What Groundswell Center does

Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming, doing business as Groundswell Center, is a private nonprofit organization (EIN 83-1192242) headquartered in Ithaca, New York, founded in 2012 with the launch of its Incubator Farm Program. Its mission is to train the next generation of sustainable farmers in the Finger Lakes region, with explicit prioritization of historically underserved populations including people of color, refugees, immigrants, women, and trans/non-binary individuals. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs: the Incubator Farm Program (one-quarter-acre plots with shared infrastructure, $130-$600 per season, on land leased from Ecovillage Ithaca), hands-on workshops on a sliding scale ($20-$325), the 9-week Grow Your Farm Business Course ($100-$350 sliding scale), a 7-month BIPOC-focused Farmer Training Program piloted in 2021 with 5 aspiring growers, one-to-one farm business consultation, an Agriculture Individual Development Account (Ag-IDA) matched savings program offering 3:1 matches for socially disadvantaged farmers, a Farming for Justice discussion group, and land access services delivered through partnership with American Farmland Trust's Farmland for a New Generation NY.

The organization's operating technology is non-digital and centered on regenerative and organic agriculture practices (soil health management, water conservation, climate resilience, high-tunnel production), supported by physical infrastructure at the Incubator Farm including eight-foot deer perimeter fencing, a high tunnel, walk-in cooler, washing station, BCS tractor, equipment and tool storage, an outdoor classroom, and a kitchen station. Community-facing technology consists of a WordPress website (groundswellcenter.org), an email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels, and an online Classifieds marketplace. In 2020 the Incubator Farm operated at full capacity with 11 farming enterprises (8 refugee-owned, many specializing in Southeast Asian vegetable varieties), and over the organization's lifetime it has supported hundreds of farm and food business owners across the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and New York State.

Groundswell generates revenue through three streams: (1) individual and business donations plus event sponsorships structured at Seed ($250), Roots ($500), and Blossom ($1,000) tiers; (2) program and workshop fees on a sliding scale prioritizing BIPOC and limited-resource participants; and (3) government and foundation grants including USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement 2501 Grant, American Farmland Trust, Park Foundation, Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, and ARC. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, employs approximately 6-7 staff including Executive Director Juliana Quaresma and Interim Co-Executive Director Ariana Taylor-Stanley, and has no parent company or equity ownership. Recognition includes the 2019 Community Food Funders' Champions Award.

Name

Groundswell Center

Legal name

Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming

Website

https://groundswellcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming is a nonprofit in Ithaca, New York that trains beginning and historically underserved farmers in the Finger Lakes region through programs including an Incubator Farm, workshops, business courses, and land access services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Education and Farmer Training Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (1151)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO), Soil Health & Regenerative Agronomy Consulting (AFACABAA), Nutrient Stewardship & Soil Fertility Management (4R Nutrients, Compost, Biofertilizers) (AFAGAMAE)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture education
• Beginning farmer training
• Farmland access programs
• Regenerative farming workshops
• Food justice initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Ithaca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Groundswell Center relies heavily on individual and business donations, with EIN number 83-1192242. Sponsorship levels include Seed Level ($250), Roots Level ($500), and Blossom Level ($1,000) with various benefits including logo placement, social media recognition, and event invitations.
2. Program Fees: Revenue generated from program fees including Incubator Farm seasonal fees ($130-600), Farm Business Course tuition ($100-350 sliding scale), workshop fees (sliding scale from free to $325+), and event admissions.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from government grants and foundations including USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), American Farmland Trust, Park Foundation, Women's Fund, and ARC funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming is a nonprofit that trains and supports beginning farmers in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Its offerings include an Incubator Farm that provides affordable land plots and shared farm infrastructure, hands-on workshops on technical farming skills, a 9-week Grow Your Farm Business Course, a part-time Farmer Training Program, one-to-one business consulting, and a Farming for Justice discussion series — all with a deliberate equity focus on people of color, refugees, immigrants, women, and trans/non-binary individuals.

