Diversified Farm Looking for Partners

The Land

Birdsong Farm is offering land, housing, and other key resources to farmers who are interested in joining us on this land and building their farm business(es) collaboratively alongside us.

This landowner is a

Farmer or farm family

Quality of land

Primary soils: Buckland loam 8-15% slope, Buckland loam 15-25% slope, Cabot silt loam 8-15% slope.

Market garden is on raised beds with very high fertility.

Rotational grazing, reseeding, and clipping has begun to increase pasture fertility and yield, but plenty of work remains.

Most fields are west-facing with moderate slope.

The hillside is full of natural springs and some pastures are quite wet, even in drought.

Enrolled in Current Use

Yes

Protected with conservation easement

Conservation easement

Conservation easement details

Development is restricted across the farm, apart from a sizeable exclusion zone where future barns, high-tunnels, housing, and other structures can be built. We are extending frost-free water and electricity to this zone this summer and it currently holds three high tunnels and is accessed from an existing farm lane.

Current forest management plan

Yes

Certified or qualified organic

No

External map links

View Location on Google Maps • View Soil Info on VT Natural Resources Atlas • View Atlas Tutorial

Farm Information

Farmer housing

Yes

Farmer housing details

We have transitional space available in the farmhouse, but the hope is that long-term farming partners will bring their own mobile housing, or build housing on-site. Of course, living off-farm is an option as well, though local housing stock is limited.

Water source for farm use

Available

Type of water source

Drilled well, Shallow well or spring reservoir, Irrigation system, River/stream

Water source details

In our experience, the well has high output and fast recharge. We are doing a recharge test on it this spring and I will add those details when we know them. We also have multiple artesian wells/springs on the property that could be tapped for domestic or ag use.

The entire farm is serviced by a network of 1" PE waterlines, with 1.25" mainline buried out to the high tunnels and exclusion area.

Farm infrastructure

Barn/farm buildings
Greenhouses/high tunnels
Fencing
Roadways
Electricity/power

Description of farm infrastructure

Multiple 1800s timber-frame barns with historic preservation easements in place. All in excellent condition.

3 high-tunnels (with more to come).

Assorted other sheds and outbuildings, also all in excellent shape.

.5 acre of permanent raised beds, .5 acre of improved land under tillage.

pastured chicken, sheep, and cow infrastructure.

40-acres enclosed in 5' tall high-tensile electric perimeter fencing.

Access to equipment

Available

Equipment details

We run a 40hp tractor and implements and would be open to using it to lend a hand with occasional projects. If a tractor is a necessary regular part of your farming plans, then we would prefer that you supply your own equipment, though we are open to other collaborative equipment possibilities.

Tenure Arrangement

Collaborative model

Tenure arrangement details

We are open to the following: leasing land, informally sharing land, leasing land at no cost, but sharing in the work and profits of an additional business venture, eventual co-ownership of farmland, or sale of a smaller parcel. We are looking for collaborators, and we know that land tenure and financial security are critical. We want to do right by this land, right by our farm, right by our family, and right by our farming partners.

Additional Information

Birdsong Farm is entering its 4th growing season. We are not looking to transfer or sell the business, but rather welcome other farmers onto this land as business partners or business neighbors. We are open to the possibility of other businesses operating from the farm and/or adding partners to our existing business.