Co-Applicant / Spouse Name
Sandy
Please describe your past and/or present farming experience
I grew up working on an organic dairy farm in NH, and I have the best and brightest memories of those days. Farming changed my life, and was a vital teaching tool during some very formative years in my youth. Since then, I have spent 15 years serving as a paramedic/flight paramedic across New England. While I am thankful for the opportunities I have had, and years spent providing help to those in need, as I get older I realize that my heart is still in farming. I have never stopped working/helping when I can on the organic dairy farm, but I have also begun to pursue my own dreams in agriculture. My wife and I raise chickens for egg sales, turkeys, beef, Christmas trees, and seasonal produce. We have learned a lot and continue to grow together as we work toward running a successful, sustainable small farm. It is my goal and passion to transition back to full time agriculture over the next 6-8 years.
Are you currently farming?
Yes
Are you interested in connecting with other farmers to explore collocation or collaborative farm ideas?
Yes
Counties being considered
Caledonia
Orange
Washington
Windham
Windsor
What is the primary agricultural enterprise you are considering?
Hay/Forage
What other enterprises are you considering?
Beef
Christmas Trees
Dairy (cows)
Hay/Forage
Livestock
Pasture
Poultry
Sheep
Total Acres Desired
40.0
Acres in Pasture
40.0
Organic
No
Farmhouse Needed
No
Which of the following arrangements are you considering?
Farm Manager
Lease with Option to Buy
Long-Term Lease
Standard Sale
Work to Own (Gradual Transfer of Responsibility & Farm Assets)
Are you interested in conserved farms?
Yes
Do you have a business plan? Please write an informative description of your vision & goals for your farming future.
It is our goal to find a field of hay producing land to purchase/lease to own. At this stage in our farm's growth, we need to produce our own hay more reliably, and we hope to produce enough extra to sell and help to offset the cost of the land. I believe that I can be successful in this goal with the right tract of land. Additionally, we hope to move further north in NH or VT some day and purchase a larger farm than we currently have, and owning a productive hay field that we are already familiar/experienced with will help to increase the number of workable land possibilities for us, as we would be able to purchase a smaller farm and still remain viable/productive. I have also learned that although at times inconvenient, having a satellite field away from your farm can help make the farm more resilient to unpredictable weather/local severe weather. We are open to a variety of ideas and options, so please feel free to contact us with any ideas! Thank you for any help you can send our way! Complete business plan available on request.