Farmer County: Lackawanna

Entering Farmer #20594

I’m a self-taught software engineer. 20 years in the field, no college, no bootcamps. I learned everything from books and figuring things out on my own, and I built a real career from that. I recently walked away from tech to do this full-time. I know how to teach myself things and stick with them.

This interest goes back 15-20 years. When I lived in New York City, I started ordering from Miller’s Organic Farm in Pennsylvania. Raw milk, pasture-raised meats, eggs, goat’s milk, kefir. Raw milk was hard to get back then, especially in NYC. I eventually moved to Missouri specifically because it was one of the few states with clear laws allowing raw milk sales. I’ve been there six years. So this isn’t a new idea for me. I’ve been living this way and thinking about farming for a long time.

At some point I thought: why am I paying to have this shipped to me when I could just go to the source and grow it myself? That question stuck with me. I’ve since read extensively. Joel Salatin, Greg Judy, Jean-Martin Fortier, and especially Daniel Mays. His no-till organic vegetable approach is what I want to do. I’m not interested in extracting value from the land. I want to improve it. Build soil health, increase biodiversity, follow nature’s model instead of fighting it. Organic is non-negotiable for me. No pesticides, no compromises on that. I’m starting with vegetables, not livestock. Vegetables are a good way to build experience before taking on animals.

I’m looking for either a farm incubator where I can learn from experienced farmers and get hands-on experience, or a small property (1-4 acres) close to a population center, ideally within 10 minutes, for intensive vegetable production. Market access matters. Depending on the opportunity, I have different business plans formulated for how I want to make this work. I can provide those upon request. I know Year 1 is for learning. I’m planning to follow Daniel Mays’ approach: one-time tillage to establish beds the first season, then transition to full no-till with cover crops starting Fall 2025.

I have savings from my previous career, so I’m not depending on Year 1 farm income. I’m committed to working on this daily. I’m also open to working on other farms while I learn. What I want is to blur the lines between work and recreation. To do hard physical labor that actually produces something, grow food for myself and others, and live a quieter life.

Entering Farmer #20592

I come from over 300+ years of farmers on both sides of my family. Prior to my mother’s generation, the majority of my relatives lived on homesteads in the Mississippi Delta. After 10+ years in the field of medicine, I was given the opportunity to work part-time, and dedicate 30-40 hours/week farming on my urban plot of land.
I thrive off manual labor, working outside, and figuring things out through observation and trail/error, and the occasional mentor.

Over the last four years, on 1.25 Suburban Acres, I have practiced permaculture, farming, and advancing manual labor skills through :
-Regeneration of the soil/land (pulled 18+ years of untouched invasive ivy, cut down trees/limbs/etc.),
-Planted an orchard with ~10 fruit and nut trees (swale with perennials and annuals intermixed)
-Installed two small ponds
-Raised 20+ chickens for egg production
-First heritage flock hatched in December. First generation chicks from the Alpha hen female
-Grown plants from seedling in basement set-up. Developed a three tier planting schedule for Spring 2026 to ensure success in case of abnormal cold/rain/drought
-Grown all types of food (corn, wheat, berries, vegetables, legumes)
-Incorporated flowers in all beds/areas grown from seed and harvested in the 1,000s this summer
-Assisted in the milling of a fallen 300-year elm–used limbs and wood to regenerate soil, build furniture, create beds
-Attended self-reliance workshops
-Read/study permaculture and pasture-raised farming techniques

Over the next five years, I am looking to purchase/lease a large plot of land with the following goals:
-Raise pasture raised beef with chicken tractors (egg and meat production–plan on building one of each this Spring)
-Build small scale on-site chicken butchering operation
-Sell chicken meat on-site (I have a business plan for this in order to be within regulations). Possible integration with a renowned farm-to-table restaurant (relationship already established)
-Orchards
-Greenhouse
-Increased food and flower production
-Bee/honey operation
-Possible small scale dairy production (cow and goat)
-Possible integration with schools/learning centers

Entering Farmer #20584

Looking to becoming a farm owner in near future for cattle, fruit, vegetables, other livestock

Entering Farmer #20577

I am looking for 10-25 acres of land to begin my operations that will consist of the following: 500 laying hens, 1000 broilers, a 1.5-acre vegetable garden, two cows, six sheep, a small processing mobile unit that can be eventually removed. I am seeking to form or collaborate with a farmer who would be willing to let me either use a portion of their unused land or construct a 1-5 year leases agreement. This would position my operation to immediately build soil nutrient, sequester carbon, give value to the property and or eventually exercise a motion to either buy or lease for long term.

Entering Farmer #20569

My name is Cheryl. I am 41 years old. For most of my life I owned a small farm and auto repair business. I worked as a mechanic during the week, and taught riding lessons on the weekend. And in my spare time I worked as a trail guide for a ranch for over 30 years. Everything ended when covid shut me down. I lost my company and my farm. The ranch has since closed as well. I have always been interested in the homestead lifestyle and starting my own horse trailer riding business. I am trying to find a farm owner willing to work with me on purchasing a farm.

Entering Farmer #20546

I’m a self-employed husband and father, currently homesteading on small acreage and actively looking for farm opportunities. I grew up on farms in Susquehanna county, doing everything from gardening, to haying, raising horses, veal, and beef. As homesteaders, we garden, raise chickens, and preserve our harvest. I also own and operate a small farm supply business called Farmstead Supplies. I have practical knowledge and experience in most farm-related tasks and principles, but I am looking for a place to increase my knowledge and put it to work.

My goal is to raise beef regeneratively, along with pigs, chickens, and other suitable livestock to sell to the immediate local community. I’m passionate about regenerative agriculture practices that focus on building the soil and raising crops and livestock chemical-free.

As an NEPA native, this region is very important to me. My family has deep roots here and my dream is to farm in this area. Preferably within a 10-mile radius of Dalton, PA (Lackawanna County)

I’m open to both purchase and lease opportunities.

Entering Farmer #20545

Im relatively inexperienced in farming specifically but have a group of people whom have the drive and skill spread to tackle most things. We hope to start a small farm, grow various crops and if possible run a non profit for people with special needs, and or horticultural therapy.

Entering Farmer #20525

I hope to continue or create a combination of productive and stewarded land use that serves as both a home and a community resource. Somewhere that supports food, culture, art, and care. I grew up in rural Midwest and have lived in the Philly for about 15 years. Now I’m ready to return to a more natural setting and deepen my connection to land and local community. I have experience with gardening and small-scale food growing, and I’d like to grow that into a collaborative effort with others who share similar values.