Miles Chalnick

Hello there!

I am currently looking for an old farm with pasture to plant a nut orchard.

Farming experience

3-5 years experience

Currently farming

No

Highest level of farming experience

Agricultural degree or training program

Description of farming experience

I have worked on a couple different farms in Vermont. I worked at Common Roots in South Burlington and attended Sterling College in Craftsbury, where I studied sustainable agriculture and worked on the farm there. I have lots of experience propagating, growing and selling trees, shrubs and other plants aswell. I am currently studying Forestry at The University of Vermont.

Farming plans

Tenure arrangement desired

Sale

Tenure arrangement description

I am open to leasing or other collaboritive tenure arragnements. However, purchasing a property would be ideal.

Planned farm enterprise: Primary

Perennials/Orchard

Planned farm enterprises: Others

Agroforestry, Livestock

Farm enterprises description

I want to establish a chestnut or hickory orchard with the goal of producing a viable nut crop to sell wholsale to a proccesor. An intitial planting of trees will be established in the first couple of years, based on soil type. Additionally, I plan on planting a black locust crop in between the trees, as an intermediate timber harvest. While the trees grow, there are a couple of options. I can work another job and mow in between the rows to keep the grass down, I can try and graze sheep or another livestock in between the tree rows. Alternatively, I can have another farmer run their livestock through the rows.

Written business plan

In progress

Farmer housing needed

No

Water source needed

No

Access to equipment needed

Yes

Description of equipment needed

A tractor is neccesary, I'll need various implements inlcuding but not limited to, subsoil ripper, roto-tiller, flail mower, brush hog and a tree planter.

Additional information

We are living in a world with continually increasing uncertaintitiy, especially when it comes to our food and water supply. I belieive that food producing trees are the key to resiliency not only of our landscapes but of our species. Nut trees have the power to produce our protein, carbohydrate and fat needs, all while sequestering carbon, stabilizing soils, providing habitat, mitigating flood and droughts and more. It takes patience to grow trees and reep the benefits, but given enough time and love they will take care of us.

Help me secure a better life for future generations.