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 #20293
I am a 41 year old army veteran who has been learning about farming for the past 10-15years in many different ways. I started out volunteering at Kimberton CSA and have worked and volunteered at multiple vegetable farms in PA and VA. I also have some experience with sheep and pasture management. I’m currently finishing up the 9 month Veteran Farmer Training Program at the Rodale Institute. This program has greatly expanded my knowledge of farming and helped me to define my specific interests. My intention is to raise grass fed lamb. I would also like to explore grain production for human consumption and flax for fiber. I’m looking to start with a small flock of ewes but have enough space for the flock to grow.
Entering Farmer #20262
Organic vegetable farmer with 15 years experience currently running established certified organic farm on leased ground looking to ideally purchase or secure long term lease. Current lease ending in 3 years(early 2026). Ideally looking for 4-10 acres with house available. Additional infrastructure always a plus
Entering Farmer #20256
I am 22 years old and looking to start milking cows but am having trouble finding a farm to start in I would like to rent a dairy farm. It would be nice to have a place to live on the farm and either buy feed or farm the ground on the farm to get my feed
Entering Farmer 20233
I am a former Marine currently working in healthcare IT. I will be pursuing a BS Horticulture degree from Temple University in Ambler, with the plans of minoring in sustainable food systems. I currently have no farming experience.
After graduation, my hopes are to use my degree towards developing a farm focused on sustability. My experience in IT would help collect and analyze data.
I would like to operate a vegetable farm, eventually expanding to grass-fed cattle and pasture-raised poultry.
Entering Farmer 20190
My name is Elise Hanksand I am the owner and sole operator of Terra Luna Herbals, an apothecary and wellness goods brand, based in Philadelphia. In addition to the retail end of Terra Luna, there is a major focus on herb gardening and land stewardship. The gardening portion of the operation has been based, over the past 3 years, in an urban community garden plot. As happens with many city garden plots however, this lot will soon be unavailable to Terra Luna, leaving me no choice but to relocate to another, ideally more permanent, growing situation. We are looking to expand the Terra Luna herb and flower growing operation over the next few years on a piece of land that gives us enough space to grow a significant amount more crop than we have in the past. We will be growing herbs for our in-house herbal product line as well as flowers for a cut-flower program (to sell to florists as well as the public.)
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.
Entering Farmer 20168
Hello,
My name is Arielle. In doing research about the various programs I found this organization. I am very much interested in working with FarmLink and the USDA to apply for a loan to buy a farm operation and make a difference in Pennsylvania. I am new to this process and wondering who I need to be in contact with and how to apply to various programs to buy property. We would like to be at most 2.5-3 hours away from Philadelphia where our families are located.
About me, I am a recent graduate from Pennsylvania State University. I am a person of color. My partner Edwin and I have an immense interest in farming and entrepreneurial spirit towards natural solutions to existing problems. Our family is in the midst of learning how to care for alpacas and goats to produce yarn, wool, Goat Milk and Cheese. We are also learning to produce herbs and local honey by planting gardens, building and maintaining an apiary. We have a small business collective where we vend our artisanal natural products at local farmers markets in Philadelphia. This is the specific type of production we are looking for assistance. We have the skill set to sustain our growing family by farming.
Please reach out with more information on applying for assistance to begin building a black owned farm in Pennsylvania. All assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Attitude of gratitude,
Arielle Reid