Stephania S

Counties of interest

Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Butte-Silver Bow, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park Livingston, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone

Planned Operation

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

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

Agriculture-related college degree, Farm/Crop management (3 years or less), General farming (over 3 years), Other experience/license/agriculture or business training

Other experience/license/agriculture or business training:

Currently rent a small farm property in Vermont.

Land Tenure

Cropshare, Lease, Partnership

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 am currently a senior at the University of Vermont studying sustainable agriculture and plant biology. I will be graduating in May 2024 with a bachelors degree of science. I grew up on a 200 acre diversified farm in New Hampshire where we focused on vegetable, fruit, beef, pork, and hay production. I have been involved with the UVM Horticultural Research Farm doing research with perennial fruit, specifically apple production. Throughout my college career, I've worked on a 50 acre vegetable farm in Burlington Vermont, a 23 horse stable in Charlotte Vermont, and a 200 acre vegetable farm in Monkton Vermont. Currently, my partner and I rent a small 20 acre farm property in Monkton Vermont where we manage a greenhouse for vegetable production, 10 acres for grazing our flock of sheep, 20 chickens, a few cows, and my horse, and 10 acres for hay production.

Acreage

11-40

Farming Practices

Organic

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

We plan on running a small farm for our own subsistence and needs, as well as potentially vending at a small farmers market or having an onsite farmstand. We hope to produce mainly vegetables, with the addition of eggs and meat from our sheep, cows, and poultry.

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

We are open to leasing property, sharing the property with the owner, and sharing our crops with the land owner.

Onsite Housing

Yes

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

It would be very helpful to have a communicative partnership with an owner that has clear goals for the property, but also flexibility for the farmer to have some creative freedom in how that gets carried out. Conflict resolution is vital for a happy healthy relationship. And it would be a bonus if there is already easy access into a local market either through owner connections or based on land location.