The Small Farm Incubator Center (SFIC) was established in Preston, Mississippi, in the Summer of 1997. The Center was designed to support small- and limited-resource farmers transitioning to alternate crop production. Farmers needing to learn production methods for new alternate crops can receive hands-on cultural techniques training while producing the new crop on the Incubator site with assistance from Alcorn Extension personnel. Participants are expected to duplicate the production on his/her farm site. Activities at the center have expanded to include demonstrations and field days that support alternative crop production. It also serves as an Outreach center where Alcorn Extension Specialists can expand their reach by establishing demonstrations and programs to reach farmers and the general public in the east-central region of the State.

Program Area: Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Mission

The Center’s mission is to serve the needs of small and limited-resource farmers and the rural population in the surrounding counties by offering educational information and training related to alternate production, marketing, and value-added product development.

Objectives

  1. Provide educational materials and training for small and limited-resource farmers in the area of alternate crop production.
  2. Serve as an Alcorn Extension outreach information and demonstration center by conducting cultivar trials and demonstrations under field and hoop-house production systems.
  3. Assist Alcorn researchers and Extension personnel with research and demonstration plots conducted at the Small Farm Incubator.
  4. Collaborate with other State and Federal agencies when using the Small Farm Incubator site to reach small- and limited-resource farmers and disadvantaged rural audiences.
  5. Assist farmers with record keeping and demonstrate the importance of using good agricultural Practices and Safe Produce Handling.

Methodology

The Small Farm Incubator employs various outreach methods to achieve our teaching goals. Programs include the incubator program, field days, virtual courses, and select demonstrations on clients’ properties.

  1. The Small Farm Incubator is designed to directly assist prospective producers in developing the skills and knowledge needed to produce, harvest, and market an alternative cope of their choice. New producers or producers wishing to gain a better understanding of what is involved in crop production are assigned up to two acres of land on the Small farm Incubator located in Winston County, Mississippi. Extension staff provides initial training on crop production (the selected crop) during the months prior to planting. The farmer is advised on cultivar selection and other inputs needed for crop production. Our clients are assisted with planting and cultural practices during the growing season. However, the producer is responsible for purchasing inputs and harvesting. The producers can be assisted with a crop for three years on the Incubator. During the three-year period, producers duplicate the cropping system on his/her farm.
  2. The Small Farm Incubator field demonstrations are designed to showcase different alternative crops. Cowpea (pinkeye purple-hull type) is the crop that many small and limited-resource farmers around the Incubator Center grow on their initial planting. Demonstrations of watermelons, okra, peppers, squash, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, fall and spring greens, and cabbage are the common crops planted each year. These crops are continually evaluated by cultivars for production and quality. The demonstrations serve both the producers and home gardeners in surrounding counties. Crops such as moringa, decorative gourds, and basil are also grown to show greater diversity in alternative crops. The timing of demonstration plantings is set to coincide with the fall field day.
  3. A 30 X 100 ft greenhouse at the Incubator is used to help local farmers get into different alternative crops. Transplants of cabbages, collards, tomatoes, peppers, watermelons, eggplants, and moringa are produced annually. Other crops are added to this mix as the farmers report a need for production. The greenhouse is also used to demonstrate tomato trellising and pruning along with bedding plant production. Other demonstrations in the greenhouse are developed to support field days.
  4. Two hoop houses have been established at the Incubator Center. Hoop-houses extend the grown season, facilitating early crop harvesting in the Spring and/or production into the late Fall. Hoop-house production is another method available to Small and limited-resource farms to expand their production of alternative crops. They can also assist in transplant production. Spring greens and cabbage production are demonstrated, while tomatoes and peppers are used to show production lasting into November. Additional crops grown, as demonstrated in the hoop houses, are eggplants and sweet potatoes for slip production.
  5. Cowpea shelling equipment at the Small Farm Incubator attacks many visitors during the summer months. Home gardeners and small producers use the facility to shell peas. Incubator staff use these visits to conduct individual tours of the activities occurring in the field, greenhouse, and hoop house.

ASUEP Staff Members

James Garner Ph.D – Farm Manager
662-773-7128
[email protected]

Leroy Hickman – Assistant Farm Manager
662-773-7128
[email protected]

Charles Hickman – Program Assistant
662-773-7128
[email protected]

John Hickman – Program Assistant
662-773-7128
[email protected]

LaTonya Glass – Administrative Assistant
662-773-7128
[email protected]