Farming full-time for income
Updated Aug 10, 2026
Seeking
- 6-10 Total acres
- 6-10 Acres of cropland or tillable land
Desired locations
We are bulb growers. Looking for a long term lease (>5yr) of ca 5-8 acres to grow Peonies. Preferable colder WNC area.
Plan
I am originally from the Netherlands were I grew up on a tulip farm. After following an horticulture college in Aalsmeer I have been working in the flower bulb and flower industry. In the beginning years mostly on flower bulbs and later in the trade of it. Since arriving in North Carolina in 2016 we have started trials with several bulb varieties to see what fits best in this area. After some successful years with Tulips we also have added Daffodils, Alliums and Peonies to our range. The bulbs and roots we sell to local Flower farms and landscapers. I am just a hands on guy with a bunch of experience.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
We are looking for a long term lease in the WNC area. Preferable a bit higher elevation as our products do well with colder winter temperatures.
We can take care of mostly everything. We currently lease most equipment but as we are growing we are planning to build a cold storage + small barn facility. This to store our bulbs and roots. It all depends a bit on the location. We are flexible people and believe in good and open communication with the land owner.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
Our flower bulb farm is growing and we are looking for a long term lease to plant mostly Peonies but also other varieties. Preferable in the WNC higher elevation area. Preferable flatter type of land area (we plant on rows). Preferable well drained - can be sand but also more heavy type of soil. When there is a possibility to irrigate that is a pre.
For us a good relationship with the landowner is key and therefore we are looking forward to connect with a landowner that is also interested in a long term relationship.
Any additional questions you have please let me know.
Looking forward to hear from you!
Desired farming practices
Practices details
We are concious farmers and will treat the land in the best way possible. Using organ material (horse manure etc). In the bulb production where you plant in October/November and were most work is in Spring (deadheading) and harvest in June products as herbicides and pesticides are almost not used. By working on rows we can mechanical keep track of weeds in between the rows. So when not absolutely urgent we will not use those chemical products.
Production goals
Goals details
For our Springbulbs we plant on rows in October/November ....in the begin of Spring the daffodils and later the tulips and allium will bloom. We will deadhead those to let the bulbs grow. As growing big bulbs is our primary goal. From that moment on we keep track on weeding. Harvesting of these Springbulbs find place in beginning of June with a kind of potato digger machine. This all is a yearly repeating thing.
On the Peonies it is a little different. Planting also in October on rows. Then in late Spring beginning Summer these will flower (only after 2 years). Flowers will be harvested. But our focus is on growing big roots. After 3 years those roots will be harvested in beginning of Fall.
Farm experience
Years of experience
27 total years of experience
3 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
24 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
- Born on a Tulip farm in the Netherlands. Speciality: breeding new varieties.
- Education at the RMTuS in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. College level - receiving an A horticultural degree + trade.
- Working several jobs among flower farm in France and several business jobs in flower trade.
- Owning and running a flower trade company from 1997 till 2018. Beside starting the bulb farm here in WNC I am working for a Tree company in Black Mountain NC.