Listing Information

Check all experience and education that apply to you and your farming partners

Informal apprenticeship, General farming (less than 3 years), Other experience/license/agriculture or business training

Other experience/license/agriculture or business training:

I have been a successful small business owner, a seed potato inspector for the MT Dept of Ag, and I am currently a driver for Fedex. My professional experience ranges from pharmacies and restaurants, to a variety of very physically demanding jobs.

Briefly describe your current occupation(s) and responsibilities and list previous agricultural employment and experiences. If you are currently farming or ranching, please state the size, type(s), and location of the operation.

I was living on a farm outside Ronan for over 10 years where I had the opportunity for informal apprenticeship from a farmer who has over 50 years experience farming and ranching. He farms wheat, hay and alfalfa and had taught me about crop and pasture management, irrigation, weed and pest control. I've taken agricultural classes through Annie's project and the NRCS covering aspects of farming from financials, insurance, employee management and more. I have several mentors available to me that farm vegetables, medicinal and indigenous plants, and orchards as I've networked extensively within the local community.
I am also a seed potato inspector for the Montana Dept of Agriculture, and have developed contacts within the ag dept that are useful for my plans.

Counties of interest

Flathead, Lake, Missoula, Sanders

Acreage

1-5, 6-10, 11-40, 41-100, 101-500

Planned Operation

Hay & Forage, Large Animal (cattle, sheep, goats), Small Animal (pigs, rabbits, poultry), Vegetable, Fruit/Orchard, Other

Farming Practices

Conventional, Organic, Other

Please elaborate on the type(s) of agricultural operation you plan on running.

Montana has an abundance of medicinal plants, almost half of the over 3000 identified medicinal plants are indigenous to our state as well as several hundred more that have been introduced in the past couple hundred years. Cultivating several of the most popular varieties for commercial use is one of my goals as well as vegetables, edible perennial's, berries, table grapes. and an orchard for markets and u-pick. I would also like to explore things like incorporating agri-tourism.

Elaborate on the farming practices you plan on using.

I plan to use sustainable methods drawn from organic and permaculture practices that preserve farmland, don't damage nearby habitats and reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the need for outside resources like synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.
I plan to have a small flock of sheep and pigs, which will be integrated for weed management, fiber, food and fertilizer.

Land Tenure

Buy/Sell, Lease

If you are interested in another type of business arrangement, please explain

I am interested in a place for lease with the intent to purchase at a defined time. I am open to arrangements like a life time tenancy for the existing owner, as I can well understand that they may not want to leave their land. I would be willing to add a second residence to the property if needed.

Onsite Housing

Yes

Please elaborate on the kind of additional training/information that would help you:

I think there is ALWAYS new information to be learned and try to be receptive to those offering their experience.

Please attach any photos that support your application.