Farming part-time for income
Updated Nov 25, 2024
Seeking
- 0-5 Total acres
- 0-5 Acres of cropland or tillable land
Desired locations
Seeking 1-3 acres to steward using climate-smart farming practices for diversified flower and herb farm
Plan
Seeking 1-3 acres to steward using climate-smart farming practices for diversified flower and herb farm focusing on anti-inflammatory plants with space for additional homestead activities and education. Primary production crops will be lavender; with additional culinary herbs, ginger and turmeric, edible flowers and microgreens production. Plant starts and value added products will additionally be available for direct markets, herbal CSA, wholesale (chefs) and on-line markets. Would like to achieve organic certification and also use biodynamic practices. In the future hope to grow into additional production efforts such as culinary mushrooms, worm castings and heritage turkeys, and more.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
High tunnels (>/ 1) - ideally on wheels, green house space, potting table, storage for green house supplies, fenced in area for garden crops, access to tractor/plow on limited need basis, barn or area for storage and drying, clean areas for drying and storage of culinary grade items, hand cultivation tools, wheel barrows, gorilla carts, water/irrigation, storage areas for compost, mulch and organic amendments. Shaded area for outdoor harvest processing. Potable water. Family friendly housing with access to high speed internet.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
Seeking access to land with housing that is family friendly. I will continue to work remotely as a nutritionist and will need space for in-home office and split time working on the farm and incorporating garden based nutrition education into my work with patients. My husband works as a handyman and will support with infrastructure and maintenance activities while also growing his business in the western NC region. Our son is almost 3 and we have 1 puppy, Luna.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
Seeking to grow into organic certification and biodynamic farm management practices. My goal is to be a steward of the land, to support optimal soil health and ecosystems and to continually learn and apply best practices.
Production goals
Goals details
Seeking 1-3 acres to steward using climate-smart farming practices for diversified flower and herb farm focusing on anti-inflammatory plants, educational activities, and homestead activities. Primary production crops will be lavender; with additional culinary herbs, ginger and turmeric, edible flowers and microgreens in production. Plant starts and value added products will additionally be available for direct markets, CSA, wholesale and on-line markets and online education. Would like to achieve organic certification, use biodynamic and permaculture. In the future hope to grow into additional production efforts such as culinary mushrooms, worm castings and heritage turkeys.
Farm experience
Years of experience
12 total years of experience
3 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Intern, Bluebird Hill, NC - Lavender, herbs, flowers, specialty vegetables, agrotourism
Americorps, Rogue Valley Farm to School
Volunteer, Dunbar Farms
Farmer Training Program, Burlington Vermont
Volunteer, Happy Dirt
Worker, Pardadox Farm (farmstead cheese maker)
Manager, The Natural Pantry and HEN Garden Lab
Worker, Lettuce Learn Farm to School
Worker, Lavender Ally, Lavender, herbal teas, agrotourism
Gardener (since 2009)