Farmer Profile for K. Michelle Sanders

Please describe your past and/or present farming experience

In the past 4 years I have been managing a vegetable CSA for a Vermont artists residence program, as well as developing my own cut-flower market and CBD hemp operation. During the 2017 season I successfully grew, harvested and produced a CBD product that is available for public purchase. Previously, I worked several years with draft horses in a vegetable garden, as well as larger scale field work, hay production etc. I have experience with grazing cattle, sheep and pigs. Would love to collaborate with a working farm or group of people, to add draft power and hemp to their operations!

Are you currently farming?

No

Are you interested in connecting with other farmers to explore collocation or collaborative farm ideas?

Yes

Counties being considered

Addison
Chittenden
Essex
Lamoille
Washington

What is the primary agricultural enterprise you are considering?

Herbs

What other enterprises are you considering?

Flowers
Greenhouse
Hay/Forage
Nursery
Ornamentals
Pasture
Vegetables
Woodlot

Total Acres Desired

20.0

Tillable Acres

5.0

Acres in Pasture

5.0

Organic

Yes

Farm Structures Needed

Barn(s)
Shop
Storage

Farmhouse Needed

Doesn't matter

Equipment Needed

I have most all equipment I need to cultivate and tend a 5 acre garden with my team of Belgian Draft horses, as well as a 20x40’ greenhouse. I need access to reliable well water, for irrigation of horses and crops. I need suitable indoor space for hay storage, germinating seedlings and processing hemp flowers. Electricity, preferably 250v hookups

Which of the following arrangements are you considering?

Farm Manager
Lease with Option to Buy
Long-Term Lease
Owner-Financed Sale
Short-Term Lease

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.

Yes, I have worked with UVM’s Beginning Women Farmer’s Program to develop a business plan based around Holistic Management strategies. I have successfully grown, harvested and produced a CBD product that was lab tested for compliance and is now available for retail sales. Field production of hemp and draft horses are an excellent scale fit. Two horses can easily maintain row crops, while simultaneously developing other acreage through cover cropping, grazing and hay production. The value of hemp flowers returns favorably on the inputs of the draft horses and their off season maintenance. Horses also produce an excellent compost substrate for the production of Portobello type mushrooms, which I have experimented with and would like to develop as a secondary crop.