Hello! We are Christian and Katie, a motivated couple looking to restore ecosystems while producing delicious, nutritious food for our community.
We would like to use a few acres of land for a biodiverse vegetable, herb, and native pollinator market garden. It would be ideal to use or build small shelters for seed starting and harvest processing, and we will also need a small space (indoor or outdoor) for making biocomplete compost and conducting research. We do not have any farm animals at this time, however we plan to incorporate grazers and grub hunters such as chickens, ducks, goats and sheep.
While the core of our business is producing food for market, we care deeply about the environment and feel a responsibility to steward the land in ways that promote climate change resilience. (Plus, we know the best food comes from a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem.) That is why we are also interested in preserving/regenerating the surrounding environment using permaculture principles such as pond systems and regenerative pasture management. We hope to find land where we can work with the native species to build the soil sponge and support balanced habitats.
With backgrounds in botany and soil biology we are curious science nerds at heart and are always experimenting. Through an iterative process based on available resources, we plan to develop biocomplete compost that utilizes the farm’s “waste” and gives it back to the land in the form of plant-available nutrients and beneficial microbes. We have also been implementing crop cover and companion planting methods to enrich ecosystem biodiversity (above and below ground), which in turn promotes natural pest, weed and water management.
At the end of the day, nature knows best. It’s our job as stewards of the land to listen and facilitate. Although we are confident in our abilities, we know there is always much to learn and are continuously humbled by the lessons nature and other land stewards have for us.
Our situation is somewhat flexible and we would love to come to an agreement that works for everyone involved. It would truly be a dream come true to find a land owner who shares the key elements of our vision and understands the importance of shifting to ecology-first farm solutions.
Water hookup is essential, electricity would be ideal.
Basic shelters (or the permission to build on the property) needed for seed starting and harvest processing.
Land with a variety of habitats (pasture, woodland, wetlands) would be best for the research we hope to conduct.
Christian grew up on a sheep farm/orchard and went on to study biology with a special interest in botany. He spent the last decade working with plants, most recently as the head cultivator for an indoor hydroponic operation.
Katie has volunteered on farms across the world through WWOOF and has managed her own large backyard vegetable garden in the Willamette Valley for several years. She studied soil microbiology & permaculture and is learning how to make biocomplete compost. Katie also has relevant business operations, marketing, fundraising and accounting experience.
- Have a profitable harvest
- Create biocomplete compost recipe using “waste” products from the farm
- Set up pond systems for sustainable water management (if needed)
- Develop relationships with farm to table restaurants and community markets, connecting with like-minded chefs to develop dishes inspired by the land and season.
- In partnership with native species, cultivate a resilient permaculture food forest that is as self-sustaining as possible.
- Build an on-site kitchen facility and gathering space for hosting community meals that celebrate the land.
- Create interactive educational opportunities for youth and others curious about ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture.
Ultimately, we would like to build a family-friendly destination where nature, food and education intersect. Ideal outcomes will be determined by the land and community.
If the land is close enough to our home in Eugene we will not need housing, however it would be preferred to live on the property. Housing must also accommodate our pets (2 barn cats and a small blue heeler/border collie dog).
Everyone is connected to the land and it is important to respect how others care for and relate to it. We understand that diversity, in all its forms, is key to a thriving ecosystem and society. We will consider as many perspectives as possible (ecologists, tribal leaders, farmers, neighbors, native species) when making decisions about land management and creating community gathering spaces.
Our cooperative business model is based on equity and inclusion. We will hire people who have historically experienced barriers to employment and pay above average wages. We have zero tolerance for discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
To contact a land seeker, you must first create a land listing and have it approved by our staff. Thank you.
