Farming Status and Plans
Farming status:
Part timeDescription of farming status, plans, and practices:
I grow high end specialty produce for the restaurant industry. I am a chef and most of what I grow are things that I really want but know I can’t access through traditional channels. I prefer to grow beyond organic as I won’t use chemicals allowed by organic certification as well. Instead i try to grow naturally by growing my own fertility and encouraging useful insects through crop diversity and cultivated “wild” areas.
Description of marketing method:
I market directly to chefs that I have worked for or with in the past. On the right land I would be able to expand that market to new business, maybe an honor box farm stand or a farmers market.
Does this farmer have a business plan?
In progressFarm Characteristics
Preferred location:
Eastern, Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, WashingtonDesired acreage:
6-10, 11-20Infrastructure required:
Water access, Electrical AccessDescription of water access required:
I need to have reliable access to a water source to insure that I can water my crops
Crops and Livestock
Primary crops:
Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Ornamentals, Other CropsPrimary Livestock:
Poultry, Other livestockDescription of livestock/crops:
I am open to growing many things but primarily grow annual vegetable crops and a number of cut flower and tea crops that are also useful at attracting beneficials. With the right space I would love a laying flock of chickens and possibly ducks or quail.
Farmland Tenure
Tenure options desired:
Farm Management, For Lease, Partnership, Other Tenure AgreementDescription of tenure options desired:
I am open to working out a mutually beneficial situation with a land owner Preferably with a long term situation.
Additional Information
Will this farmer's operation qualify an eligible landowner for an Agricultural Assessment?
YesExperience description:
i have been a gardener all of my life, I have worked as a landscaper and as a greenhouse manager. I spent 3 years reading every book on sustainable agriculture I could find and consider myself a plantsman and gardener more than a farmer at present. The farm business sort of happened to me very organically as a group of chefs came in to the restaurant I worked at ordered a number of items that I had grown in my personal garden and began calling to buy produce from me. Demand has outstripped my ability to supply and as such I am looking for a larger parcel. I found a piece of property on this site 2 years ago and unfortunately I am being forced to relocate as the land I found is in an area that seems to be becoming a freezing cold rain forest. Sedges and swamp plants are rising in my primary field and last year the soil never dried enough for the ground to be worked.