Farmer Strategy: Other Direct Marketing

Entering Farmer #20419

Hello my name is Joe Venasco, I am a 22 year old first generation farmer from Volant Pa. I currently farm roughly 220 acres of corn and soybeans on my own with my own equipment around Lawrence and Mercer counties. Since I was roughly 4 years old I’ve always had a strong desire to be in the agricultural industry. Once I started into high school I got my first job on a local farm helping with field work, milking cows, and chores. I was very strongly involved in 4-H and FFA during this time as well. I started farming on my own 6 years ago raising hay as well as cattle and 4-H show goats. Over the past 3 years I have gotten out of livestock and hay for the opportunity to raise corn and soybeans. In addition I am currently employed at the local farm co-op where I work around agronomy and grain. I am looking to lease to own or a lease agreement farm where I can grow my operation. I am looking for a farm mostly around northern Lawrence County or Mercer County so I can continue to raise crops on the ground I currently lease. If the opportunity came, I would be open to moving my operation further north to Crawford County. Also if the opportunity came I would be open to raising livestock again.

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.

Entering Farmer #20411

I have recently relocated to the Pittsburgh area and am working or UPMC as an administrator. I have a natural science degree in rangeland ecology and management from Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas where I studied natural holistic sustainable ranching practices. I am a third-generation rancher from South Texas and have managed a registered Limousine cattle ranch out of college and then started my own cattle business 25 years ago. My plans are to bring my ultrablack genetics up her and purchase additional registered Angus females to start a angus cow herd up here.

Entering Farmer #20407

I grew up on a dairy farm and worked down the road on neighboring dairy farms as well making hay in the summer. I moved to Kansas when I was 18 with the army worked on my wife’s cattle farm. She had her own small herd. We also worked for her dad who had several more head Beef cows we moved back to Pennsylvania and want to start our own beef herd.

Entering Farmer #20406

I am a young farmer currently working with my dad and brother on our dairy farm. Our farm is certified organic for over 30 years now. I am interested in leasing land to get started on my own.

Entering Farmer #20402

We are currently involved in conventional grain farming and hay production and are actively seeking to expand rented acres. We are also willing to certify land as organic, and are seeking feedlots barn and pastures.

Entering Farmer #20398

Hello I am a novice hemp farmer, looking to lease affordable land for a year or more. My goal is to gain experience in the hemp farming industry, with a low cost initial investment.

Entering Farmer #20393

I have 12+ years of experience growing native plants and marketing them as food and medicine for humans, livestock, pets, and wildlife. I work as a consultant designing and installing regenerative ecosystems for landscaping, silvopasture, organic permaculture, aquaponics, and retail/restoration nursery stock. My mission in life is to create new models for symbiotic relationships that make the environment and humans more healthy. I am open to leasing land but my ideal situation is lease-to-own or to join an established, complementary operation looking to expand and diversify their vision.

My complete bio can be found here: https://www.revivingwisdom.com/about

Phase 1: I am looking for space to expand my organic native plant nursery operation. This can be done in a relatively small space but I am hoping for larger fields to grow local ecotype seed and live-stake stock. I will host educational workshops on-site as well.
Phase 2: I would like space to establish native plant demo gardens to inspire customers. I will also grow bulk medicinal herbs for the community.
Phase 3: I am interested in diversifying the operation with rows of native food forests to fold into packaged + preserved beverages, jams, etc.
Phase 4: Native food/medicine rows could be used for silvopasture operations in the future (dairy, wool, grass-fed meat, etc.), giving pasture-lands a break for regeneration.
Phase 5: As the team and operation expands, I am interested in many other models for sustainable, regenerative land use at the intersection of human + ecosystem value.

I am also open to taking on an existing operation (regenerative livestock, orchard, etc.) alongside my nursery business.