Entering Farmer #20437
I am a young farmer looking for land to start a tree nursery/agroforestry operation. I currently grow chestnuts, persimmons, hickories, pawpaws, etc on a small plot but looking to expand in the central PA region.
Entering Farmer #20438
My husband and I are both Cornell University graduates. Erik was a Natural Resources Management major and I was a double major in both the Plant Sciences and Agricultural Sciences. I was a top graduating senior in the Cornell Plant Sciences Department and an American Society for Horticultural Sciences recognized 2011 Collegiate Scholar. Erik and I were also both Nationally Ranked NCAA Division I athletes. I held a job throughout college, secured scholarships, and worked incredibly hard to graduate with no student debt. My parents, both full time farmers, couldn’t afford to contribute to my college education and my degrees are entirely self-funded. After taking the GRE’s, I decided to follow my heart and return to the family farm rather than pursue a graduate degree. As the youngest of four daughters, it had become clear that none of my other sisters were likely to take a full time interest in a farming lifestyle.
Erik and I are now full time farmers, deriving 100% of our livelihood from the land we steward. As you can see from our university interests, we work each day to secure a stable and sustainable future for our farm. We direct market all of our farm products to local communities. These communities benefit from having a direct connection to the farm and farmers who produce their food. We began further processing our livestock into retail cuts of meat in 2014 and have been slowly expanding our products and customer base. Currently, the farm sells more than 95% of its livestock directly to the end user by retail meat cuts, internet sales, local farmer’s markets, a Meat CSA Program, and live animal sales. Feel free to check out our farm online: https://www.twinbrookfarmsandlivestock.com/
The recent Wayne County Agricultural Development Plan detailed that there was a 30% decline in agriculturally related firms in the county between the years of 2006 and 2015. I wish I had the statistics from the most recent 2022 Census of Agriculture as I write this note. Wayne County has been losing farms at a rapid pace over the last 10 years. That same development plan detailed that the number of farmers older than 55 increased by 40% from 2002 to 2012, while those farmers younger than 55 declined by 26%. In 2012, 60% of principal farm operators worked off farm. So the county trends are: aging farmers that are forced to work off farm because they are unable to derive a sustainable livelihood and very few young farmers entering the business. Of course, we are seeing similar patterns across the country, but Wayne County risks losing the majority of experienced farmers to aging and retirement leaving little opportunity for young farmers to enter the playing field once properties are lost to rising land prices and development.
Do you have livestock and hay ground? If you are a retiring farmer living somewhat near to us with no heir., please reach out. If you’re seeking young farmers will love and appreciate your farm land, please reach out. If you’d like to stay in your farmhouse indefinately and would consider a creative ownership agreement, please reach out. It hurts my heart to see georgeous farms fall into ruin and sold to development. If we can help prevent the loss of your farm, while expanding our own access to additional hay and grazing ground, please reach out.
I have dreams for my family farm. I see a future for my family farm. We’re doing it! I need your help to safeguard these irreplaceable resources -the rural landscape and our family farms- by supporting and protecting farmlands and working landscapes.
Entering Farmer #20435
I am a 29 year old small-scale, regenerative farmer looking for land to lease or buy in Pennsylvania. I have my bachelors degree in Sustainable Agriculture and 10 years of experience farming, mostly in the realm of market-style farming.
Entering Farmer #20433
Just turned 30 years old and am finally looking to fulfill my long time plan of family farming with my 2 sons. Experienced in both animals and crops, and looking to venture into both. Have a very vast background on farm equipment and repair as well to keep things maintained and going. I am looking to either lease or rent land/ barn/ out building setups to start out and expand as things progress. Looking to sell crops to keep finances revolving as well as animals for sale or production.
Entering Farmer #20431
I am 32 year old female veteran of the Air Force. I have been working on the land since I was little. I grew up with immigrant grandparents from Italy who only worked the land to live. I am looking to jump into crop production with a few greenhouses. I would be new to this type of production but am steadfast in learning and succeeding.
