Preferred counties/regions
- North Country
- Clinton County
- St. Lawrence County
- Essex County
- Franklin County
- Hamilton County
- Jefferson County
- Lewis County
- Capital Region
- Albany County
- Columbia County
- Greene County
- Rensselaer County
- Saratoga County
- Schenectady County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Dutchess County
- Ulster County
- Sullivan County
- Orange County
- Putnam County
- Westchester County
- Rockland County
- Mohawk Valley
- Fulton County
- Montgomery County
- Schoharie County
- Otsego County
- Herkimer County
- Oneida County
- Central
- Cortland County
- Madison County
- Onondaga County
- Oswego County
- Cayuga County
- Finger Lakes
- Genesee County
- Livingston County
- Orleans County
- Wyoming County
- Monroe County
- Ontario County
- Seneca County
- Wayne County
- Yates County
- Southern Tier
- Broome County
- Chemung County
- Chenango County
- Delaware County
- Schuyler County
- Steuben County
- Tioga County
- Tompkins County
- Western
- Allegany County
- Cattaraugus County
- Chautauqua County
- Erie County
- Niagara County
Desired acreage
- 21-50
- 51-100
- >100
Farming Status
Emerging farmer: 2 years or more of on farm work experience
Currently farming part-time
Primary reason for farming
Farm will generate the majority of my income
Farming status, plans, and practices
I started working as an apprentice for Back to Earth Farm in Asheboro, North Carolina in 2022. It is a regenerative, grass-fed and finished beef farm focused on improving ecological health and providing nutrient-dense food for the community. After I graduated from the Boots on the Ground apprenticeship program, I was promoted to farm manager in 2023. I managed the farm for 2 years before resigning in July of 2025 due to my desire to continue learning and to start/manage a farm elsewhere. I am seeking to start a multi-species, regenerative farm using livestock and adaptive grazing to improve the land and produce healthy food for the community. I am open to a variety of tenure agreements including: Part time/full time work, farm management, business partnership, farm lease, farm purchase, etc. I would be farming as organically as possible and would be open to becoming Certified Organic at some point, should the need arise. I am passionate about farmland/forest management and the role that agriculture can play in developing resilient, sustainable communities.
Farm Experience & Education
- Farm internship/apprenticeship
- Farmer training or workshop
- Farm manager
- On farm work experience
Work Experience
Farm Manager (October 2023 to July 2025): Back to Earth Farm in Asheboro, NC
- Grass-fed and finished beef farm, working for the farm owner
- Managing 220 acres of land
- 70 total head of cattle distributed across 3 separate properties in the area
- Managing grazing/feeding/breeding/nutrition/health
- Soil fertility management using animal impact and compost tea
- Transporting animals to the processor or among the different properties
- Bull management and Artificial Insemination for breeding
- Using homeopathic remedies to treat cattle for illness
- Weaning calves
- Low-stress cattle handling
- Moving cattle every day to new grass
- Using temporary and permanent fencing
- Analyzing ecological health
- Managing/training 3 employees
- Mowing pastures, fencelines and reclaiming overgrown land
- Developing silvo-pasture
- Fence repairs/maintence
- Feeding hay bales in the winter
- Planting cover-crops using no-till seed drill and tractor twice a year
- Many hours of tractor use with PTO/hydraulic attachments
- Hay spear, bucket, and forklift attachments for tractor
- Pressure washing
- Landscaping/tree removal
- Maintaining hedgerows
- Gardening
- Composting/compost tea/compost extract
- Spraying compost tea and mycorrhizal fungi in pastures to improve soil health
- Beef inventory/organization
- Farm road maintenance
- Grading and erosion control
- Leading farm tours for guests and customers
- Maintenance and care of owner’s house
- Maintenance and care of Air bnb cabin rental
- Cabin guest assistance
- Assisting in beef sales
- Care for owner’s dogs
- Pruning and harvesting the orchard
- Managed grazing in the orchard
- Laying hen flock management
- Mobile chicken coop maintenance/repairs
- Treating sick chickens for coccidiosis
Farm Hand (June 2022 to October 2023): Back to Earth Farm in Asheboro, NC
- Assist farm manager with daily routines
Intelligence Specialist (September 2020 to May 2022)
- United States Navy stationed at Naval Base San Diego, CA
- All source analysis and dissemination of intelligence
- Research and production of intelligence products
- Build and present intelligence briefs for commanders
- Locate & identify potential threats within operational geographies
