Farming status:

Part time

Description 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 progress

Preferred location:

Eastern, Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washington

Desired acreage:

6-10

Infrastructure required:

Onsite housing, Water access, Electrical Access

Description of water access required:

I need to have reliable access to a water source to insure that I can water my crops

Primary crops:

Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Ornamentals, Other Crops

Primary Livestock:

Poultry, Other livestock

Description 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. 

Tenure options desired:

Farm Management, For Lease

Description of tenure options desired:

I am open to working out a mutually beneficial situation with a land owner  Preferably with a long term situation.

Will this farmer's operation qualify an eligible landowner for an Agricultural Assessment?

Yes

Experience 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.