Farmer Profile for Melissa Arnesen-Trunzo

Co-Applicant / Spouse Name

Edwin (Gong Zi Ping)

Please describe your past and/or present farming experience

I have been surrounded by farming my whole life growing up in Orford/Fairlee Vermont. My good friends were all dairy farmers and I tried to help with milking and barn painting in my free time. During summer I would work at Long Wind Farm in Thetford, VT picking and tending to tomatoes. I went WWOOFing around Australia in 2010 and learned about fruit orchards and herbs, meeting some amazing organic farmers along the way. When I was finishing up my MA I worked mornings at Pebble Brook Farm, with Chip, in West Braintree, VT and then at nights I would type up my thesis. I'm a hard worker who enjoys learning. Currently, I live in Shanghai China with my husband teaching people how to make vermicomposts for their balconies. My husband does a lot with animal rescue and cooking using fresh veggies and meat (he is an amazing cook!). I am looking to move back to America and support a retiring farmer or work on a farm to get a bit more experience before buying our own farm. My husband might be able to join at some point, but I would like to start helping with this transition.

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
Bennington
Caledonia
Chittenden
Essex
Franklin
Grand Isle
Lamoille
Orange
Orleans
Rutland
Washington
Windham
Windsor

What is the primary agricultural enterprise you are considering?

Vegetables

What other enterprises are you considering?

Apple/Fruit
Berries
Christmas Trees
Flowers
Grains
Greenhouse
Hay/Forage
Herbs
Maple Sugaring
Ornamentals
Pasture
Poultry
Row Crops
Vegetables
Woodlot

Total Acres Desired

20.0

Organic

Yes

Farmhouse Needed

Yes

Which of the following arrangements are you considering?

Apprentice with a Farm Owner for a Year or More
Lease with Option to Buy
Partnership
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.

We would like to create one after April once having a better idea of which farm I could support. A rough vision and description would be... To have a few acres of land that we could use or share with other farmers. Have vegetables or an orchard, using advice and ideas from previous/possible current farmers I have worked with. To have some sort of summer camp that could be used for urban students wanting to learn more about nature/farming and international students coming to America to support them with language and learning. This would utilize my MA which is in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This would also be the backbone of our business plan as we would focus on combining farming and education together to create a curriculum. I would also be able to utilize my connections abroad to support the growth and development of this opportunity. I have cousins and friends teaching in NYC and Boston and I have my husband and friends/colleagues working and teaching in Shanghai, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Costa Rica, etc. Have a few chickens (this is my husband's dream).