Dairy Goat Farmer Seeking Land for Lease w/ Housing (location flexible)

Land Seeker Description

Hello there,

My name is Aila (“eye-la”) and I am a dairy goat farmer looking for land with housing to lease in Oregon. I’d prefer to start as a lease for cash situation but with the potential to become a co-farming/partnership arrangement down the line if we’re a good fit. I have a small herd of Nubian goats that I’ve been breeding and milking for about 7 years now. My herd size fluctuates frequently, but usually ranges from 10-20 adult animals. I’m currently living on my parents’ property in Southern California, but am eager to relocate back to Oregon (I’ve lived in both Eugene, and Silverdale WA; the PNW has always been a place I feel most at home). I am flexible with location and have previously lived in a very rural setting, but I do need internet access for my “off farm” administrative job that has now gone fully remote.

I spend all my time outside of work caring for my goats, making cheese, and am in the process of launching a goat milk lotion and soap business. My genuine preference is to be in a co-farming situation, I value the community and collaboration that model offers (versus a small privately owned farm model). 

I’m interested in regenerative agriculture, specifically the contribution of livestock to restoring soil fertility and biodiversity. I would love to explore the possibility of holistic partnerships with vegetable/plant growers where composted manure from my goats can be used as input for their farming.

Moving livestock around and securing land that allows them is very involved, so I would prefer to find a situation where I can have a longer term lease. I am dependable, responsible, conscientious and hard working. I value open communication, clear expectations, and collaboration/compromise. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to chat more! whisperingsagefarm@gmail.com 

What features of the property are essential?

Housing for myself, barn/structure to house my goats (or willingness to discuss/allow a modular livestock shelter such as FarmTek), water for the goats, fencing for containment and safety (predators/dogs). Ideally I would love some pasture or forage for the goats to reduce hay/feed costs.

Describe your farming experience

I spent a year interning on working farms; I have experience with goats, sheep, cows, poultry, and pigs. I have sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, on farm, and herdshare (dairy) models. I have some experience running a farmer market, including EBT/SNAP matching programs. I have been breeding and raising Nubian dairy goats for over 7 years, with extensive experience in herd management and health/veterinary care.

Are you currently farming?

What are your short term goals for the land

Get the livestock settled on the land (I consider this a fairly massive undertaking, developing functional infrastructure for the herd on a new property), continue to grow my goat milk lotion/soap business, start exploring agritourism classes that I can offer, start building local farm community/networks. If land zoning and infrastructure allow for it, I would love to pursue the possibility of a micro-dairy and/or micro-creamery.

What are your long term goals

Pathway to land ownership either myself or as a full partner of a farm LLC that owns the land is my primary goal. Having the farm and goats be both regenerative ecologically and sustainable financially is also very important to me. Being in a co-farming situation where both me and my co-farm partners can take vacations/breaks regularly is a priority, farm burnout is something I want to avoid for all involved.

Describe your housing needs

Decently reliable internet access for my “off farm” job, and space for dairy processing (both sink access and a place to plug in my milk fridge and chest freezer). Other than that I am incredibly flexible with housing; the ideal would be a room or house, but I’m also fine with a travel trailer/tiny house/yurt/etc, as long as it is reasonably safe/secure and has at least some climate control (heating/insulation for winter).

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

I dislike labels, but I most closely identify as a humanist. I value and prioritize diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and active community building.

Farm safety is critically important to me, I would want to draft a safety plan and have safety signage where needed on the property (I’m thinking more specifically around the goats and goat pens). Working farms are rarely “Instagram-worthy,” but I do prioritize clean and functional spaces on farms for both aesthetic and safety reasons.