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 #20282
I am a 40 year old married man with two children. I’ve always loved nature and to be outdoors. My interest in gardening began at a young age. I spent quite a few years working my way up to the point where I had a marketable quantity of produce. I continued this effort for some time. My focus was always on organic methods. I’ve also raised sheep and goats. I have earned my Bachelors degree in Environmental Science. I have worked at a myriad of agricultural/horticulture jobs from farms, to nurseries, garden center, and landscaping. My current position is Agricultural Director at Pocono Organics in Long Pond, PA. Pocono Organics is a premier regenerative organic farm/greenhouse/market and Cafe. I have been with them from the start and quickly made my way into the position which I now hold. I never owned a farm and previously operated my entrepreneurial effort called ‘Sacred Earth Farms’ off of land leased from family. I am using Farmlink because I am very interested to explore opertunities to access land and further my personal farming goals. I am looking to lease, lease to own, or buy a farm roughly in the range of 10 to 20 acres. I am open to pursuing the best opportunity, but ideally the farm would be located in southeast Pennsylvania. I would like to continue organic farming practices in a mixed production setting, ie. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, and livestock. Many factors could influence my farming business plan from what is produced to how it is to be marketed. Housing on site is preferable.
Entering Farmer #20268
Hello, my names Victoria. I am a mother of an 18-month-old boy and wife of 8 years. Our family owns a business called Make It Slow where we sell homesteading goods like cut flowers, fruit, herbs, household products, wood-turned products, hand built chicken coops and more. We are committed to leaving the rat race of corporate society and helping the next generation connect with their ancestry through family recipes, folk medicine, ancient arts/hobbies, and the connection to the earth from growing our own food. We aim to help people slow down and savor what matters most in this life.
Practically, we raise chickens, grow cut flowers, herbs and vegetables. And my husband is a carpenter using his woodworking skills to create livestock cages, chicken coops, raised garden beds, etc. He also makes everyday household heirlooms on our wood lathe such as rolling pins, wooden vases, candle sticks, kitchen utensils, and more.
We are passionate and hopeful that we can one day own a farm of our own that would provide a sanctuary space for people to access healing in the dirt and among the flowers. That we would be able to connect our resources to a destination for people to come and experience what a slower paced life can offer. We are looking for a minimum of 5-10 acres of usable land for growing and building/renovating a home for this purpose.
We are currently working where we are with what we have. Which is in Lower Burrell on an acre of land. We sell our products on our website, social media and farmers markets. We have a community following and are excited to watch this dream blossom.
Entering Farmer #20258
Husband and Wife team passionate about small-scale organic cut flower farming. We are looking for a small farm (3-10 acres) to expand our cut flower business. Interested in staying in the Pittsburgh area but would entertain other areas if its the right situation (even the east side of the state). The current business is more of a hobby (not main source of income) but would like to transition into a more serious operation. We are very passionate about building a balanced ecosystem on the farm and preserving the land as much as possible.
Entering Farmer 20239
I am a veteran looking to make a positive difference and inspire others to learn about, and implement small-scale, organic and regenerative farming practices that support personal health, community access/involvement, and caring for the planet. I grew up in a poor family without access to land or resources that would allow me to start a career as a farmer, which has inspired my mission to “grow” these opportunities through education and access in local communities.
I am currently an intern in the “Veteran Organic Farmer In Training” program through the Rodale Institute. This is a full-time, on-site program built around classroom lectures, field lectures, animal chores, market garden and high tunnel production from seed to harvest, and market. Each farmer-in-training also works on developing a viable farm/business plan that is evaluated throughout the 9-month program, in order to be ready to start a farm upon graduation. As I write this bio (in mid-July), I am halfway through the program and have begun to develop my farm plan to include several focal points. Currently, my plan includes a startup operation around organic microgreens for a quick ROI. As I grow my funding and resources, my plan is to incorporate a flower & honey business that includes cut flowers, pick-your-own, and growing native pollinators to display and sell. As I finish my B.S. in Education, I am looking to incorporate education (via non-profit) in various facets of my farm. I plan to do this via community workshops, summer day-camps, a young entrepreneur farmer academy and a scholarship opportunity for underserved youth interested in a 4-H program. The summer day-camps will teach regenerative farming, as well as offer older children an opportunity to be counselors-in-training and/or young adult counselors. The young entrepreneur farmer academy camp will enable members to develop small-scale business plans & sell their products. I will also offer land/resource access for the 4-H scholarship opportunity . The facets for the non-profit/educational sector will include (on a small scale): microgreens, a small market garden, cut flowers/herbs, potted plant sales, Jersey cow and Nubian dairy goats, layer hens and the access for an agricultural 4-H student’s choice of animal/crops.
I own a 1/3 acre piece of property that supports a personal garden and ten laying chickens. All of my practices on my land have been organic and regenerative; however, I simply do not own enough property to grow my dream farm business. Please note that the formulated business and marketing plan questions answered below, are answered as “no”, simply due to the fact that they are not 100% completed; however, will be by the conclusion of my course on 3 November 2021. I am looking for land that is between 5-10 acres to facilitate this plan.
Entering Farmer 20193
I am an equestrian and dog breeder looking for a diverse farm to raise horses, grow crops, as well as expand our breeding program to include miniature and pigmy goats, and miniature scottish highland cattle.
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 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
Entering Farmer 20167
I grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee and after graduating high school joined the Army Reserves. After serving there and working in the civilian world for a few years, I decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Landscape Architecture and Geodesign, but while in school fell in love with farming. I have been growing food crops for non-profits and the like while in school and since finishing, roughly the past 7 years. Growing food is very important to me and at the moment, I grow food crops for a hospital in my area, and the food goes directly to patients of the hospital who have been screened as being food insecure.
While this is very fulfilling work, I am interested in starting my own cut flower business, using resources I have at my disposal at work right now and expanding as the business grows over time. I have the growing knowledge and have access to a greenhouse and seeds/supplies for germination through work and funds I can put into it, but I know nothing of the marketing and sales aspect and don’t have access to space that would yield profitable (I would not be able to grow much where I work given the requirements to grow food crops). I am currently working on a budget schedule and business and marketing plan and think a mentor would be ideal at this point.