Entering Farmer #20608
I am a beginning farmer looking to establish a small-to-medium-sized agricultural operation in eastern Pennsylvania. I currently live in the New York area and plan to remain actively involved in the farm, visiting regularly, while working with an experienced local farmer or farm manager who can oversee day-to-day operations. I am prepared to invest significant personal capital into purchasing suitable farmland and developing the operation, but I would also consider leasing land initially if it provides a good opportunity to gain experience and establish the business before purchasing.
My primary goal is to build a financially sustainable farming business while also owning and improving agricultural land for the long term. I am particularly interested in crop production that can work well with this management structure, including Christmas trees, pumpkins and other seasonal or specialty crops, although I am open to recommendations from experienced Pennsylvania farmers. I am currently researching suitable locations, production methods, markets, operating costs and management arrangements. I would especially like to connect with an experienced farmer or mentor who could help evaluate potential properties and potentially work with me in establishing and managing the operation.
Entering Farmer #20606
Entering Farmer #20605
I am a 25 year old from Schuylkill County. I have been in the Air National Guard as a construction worker for 8 years, and have 2 years of experience with the PA DEP as a mine reclamation design engineer. In my capacity in engineering, I have developed an understanding in developing of vegetative cover on marginal heavily polluted lands. This allowed me to better understanding soil and soil science.
Additionally, I have been gardening for 2 years and am looking to expand to a larger scale.
I am looking to get my feet in the door to commercial agriculture. I am very interested in intensive direct to consumer production of vegetables, herb/spice, hobby craft materials and small scale fruit and nut production. My focus would be on high value crop production.
Entering Farmer #20604
My partner and I are both looking to find a small parcel of agriculture land (5-20 acres) for sustainable farming. We intend on growing specialty crops, small livestock, and an orchard. Our goal is to grow food sustainably and alongside nature, with the natural ecosystem in mind. Our plan is to sell crops direct-to-consumer through farmer’s markets, online ordering/pickups, farm stand/store, etc. Our ideal location would be within 1 hour of an urban area so that we can deliver goods straight to consumers. We have been developing a farm/business plan, but it is still in the making, and we are open to suggestions. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Some information about myself and my partner:
I have my B.S. in Horticulture (with a specialty in sustainable food systems) and an M.S. in Biology. I am a certified arborist and do tree work as my full-time job. I am also a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. My partner is wrapping up her B.S. in biology, specializing in animals and wildlife. She has worked with Zoos, the PGC, and other animal/wildlife organizations. We both have handy traits, and a serious work ethic. Additionally, we both prioritize treating nature with respect, care, and stewardship. We also take pride in our work and would want nothing but the best for our customers. If you have ever seen the movie the biggest little farm, we strive to be like that on a smaller scale!
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 #20593
I am an agriculture teacher in a rural PA high school. I am a beekeeper, have chickens, done Penn State trainings on fruit tree management and dairy science. Currently, I am a part time graduate student getting my masters degree in Horticulture. I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Secondary Education with certifications to teach agriculture, biology, and technology education. Finally, I continue to help friends with their farm enterprises. I am looking for a farm where I can grow several acres of vegetables, herbs and cut flowers as well as an orchard and sizable berry patch.
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 #20578
I am a first generation farmer in search of land for raising livestock and crop production. I will dominantly be raising goats with a few cattle and sheep. Crops will for personal and market use.