A Bermudian living in upstate New York is taking part in the first year of a farming project designed to help small farmers expand and improve their businesses.Damon Brangman, who left Bermuda nine years ago, is one of two farmers working with the Groundswell Incubator Farm during its inaugural year in Ithaca, NY.Mr Brangman began working with the Incubator Farm as part of his plan to expand his juice business, Fruits and Roots Juice, which he started three years ago with his wife, Jackie Richardson.“This year I am focusing on farming more so that I can help supply produce for the juice business,” he said.“The incubator programme will allow me to research different varieties of vegetables for their taste and juicing qualities.”Mr Brangman had his first farming experiences during his high school years in Bermuda. His uncle, Cubitt Smith, had a small farm Mr Brangman worked at during the summers and he has kept a small garden since then.Mr Brangman said it is possible he will return to Bermuda one day to pursue farming.“Right now I am raising a family and focused on developing a sustainable business here, but hope that I can take it elsewhere and expand on it,” he said.“I would love to have a research farm in Bermuda and grow crops that I cannot grow here, especially during the winter months.”The Groundswell Incubator Farm project provides beginning farmers with affordable land, access to farm machinery and mentoring from more experienced farmers and businessmen, according to the project’s website. The goal is to help new farmers like Mr Brangman develop a functional farming business without taking on too much financial risk, giving new farms a better chance of success.A brief biography on the Groundswell blog describes Mr Brangman’s farming experience and mobile juice business, as well as his work with the Incubator Farm.According to the blog, “Groundswell will be helping him to do a careful analysis of costs and returns to see if it pays to grow his own organic produce for juicing.”Mr Brangman plans to work with the Groundswell Incubator Farm for three years before moving his farming operation to his own land.“We own land which is wooded and will take time to clear,” he said.“I plan on building an educational research farm on our property. The Incubator gives me the opportunity to farm on a larger scale immediately, and create a broader market base.”So far in his first year at the Incubator Farm, Mr Brangman has grown potatoes, onions, butternut squash and summer squash to sell as fresh produce along with his juices. He has also planted beets to be used for juicing, which will be harvested in the fall.