- Conduct threat assessments
- Assist command security officer during port activities
- Top Secret/SCI security clearance
Dock Hand (May 2018 to August 2020): Carolina Marina in Stokesdale, NC
- Docking and cleaning customer boats
- Actively worked directly with customers to access their boats within dry dock
- Supported management with general maintenance
Training & Education
Farm Manager certified with US Department of Labor
Farm Manager certified with NC Community College System
Armed to Farm Veterans Sustainable Farming Workshop graduate
Boots on the Ground apprenticeship sponsored by Center for Environmental Farming Systems
Soil Health Academy graduate
Grass-fed Exchange conference
Amazing Grazing conference
NC Agricultural & Technology Small Ruminant conference
Center for Environmental Farming Systems annual conference
Meat Marketing and Pricing: NC Cooperative Extension
Graduate of Navy Intelligence Specialist “A” School
Anti-terrorism
Global Command & Control System Maritime Operator
Graduate of Navy Recruit Training
Pistol & Marksmanship
Firefighting & First Aid
OCIA religious education at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
Faith Formation instructor at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree
Graduate of Northwest Guilford High School
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming method or practice
- Biodynamic
- Organic (certified)
- Organic (not certified)
- Regenerative/Sustainable
Primary crops
-
Vegetables
-
Fruits
-
Maple
Primary livestock
-
Cattle - Beef
-
Cattle - Dairy
-
Goats/Sheep
-
Pigs
-
Poultry
I would like to focus mainly on raising livestock for meat, but would like to have laying hens for eggs and a few dairy cows/sheep for raw milk products.
I am also interested in many different farming enterprises including vegetable, fruit, and maple syrup production to supplement the pastured meat enterprises. Initially, I would be focused on mostly gardening for personal consumption.
Marketing Method
Business Model
100% grass-fed and finished beef and lamb
Pasture raised chickens and pigs (Joel Salatin model)
*Pigs are optional depending on the landowner’s preference*
Raw milk sales
Farm products sold primarily through home delivery in bundle boxes
Committed to natural and sustainable farming practices
Improve the landscape over time
Animals acquire as much nourishment as possible from forage
Frequent moves to new grass
Land rest/recovery
Adaptive grazing
Selective breeding/culling to ensure animals are performing well in the system
Low overhead costs– only invest in what is needed and will pay for itself
Homeopathic remedies to treat illness
Minimal vet expenses
Proper free-choice mineral/salt supplementation as needed for livestock
Proper winter shelter to avoid damage to pastures and keep livestock healthy
All supplemental feed for pigs/chickens is to be at least non-GMO grain
All supplemental feed for the cattle/sheep is to be hay/tree hay only
Compost winter bedding and spread on pastures to improve soil fertility
Business Structure
Open to different options such as an LLC depending on needs of the landowner
I will be doing all of the work by myself– no employees initially
Maintaining a good relationship with the land owner and/or business partner
Supplemental Resources:
- Previous employer and other farm owner contacts willing to provide counsel
- My retired dad is also willing to help with some farm chores
- Soil Health Academy
- Armed to Farm
- Local agriculture cooperative extension
Marketing
Pasture raised meat for health-conscious, average-income families
High demand for organically produced local food
Premium meat
Convenience of frequent home delivery
Bundle boxes (most people do not have huge freezer space)
Co-op/CSA
Retail stores
Restaurants
Website
Farmers markets
On-the-farm pick-up
Meat/dairy will need adequate storage and transportation to customers
Meat will need to be USDA or state inspected for retail sale
Air bnb farm stays
Farm tours
Farm business plan or farm resume
Farmland Needs
Infrastructure required
-
Farmer housing
Infrastructure needs depend on the tenure agreement and the farm itself. I am willing to invest with the landowner, should we find it beneficial to the business partnership or agreement. Ideally, I would like to live on or near the farm. I am an unmarried 24 year old man, so my accommodations are not demanding. I can be very flexible. I am willing to start a farm business from land with very little infrastructure if needed. Most of my work will be done using temporary fencing methods and very little machinery use.
Desired Tenure
I am open to a variety of tenure options. Most desirable would be: lease/lease to own or business partnership.
