Farmer Profile for Donnetta Boykin

Experience

Please describe your past and/or present farming experience:

I have been growing veggies since 2003. I am a graduate of the Incubator Farming Program offered by CSU. I was promoted to Farm Manager and also offer a farm manager position with the non-profit organization, Homefull. I was also granted a SARE research grant to study 4 different fungicide treatments for powdery mildew on squash and zucchini. I have since co-founded an non-profit marketing and supplies co-op called Seven Seed Sowers Co-op. It currently include 5 farms owned by other graduates of the Incubator farming program.

Are you currently farming?:

Yes

Are you interested in connecting with other farmers to explore collocation or collaborative farm ideas?:

Yes

Enterprises

What is the primary agricultural enterprise you are considering?:

Vegetables

What other enterprises are you considering?:

Apple/Fruit
Berries
Flowers
Goats
Greenhouse
Herbs
Mushrooms
Poultry
Row Crops

The Land

Total Acres Desired:

22.0

Tillable Acres:

2.0

Forested Acres:

10.0

Acres in Pasture:

10.0

Organic:

Yes

Infrastructure

Farm Structures Needed:

Barn(s)
Greenhouses
Other Housing
Storage

Farmhouse Needed:

Yes

Equipment Needed:

Bush hog, water catchment, caterpillar tunnels. Broad fork, seeding equipment, plastic mulch, hand tools and walk-in cooler.

Tenure Arrangement

Tenure Arrangement Considered:

Apprentice with a Farm Owner for a Year or More
Farm Manager
Lease with Option to Buy
Owner-Financed Sale
Partnership
Standard Sale
Work to Own (Gradual Transfer of Responsibility & Farm Assets)

Maximum monthly rent you are willing/able to pay:

$800

Have you been qualified by a lending institution? (if applicable):

No

Business Plan/Goals

Do you have a business plan? Please write an informative description of your vision & goals for your farming future.:

Yes, I have a business plan. It was completed during the incubatorprogram. I have made several connections with grocery stores and wholesalers with in my community. I will grow crops specifically for the stores and for local the farmers markets. My surplus will be sold to wholesalers and donated to local food banks. My future plan is to create food boxes specifically tailored to the elderly. disabled and low income demographic.