PORTLAND, Ore. — Beginning farmers generally face no shortage of obstacles — lack of land, lack of equipment, lack of money, lack of experience.

The Headwaters Farm Incubator, situated on 60 acres near Portland, Ore., helps new growers surmount these hurdles by providing resources and expertise at a price they can afford.

The program was launched in 2012 by the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, which aims to equip growers with conservation-oriented skills they can later apply on their own land.

“We’re looking to increase the number of new farmers, we’re trying to keep land in production and we’re trying to make sure it’s well-stewarded,” said Rowan Steele, the incubator’s manager.

The district bought the former ornamental nursery for about $1.3 million in 2012, dedicating part of it to riparian restoration and dividing 30 acres into blocks of about 1-2 acres apiece.

Growers rent these parcels and pay to use the incubator’s tractors and water, but the program offers ways to ease the financial burden.

The lease is set at $600 per acre, but farmers are only expected to pay one-quarter of the price during their first year. The cost increases incrementally until growers pay the full value in their fourth and final year of the program.

Payments for water are waived for those who install water-preserving drip irrigation systems, and farmers who are diligent in controlling weeds can avoid the $200 yearly management fee they’d otherwise incur.

While the district is unlikely to ever generate profits on the incubator — or even break even — the goal is to graduate farmers who share its values of conserving soil and preventing erosion, Steele said.

“It’s a good investment, from our perspective,” he said.

Across North America, there are 111 farm incubators averaging more than 10 acres each, according to data from Tufts University.

Farm incubators allow growers to build a client base for their crops without first making major investments.

Pete Munyon, a vegetable grower, said the availability of irrigation, cold storage, machinery and washing stations at the incubator has allowed him to concentrate on his business rather than worrying about developing “infrastructure.”

“You’re able to get a professional farm going a lot cheaper,” he said.

The incubator provides farmers with time to find their niche, said Emily Cooper, who is producing crops on the property for the second season.

Cooper initially focused on selling bulk vegetables intended for canning but found the demand was insufficient. She has now diversified to include fresh produce.

“It gives you the freedom to make some mistakes and experiment,” she said.

Not every aspiring farmer is offered a spot at the incubator, though.

Steele said he typically only accepts half the applicants to the program, choosing those who have a solid business plan and preferrably some experience with food production.

Other programs in the Portland area already provide people with the opportunity to explore their “farm intrigue” or serve as apprentices under other growers, he said. Headwaters Farm Incubator is geared toward honing farming skills and expanding sales channels.

“We’re essentially a springboard for people who have the knowledge and commitment to begin that process,” Steele said.

Rick Reddaway began growing produce on a quarter-acre owned by his in-laws before joining the incubator program in 2013.

Since then, his revenues have risen every year and he’s aiming to earn enough from farming to stop working other jobs during the off-season.

With his final year at the incubator approaching, Reddaway is preparing to “wean” himself from the facilities and borrow money for a tractor.

Leasing or buying a suitable property is another priority, he said. “I’m at the point I’m looking for options. Finding a place is my biggest concern.”

With several other growers nearing graduation, the district is examining how to assist them with the transition.

One idea is to partner with Multnomah County to identify properties at risk of losing their deferred property tax status because they’re not being farmed. Those landowners could then lease their properties to incubator graduates.

“It seems like a natural progression,” Steele said. “We’re generating new farmers. Let’s connect them with someone who is trying to keep the land in production, whatever the reason.”

Headwaters Farm Incubator

Location: Southeast of Portland, Ore.

Size: 60 acres

Property cost: $1.3 million

Founded: 2012

Owner: East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District

Number of farm operations: 13

Mission: Preserving farmland and training conservation-oriented new growers

Duration: Farmers graduate after four years

Amenities: Irrigation system, two tractors, tillage equipment, barn, cooler, greenhouse, washing stations, office space