Entering Farmer #20267
I am interested in becoming a farmer in Pennsylvania. I am soon to be 35 years old. I have an associates degree in business from CCAC and have had. some additional classes at Penn State University. Since 2009 I have been employed in the title insurance/mortgage world to date. Although I have worked in an office for the majority of my professional life, I am a healthy, able bodied individual. I have been researching and educating myself on farming for quite some time. Although I have been exposed to farming at various levels, I have zero experience in farming but I am intelligent and enjoy learning new things. I would like to make the best of whatever land I am able to obtain for farming. I would like to be multidimensional in the products produced by my farm all while carefully controlling costs. I think my education in business/accounting/marketing could be beneficial in the overall running of a farm from an accounting perspective.
I have read about the problem facing modern farmers and having no one to pass the farm off to. Although my parents were not farmers (although my fathers side has farmers on their side), I could see myself being someone they could pass their farm on to. I would be extremely interested in how to capitalize on the recent energy grant programs and how to upgrade and maximize whatever farm I do end up purchasing. however up until this point it has been solely me researching, step one seems to be filling this out and hopefully obtaining more infomation. That is solely my interest here at this time. I am prepared for the process to take however long it needs to take as long as I am able to maximize whatever opportunites that may be presented to me. I am not interested in rushing into anything without proper planning however that being said, I do not have anything restricting me from making whatever moves are required during the process.
Entering Farmer #20264
Looking for a farmland with home to grow crops, raise animals and fish. I’m able to lease, but would prefer to have but option for later. We no racial bias and wouldn’t mind any geographic are in PA, as long as it’s a safe neighborhood
Entering Farmer #20261
I am returning to my hometown of Ligonier, and starting to do what I’ve always wanted to do in my life, which is live here and work the soil of the valley. I know it well, extremely well. I have established business associations with current area farmers, to slowly establish my own parcel. I have formal business ties with stat therapeutic equine run by Cat Markosky. Informal business agreements with Kenco and Steve Rhodes, the roses farm. In addition, given my hometown connections, this is more like farming to me. The community coming together. This is what I am trying to do on my small currently 30 acre parcel with plans to expand quickly if possible.
Entering Farmer #20258
Husband and Wife team passionate about small-scale organic cut flower farming. We are looking for a small farm (3-10 acres) to expand our cut flower business. Interested in staying in the Pittsburgh area but would entertain other areas if its the right situation (even the east side of the state). The current business is more of a hobby (not main source of income) but would like to transition into a more serious operation. We are very passionate about building a balanced ecosystem on the farm and preserving the land as much as possible.
Entering Farmer 20222
I am organic grower with 8 years of experience working on farms ranging from 1 to 10 acres. I am a West Virginia native- and have farmed here, upstate New York, New Orleans, and some places in between. I am looking to start a small market garden on 1/2 to 2 acres. I prefer to use low till methods, crop rotation and cover cropping. I want to grow diversified vegetables, perennials, medicinal herbs, and possibly CBD hemp. I would need access to a shed/barn and possibly equipment (I have a lot! of tractor and machinery experience.) My long term vision is to offer a sliding scale CSA or farm market to low income families in Appalachia.
Other things about me- I’m 29, I have a 12 year old dog named Gnar, and I currently work at an environmental education center in Berkeley Springs WV.
Entering Farmer 20214
Looking to transition from a career in the military to regenerative, organic agriculture.
Entering Farmer 20213
I am currently leasing space at a small farm in CT, I used to live in PA and looking to move back. I am currently building a herd of Registered Jerseys and some beef cross cows. I am looking for a farm to build on what I have started, I am currently at a horse farm and would like facilities designed better for cows and I am willing to put up some of the infrastructure if needed. The business would grow to offer dairy products to the local community as well as beef. I am a healthcare worker and have a second income to facilitate growth and an impeccable rental history at current farm where I live as well. I can either purchase a home close to farm that I would lease or rent space on farm to be rented.
Entering Farmer 20205
I currently have a small (3 acre) farm that we raise mixed vegetables on along with some pastured poultry . We are entirely self taught from books and just diving in but we are looking for an opportunity to find someone with a larger farm to train and then succession over the farming operation by selling. I have a management position at an equipment dealership and grew up helping on the farm but there is such a steep learning curve in farming that there are lots of places to make $10,000 mistakes.
I think the optimal situation would be an apprenticeship at first, transitioning to a partnership, and then a succession plan with a slow buy out of the farm.
Entering Farmer 20184
Looking to carry on the dairy farming in our family; Iam 4th generation.With the goal to be the first to own a farm(We have only ever rented farms). I want to own a farm to carry on to my own generations or to someone that wants to continue the legacy of farming. Iam very passionate about Ag and farming. I just need that helping hand up in finding a farm. (I would of course find ways to” pay it forward “). This farmgirl isn’t afraid to work hard and get her hands dirty. I have been raised on a dairy farm my whole life. Currently milking 125 dairy cows with my dad.
Entering Farmer 20178
My name is Jacqueline and I’m a first generation farmer interested in livestock production as a means to improve land and mitigate climate change. I dived headfirst into farming in 2020 when I took an internship in the Adirondacks of New York on a goat dairy and diversified livestock farm. At the peak of the pandemic, I moved to live and work as an intern at Asgaard Farm & Dairy in upstate NY. My responsibilities there varied widely and I improved my skills in many areas: animal husbandry rotational grazing and pasture management, making and packaging hundreds of pounds of cheese daily, operating farmers’ markets and managing online sales and marketing, record keeping from animal chores to inventory upkeep, and more. It was during this season that I discovered my love of farming and committed to a lifelong career of producing and promoting food made well.
The next season, I was accepted into the Rodale Institute’s Farmer Training Program and relocated to the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania to work on this highly respected and well-known organic research farm. With a team, we grew a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers and served a 100 member CSA and a couple of markets in underserved communities in surrounding cities. This work was supplemented with educational experiences: classes on topics from soil health to financial management and drawing up a business plan, as well as visits to surrounding farms, retailers, and food system operations. My first year here was an absolutely incredible experience but I especially gravitated towards the livestock component of the program. I helped raise pastured pigs, broilers and laying hens, Thanksgiving turkeys, and a small herd of steers under the guidance of my mentors.
For this upcoming season, I am planning on following through on the second year track of the RIFT program. The second year will hone in on team management and tractor skills and further develop my business plan and strategy for my own operation. With all the connections I have made at the Rodale Institute, I intend to find the right opportunity to develop a profitable and sustainable business. While the specific details of the future remain open-ended, I have a very clear idea of my values and goals and trust that my previous experiences will guide me along to the right situation.