The New Century Farm Fellowship (NCFF) program will launch in October 2025. Five beginning farmers will be hired as professional staff and receive a living wage and competitive employee benefits throughout their two-year fellowship. 

This project aims to build upon Iowa Valley RC&D’s education initiatives and farming expertise to establish a learning center and community hub for aspiring farmers. Fellows will learn the essential skills needed to farm successfully and be connected with mentors, markets, land access, and other opportunities to establish their own viable farm businesses. 

The first year of the NCFF fellowship will include 40-hr work weeks at the Grow: Johnson County farm under the supervision of our Farm Manager. Fellows will also attend weekly training sessions and field trips to learn about topics such as business and enterprise planning, market and land access, crop planning, animal husbandry, crop and livestock diseases, food safety practices, equipment functions and operations, infrastructure building and repairs, crop handling, and more.

During their second year, fellows will spend half of their time working at a regional farm selected based on their individual farming goals. They will also receive their own ⅛-acre plots at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farmand specialize in one or two crops, with access to technical assistance, farm equipment and the farm facilities to support their new enterprises. Continued opportunities will be provided to attend educational workshops, field days, and networking opportunities with regional farmers, farmer educators, food/farm businesses, and funding agencies.

Eligibility

• 2+ years of farming experience

  • Large home production is acceptable

  • A business goal of scaling up/transition, earning partial or full income from farming  

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

Eligible fellows will have previous farming experience and a goal of starting or growing their own small farm business. Fellows should live or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and will be willing to commit to full-time employment at IVRCD in year one of the program and part-time in year 2.

Fellows will be considered full-time IVRCD employees during year one and will be eligible for employee benefits. Fellows will be considered Part-time employees in year two and will not be eligible for benefits. The benefit structure is as follows:

Fellowship Year 1 Employment Benefits 

Fellows will be considered Full-Time IVRCD staff during year one and will be eligible for company benefits Including:

• Health (IVRCD Pays 50% of premium)

• Dental (IVRCD pays 100%)

• Vision (IVRCD pays 100%)

• 401k (without vestment)

• Holidays 

• PTO

Fellowship Year 2 Employment Benefits 

• Fellows will be considered part-time IVRCD employees, and will not be eligible for benefits. 

IVRCD is dedicated to supporting Fellows during their training.  

• Year 1: Full Time: Commitment of 32 hours/week or 40 hours/week

• Year 2: Part Time: Commitment of 20-24 hours/week. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work PT (paid) at a local farm for expanded experience.

• Pay for year 1 and year 2 for IVRCD Employment: $17/hour per week

The Fellowship program will include hands-on training, educational opportunities, networking, and a space for personal production.

Grow Field Training

Fellows will be paid to work alongside IVRCD GROW program staff to learn field and growing techniques. 

• Hands-on Field Training at the Grow Farm 

• Irrigation Systems

• Equipment Training

• Cultivation Techniques

• Food Safety and Packhouse Procedure 

Personal Field Production

Fellows will be assigned a production space to trial 1-2 crops for market. 

• IVRCD will provide a small stipend for seeds, irrigation, and potting soil in year 1

• Greenhouse space for seed starting

• Fellows will be assigned a ¼ acre available for each participant

  • Year 1: 50% cover crop rotation, 50% cultivation

  • Year 2: full cultivation 

Field and Market Education

There will be an emphasis on facilitating networking opportunities for future resource providers such as loan providers, land access navigators, buyers

• Workshops - Field and Business

• Farm Tours

• Conferences

• Networking 

• USDA Resources and Connections

The Fellow program is a 2-year commitment. It is built to allow for flexibility and support for beginning farmers.  If you have questions, please email us!

Applications for the NCF Fellowship will open in March 2025, stay tuned for more updates. The 2025-2026 cohort will be announced in May.