Far-fort-flora

Transforming a small VT plot into a productive syntropic food forest of hardy fruits, berries, and support species.

Farming experience

3-5 years experience

Currently farming

No

Highest level of farming experience

Gardening

Description of farming experience

My expertise is cultivating cold-hardy syntropic guilds featuring seaberry, currants, elderberry, serviceberry, goumi, stone fruits, raspberry, and kiwi. I underplant with sunchokes, strawberries, asparagus, and support species like Siberian pea shrub, using red buds and parental herbs for vertical stratification. My systems are engineered on contour to harvest water and combat erosion. A key focus is propagation and greenhouse work to ensure genetic vigor, creating closed-loop systems that generate their own mulch and fertility on-site.

Farming plans

Tenure arrangement desired

Lease

Tenure arrangement description

Seeking a lease with a path to ownership (lease-to-own) or a purchase with a viable mortgage. My business model is designed for stable annual revenue to support land payments. I am a reliable tenant/owner with a professional career as a engineer in the area.

Planned farm enterprise: Primary

Agroforestry

Planned farm enterprises: Others

Perennials/Orchard

Farm enterprises description

The enterprise is a vertically-integrated syntropic agroforestry system. We will cultivate high-value fruit (eg seaberry, hardy kiwi) for a branded juice & beverage line. The on-site nursery will propagate and sell these climate-adapted, rare genetics. Automation is key: we'll employ drip irrigation with moisture sensors, mechanized bed preparation/weed control, and a small-scale, efficient juicing/production system to maximize output from a small team.

Written business plan

Yes

Business planning description

The plan leverages three high-margin revenue streams: 1) Direct nursery sales of pre-adapted propagules, 2) Branded value-added beverages (juices, beverages), 3) Potential consulting/design services. My chemical/automation engineering background is central to process optimization, ensuring efficient resource use (water, energy) and product consistency. This model is designed for scalability and low overhead through strategic automation.

Farmer housing needed

Yes

Water source needed

Yes

Farm infrastructure needed

Greenhouses/high tunnels

Description of infrastructure needed

· Greenhouses/high tunnels (Non-negotiable for a propagation nursery and seed starting)

· Barn/farm buildings (For processing juice, storing nursery supplies, and housing tools/equipment)

· Fencing (Critical to protect young propagules and establishing guilds from wildlife)

· Electricity/power (Essential for automation, lighting in greenhouses, and running small-scale processing equipment)

Access to equipment needed

No

Additional information

I am a chemical/automation engineer with stable local employment, seeking a land partner for a highly efficient, tech-integrated agroforestry venture. My vision is a model farm that demonstrates automated, climate-resilient food production. On-site housing is essential for operational management. This is a long-term investment in regenerating the land while building a scalable, branded agricultural business from the ground up.