Entering Farmer 20245
Currently I am working for a large orchard in Adams County.
From 2006-2014 managed the Orchards for a large farm market in York County.
From 2015-2018 leased 50 acre orchard.
Originally from Franklin County where I lived and worked on large family orchard.
My wife and I still have our equipment for operating 50 acres and are looking to get a fresh start.
Experience with many fruits and crops.
Entering Farmer #20428
My name is Tyler, and farming is more than a dream to me it’s in my blood. I grew up on my grandfather’s pig farm where I spent my childhood learning how to operate tractors, raise pigs and cattle, bale and harvest hay, mend fences, clean stalls, and butcher livestock for our family and community. It’s where I learned the value of hard work, how to respect the land, and what it means to live a life of purpose. Those early days shaped who I am.
After 12 years of serving in the military, I’m a disabled veteran currently working as a crane instructor for the U.S. Air Force. But my heart has always been on the farm. My goal is to transition out of the military and return to my roots this time with my own family beside me. My fiancé, Courtney, recently opened a flower shop and has a passion for working with horses. We currently have one horse, Deacon, who’s already teaching our four boys how to ride and care for animals. Watching them bond with him makes me even more determined to give them the kind of upbringing I was lucky enough to have—one that’s grounded in the rhythms of farm life.
We’re actively looking to buy or lease-to-own a farm in Pennsylvania preferably in Lebanon county or Dauphin county. Our dream is to build a multi-faceted family farm where we can board horses, raise cattle, and grow and harvest our own hay. We want a place where our boys can run free, learn real-life skills, and grow up appreciating the kind of life that only a farm can offer.
We’re not looking for a quick flip or a short-term fix we’re looking for a legacy. A farm to call home. A place to steward and work with our hands. If you’re looking to pass on your land to a family who will love it, care for it, and build a future on it, we’d love to talk. We’re not afraid of hard work, and we believe in honoring tradition while building something new for the next generation.
Entering Farmer #20425
I am seeking an opportunity to grow medicinal herbs with a focus on native medicinal and edible plants, Chinese medicinals and raise rabbits for the animal food industry. I also wish to grow figs and seasonal heirloom vegetable plant starts. I plan to market the herbs wholesale dried to the retail business market initially and potentially grow into food processing beyond dehydration. I currently have a collection of heirloom figs that need a proper in ground home. I wish to utilize the figs for both fruit production and fig tree starts. I believe the leaves can also be utilized for sale.
I am seeking a career change for a more satisfying and fulfilling live work environment. I started my career change exploration by working at a greenhouse grow production business then a retail nursery business. I spent a month on an ecotourism focused organic farm this past summer. I have experience in B2B sales, real estate sales, property management and hospitality.
I have a rough draft business plan and see an opportunity opening in the market of medicinal herbs grown in the USA as well as a burgeoning health pet food movement. There are few providers in this region for this market opening.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Entering Farmer #20424
I have been farming for a couple of years now, gradually growing from just chickens to sheep and cattle. I am looking to lease or purchase good land for ag activity.
Entering Farmer #20418
Our young family is looking for land to start a small operation. We plan to begin with a homestead to meet our needs and then eventually expand to sales to others. We love to create spaces for people to have real experiences and would love to offer those experiences to people.
Although I am technically a novice, one side of my family were orchard growers and the other side were dairy farmers. I grew up going to my grandparents conventional dairy farm and helping out there. I’ve also owned chickens and I have experience with horses and goats. I have always had a garden, whether a small apartment garden or a large garden on the 5 acres I grew up on. I have a lot of generational knowledge that is just part of me and I didn’t realize I had until I moved to the city. My husband brings business management, real estate, and budgeting experience.
Although my family farmed conventionally, I’m interested in more sustainable and organic practices on a smaller scale. I plan to start with a large garden and quickly add chickens and angora rabbits for wool. From there, the plan will depend on the land and what systems are already in place. Some land is better suited for goats vs sheep or full size dairy cows vs mini cows. If roosters are allowed, I would love to breed lavender or splash Orpingtons.