Farming full-time for income
Updated Jun 18, 2026
Seeking
- 0-5 Total acres
- 0-5 Acres of cropland or tillable land
- 0-5 Acres of pasture
Desired locations
Seeking land to establish the Legacy Orchard Project—preserving Appalachian fruit heritage one tree at a time.
Plan
Every orchard begins with someone planting trees they may never live to see at their fullest. That idea inspired the Legacy Orchard Project. My wife and I are seeking a place to establish a carefully planned orchard preserving heirloom fruit varieties and the agricultural heritage of Southern Appalachia. Since 2019, I've grown food gardens while developing practical growing skills and studying orchard management, soil health, and regenerative agriculture. We hope to become long-term stewards of a property, leaving it healthier than we found it while creating an orchard that preserves history, educates others, and can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
Because the Legacy Orchard Project will begin on a modest scale, my equipment needs are intentionally simple. I currently own basic hand and power tools used for gardening and property maintenance, including shovels, rakes, hoes, pruning tools, wheelbarrows, and general landscaping equipment. During establishment, my priorities will be dependable fencing, irrigation, storage space, and a small workshop area rather than large machinery. As the orchard grows, I plan to invest in equipment thoughtfully and only when it becomes necessary to support the farm responsibly.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
We are looking for a long-term opportunity with a landowner who values open communication, mutual trust, and responsible stewardship. Ideally, we'd lease approximately three acres with a home while establishing the Legacy Orchard Project, with the possibility of expanding onto additional acreage if the orchard proves successful. We're also open to a lease-to-own arrangement if it aligns with the owner's long-term goals. More than anything, we're hoping to find a place where we can put down roots, care for the land, and build something meaningful for years to come.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
My goal is to grow in a way that works with the land rather than against it. I plan to build the orchard gradually, paying close attention to the property's soil, water, sunlight, and natural characteristics before making major changes. Healthy soil, diverse plantings, pollinator habitat, composting, and thoughtful water management will guide my decisions. I believe orchards should become healthier with age, and I want to leave the land in better condition than I found it while preserving heirloom fruit varieties for future generations.
Production goals
Goals details
The Legacy Orchard Project will begin as a carefully planned three-acre specialty fruit orchard focused on heirloom apples, peaches, plums, pawpaws, persimmons, berries, and specialty flowers suited to Western North Carolina. Production will be phased over several years, allowing the orchard to mature while maintaining stable off-farm income. Seasonal vegetables will support our family and local sales during establishment, with long-term goals of offering fresh fruit, flowers, nursery stock, educational workshops, and eventually agritourism while preserving Appalachian fruit heritage.
Farm experience
Years of experience
5 total years of experience
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Our education has been entirely self-directed and grounded in hands-on experience. We've developed productive home gardens while building practical skills in soil preparation, irrigation, seasonal planting, pruning, pest management, and harvesting. At the same time, we've dedicated countless hours to studying orchard establishment, fruit tree management, soil health, regenerative agriculture, and farm planning through books, university extension resources, experienced growers, podcasts, and workshops. We know there's still a lot to learn, but we're committed to being lifelong students of the land and continuing to learn from experienced farmers as the Legacy Orchard Project grows.