Farming full-time for income
Updated Jan 9, 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
My husband and I are looking for land to grow native truffle crops on native tree species. 30+ year lease ideal.
Plan
We currently make our living by selling foraged and forest cultivated mushrooms, truffles, and specialty crops. We are committed to using only organic and regenerative practices. We acquired our forever home in Henderson county last year, but the terrain is mostly wooded and steep so we have a limited amount for growing full sun crops. We are seeking land to grow native trees inoculated with native truffle species, that will produce not only truffles, but also a nut crop as well. We would also plant native pollinator species, specialty perennial herbs and fruits as well.
Desired infrastructure
Equipment and infrastructure details
We would need temporary use of a tractor to initially prepare the land. Once the trees are in we would need to seasonally mow between trees.
Irrigation / water source is necessary for truffle production.
Preferred type of opportunity
Opportunity details
We are open to all kinds of opportunities. We are happy to lease but due to the nature of truffle and nut production, it would need to be at least a 20 year lease.
Desired farming practices
Practices details
We never use any chemical inputs in our practices. We are not certified in Biodynamic or Regenerative but are happy to become certified.
We aim to plant only native species and help maintain a healthy balance in the surrounding ecology, as keeping our wild areas healthy, protected, and natural are one of our main goals.
Production goals
Goals details
We aim to grow an orchard of truffle trees, that not only will eventually grow truffle mushrooms, but will also produce a nut crop as well.
we will plant an herbaceous underlayer for pollinators, and aim to grow a polyculture of as many native species as possible.
we would like to start with just a few acres but could branch out into more if the opportunity presented itself.
Farm experience
Years of experience
8 total years of experience
4 years employed as a worker (non-manager)
4 years as a manager
Education, training, and employment experience
Experience details
Together we have a combined 26 years of experience of mushroom foraging. We also have trained our dogs to seek out the underground truffles and we hunt in the wild and also help truffle farmers harvest their crops in orchard settings.
My husband luke has managed 20,000 sf organic greenhouses and his own market garden. We teach mushroom inoculation workshops and hope to gain enough experience with truffle orchards to begin to also offer assistance to people wanting to grow truffle trees.