Product overview

Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization supporting beginning farmers in the Finger Lakes region. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around farmer development: the Incubator Farm Program provides land access and infrastructure; Workshops deliver hands-on skills training; the Grow Your Farm Business Course offers formal business education; the Farmer Training Program provides comprehensive agricultural training with a BIPOC focus; Land Access services connect farmers with land opportunities; Farm Business Support offers consulting and the Ag-IDA matched savings program; and the Farming for Justice Group addresses equity in the food system. Programs are designed to support diverse farmers including people of color, refugees, and individuals with limited resources, with many services offered on a sliding scale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Incubator Farm Program A program providing new farmers with affordable land access, shared farm facilities, technical training, and one-on-one guidance. Each farmer receives a 1/4 acre plot with infrastructure including deer fencing, high tunnel space, walk-in cooler, washing station, tools, and BCS tractor equipment. Designed for new and historically underserved farmers with seasonal fees of $130-$600.
• Workshops Hands-on workshops and farm tours covering technical farming skills, land management, food production, tool and equipment use (e.g., BCS tractor, carpentry), herbalism, livestock husbandry, agroforestry, and farm body care. Open to all experience levels and offered on a sliding scale (e.g., $20-$40 per session, $60-$325 for the Tractor Intensive, $0-$380 for BIPOC Carpentry Workshop with free option for BIPOC participants).
• Grow Your Farm Business Course A 9-week intensive course teaching farm business planning including goal setting, production-to-market matching, financial feasibility, legalities, and capital sources. Includes individual business guidance and networking opportunities. Delivered in-person at the Just Be Cause Center in Ithaca on a sliding scale of $100-$350, with a second attendee from the same farm at half price.
• Farmer Training Program A part-time 7-month program focused on hands-on vegetable production, livestock basics, and exposure to various farm enterprises. Includes farm tours, guest speakers, and discussion of social and environmental impacts plus historical/structural food system issues. Explicitly BIPOC-focused program.
• Land Access for Farmers Service delivered in partnership with American Farmland Trust's Farmland for a New Generation NY Regional Navigator network, providing guidance on farmland access, navigation support, educational resources, landowner webinars, and connections between farmland seekers and landowners across New York.
• Farm Business Support One-to-one business consultation, virtual farm business workshop series, and the Agriculture IDA (Individual Development Account) Matched Savings Program offering 3:1 matching for socially disadvantaged farmers in partnership with Alternatives Federal Credit Union. Also includes language interpretation services.
• Farming for Justice Group A monthly discussion group and webinar series exploring food sovereignty, racial equity, reparations, and land and justice issues in the food system. Co-organized with partners including Soul Fire Farm and Youth Farm Project.
• Classifieds An online community board connecting farmers and community members for work opportunities, land/housing/facilities listings, farm products and markets, and farm equipment and supplies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 farming operations with approximately 25 individuals supported at the Incubator Farm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ecovillage IthacacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundswell's Incubator Farm is located on land leased from Ecovillage Ithaca at 100 Rachel Carson Way. This partnership provides the physical space essential for Groundswell's core programming.
• American Farmland TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundswell partners with American Farmland Trust as part of the Farmland for a New Generation NY Regional Navigator network, providing training and on-the-ground support for beginning farmers and landowners on land access issues.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCE Tompkins provides agricultural expertise, co-hosts events and workshops, and supports programming through shared resources and knowledge networks.
• Cornell Small Farms ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on farmer training curriculum, provides technical expertise, and supports educational programming for beginning farmers.
• Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY (NOFA NY)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts farm tours and events, shares expertise on organic farming practices, and provides networking opportunities for organic farmers.
• Alternatives Federal Credit UnionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Agriculture IDA (Individual Development Account) Matched Savings Program, providing financial education and matched savings for socially disadvantaged farmers.
• Finger Lakes Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on land access initiatives and supports food system and farmland preservation efforts in the Finger Lakes region.
• Youth Farm ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizes events including the Leah Penniman Farming While Black book tour and land access programming.
• Rootworks HerbalsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizes land access events and provides herbal education expertise; founder Amanda David is an instructor in Groundswell programs.
• Tompkins Cortland Community CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides farm education and training resources; board member Todd McLane represents the college farm on Groundswell's Board of Directors.
• Soul Fire FarmmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack-owned farm focused on food sovereignty; partners on events including the Farming While Black book tour and land justice initiatives; shares reparations map resources.
• GreenStar Food CoopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides 15% volunteer discount to Groundswell volunteers who are GreenStar members; supports community food initiatives.
• WegmansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCurrent business supporter and sponsor of Groundswell programs and events.
• Headwater Food HubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWholesale market channel for incubator farmers to sell specialty crops including Southeast Asian vegetables.
• Challenge Workforce SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners through Ability in Bloom social enterprise program providing work skills training through flower production at the Incubator Farm.
• Kingbird FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner farm providing farm tours, mentorship, and farmer-to-farmer networking; advisor Karma Glos serves on the Farmer Advisory Committee.
• Stick and Stone FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner farm providing educational tours and learning opportunities for Groundswell participants.
• Remembrance FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner farm participating in farmer-to-farmer networks and providing educational opportunities.
• The PiggeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Heather Sandford who serves as an instructor in Groundswell's Farm Business Course and member of the Farmer Advisory Committee.
• Rock Steady FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest instructor Sarah Groat from Rock Steady Farm provides tractor training expertise for Groundswell workshops.
• New York Soil HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for soil health workshops providing technical expertise and educational resources on soil testing and health practices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Farmland Trust: National nonprofit running the Farmland for a New Generation NY land-access navigator network that Groundswell participates in; comparable on land-access training and farmland-seeker support, but at a national scale and with a broader portfolio.
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: National policy and advocacy alliance for sustainable agriculture; comparable on equity and beginning-farmer policy framing but operates at federal policy level rather than direct farm training.

Direct peers

• Soul Fire Farm: Black-led farm in upstate New York focused on food sovereignty, training BIPOC farmers, and reparations work; directly comparable as an equity-centered beginning-farmer training and land access organization with overlapping participant populations and partnership activity.
• Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (UC Santa Cruz): University-based program offering hands-on ecological horticulture and sustainable agriculture training; comparable as a multi-level sustainable-farmer training organization with incubator-style farm infrastructure.
• GrowNYC's New Farmer Development Project: NYC-based program training immigrant and refugee farmers and connecting them to land and markets; directly comparable as an immigrant/refugee-focused beginning-farmer incubator operating in New York.
• Farm School NYC: New York City-based training program for urban and beginning farmers focused on social justice and food sovereignty; comparable as a mission-aligned beginning-farmer training organization targeting BIPOC and underserved communities.
• Cornell Small Farms Program: Cornell University's program providing beginning-farmer training, business planning, and resources across New York State — overlapping curriculum and audience with Groundswell's Farmer Training and Farm Business Course offerings.
• Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY): Regional organic farming association offering workshops, farmer education, and certification support; comparable as a farmer-education organization operating in the same NY geography with overlapping workshop content.

Others

• EcoVillage Ithaca: Owner/lessor of the land on which Groundswell's Incubator Farm operates; included as an ecosystem partner and enabling infrastructure provider rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program (RAPP): Multi-state network supporting refugee farmers through training and land access; comparable on the refugee-farmer training segment Groundswell serves, but operates as a coordinating network rather than a single-site program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GroundswellCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/groundswellcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/groundswellcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groundswell-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Groundswell Center