Hello,
I'm sure folks at Smokey House would appreciate it if you could forward
this farming opportunity to anyone you think might be interested.
Thanks, Deb
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Farm Available in Danby, Vermont
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:19:44 -0400
From: Tim Storrow
To: '
*ANNOUNCEMENT*
*SEEKING FARMER FOR LONG-TERM LEASE*
*SMOKEY** HOUSE CENTER***
*Danby**, Vermont***
Smokey House Center (SHC) is seeking an individual or family with
farming experience and an agriculture business plan to lease and operate
the former Harrington Farm as a financially sound, sustainable
agricultural enterprise compatible with Smokey House Center’s values and
educational programs.
SHC is offering a unique alternative model to land ownership that
provides the right person(s) with farmland access, affordability,
security, and investment with the following advantages:
* The arrangement offers affordability to the farmer by eliminating
substantial down-payment requirements and debt typically
associated with purchasing a farm.
* The long-term lease secures tenure for the farmer and fosters
sound and lasting stewardship of the farmed property.
* A farm equity fund assists the farmer in building equity through
means other than land ownership.
_ _
*_The Farm_*
The former Harrington Farm is located* *off Danby Mountain Road within
the boundaries of SHC. This farm consists of 240 acres of mostly prime
and statewide important farmland, together with a five-bedroom
farmhouse, dairy barn, and outbuildings. The farm has historically been
used for dairying, with approximately 80 milk cows and 50 heifers last
on the property in 2007. All of the acreage is currently in hay and
pasture.
*/For maps and other information on the farm go to/*
http://www.smokeyhouse.org/*//*
_ _
_ _
*_Background_*
*_ _*
Established in 1974, the Smokey House Center (SHC) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to improving the lives of young Vermonters
through work-based and applied educational programs and demonstrating
sound land use practices. Smokey House owns nearly 5000 acres of farm
and forestland in the Town of Danby, Rutland County, Vermont. Much of
this land has been permanently protected with conservation easements.
Historically, the majority of SHC’s farmland has been leased to local
farmers and used primarily for the production of silage corn, hay and
pasture. Approximately 86 acres are, however, used by SHC’s youth
workers who learn academic and work skills as they grow organically
certified vegetables, market produce through a CSA and at farmers’
markets, produce naturally raised beef, pork, lamb, turkey and chicken,
and produce maple syrup and all-natural charcoal.
*_Application Process_*
*/Open House /*//
SHC plans to host two open houses at the farm to allow potential farmers
to see the property. The open houses will be held on Monday, September
29 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4 from 11:00 to 2:00
p.m. * *_Please contact Lynn Bondurant (SHC Executive Director) at (802)
293-5121 if you plan to attend or want more information_. If you are
unable to make this date, let her know and she will try to arrange
another time for interested candidates to be view the property.
*/Letter of Interest/*//
Interested farmers are invited to submit a letter of interest by October
17, 2008. It is requested that the letter include:
1. Farming Experience – /A description of your farming experience,
with particular emphasis on practical skills, experience,
education and training. What other non-farm skills, experience,
education and training you have that gives you the confidence to
successfully operate a farm./
B. Business Background – /A description of your business experience./
/This may include marketing, managing financial resources and people,
and managing a non-farm business./
C. Personal History –/ A brief biography of yourself, spouse or other
farming partners, if applicable, and the reasons you are interested in
farming the Smokey House property./
4. Farm Plan –/ A general plan for farming at the Harrington Farm
including methods of production, use of pastures and field and,
waste management. /
/E.// /Plan for Property Upgrades /- SHC is in the process of making
repairs to the existing infrastructure on the farm and would like to
hear from all interested farmers what their specific infrastructure
needs would be. Please indicate any upgrades or improvements you
envision as necessary to accommodate your farm operation./
Please address letters to:
Lynn Bondurant, Executive Director
Smokey House Center
426 Danby Mountain Road
Danby, Vermont 05739
*_ _*
*_Selection Process_*
Based on our reviews of the letters of interest, Smokey House will
invite qualified farmers to submit the following information for further
consideration:
1. Business Plan –/ A business plan for your proposed farm enterprise
including but not limited to an expense analysis, income analysis,
labor strategy and marketing plan. Include any strategies for
generating non-farm income, including off farm employment by you,
a spouse or others./
/ /
2. Financial –/ Your available capital for starting the farm,
including livestock and equipment owned outright, existing debt,
financing needs, anticipated sources of borrowing, and other
financial terms and conditions you may request of Smokey House. /
/ /
3. References –/ Three references that include his/her name, address,
phone and affiliation./
Selected farmers will have a chance to present their farm plan in
person. SHC anticipates selecting a farmer to operate the former
Harrington Farm by December 2008.
*_Selection Criteria_*
Smokey House has developed the following guidelines for persons
interested in leasing the Harrington Farm
1. _Farming Practices_
· Preference will be given to sustainable production methods
· Farmers shall demonstrate a commitment to sound land stewardship that
minimize soil erosion, protect the quality of surface and groundwater
and care for the natural resources on the property.
· Farmers shall demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the terms
of a conservation easement which will encumber the property.
· The farm enterprise must demonstrate that it is: a) well suited to the
size, soils, and configuration of the farmland; b) is well adapted to
local markets for farm products and contributes to the local farm
economy; and c) is likely to encourage long-term commercial use of the
farmland.
· Priority will be given to those proposals where food or fiber for
human use is produced.
2. _Social and Cultural_
· Preference will be given to farmers who are willing to create
opportunities for youth education and involvement, if appropriate.
· Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the ability
to work cooperatively with other farmers in the area.
· Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the ability
to be good neighbors.
3. _Economic_
· Potential farmers must submit a business plan that supports the
economic viability of their proposal.
· Preference will be given to potential farmers who have proven farm
experience.
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