Certified Farm Seeker
Farming full-time for income
Updated Feb 27, 2026
Seeking
- 0-5 Total acres
- 0-5 Acres of cropland or tillable land
Kelli Varon
Certified Farm Seeker
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Farming Couple Seeking land access in WNC for seed production, regenerative ag, and educational outreach.
Plan
Currently operating a seed production business in Central Florida, Seed the Stars plans to transition to summer production in Western North Carolina to expand seed crops, implement regenerative practices, agroforestry, and develop educational programming. We focus on growing open-pollinated, regionally adapted seeds and aim to steward the land through soil-building, crop rotation, and conservation strategies. Seeking land access in WNC through lease, purchase, or partnership.
Available starting in early Spring after our spring crops are seed saved in FL. Check out more of what we do @seedthestars on FB or Instagram
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
Our "dream" infrastructure would include a greenhouse or high tunnel for seed starting, propagation, and season extension, as well as storage space for seed drying, processing, and packaging. Well access for reliable irrigation infrastructure would be extremely helpful. We value versatile outbuildings for workspace, tool storage, and educational workshops. Access to a tiller for initial bed prep, silage tarps, and a tractor with a bucket would be ideal for establishing operations efficiently. Ideally, we’d have space to park a travel trailer, RV, or tiny home during the transition phase. We are flexible and adaptable, meaning we can work with much less than this preferred "dream" setup!
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
We’re actively seeking opportunities to partner with landowners as we have had success with this model. We are also open to discussing land leases and farms for sale. We are open to living part-time in NC for the summer growing season and part-time in FL for the winter. We can provide our own living situation, such as an RV, camper, or tiny house. Ideally, we’re looking for a situation where we can gradually transition to WNC to establish long-term roots while contributing to the property’s agricultural and ecological value. We’re open to creative arrangements that align with our focus on sustainable, regional-focused agriculture.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
Our farming practices prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and long-term land stewardship. We focus on regenerative agriculture techniques like cover cropping, crop rotation, composting, and low tillage to build soil fertility and minimize erosion. We maintain our gardens mostly with low impact, human powered hand powered tools. We aim to implement intercropping designs to maximize space efficiency and integrate diverse plantings that support pollinators and beneficial insects. Additionally, we prioritize open-pollinated, regionally adapted seed crops to foster regional seed sovereignty and climate resilience.
Production goals
Goals details
We aim to cultivate a diverse range of seed crops, prioritizing open-pollinated, regionally adapted varieties that strengthen local food systems and seed sovereignty. Our production plans include small-scale seed saving gardens structured like market gardens, a perennial food forest design, and soil-building practices such as cover cropping, deep mulching, and composting. We would be happy with a land access partnership that provides a gradual transition back to the WNC area with initial seasonal access. Long-term, we seek to establish a demonstration site for sustainable seed production, host educational workshops, and partner with local farms to expand the regional seed network.
Farm experience
Years of experience
10 total years of experience
6 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
4 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Seed the Stars is a human scale, farmer-direct seed project owned and operated by Kelli and Ryan, who have over a decade of combined agricultural experience in market gardening, food forest design, orchard maintenance, seed production, and greenhouse management. Ryan has managed a large-scale microgreens and was a cultivator for a medical cannabis company. He holds a BS in Conservation Biology-SUNY ESF. Kelli apprenticed on a 24-acre organic farm, is a Permaculture Designer, completed two seed saving courses, and worked at an edible plant nursery & tropical greenhouse. She has a degree focused in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education-Brevard College.