Farming part-time for income
Updated Oct 2, 2025
Seeking
- 0-5 Total acres
- 0-5 Acres of cropland or tillable land
Desired locations
I am a flower farmer with 5 years of growing experience. I’m looking to grow cut flowers.
Plan
I am looking to grow cut flowers on a couple of acres. I have 5 years experience running a flower farm. Horton’s Flower Farm in NY a small-scale. We have relocated and want to move the farm to NC. For the past five years, we have operated a U-pick and cut-flower farm, serving our local community with fresh, seasonal blooms. Our farm has steadily grown in visitors, with roughly 50 families visiting weekly during peak season June-October. Beyond sales, our farm has become a gathering place for families, photographers, and local residents seeking seasonal experiences in a wholesome environment.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
“My preferred equipment and infrastructure emphasize efficiency, sustainability, and soil care. For land preparation, I would need a tractor with attachments to till or initially break ground so new fields can be planted. I prefer to transition to minimal-till systems after the first preparation. Drip irrigation with timers, fertilizer injectors, and durable mainlines are essential for water efficiency and healthy crop growth. Landscape fabric and hand tools help with weed control without chemicals. For harvesting, simple carts, clean buckets, and shaded storage space are critical. Long-term, I plan to expand with more irrigation zones, compost systems, and community-centered infrastructure
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
“I am seeking about 2 acres of clear, tillable land to expand Horton’s Flower Farm. The ground should be suitable for initial tillage so it can be prepared for planting sustainable, chemical-free flowers such as dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, and seasonal varieties. Adequate space for visitor parking is also important, as our farm operates as a U-pick and community gathering place. This opportunity would allow me to grow responsibly, welcome more families, and provide a local space of beauty, learning, and agricultural connection.”
Desired farming practices
Practices details
“With over 5 years of experience operating Horton’s Flower Farm and taking agricultural classes, I have developed strong skills in sustainable growing. I practice chemical-free farming, focusing on soil health, compost inputs, and drip irrigation. My goal is to use no-till or minimal tillage as much as possible to preserve soil life, improve water retention, and encourage pollinators. Weed pressure is managed through fabric, mulch, and hand weeding, while pest pressure is controlled with natural, integrated methods. My vision is to expand acreage, extend the season with hoop houses, and continue stewarding the land responsibly while serving the community.”
Production goals
Goals details
“For 5 years I have managed Horton’s Flower Farm, practicing chemical-free, sustainable flower production. I use compost, mulch, drip irrigation, and minimal tillage to preserve soil life and protect pollinators. Weed control is managed with fabric and hand work, while pests are addressed naturally. Current production includes zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and especially dahlias, which I am expanding for their community appeal and versatility. Flowers are offered through U-pick, bouquets, and events, connecting families to the land. My goal is to grow responsibly, diversify with more seasonal varieties, and keep the farm a place of learning, beauty, and joy for the community.”
Farm experience
Years of experience
5 total years of experience
0 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
5 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Over the past five years, I have built my agricultural knowledge through a combination of practical farming experience and formal educational training. In 2020, I established Horton’s Flower Farm, a U-pick cut flower operation in NY. Since then, I have managed every aspect of small-scale farming, from soil preparation and irrigation to succession planting, harvest, and marketing. These years of consistent, seasonal production have provided me with an applied education in both horticulture and farm management that no classroom alone could offer.