Farming part-time for income
Updated Sep 2, 2026
Seeking
- 0-5 Total acres
- 0-5 Acres of cropland or tillable land
Desired locations
I am seeking affordable farmland to lease in or near the Raleigh area to establish and grow a small, sustainable farm. I
Plan
I am an experienced grower with 10+ years of hands-on gardening experience and professional experience coordinating a two-acre community garden. I currently grow seasonal and specialty crops and have raised Coturnix quail since March 2026. I am seeking land near Raleigh to establish a diversified operation producing vegetables, culturally relevant crops, herbs, seedlings, mushrooms, and quail. My practices emphasize soil health through composting, vermicomposting, cover crops, crop rotation, reduced tillage, responsible water use, and integrated pest management. My goal is to build a sustainable operation while responsibly stewarding the land.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
I am seeking 1–5 acres with reliable year-round water access and primarily tillable land. Existing irrigation, fencing, greenhouse/high-tunnel space, a barn or secure storage area, livestock facilities, and cold storage would be beneficial but are not all required. I am open to land with limited infrastructure if improvements are permitted. Access for a vehicle and small farm equipment is important, along with sufficient sunlight, good drainage, and space for crop production, seedlings, composting, mushrooms, and secure quail housing.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
I am primarily seeking an affordable land lease that allows me to establish production and grow the operation over time. I am open to a 1–5 year lease initially, with a preference for a longer-term arrangement if the relationship is a good fit. A lease with an option to purchase, owner-financed purchase, mentorship arrangement, or incubator opportunity would also be welcome. I value clear communication and am interested in building a mutually beneficial relationship with a landowner who supports responsible stewardship and long-term agricultural use.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
I plan to use regenerative and ecological practices focused on building living soil, increasing biodiversity, conserving water, and reducing reliance on external inputs. Practices will include composting and vermicomposting, cover cropping, crop rotation, mulching, reduced tillage, companion planting, integrated pest management, and responsible nutrient cycling. I am especially interested in soil biology and integrating crops, mushrooms, and small livestock into a productive, resilient growing system.
Production goals
Goals details
My goal is to establish a diversified, regenerative operation producing seasonal vegetables, culturally relevant and specialty crops, herbs, seedlings and plant starts, specialty mushrooms, and Coturnix quail for eggs and related products. Production will begin at a manageable scale and expand as markets and infrastructure develop. I plan to integrate crops, composting, vermicomposting, mushrooms, and quail into a system that cycles nutrients, builds soil health, supports biodiversity, and produces high-quality food and agricultural products for local markets.
Farm experience
Years of experience
11 total years of experience
2 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
0 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
I have 10+ years of hands-on growing experience and served as Program Coordinator for New Roots Community Garden, a two-acre urban agriculture site supporting approximately 80 growers. My work included site operations, grower education, workshops, volunteers, and partnerships with Master Gardeners. My continuing education includes independent study of soil biology and regenerative agriculture through Jeff Lowenfels' works and Dr. Elaine Ingham's webinars. My practical experience includes composting, vermicomposting, cover cropping, IPM, water conservation, crop production, and raising Coturnix quail.