RakesOverSpades

Family-run farm start-up seeking land to grow berries, veggies & glamping stays.

Farming experience

3-5 years experience

Currently farming

No

Highest level of farming experience

Homesteading

Description of farming experience

We are a husband-and-wife team with 5+ years of hands-on gardening and small-scale crop experience, steadily expanding into diverse vegetables, berries, and herbs. Our background includes construction, retail management, finance, and IT, giving us strong skills in planning, project management, and marketing. We’ve developed practical knowledge in soil preparation, irrigation, and succession planting, and are ready to scale into a regenerative farm and agritourism business with a focus on family-friendly, community-based food access.

Farming plans

Tenure arrangement desired

Farm transfer

Tenure arrangement description

We are seeking a lease-to-own tenure arrangement for ~20 acres, preferably within 10 mile radius of St Albans, suited for both farming and agritourism. Ideally, this begins with a multi-year lease that allows us to establish crops, infrastructure, and customer base, with the option to transition into ownership as revenue grows. Flexibility in structuring payments tied to farm growth is important. Our focus is on long-term stewardship, improving soil health, and building a farm that sustains both our family and the local community. We value a landowner who shares our vision for regenerative farming and is open to creative, fair, and transparent agreements.

Planned farm enterprise: Primary

Perennials/Orchard

Planned farm enterprises: Others

Homesteading, Vegetables

Farm enterprises description

Hello, we’re a husband-and-wife team with four children, seeking land through a long-term lease that transitions into lease-to-own as our business grows. We're building Rakes Over Spades—a family-centered regenerative farm and agritourism business. Our vision is to establish a ~20-acre diversified farm with:

Glamping & Tiny Cabins for agritourism stays
Pick-Your-Own Berries, Veggies
Educational Agritourism Experiences with hands-on soil health, irrigation, and sustainable farming practices

We’re interested in connecting with landowners or farmers open to creative agreements that allow us to build a business and care for the land. We are committed stewards, community minded, and want to connect!

Written business plan

Yes

Business planning description

Available to share with the right land owner.

Farmer housing needed

No

Water source needed

Yes

Farm infrastructure needed

Greenhouses/high tunnels
Roadways
Electricity/power

Description of infrastructure needed

We are able and willing to build infrastructure as the business needs, however having some established roadways leading to potential tent sites, water for crop irrigation, high tunnel, and access to a tractor are highly desirable.

Access to equipment needed

No

Additional information

Our vision for Rakes-Over-Spades blends local food production with unique experiences: pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, and vegetables; glamping and future tiny cabins; and hands-on educational stays where visitors help establish fields, learn sustainable farming stewardship, and connect with the land. We are seeking land through a lease-to-own arrangement, with the goal of building a sustainable homestead that supports our family and community while offering visitors authentic, memorable farm experiences.