Farmer Strategy: Other Direct Marketing

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.

Entering Farmer #20387

We are Ryan and Anya Hanna, a young(ish!) couple and aspiring farmers looking to establish an agroforestry farm in our home of Adams County. We are passionate about regenerative agriculture and agroforestry, and plan to create a perennial polyculture system centered on tree and woody shrub crops. We’ve presented our robust business plan to several local lenders, our local economic development office, and our local land conservancy (we plan to preserve our farm), and are pleased that they have all been very supportive of our vision. We are also currently enrolled in the AgBiz Masters Program with Horizon Farm Credit. 


We are targeting around 40 acres in active or fallow row crop, orchard, or pasture (some wooded areas also OK), within Adams County. While we would prefer to purchase, we are also open to a long-term lease of 35 years or more, and are happy to explore other creative arrangements, such as occupancy rights that would allow the current owner to remain in their home for as long as they’d like. We would love to share more details about what we are looking for, along with more information about us and our vision. 

As is the case for many aspiring farmers, land access is proving to be our biggest challenge. We are looking forward to partnering with a seller whose vision for the future of their land aligns with our own, and who is interested in helping the next generation of young farmers put down roots. Any support you may be willing to provide will be deeply appreciated. The best way to get in touch with us is at AdamsAgroforestryEnterprises@gmail.com, or at (8 four 5) – 9 eight 7- two 761. Thank you!