Jesse

I'm a Canadian zoologist in my mid-30s currently teaching science in Japan. My dream, however, has always been to farm sustainably to support myself and my family while making a modest income. As a teen and in university I did many summer jobs in forestry, landscaping, and agriculture, so I have some basic experience working outdoors, plus a general knowledge of biology and ecology. I've also been gardening intensively on around 100 square meters for the past 5 or 6 years growing enough fruits and vegetables to avoid buying much produce from the store. Realistically though, I have a lot to learn and I'm happy to put in the work to learn it. I've managed to save up enough to afford a small farm, but I need experience and assistance more than financial support. I'm not interested in large-scale mechanized farming for commercial markets - more like something I could manage on my own or with a small team of seasonal help. Market gardening, agroforestry, no-till, and permaculture principles are of particular interest to me, but I'm not interested in homesteading and still want to make a steady profit that can be reinvested in the property. I would like to farm organically with a mix of crops and livestock if possible. Pretty much anything except cattle.

Experience

I have some basic gardening skills developed through growing dozens of varieties of fruits and vegetables each year on a small plot of land borrowed from a neighbour. I worked on corn farms as a teen, was a park ranger and a zookeeper during the summers, and have extensive landscaping and yard maintenance experience.

Partner(s)

I will mostly be farming alone. My wife and kids (ages 5 and 2) will accompany me, but they won't be expected to help in a meaningful capacity. We are in our mid-30s and healthy.

Farm Vision

My ideal farm would be about 5-10 acres, including a productive market garden, pastured poultry/egg operation, small orchard, and some grazing animals to provide organic matter. I would like to be organic, but not necessarily certified, and make use of mostly hand tools with only small machinery (rototiller, chainsaw, etc.). I'm interested in making use of regenerative, no-till permaculture concepts in order to maintain or improve soil productivity, but I'm also a scientist and will use whatever methods are necessary to maximize efficiency and sustainability so long as they don't conflict with my values.

Relationship with Farm Owner

Unlike many young people who are interested in farming, I have a reasonable amount of capital and can afford to invest quite a bit of it to get a new farming operation started. What I lack is practical, all-season experience on the many aspects of farming a diverse range of operations on a small scale. I would love for a supportive, established farmer or farming family to serve as a mentor. I'm interested in a range of options, including taking over a farm, rental, lease-to-own, or a business partnership, but the most important requirement is that I need a decent housing situation since I will be bringing my wife and two young children along. If you are a retiring farmer who wants all or a portion of your land to continue to be farmed and cared for, I would love to learn from you!