Farming full-time for income
Updated May 13, 2025
Seeking
- 0-5 Total acres
- 0-5 Acres of cropland or tillable land
- 0-5 Acres of pasture
- 0-5 Acres of hayland
Desired locations
small scale farming of specialty peppers, loofah, sunflower and mustard to create oils, sponges, produce and seeds
Plan
I am currently a beginner farmer in the most beginning stages. I plan to make a home in the area of Durham, close to the Duke Health bone marrow transplant center. My plan is to start a small farm preferably sustainable heirloom crops such as paprika and heirloom chili peppers, sunflowers, and mustard for food, seed and oil processing and loofah (luffa Aegyptiaca) for plant, sponge and seed sales. I plan to sell locally and online. Please see my resume for background in sales and IT. I am in theory stage with only experience growing various fruit and herbs at home. I am looking for land bates, grants and loans to make theory into fruition.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
Looking for a small farm with greenhouse or high tunnel, irrigation access, basic equipment (tiller or compact tractor), food safe outbuildings for washing, drying, packing and storage. electric/septic for a home site and to run equipment. Also prefer space for installing processing equipment such as an oil cold or expeller press, dehydrator and spice grinder, Cold storage and farm stand a plus. Open to adding infrastructure over time.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
Were open to leasing, purchasing, or partnering on land where this type of infrastructure exists or can be built or even added gradually. Our goal is to create a lasting, family run business that supports our children's future and the local food and wellness economy.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
Sustainable and regenerative farming focused on heirloom crops, specialty peppers, and natural products. Interested in organic principles (not necessarily certified), minimal tillage, pollinator-friendly planting, cover cropping, composting, and integrating greenhouse growing for year-round production. Prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and clean farming methods suitable for a small family farm.
Production goals
Goals details
The Spicy Sisters Farm will use sustainable, regenerative methods to grow heirloom peppers, heirloom tomatoes, mustard and loofah. We focus on soil health, pollinator habitat, minimal tillage, and non-certified organic style practices. Our production will include small batch pepper oils, spices, loofah bath products, heirloom seeds, sold locally and online. Our goal is to build a self-sustainable, family run homestead that supports education, local food and eco fiber production.
Farm experience
Years of experience
0 total years of experience
30 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
1 years as a manager
Experience details
I have experience with home grown strawberries, peppers and herbs. I have no agricultural education nor farming experience. I am choosing to become a farmer to fulfill a life dream and grow a small enterprise for a family business and a valuable resource for the local community. I have a mixed background in medical device sales and experience with software testing and website creation, which I plan to use these transitional skills to run a small farm business.