Incubators — Grow Benzie

From our earliest days, Grow Benzie has found ways to offer a hand UP to our neighbors, leveraging resources such as our facilities, social capital, and relationships. We continue to incubate businesses, programs, and partner organizations with the spark and support each one needs.

FARMStarting any business can be difficult on your own.  With Grow Benzie's 15,000 sqft greenhouses and growing space, along with our supportive network of farmers and customers, we are able to provide opportunity for apprentice farmers to lear… — FARM
Starting any business can be difficult on your own. With Grow Benzie's 15,000 sqft greenhouses and growing space, along with our supportive network of farmers and customers, we are able to provide opportunity for apprentice farmers to learn the ins & outs of business without the harsh ups and downs. In 2022, we are now celebrating our third farmer utilizing Grow Benzie’s hoophouses and infrastructure. Chad from Cold Creek Farm is currently expanding his spices and hot sauce product lines and Carol from New Dawn Fields is celebrating yet another year of growth with her organic garlic farm. Click HERE for a short video about Farmer Pam.

PARTNERSRevitalizing an abandoned commercial nursery has provided Grow Benzie extra building square footage that includes 3,200 sqft in office space, plus a pole barn and 4 acres of property. The organic connections we have with people and organizat… — PARTNERS
Revitalizing an abandoned commercial nursery has provided Grow Benzie extra building square footage that includes 3,200 sqft in office space, plus a pole barn and 4 acres of property. The organic connections we have with people and organizations, added with the marketing and outreach of Grow Benzie, prime opportunities for ideas to grow. Nature Explorers started in one room in our studios and has now expanded into a new location, while Days for Girls has sent thousands of reusable hygeine kits to girls in need. The FiberShed has diverted 1,000+ pounds of fabric and fiber from the landfill into enterprises and workshops.

KITCHENOur state-certified kitchen is fully equipped with the tools to help value-added food businesses, caterers, and food trucks develop their business without breaking the bank investing in their own kitchen. Grow Benzie has helped dozens of loca… — KITCHEN
Our state-certified kitchen is fully equipped with the tools to help value-added food businesses, caterers, and food trucks develop their business without breaking the bank investing in their own kitchen. Grow Benzie has helped dozens of local business owners turn their food business dreams into reality. Click H ERE for Kitchen details.

FOOD TRUCKUnderstanding the growing demand for healthy eating options, alongside the risk involved with starting a food business, Grow Benzie offers a business incubator opportunity with our food truck, Grill Benzie.  We're able to support our … — FOOD TRUCK
Understanding the growing demand for healthy eating options, alongside the risk involved with starting a food business, Grow Benzie offers a business incubator opportunity with our food truck, Grill Benzie. We're able to support our manager with an established network of customers and venues, successful marketing, and the financial support for an entrepreneur to learn all aspects of operating a food truck. All while earning revenue that can be invested in future endeavors. Grill Benzie also focuses menu items around local ingredients that help support our local farmers and food system. Click here for details.