of sales to support the organization.
- Skagit Conservation DistrictcoreCollaborative partner on soil health and conservation programs including the 'Viva El Suelo' project (2021-2025) where farmers designed and participated in on-farm trials of conservation practices. SCD provides technical support and access to conservation programs for Skagit farmers.
- Washington State University (WSU)coreWSU Skagit County Extension provides Spanish interpretation for workshops and collaborates on research projects including soil health studies, organic certification education, and the 'Viva El Suelo' documentary project. WSU scientists participate in workshops and field days.
- Edge PermaminorRegenerative agriculture education company that co-hosts the 'Whole System Farm Design' workshop with Viva Farms, providing permaculture design education to beginning farmers.
- Organic Seed AllianceminorPartner for organic seed production workshops at Viva Farms, focusing on seed cleaning techniques and organic seed production basics for farmers.
- King Arthur Baking / The Bread LabminorCo-hosts Community Pizza Nights at The Bread Lab location. Proceeds benefit Viva Farms barn construction project. Partnership provides fundraising and community engagement opportunities.
- Puget Sound Food HubcoreAggregates and distributes produce from Viva Farms and other local farms to wholesale buyers. Multiple incubating farms sell through the food hub as a market channel.
- Farmstand Local FoodscoreLocal food distribution company that aggregates produce from Viva Farms incubating farms for restaurant and retail customers in the Sammamish Valley area.
- Rodale InstituteminorOrganic agriculture research organization that participated in 'Why Organic?' panel discussion hosted by Viva Farms, discussing the history and benefits of organic certification.
- National Organic CoalitionminorPolicy advocacy organization participating in Viva Farms workshop on organic certification, providing insights on organic standards and certification processes.
- Steel Wheel FarmminorLocal organic farm that co-hosted low-till systems workshop with Viva Farms, demonstrating sustainable farming practices at multiple scales.
- Full Heart FarmminorLocal organic farm that co-hosted low-till systems workshop with Viva Farms, sharing knowledge about tillage and soil health practices.
- Cairnspring MillsminorLocal grain mill that hosted 'After the Harvest' workshop and processes grain from local farmers including those in Viva Farms network, creating market opportunity for farmers interested in grain production.
- Tilth AllianceminorSustainable agriculture organization that collaborated on virtual farm walk for Viva Farms King County location, expanding reach of educational programming.
- Transect FilmsminorFilm production company that produced the 'Viva El Suelo' documentary about soil health practices, telling the story of farmers adapting conservation practices.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Viva Farms competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA): ALBA operates the nation's largest farm business incubator in California's Salinas Valley, providing bilingual training, land access, and market access to aspiring and immigrant farmers using organic practices. Directly comparable mission, structure, and grower profile to Viva Farms.
- Rogue Farm Corps: Rogue Farm Corps is an Oregon-based nonprofit farm incubator and training program that trains aspiring farmers via hands-on apprenticeships on host farms. Comparable beginning-farmer development mission in the Pacific Northwest with overlapping geography.
- Big Green: Big Green is a national nonprofit building a food-secure future through garden-based food education, with school and community learning gardens across multiple states. Comparable nonprofit, training-focused mission with CSA and farmer-development adjacency.
- Cultivate Kansas City: Cultivate KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit supporting urban farmers and food entrepreneurs through training, land access, and market channels. Comparable farm-incubator and beginning-farmer support model with similar revenue mix of grants, sales, and donations.
- The Food Project: The Food Project is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that trains youth and aspiring farmers in sustainable agriculture while supplying CSA and wholesale produce to regional markets. Comparable bilingual-adjacent training, CSA/wholesale distribution, and youth-farmer development mission.
- New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) / Cultivating Community: Cultivating Community in Maine runs the New American Sustainable Agriculture Project, training immigrant and refugee farmers on incubator plots with bilingual programming and market access. Direct comparable model serving similar populations with the same nonprofit structure.
Emerging players
- Grow Dat Youth Farm: Grow Dat is a New Orleans-based nonprofit farm incubator that trains young people in sustainable agriculture and food justice. Overlapping beginning-farmer and CSA model with a sharper youth-development focus than Viva Farms.
- Dream of Wild Health: Dream of Wild Health is a Minnesota-based nonprofit indigenous farm and youth leadership organization operating an organic farm incubator. Comparable organic-certified land access, farmer training, and CSA/wholesale model with a different cultural lens.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Viva Farms social profiles
Digital presenceViva Farms compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Viva Farms financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Viva Farms leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Viva Farms funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Viva Farms 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 Viva Farms
What does Viva Farms do?
Viva Farms operates a Farm Business Incubator and Training Program providing bilingual (English-Spanish) education in holistic organic farming through the Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture, alongside land access, shared infrastructure, equipment, marketing support, and community resources for aspiring and limited-resource farmers. The organization also distributes produce from its 30+ incubating farms through a CSA program, wholesale channel, and Farm to School initiative across the Pacific Northwest.
Is Viva Farms a public or private company?
Viva Farms is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Viva Farms founded?
Viva Farms was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Viva Farms based?
Viva Farms is headquartered in Burlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Viva Farms make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are CSA Subscriptions, wholesale Produce Sales and farm Tours and Workshops.
Who are Viva Farms's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), Rogue Farm Corps, Big Green, Cultivate Kansas City, The Food Project and New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) / Cultivating Community. Emerging players are Grow Dat Youth Farm and Dream of Wild Health.
Does Viva Farms have an API?
No public API is recorded for Viva Farms.
What industry is Viva Farms in?
Viva Farms's product category is Agricultural Education and Farm Incubation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAOAO, Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices, with a secondary code of EDAIAGAK, Work Exchange & Farmstay Programs (WWOOF/HelpX-Style). Its NAICS code is 1112 and its SIC code is 100.