Farming part-time for income
Updated Jul 24, 2026
Seeking
- 51-100 Total acres
- 6-10 Acres of cropland or tillable land
- 11-50 Acres of pasture
- 0-5 Acres of hayland
Desired locations
Beekeepers seeking 50+ acres in western NC for lavender & apiary farm with farm-stay agritourism. Sale or owner-financed
Plan
We are second-year beekeepers currently managing multiple hives under the mentorship of an experienced local beekeeper, with honey production and sales underway. We're relocating to western North Carolina to establish a diversified farm centered on lavender production (5+ acres), an expanded apiary with sourwood and wildflower honey, and a small orchard. The farm will anchor a farm-stay agritourism operation offering overnight guests an immersive working-farm experience. We have a detailed business plan, financing pathways identified (Farm Credit, FSA), and are prepared to move quickly for the right property. We intend to keep the land in agricultural production permanently.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
Ideally: an existing home or cabin with well, septic, and power; a barn or outbuilding suitable for honey processing and farm retail; and 5+ acres of gently sloped, well-drained open ground for lavender. Water source for irrigation establishment. We can work with properties needing improvement.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
We're most interested in purchasing, and we're especially open to owner financing or installment structures that can benefit a retiring landowner — spreading capital gains, providing steady income, and keeping the land in agriculture. A life estate or leaseback of the farmhouse is negotiable. We want the farm's story to continue and would be honored to build on what the current owners created.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
Pollinator-first management: no synthetic pesticides, diverse forage plantings, and practices that support hive health. Lavender grown on mounded, well-drained rows suited to WNC conditions. Rotational care of any pasture and orchard with an emphasis on soil health and long-term land stewardship.
Production goals
Goals details
Primary: lavender (5+ acres) for retail products and agritourism, and an expanded apiary producing sourwood and wildflower honey, nucs, and wax products. Secondary: small fruit orchard for u-pick and farm-stay guest experiences. All production supports an on-farm retail store and overnight farm-stay lodging that funds the agricultural operation.
Farm experience
Years of experience
2 total years of experience
0 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
2 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Two years of hands-on apiary management under the ongoing mentorship of an established commercial beekeeper — hive inspections, swarm management, honey extraction, and sales. Member of the American Glamping Association with extensive self-directed study in agritourism operations, farm business planning, and lavender cultivation. Actively building a documented farm income record (Schedule F).