Experience
Please describe your past and/or present farming experience:
I have started a flock of performance-tested Horned Dorset and Cheviot sheep that are undergoing selection in a pasture-based, low-input system. It is my goal to provide light weight market lambs to serve the ethnic markets.
I also have a flock of chickens and geese that I would like to expand and begin selling parent stock chicks to hatcheries.
I hold a degree in poultry science from the university of Arkansas.
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?:
Sheep
What other enterprises are you considering?:
Beef
Goats
Hay/Forage
Hogs
Livestock
Pasture
Poultry
The Land
Total Acres Desired:
20.0
Acres in Pasture:
10.0
Organic:
No
Infrastructure
Farm Structures Needed:
Barn(s)
Other Housing
Farmhouse Needed:
Yes
Equipment Needed:
Hay making equipment and fencing would be ideal, but not necessary
Tenure Arrangement
Tenure Arrangement Considered:
Apprentice with a Farm Owner for a Year or More
Lease with Option to Buy
Long-Term Lease
Owner-Financed Sale
Partnership
Work to Own (Gradual Transfer of Responsibility & Farm Assets)
Business Plan/Goals
Do you have a business plan? Please write an informative description of your vision & goals for your farming future.:
To briefly summarize: develop elite quality sheep genetics that work in pasture-based systems and focus on selling seedstock rams and brood ewes. A secondary market would be selling market lambs.
For the chickens and geese, develop elite quality specialized lines to sell day-old parent stock chicks to other hatcheries and direct to backyard hobbyists. Explore the possibilities of selling table eggs and finished meat products as well.
I am open to considering raising other types of livestock as well if they fit into the farm dynamics. I am more than willing to share more details on any of my ideas.