Farm management (3 years+) - Currently a Chicken Farm manager of 250000 broiler chickens a rotation (5-7 rotations a year). been doing this for just over 3 years now.
Apprenticeship - Jeff (partner) - Apprentice Millwright (Second Year)
Other experience/agricultural/business training - Greenhouse Technician Certificate and Landscape Horticulture Certificate
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - Made a Full business plan 5 years ago and have been updating it annually.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
No - Have been slowly building a Savings, However has not reached a point I feel comfortable stating Yes.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - If we can find land I would love to apply for a young Woman in Agriculture Grant.
Project
Farm Name
TBD
Farm Project Description
Our goal is to build a sustainable and diverse farm. A few years ago, we watched the movie “The Biggest Little Farm” which was exactly everything we wanted to do when setting up a farm. (I highly recommend watching it if you haven’t already). Our main focus to start would be the production of produce to sell and harvest seeds. Slowly adding livestock animals suck as chickens, pigs and cows and setting up rotational grazing. Building a diverse fruit orchard would be in the future plans as well. We would like to find something long term or permanent to build a fully sustainable farm and Family.
Preferred Arrangement
Lease -
Transfer / Succession -
Business Partnership -
Duration of the desired agreement
5+ Years
Ideal date to obtain land by
There is currently no rush, looking to find the perfect match.
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
15+
Wooded Area (acres)
Yes - We are perfectly okay with wooded Area as long as there is already cultivatable land available..
Cultivable Area (acres)
5+
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
No
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
We are flexible in what state the soil is in, as we have the knowledge to bring life and structure back to the soil. We are not wanting to take over a monoculture farm, would like diversity and would prefer if the land has previously been taken care of in an organic matter.
Primarily would like to focus mainly on veggies, fruit, and work towards livestock and poultry.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - We are absolutely open to sharing the Property.
Need farm buildings
Yes - We would require to live on the land, However if there isn't already a building, we do have a travel trailer. We would also like there to be either barns/structures or the possibility to build some.
Need fenced land
Yes - Yes, we would require fencing. We are fully capable in building said fences if there arent already some in place.
Need farm machinery and tools
Yes - We do not require hand tools, or power tools as we come with those. However it would be preferred if there was already a tractor or similar machinery.
Need established water source and infrastructure
It would really depend where we go for what kind of water source would be required. At the bare minimum a well.
Need on-site housing
Yes - As stated above, we would require to live on the property, but can supply our own Trailer if needed.
Production type
Vegetable - All heirloom/Open pollinated Vegetables such as, Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, herbs, and more
Livestock - Cattle - Wouldn't be in the plan for the first couple years but would like to work towards.
Livestock - Pigs - Is in the business plan for the second year of operation.
Poultry - Layers - layers for egg production. Dependent on current infrastructure would depend on when we implemented them.
Poultry - Broilers - Small scale to start in first year.
Seed - All produce we grow will be heirloom or open pollinated in order to save our seeds for next years production as well for the sale of seeds to the public through my current business.
Orchard/Fruit - Would work towards building an orchard of fruit and berries.
Greenhouse - We would like to utilize Greenhouses to extend the growing season and work towards having produce all year long.
Bees - Not needed to currently be in place. If we need them we have a bee keeper in the family
Type of agriculture
Organic -
Soil needs
We have the knowledge to work the soil and alter it to our needs naturally.
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - If it would be a lease to own or succession situation we absolutely want to.
