Cody B

Counties of interest

Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Madison, Missoula, Park Livingston, Powell, Ravalli

Planned Operation

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

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

Farm/Crop management (over 3 years), Informal apprenticeship, General college degree, General farming (over 3 years), Other experience/license/agriculture or business training

Land Tenure

Buy/Sell, Cropshare, Lease, Partnership, RSA Grass Link, Open to other arrangements

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.

Currently, my partner and I manage an organic\regenerative vegetable and goat dairy in Gallatin county. I am responsible for seeding, planting, irrigation, harvest\ post harvest, record keeping, cultivation of crop and field space, bed prep, fertilizing, machine maintenance, crew training, building, repairs, and assist through out kidding season. My partner is in charge of animal health checks, managing kidding season, seeding, crew training\leadership\management, plantings, harvest, among other things. I have been in agriculture since 2014 beginning as an apprentice at an educational farm in new York state and then(2015\16) as crew leader\irrigation tech\operator on a 20 ac baby lettuce\mixed veg farm in new jersey. In 2016 I was assistant manager on a 2.5 acre mixed veg CSA farm again in new jersey. In 2018 I moved to Montana to be assistant manager\ harvest manager in Bozeman on a 20 acre mixed vegetable CSA market and wholesale farm. After that, I was hired on as a manager\crew leader\equipment operator to the farm my partner and I are currently managing. With all the knowledge and time spent in agriculture we feel it is time to put our skills in action for our selves.

Acreage

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

Farming Practices

Organic, Other

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

Our plan is to manage and operate a small to midsize mixed vegetable\\ livestock farm with a focus on farmers market sales and a full year CSA. In addition, we would hold weekly u-pick items for CSA members and eventually open it to the general public during the growing season. On the right piece of land, we would incorporate meat rabbits, laying chickens, hogs, and a small number of goats, alongside intensive cover cropping. We\'d also be rotating vegetable\\flower gardens to accommodate the soil needs. While we hope to utilize animal production as an integral practice and aspect of revenue, we are open to talk with a solid fit even if it is not a current opportunity on the land.

Elaborate on the farming practices you plan on using.

Our practices will follow organic and regenerative standards in order to produce the most rounded and healthy soil we can. We believe that tending to the soil, above all else, makes the healthiest farm systems and therefore the best meats and vegetables. We will remain on top of this through intensive multi species cover cropping, annual soil tests and using that information to bolster trace minerals, microbial life and organic matter, which will help mitigate irrigating needs through a changing climate. While we have a combined 17 years experience in organic farming, we do not have the capital to buy land, larger tools (ie tractors, implements), irrigation, and greenhouses outright. We seek a previously established operation, and so we reach out to the web.

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

we are open to hearing out options.

Onsite Housing

Yes

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

Knowledge of experience from others. Qualified resources. open communication.

Other experience/license/agriculture or business training:

CRAFT\\FSMA\\GAP training along with various conferences