Supports building agroforestry businesses from seed to shelf.
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
What is the Agroforestry Accelerator Program?
The Agroforestry Accelerator Program is a free six-month business development program for agroforestry entrepreneurs across the United States and its territories.
The program supports both farm and non-farm businesses working to grow markets for agroforestry products and services.
Participants work with an expert coach and peers with experience bringing new value-added products or ingredients to market. This program is FREE and includes agroforestry-related businesses in the United States.
Following the success of our inaugural cohort last year, we are excited to launch the program for a second year with two specialized cohorts designed to serve the needs of agroforestry businesses.
Each cohort cycle lasts 6 months, kicking off with FFI’s foundational agrobusiness finance course and ending with your investor pitch. During the program, participants have regular virtual meetings with their cohort and 1-on-1 with their coach, on all key areas of their business:
- Sales
- Operations
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing & Branding
Program Overview
All participants receive free:
- One-on-one coaching from experienced business advisors.
- Biweekly cohort meetings with fellow agroforestry entrepreneurs.
- Training and support in:
- Sales and customer development
- Marketing and branding
- Operations and supply chain management
- Accounting and finance
- Capital planning and fundraising
- Legal, risk management, and business strategy
- Access to the Food Finance Learning Center and educational resources.
- Industry connections and introductions through FFI, the Agroforestry Coalition, and partner networks.
- An opportunity to refine and present a business pitch at the program’s closing event.
2026-2027 Cohorts
General Agroforestry Business Cohort
Designed for businesses involved in producing, processing, marketing, or selling agroforestry products. This includes farms, value-added food businesses, consumer packaged goods brands, processors, ingredient suppliers, and other businesses helping bring agroforestry products to market.
Nursery Business Cohort
Designed specifically for businesses producing and selling high-quality, regionally adapted plant material for agroforestry systems. This cohort will focus on the unique growth opportunities and challenges facing nursery businesses.
Who Should Apply?
The Agroforestry Accelerator Program is intended for entrepreneurs and businesses that are:
- Producing agroforestry crops or ingredients
- Developing value-added agroforestry products
- Processing agroforestry products
- Building consumer brands that utilize agroforestry ingredients
- Expanding nursery businesses that provide planting stock for agroforestry systems
- Working to strengthen agroforestry supply chains and market opportunities
Whether you are just beginning to commercialize a product or are looking to scale an established business, the Accelerator provides practical tools, expert guidance, and a network of peers committed to business growth.
Apply Today!
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
The Agroforestry Accelerator Program is provided in partnership with the Agroforestry Coalition.
This program is made possible through funding from the Volgenau Climate Initiative.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Email us or call 608-263-7794.