Hello!
We are David (29) and Liz (28), two professional landscape architects with master’s degrees from the University of Oregon. Liz has roots in the Rogue Valley, where she used to raise alpacas for fiber, and David grew up further north in Linn county, working as a millworker, regenerative forester, and helping out on his grandfather’s farm. After two years of trying to make it work in firm life in California, we want to return to Oregon and live a simpler, more affordable life starting a business using livestock such as goats, alpacas, ducks, and llamas to mediate ecological conflicts.
Liz has done research in school on using livestock to reduce fire danger and would like to get together a herd of goats to offer fuel-reduction services to homeowners in the Rogue and Applegate Valleys. She has also had experience with using alpacas and llamas to guard herds from coyote and cougar predation and would like to be a local advocate and consultant for using these animals to reduce human-wildlife conflict in rural settings. With vineyards in the area, Liz is also interested in using runner ducks as a biodynamic pest-removers! David has also worked on an organic coffee farm in Nicaragua.
David has a remote job at a landscape architecture firm with a steady income. Liz does freelance work and is hoping to either farm full-time or part-time and possible also get a remote job. David can repair tractors and trucks, can weld, build, and do basic carpentry, and Liz is an excellent horseback rider. They would ideally like to lease for a few years and eventually buy the property they are farming.
Essential features include water access, sun, and housing. Fencing and sheds can be built if necessary!
Liz owned and operated a small alpaca farm in her early 20s, and is experienced with breeding, shearing, and healthcare for livestock. She and David have both had vegetable gardens to great success, and David grew up amongst cherry orchards. David also worked on an organic coffee farm in Nicaragua. We both have master's degrees in landscape architecture and extensive knowledge in horticulture, native plants, and land management.
Short-term goals are to establish a small goat herd and duck flock for ecologically friendly local business providing fire fuel reduction services and pest management for vineyards, and to create a large biodynamic vegetable garden. This would be done while leasing the land.
Long-term goals are to establish a biodynamic fruit orchard and to increase the yield of our vegetable garden to be able to sell at farmer's markets and co-ops locally. We would also ideally like to buy the property eventually.
We would ideally like to live on or nearby the site. We need a private home with at least two bedrooms for working remotely and the possibility of internet access. Manufactured homes are fine!
We are welcoming, open people with a love for community in general. We have both lived abroad in different countries- David in Nicaragua, Liz in Singapore and England- and are enthusiastic about new experiences and meeting new people.
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