Farming full-time for income
Updated Feb 20, 2025
Seeking
- 11-50 Total acres
- 11-50 Acres of cropland or tillable land
Desired locations
Hi, We're Katie & Alex of 3 Barn Farm in Franklin, NC. We would love to expand our vegetable operation.
Plan
We currently own and operate 3 Barn Farm in Iotla Valley near Franklin, NC. We have long term goals to continue to cultivate organically grown vegetables, fruit & poultry for our WNC community. Although we live on 30 acres of family land, our pastures are not suited for vegetable production. We are hoping to find a land owner to establish a long term lease agreement through which we can expand our vegetable production.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
Land Access is our biggest need at 3 Barn Farm. Our only requirement is that potential land opportunities have access to safe irrigation, are free from debris/invasive plant species & well suited for vegetable production.
Farm equipment is a plus, but we do own a tractor & are willing to invest in proper tools for cultivation should the right land (and landowner) become available.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
We are looking for a long term, legal leasing opportunity near our Home Farm in Macon County, NC. At this stage, mentoring or partnership is not a fundamental need for us. We are both agricultural professionals that operate a clean, well maintained working environment. We hope to find a piece of property (or several) that is well suited for vegetable production. Ideally we would operate with autonomy and be trusted to care of the land while growing our business.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
Everything at 3 Barn Farm is grown without synthetic inputs and with sustainable methods. Although we are interested in perusing a USDA Organic Certification as we secure a long term leasing agreement, we pride ourselves on cultivating food with overall environmental health front of mind. ('Beyond Organic') An Organic Certification simply helps communicate our values when we market our product indirectly. We understand that the health of our farm directly effects the health of our community.
Conservation techniques & responsible growing are key in our production strategies, but we do recognize that fiscal sustainability is what will keep our farm operating for years to come.
Production goals
Goals details
We plan to expand our mixed vegetable operation. Through the use of cover crops, organic inputs & the like, we hope to have 15 acres under our management with some land under annual cover crops as needed. Our goal is to continue to farm full time, employee local workers & to grow top quality produce for our Macon County Community. We will continue to market our produce through our farm-stand, CSA, farmer's market & restaurants and eventually wholesale our products to grocery stores and larger sale's venues.
Farm experience
Years of experience
12 total years of experience
5 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
7 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Katie Putkowski-I received my agricultural education through a series of apprenticeships on vegetable operations that vary from 1-26 acres in production. After my years of apprenticeships, I continued to work for successful production farms that specialized in mixed vegetables. Through my work experience, I explored & managed a host of techniques in both the marketing and production of raw, agricultural products.
Alex Brown-Alex has been farming on generational family land for 8 years. Alex is an impressive self learner. With the help of online resources & accredited publications, Alex has learned a multitude of skills that are required to operate a successful farm.