Farming full-time for income
Updated Oct 7, 2026
Desired locations
Interested in creating local food, learning from experienced farmers, and helping preserve working farmland in WNC.
Plan
I am based in the Marshall/Mars Hill area and am interested in expanding my knowledge and involvement in agriculture, particularly cattle and local food production. I value growing and sourcing food locally, preserving working farmland, and using organic or regenerative practices that protect and improve soil health for future generations. I am especially interested in learning from an experienced farmer and would be open to mentorship, partnership, lease-to-own, owner financing, or a long-term succession arrangement that could eventually lead to ownership and continued agricultural use of the land.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
Water source. TBD based on situation.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
Learn livestock and business practices to ensure the longevity of local farmland from someone more experienced than I.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
I am interested in regenerative, organic-minded livestock practices that improve soil health, protect water, and build stronger pasture over time. For cattle, I am especially interested in grass-fed, grass-finished beef, rotational grazing, access to sunlight and open pasture rather than confinement-style production, and avoiding antibiotics unless medically necessary. I value good animal welfare, responsible stocking rates, and producing healthy local food in a way that is both environmentally sustainable and financially viable long term.
Production goals
Goals details
Desired farming practices above, plus I think there is a great local demand for quality beef and consumers being closer to their food sources. I would like to meet someone who wishes to carry on their life's work for the betterment of WNC residents.
Farm experience
Years of experience
6 total years of experience
0 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
0 years as a manager
Experience details
Agriculture has been part of my family history through my paternal grandfather, who owned farmland in several areas, including Illinois. More recently, I began stewarding mountain land in Madison County. I do not have formal agricultural training and am very much learning as I go through hands-on experience with gardening, land care, and small-scale food production. I am looking to learn from experienced farmers, particularly in livestock and regenerative practices, with the goal of eventually creating a productive operation that supports both income and a healthy local food system.