Seeking to buy or lease-to-own: 5+ acres in the NW coastal region of Oregon or Washington

Land Seeker Description

I’m a bigleaf maple syrup maker and non-profit outdoor educator seeking to buy or lease-to-own: 5+ acres in the NW coastal region of Oregon or Washington to farm bigleaf maple trees for syrup, with residence or option to build. I started tapping maples in 2021 through OSU’s Tree Tapper’s project, which led me to the Oregon Maple Project where I now work. At the OMP sugarhouse we tap around 100 trees each season, using traditional metal buckets and modern vacuum tubing systems. Part of being a “mapler” that is important to me is to harvest sap in a way that honors the trees and our interdependence. I’d ideally like to farm on a property that already has a number of bigleaf maples, around 15-20 years in age or 6+ inches diameter. Mixed conifer/hardwood woodland, with some flat areas to build on is what I am looking for to establish a food forest to grow other native and wild specialty foods, starting with hardwood mushroom cultivation. I grew up surrounded by farmers as neighbors in rural Oregon, and have always wanted to end up working for myself building a self sustaining home and garden. I hope to settle into a community with access to farmer’s markets but rural enough to offer peaceful solitude.

What features of the property are essential?

It is essential that the land either be for sale or lease-to-own, as I am looking for a place to put down roots. Bigleaf maples are essential to kickstarting my farm, and the trees would need to be at least 6+ inches in diameter. The number of bigleaf maples I want to start with is at least 20. Having enough flat area to build and grow on is essential, I'm avoiding properties that are either entirely sloped or that is composed of majority wetland field. Mixed woodland is preferable, with utilities at the street and water rights for any irrigation needed.

Describe your farming experience

I’m a first generation grower, I’ve experience working at a large native and exotic plants nursery, and tapping bigleaf maples for sap to make syrup. I enjoy laboring outdoors and designing garden beds.

Are you currently farming?

What are your short term goals for the land

My short term goals are to establish a sugarhouse, tapping 20+ bigleaf maples and begin producing maple syrup. I will sell bottled syrup, and other products from bigleaf maples like maple butter and sugar.

What are your long term goals

Long term I’d like to diversify my farm to include hardwood cultivated mushrooms, native edibles and other non-timber forest products.

Describe your housing needs

I will need either existing residence or option to build on site, with utilities at street.

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

As a queer identifying and neurodivergent person in a forestry graduate program, I can relate to how it feels to be isolated even amongst peers. Representation within spaces that have traditionally been exclusive to people who fit a certain mold of normalcy (ie cis white and non-disabled folk) can be the difference between pursuing a passion or not. As a first gen college grad and farmer, mentorship programs have been invaluable to me, and I want to be able to pay it forward by offering free hands on educational experiences for underrepresented people, especially youth.