If you're reading this I'm going to assume that you read "You can Farm" by Mr. Joel Salatin.  If you have not read it and have an interest in farming, get it, read it and your interest will grow into an obsession after the first chapter.   Joel's ability to excite people and promote sustainable farming in a logical and wholly entertaining manner is legendary and I can say with no hesitation that he is the first person that really get me serious about buying my first pair of overalls.

In all of his books he recommends that beginning farmers lease land instead of buying.  The main advantage to this is it less cost intensive and requires less start up capital.  Typically the lessee does not incur any major costs associated with building upkeep or tax issues.  There are some simple parameters to leasing land including writing a long term lease (5 to 10 years) and that everything built on the property is temporary and can be moved if needed.  This is not just good advice for leasing a farm but for all farming endeavors.  Flexibility is the hallmark of all successful businesses.  What follows is the simple story of how we found the land for Diamond Hills Farm.

Early last winter I began an analysis of the location holistic farms on the east coast and where there were any open markets.  Having lived in Richmond Virginia for the last 5 years I found myself concentrating on the southern states.  Eventually I got a call from Lori (my business partner) informing me that her job (at etsy) was relocating her to upstate New York and that we may want to start looking for land in that area.  And so the search began by speaking with local realtors, checking farm auctions and by perusing farming websites.  At this time I was also following the progress of a few farms in the area to see what they were producing and what seemed successful in the area.  One of these farms was called Awesome Farms run by Casey and Owen Wimbash.  This enterprise primarily grew grass fed beef and sheep in Claverack New York.  From the website it seemed as though things were going well but early this summer I noticed that the blurb on the from of their website explaining that, well I'll let them do the talking,

"After three and a half exciting years of providing high quality meats to the Hudson Valley and New York City, Awesome Farm is closing up shop. Thank you for your support over the past few years, and for your understanding during this time of transition. It’s been a pleasure sharing this farm with you all. We look forward to what the future holds for us."

-KayCee & Owen

Needless to say, I was surprised and immediately sent out an email inquiring what happened and what was the future of the land.  Owen got back to me and explained how a variety of factors contributed to the closing of the enterprise.  We entered into negotiation into taking over the lease and were surprised what we learned in the process.  Here is the situation.

The property is a weekend and vacation home owned by a couple who work in New York City.  They have a main house and a guest house at the front of the property.  Behind the house and over small sump there is 100 acres of rolling pasture and woodland.  Though an agency the property owners met Owen and Kaycee and entered into an agreement. They needed to fence an area in and it was decided the owners and the farmers would split the cost of a high tensile wire fence that would encompass the property.  After the fence was put up they would enter into a ten year lease with a five year option.  At the end of the first 5 years it was decided that it was time for the farm to move the land owners would return one quarter of the original money.  

Lori and I immediately decided that we could not pass this up so we contacted the owners and met with them to see if it would be a good fit.  Things went swimmingly and we decided to buy Kaycee and Owen out of the lease.  This was truly a win win situation for everyone involved.  We go our land, Own and Kaycee got their debt payed out and the land owners had new farmers to steward the land.  As a bonus we also took over the old Awesome Farms website and picked up the farms previous customer list.  With the cost of the fence the total lease ran about 1000 dollars a year for the ten years, for 100 acres (70 fenced).  Not a bad deal.  

In this context I firmly agree with Salatin.  Leasing is the way to go.  I have heard stories of farmers providing free leases to beginner farmers simply to have someone working their land.  Another common agreement is for the farmer to improve the land through management intensive grazing.  In this way the farmer and the land owner both gain.  

It is not always necessary to buy land. Granted, we were lucky in finding the land but that was after months of constantly monitoring the auctions and farms in the area.  I had even made flyers outlining our plan and we were planning on placing them in mailboxes of local land owners with unused land.  My point is to not give up hope and do your best, and remember that you are offering a service to the land owner and the community at large.  Using holistic techniques you will improve the land through natural techniques and producing healthy happy food for everyone.