We are a family of four looking to establish an sustainable farm in Marion County. My husband and I want our children to grow up learning stewardship and care for the land and animals, as well as how to contribute and grow our community. Rather than turning inward and focusing on our own pursuits, we want our farm to contribute to human thriving and care for the land in a symbiotic relationship. To us, this means utilizing regenerative ag principles to maximize soil health, water conservation, and animal husbandry which is appropriate to the setting. The right land could be relatively undeveloped, sloped, or even partially treed, as long as it has some sort of access to water, and soil which can be rehabilitated if needed.
We would prefer a well and some sort of surface water source whether a creek, or pond, along with a mix of pasture and at least some trees. Any fencing already in place is a plus! We would be tailoring the use of the land based on it's unique features and capability.
I am an RN by trade, and a Marine Corps veteran, but grew up on a 10 acre farm on Chehalem Mountain. We raised rabbits, cows (including a milk cow), goats, chickens, horses, and llamas. I have taken a course on small farm startups, been growing vegetables, had a horse intermittently, and helped family with fencing and other tasks ever since, always with the goal to farm eventually myself. I prefer no dig gardening methods, and would love to add in poultry and other animals to create a symbiotic system. Some of my favorite things to grow are heirloom tomatoes and many varieties of garlic.
Initially, we would like to establish a no dig market garden, expanding gradually, and start whichever animals are going to contribute to the long term fertility of the land. So if there are pastures that need clearing, we would likely begin with goats, and once a healthier ecosystem is established, transition to cows.
Long term, we would like to supply chickens, cows, pigs, possibly goat or cow milk and produce to the local community. We would like welcome school groups and others to learn about regenerative agriculture, and possibly teach some pottery on the side!
Ideal housing would be a 3 bedroom house, or at least allow for building or moving a structure such as a tiny home.
We respect all lives from womb to tomb, and solidarity and subsidiarity are principles we intend to implement and model in our local community.
To contact a land seeker, you must first create a land listing and have it approved by our staff. Thank you.