Farmer Strategy: CSA

Entering Farmer #20335

I am looking for land in PA to pursue my interest in farming in my home state. I have 4 years of farming experience, the majority of which has been in Middle TN. I have managed cattle, sheep, pigs, diversified vegetables, field crops, and an agroforestry system. One of my main priorities is to be an active member of my community while stewarding land through regenerative practices.

Entering Farmer #20329

I am a US army veteran, but I am a lot of other things as well. I am a former Peace Corps volunteer (agriculture in Mali), I am a proud father of two young children, and I am a former 4-H kid. I want to return to the rural life and give my kids the life I had growing up.
Experience
– I grew up in a rural area and worked on a (small) farm doing intensive vegetable farming
– I was trained and successfully ran animal husbandry operations in Africa (goats and rabbits)
– I am business and computer savvy and have been working in the corporate world for 10 years
– I am trained in skilled in basic animal medicine (vaccines, basic medical care, etc). While I would not perform surgery, I do feel comfortable with day-to-day care and standard practice
– My wife is no slouch either, she was a former water sanitation Peace Corps volunteer (how we met), and has been working in the business world doing marketing (online and real world) since 2010.

What I am looking for
– A small plot of land for regenerative agriculture (40-100 acres)
– I intend to primarily focus on small food crop production and dairy production- note, due to the large number of cattle dairy producers in the area, we will focus on goat milk, goat milk soap, and goat cheese products.
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Entering Farmer #20328

I am currently in search of a farm to own. I have advanced degrees in forages/grazing management and plan to have a multi-species grazing operation with hair sheep, cattle, and chickens. My goal would be to reduce amount of hay feeding days each year, so I would likely be stocked a little lighter, but employ strategies to extend the grazing season, such as stockpiling. If possible I would like to set aside a little land for pollinator habitat, and in a perfect world I would have some native warm season grasses to graze in the summertime. I would like to purchase yearlings or fall-born weaned calves in the springtime to take advantage of the spring flush of forages, graze native warm season grasses during the summertime, and then sell during the late summer and save the fall growth and stockpiled forages for the sheep to graze into the winter.

I grew up on a small conventional dairy farm where I milked Holsteins in a tie-stall barn, picked rocks, unloaded square bales, and chopped all of our hay once I turned 14. In middle school, I bought my own two Jersey heifer calves and worked to pay off their room and board, and their milk checks (along with working part time and coming home to milk cows) helped get me through college debt free. I interned on a ranch in South Dakota, which is where my love of grazing began and which spurred me to go to graduate school to study forages and grazing.

After moving around the country for school, I have finally found a place to settle and am looking to own a small farm. Ideally I’d like at least 20 acres of pasture and in a perfect world I would have some forested acres for hunting as well.

I have already thought out a business plan and created enterprise budgets for my dream farm, so now all I have to do is find it!

Entering Farmer #20321

My name is Alec Greeley. I got my start farming in New Hampshire in 2015 as a farmhand for a successful CSA in the town right where I grew up. In 2018 I moved to Jersey to live with my then girlfriend, now wife, and continued working for a diversified fruit and vegetable CSA in Pittstown. There, I gained even more experience on all levels of the enterprise, first as a field hand then the wash barn manager, and finally the assistant field manager. Currently, I’m finishing a horticulture degree at Delaware Valley University. I’ve also had a few seasons experience with raising chickens for meat and eggs and goats for meat here in Pennsylvania. Growing healthy and simple foods is my greatest passion in life. Since the first time working on a farm I’ve dreamed about living on and running my own operation. I’m hoping my time studying horticulture will enable me to make informed decisions about not only the plants I grow but also all species on the future farm. I firmly believe a worthwhile farm will aim to be a part of a healthy agroecosystem by replenishing nutrients and supporting both farm and non farm life. As far as business plans go I think it is very important to create something very site specific and so remaining flexible is critical. However, I’m interested in and have the most experience with organic vegetable and fruit production and pasture raised chicken and goats. Some structures I’m interested in include CSA’s, wholesale (I do have some local connections that could help with this), even education and agrotourism. There needs to be more farmers and gardeners in my opinion and I have a good amount of experience in college and on the various farms I’ve worked teaching the public and training workers on sustainable farming methods. This is an aspect I’d really try to work into whatever business model is ultimately pursued.

Entering Farmer #20313

I worked for a couple years in the first AWA certified farm in the United States which sparked a love for sustainable agriculture for me. My siblings and I currently grow mushrooms and have a small poultry flock. We are looking to expand operations and need more land to be able to do it.

Entering Farmer #20312

When I was young my family had a small garden in the back yard. I’ve grown up enjoying the outdoors and God’s creation of plants and animals.
I’m now a husband and father of four. I have a great interest in homesteading, and have done lots of reading and study on it. Becoming a full time farmer is a goal of mine, but in my current state in life working a full time job is necessary. I’ve done tree work for 4 years but am currently working road construction installing traffic lights.

On the half acre lot we rent where we live we have some chickens and ducks. We’ve eaten our birds for meat and collect their eggs. We have a garden that we’re striving to utilize with little to no till methods. We got lots of produce from it last year my favorite being the North Georgia Candy Rosater, a long pumpkin that when baked is so sweet it’s enjoyable eaten plain. We’ve planted some blueberry plants on the property and strive to keep it productive.

I’m looking for opportunities to work more land whether for commercial use or for personal experience on the land. I’d be interested in any opportunities from sheep, to dairy cows, to produce production, to orchard or vineyards. We have a friend an hour north who runs a 70 acre organic produce farm. We eat a lot of produce because of my wife’s genetic disorder. I’d love to hear about any opportunities in my local area. I like the idea of doing things organically and simply. Industrialization has made things to large scale and centered around money and not locality and quality.

Entering Farmer #20311

A farmer leasing land for organic vegetable production. Very interested in conventional land that I can transition to organic and continue veg and fruit production and incorporate grazing as well. I’ve been a farmer for 4 years.

Entering Farmer #20306

Looking for a place for our family to expand pursuits and have space to share together. We would like space to grow our butchering and value added food production, beekeeping, maple syrup, and other interests.

Entering Farmer #20305

Hello, my name is Heather Noonan. I am 30 years old and I have lived in beautiful Pennsylvania farm country my whole life. Growing up, two of my neighbors had farms and I loved spending time there. My passion for animals led me to career opportunities working on farms, horse barns, and ultimately into the veterinary medical field. I have spent the last 14 years caring for companion animals, farm animals, wild animals, and even animals involved in medical research and development. I currently work on a farm in Ottsville, Pa, where I take care of 12 horses, 4 donkeys, 35 sheep, 15 cows, about 40 geese, and roughly 60 chickens. I have always dreamed of the opportunity to own or operate a farm of my very own. I have never found the peace and fulfillment in life that I feel when working on farms. I would love to utilize my experience in the Agricultural Tourism industry and extensive experience with farm management and animal husbandry to create a successful, sustainable, and ethical farm business. I also plan to incorporate my personal and professional experience in gardening/ small scale crop production to sustain the farm and its production as well as add another avenue for farm-generated income. I would love the opportunity to discuss my farm experience and collaborate with local farmers living the dream! I hope to hear from you soon.