Lease-to-Own: 1-25 acres Washington County, Near Hillsboro, Aloha or Forest Grove Centers


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Land Seeker Description

Hello!

My name is Joseph Vaught, and I am a born and raised Oregon resident. I am seeking a small plot of land (0.5-1.5 acres) to start an intensive vegetable market farm. While surrounding forest for edible mushroom production would be a bonus, it is not essential. Ideally, the land would have some building infrastructure and be close to a city with a population of 30k+. Water rights and immediate access to water (well, river, etc.) with a well rate of 30 gpm+ are preferred.

If the landlord is also a farmer willing to educate us as we grow the farm, that would be a huge plus.

Our plan is to start with a 40+ member farm pickup-only mixed vegetable CSA. Members can select their preferred herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables for their weekly box, avoiding items they dislike. We also aim to participate in a weekly Sunday Farmers Market during the growing season.

The farm will focus on no-till, JADAM/KNF practices, incorporating permaculture and water harvesting principles. Cover cropping and mulching permanent raised beds with mixed legumes, flowers, grasses, leaves, and compost will be essential from day one.

We aim to use open-pollinated/heirloom plants to make seed saving a staple on the farm. Seed breeding programs will develop as the farm matures.

Each year, we will strive to increase CSA memberships, aiming for a 250+ member cap, and refine systems and target wholesale markets (local co-ops, natural grocers, schools).

In Year 5+, we hope to focus on innovations in hand tools and processes. Depending on the on-site infrastructure/lease agreement, we plan to incorporate live music, seminars, how-to classes, and pop-up outdoor dinners.

In Year 7+, we will begin Innovation Competitions where techy DIY tinkerers bring bots, 3D printers, and other inventions to test and compete on a test plot. Winning tools will be incorporated around the farm and hopefully sold at markets and/or made more available to other farmers.


What features of the property are essential?

Access to water. On-site sewer/ restroom - especially if no on-site living is available. Loamy soil or soil that doesn't have lots of medium-large rocks so soil improvement is easier. Fairly easy access to paved road, wide access going into property for compost/ mulch dump truck deliveries. 30 minutes from city center with population of 30k+. Preferably more than one city nearby.


Describe your farming experience

I completed a farm apprenticeship at Blue Raven Farms with Jen Aron in 2018 - in conjunction with Rogue Farm Corp for farm visits etc.
2018-2021 I took care of my personal 2000 sq ft home garden where I practiced intensive market farming and living soil practices. I practiced composting, compost tea making, mushroom cultivation and more.
In 2022 I started/ ran a very part-time ~5,000sq ft SHTF market farm for myself and my wife, a few friends and some of my immediate family. It was put to rest because the landlords were moving/ unreliable.
I completed OSU's Online PDC Pro Certification Program in June of 2023.
August 2024 I was a Farm Supervisor where I Assisted the Farm Manager in overseeing the growth and harvest of 20 acres of recreational cannabis. Directed and managed up to 100 workers with the CRA Compliance Director's help. Maintained records of harvest, packaging, and labeling. Developed solutions for issues during the first year of harvesting. Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and worked long hours to ensure timely completion of the harvest.


Are you currently farming?

No

What are your short term goals for the land

Year 1: establish 0.5-acre+ market farm and build 40+ member CSA. Host farm tours for members, to ensure they understand where and how things are grown. Run a Sunday Farmers Market stand. Make/ purchase small infrastructure: wash-pack, cool-bot walk-in, tool storage, caterpillar tunnel(s) for season extension
Year 2: Push marketing campaign to increase CSA membership to 100+ - at Farmers Markets, media outlets etc. Open new land for more production - increase to 0.75-1 acre under production - use cover cropped/ winter killed cover crop beds for long season crops - tomatoes etc. Create permanent perennial flowering hedgerows between plots for beneficials life and cut flowers. Potentially bring in large water storage vessels for rainwater catchment.
Year 3: Push to increase CSA membership to 150-175. More mobile/ low input infrastructure - caterpillar tunnels. Reinvest all profits into company. Start apprenticeship/ volunteer program.
Year 4-5: Focus on streamlining all processes including: training, touring, education, harvesting techniques, value added products - teas, tinctures etc


What are your long term goals

5-10 years is heavily contingent on lease to own/ living on site. If not on site, then much harder to actualize.
Year 5: If possible, open up more land - max out at 10-30 acres. 2.5 acres under vegetable production for CSA and wholesale, and 2.5 acres for small livestock production (namely meat birds, rabbits, turkey, and some layers), 5-10 acres for perennial fruit production: cane fruits, shrubs, fruiting trees. Plant in a permaculture, food forest, way and utilize silvo pasture techniques to help introduce livestock and intercropping, swales, keyline etc to the farm. 15-20 acres pasture and nut tree production space. Small breed cattle, sheep for meat/ wool and some upland game birds for hunting and meat.
Year 6-10: Focus on water independence via ponds, water tank storage and infiltration via swales/ keyline designs where possible. Introduce productive beekeeping practices - for profit honey/ mead/ ferment production. Focus on SIMPLE value-added products like salsas, hot sauces, smoked poultry, teas, ferments and more. Bring more agrotourism to the site with ADUs for rent, BnB opportunities, seminars, dinners, music events, how-to events, (weddings) and more.


Describe your housing needs

Onsite housing would be ideal. Two bedrooms. Garage/ work space for repairing tools etc. 20-30 minutes to a City Center would be ideal to allow my spouse to continue working at their current job while I establish the farm. A house on 0.5-1 acre in a peri-urban landscape is ok, it doesn't have to be rural.
If no structures are possible to have on site for post-harvest processing, then closeness to our residence would be critical - post-harvest cleaning and packaging can be done at my personal home - depending on volume.


What will you do as a farmer to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone on your farm and in your community?

Yes. The only expectation I will have for everyone showing up on the farm to help/ learn is that they show up in their entirety, ready to work, learn and grow spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. I will have zero tolerance for people who do not want to work or lack consistent punctuality, lack respect for the land or animals, and show disrespect to one another.

Additional Land Seeker Details

Regions interested in farming:
5, North Willamette Valley, Portland Area

Acreage desired:
Less than 1 acre, 1 - 5 acres, 5 - 10 acres, 11 - 20 acres, 21+ acres

Seeking land access by:
March 1, 2025

Interested in raising the following crops / livestock:
Beans, Bees, Berries, Cattle, Flowers, Herbs, Hogs, Mushrooms, Nursery Stock, Nuts, Orchard/Fruit, Pasture, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Vegetables, Vineyard, Other

Interested in these business arrangements:
Sale of Land, Lease-to-own, Lease with option to purchase, Lease for trade, Partnership, Other

Interested in these growing practices:
Certified Organic, Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension, 7

Date when this profile was last modified or created:
January 1, 2025



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