9-Layer Living Pantry (Faith Hobson & Prince Diaz)

Low-income family seeking 6–20 acres + housing in VT to build a regenerative food forest & community pantry.

Farming experience

3-5 years experience

Currently farming

No

Highest level of farming experience

Worked on a farm

Description of farming experience

We are beginning farmers starting from emergency motel housing in VT. Faith has years of home gardening (herbs, vegetables, perennials) and is passionate about regenerative systems. Prince has hands-on experience with homesteading projects and is committed to building a family farm. We are enrolled in CVOEO Micro Business Development & Financial Futures programs, actively filing our minority/woman-owned LLC, and preparing grants (Specialty Crop, EQIP, FSA). No formal farm management yet, but eager to learn and grow through hands-on work and free resources. Our vision is a 9-layer food forest that feeds our family and community.

Farming plans

Tenure arrangement desired

Lease

Tenure arrangement description

3–5 year lease with on-site farmer housing for our family of 5 (two adults, three daughters ages 9, 2, 1, and a dog). Open to lease-to-own long-term if it works well. Flexible on terms for underserved beginning farmers. Would love options that allow us to invest improvements (planting, infrastructure) toward future purchase.

Planned farm enterprise: Primary

Agroforestry

Planned farm enterprises: Others

Homesteading, Perennials/Orchard

Farm enterprises description

We plan a 9-layer regenerative food forest: canopy (apples, pears, chestnuts), sub-canopy, shrubs (blueberries, elderberries), herbs, groundcovers, roots, vines (hardy kiwi), fungi, and small animals (bees, chickens, ducks). Focus on perennials/orchard for low-maintenance abundance. Also indoor microgreens/mushrooms from home to generate early revenue. Community impact through Living Pantry (sliding-scale CSA, SNAP/HIP produce, mutual-aid boxes) and education (workshops, homeschool programs).

Written business plan

In progress

Business planning description

In progress with free help from CVOEO Micro Business Development & Financial Futures programs. Draft includes stacked revenue (indoor fast-cash, nursery sales, U-pick, value-added teas/syrups, agritourism), grant pipeline (Specialty Crop, EQIP, FSA, WLEI), and community focus (Living Pantry for low-income access). Plan emphasizes resilience, family involvement, and six-figure potential by Year 4. Will finalize with VtSBDC support.

Farmer housing needed

Yes

Water source needed

Yes

Access to equipment needed

No

Additional information

We are a resilient, low-income family building a regenerative food forest to feed our daughters and community. From emergency motel housing, we’re determined to create a beautiful, productive homestead with 9 layers of abundance, small animals, and a Living Pantry for sliding-scale CSA and SNAP/HIP produce. Committed to learning, grant-funded growth, and long-term stewardship. Ready to work hard and make the land thrive. Contact us--we would love to hear from you all!!