Farmer County: Luzerne

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 #20583

We are looking for underutilized farm land to grow hazenuts on plus call home. I have over 40 years expierence working with ornamental plants and turf management. Currently myself and Michelle brooks manage 2 seperate orchards that are fully planted and are looking to expand. We have a full busniss plan in place. I am also one of three founding memebers of a cooperative in which all local farms growing hazelnuts will be able to sell their harvest to. The co=op will then process and distribute several diffrent hazelnut products. The key things needed for a hazelnut orchard is deer fencing and land that is not overly wet.

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 #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 #20544

I am currently active duty military (17 Years) serving in the United States Coast Guard. I am a few years from retirement and my family & I plan to move back to our home state in Pennsylvania. My wife and I grew up in the Poconos Area and post retirement we would like to move back and start a family farm together. We are currently in the early stages planning what type of farming we want to do, but highly interested in Agritourism (Christmas trees, orchards, etc). I grew up on a local horse farm learning to appreciate the land and the value of working on it! I hope to give that same sense of pride to my family as we set towards the next adventure of hopefully owning a farm in Pennsylvania! I would like to take away how to best formulate a business and marketing plan, as well as learn from other farmers in the area as I look for the best location.