Growing A Legacy – Lease to Buy – Western Oregon

Land Seeker Description

Hello, 

My name is Alyssa and I am a 33 year old creative, passionate, and determined neurodivergent woman. Like so many, quarantine put a lot of my life into prospective. I found myself lost in the rat race of life, depressed and desperately searching for a reason to keep fighting. In solitude I began to look inward and ask myself what the meaning of my life was. I started my first garden and fell in love with homesteading. I found that I craved an intentional life where I was working in harmony with nature, using my hands to build and create things from scratch, and problem solve using my unique perspective. I immersed myself in learning as much about this lifestyle as I could and was delighted to learn just how therapeutic playing in soil and growing my own food from seed actually was. I realized that as much as I loved living close to my family, Southern California just never felt like home. It was on a road trip up the coast when I fell in love with all the trees and stunning views of the PNW. In April 2023 I was looking for a new place to live and decided to take a leap of faith and make the move up here, despite not knowing a single person. I have this renewed fire lit within me to create a legacy. One where I can make the world a better place before I’m gone. Now, I am on a mission to make my dream a reality because I truly believe I am living on borrowed time and this life I’m living is for something much greater than just myself.

What features of the property are essential?

Quality organic soil, water, electricity/solar, high speed internet.

Describe your farming experience

I grew up helping out on my great uncles U-Pick apple orchard in southern California. I have 3 years of organic gardening and preserving experience and have basic carpentry skills. I am very passionate about learning as much as I can from books, videos, or anyone who’s willing to teach me. I am constantly building new skills in my free time.

Are you currently farming?

What are your short term goals for the land

I am seeking land for lease to buy or a multi year lease. My short term goal is to get crops in the ground using organic permaculture practices, get a flock of chickens, and possibly milk goats. I will use the land to create multiple revenue streams, as well as continue to grow my social media following to create revenue. I am also looking for mentorship and would love to learn as much as I can from the current land owners while being able to implement their teachings to continue their success and build off their failures. I am ready to commit my time and energy in helping you farm your land as well as building a farm business for myself.

What are your long term goals

My long term goal is to obtain a large piece of land (10+ acres), expand with more animals like cattle and bees, create systems for my farm businesses to run with less of my actual time and attention by bringing in volunteers and/or employees. I would then shift my focus to starting a non profit to house and mentor kids in the foster care system. Research shows that farming is very therapeutic and has a positive impact on mental wellbeing. If I can use the skills I've learned and the obstacles I’ve overcome to enrich the lives of children who have no support, guidance or structure then I want to be able to do that. I want to work with mother nature to foster an environment for both nature and humans to grow and thrive.

Describe your housing needs

Ideally I would like to have a house, cabin or apartment for my 3 year old Golden Retriever, Charlie and I to live in on the property. If no housing is available I would like to be able to park an RV on site with the possibility to build in the future. My last resort would be to keep my apartment in SW Portland and commute to the farm daily, if local.

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

I believe farming at its core is about community. I am a lifelong learner and hope to share my knowledge with others along the way. I believe knowledge is power and that resources should be shared. I would love to be able to support myself and my community with what I raise and grow. I am passionate about getting to a place where I can give at least 51% of what I grow to help support and nourish my community.