Lauren R.

Hello! I'm an entry level farmer looking for small farms open to training me, especially with a focus on sustainability.

Farming experience

Less than 3 years experience

Currently farming

No

Highest level of farming experience

Gardening

Description of farming experience

I have over 10 years of hobbyist/amateur gardening experience. I studied ecology, ecogastronomy and sustainable agriculture through the Sustainability Dual Major program at University of New Hampshire. When I was in high school, I worked for Lull Farm LLC in Hollis, NH, although I was selling produce in the farmstand rather than working in an agricultural role.

Farming plans

Tenure arrangement desired

Farm transfer

Tenure arrangement description

I am aware that I am probably not ready to be handed a farm. I am open to joining as a trainee or staff member with the intention of lease, farm transfer, or eventual ownership. I want to learn the skills necessary to become capable of overseeing a farm.

Planned farm enterprise: Primary

Homesteading

Planned farm enterprises: Others

Maple, Vegetables

Farm enterprises description

I am open to a variety of enterprises, with a general desire for sustainable or organic cultivation practices. I want to be able to live on this land in the long term.

Written business plan

No

Business planning description

While I do not have a formal plan at this time, I am strongly interested in organic and/or sustainable practices, including but not limited to companion planting, soil microbiome cultivation, composting, zero reliance on chemical fertilizers/pesticides, crop rotation, planting of cover crops in off-season, and potentially leveraging renewable energy generation on-site through solar or wind to offset operational costs.

Farmer housing needed

Yes

Water source needed

Yes

Farm infrastructure needed

Greenhouses/high tunnels
Roadways
Electricity/power

Description of infrastructure needed

I would need somewhere to live on property, or at very least the minimum amenities to camp on site. A greenhouse for starting seeds or cultivating crops like microgreens would be ideal. Other necessary infrastructure is dependent on enterprise.

Access to equipment needed

Yes

Description of equipment needed

Dependent on enterprise, but potentially: tractor, loader, pickup truck, soil screener.

Additional information

My very soul aches to be more connected to nature. I thought that seeking it out in my free time would be enough. I was wrong. I want to do something meaningful with my time every day. I know it won't be easy-- but I have my whole life to figure it out. I want to stop contributing to late-stage capitalism and start living in harmony with the land. Start living with intention.