Land Available: Picturesque Organic Farm with Housing for Lease in Petersham

Farm Description:

Retiring farm owner in search of an experienced farmer to raise 1-5 acres of vegetables and optional livestock on her 90+ acre organic farm in Petersham MA. The farm owner has lived on this property for 30+ years and is ready to turn operations over to a motivated individual or couple committed to organic practices. 5 acres of tillable land, a private 3 bedroom home, and up to 70 acres of pasture is available for rent starting January 1st, 2018.

The owner is primarily interested in having someone take over the organic vegetable operation. Preference will be given to candidates interested in running a CSA and/or educational programming. If candidates are interested in diversify their operation by raising livestock, up to 70 acres of fenced pasture can be included in the lease for rotational grazing. The current vegetable managers supply several local wholesale buyers and 30 CSA members with vegetables and eggs, and the owner would be happy to see a tenant farmer take over those accounts.

Lease Includes:

• private 3 bedroom house
• 1 acre of established market garden
• up to 4 additional acres of flat, well-drained land to convert into vegetable field
• up to 70 acres of organically managed pasture
• one 20×48 ft propagation house with automated propane heating and ventilation
• two 20×44 ft hoophouses
• 10×10 ft walk in cooler
• equipment shed located near vegetable garden
• dedicated space in barn for workshop & equipment storage (unheated)
• one dedicated bay for tractor storage (if needed)
  • Note: The established 1 acre garden has been set up on a 30 inch bed system with 18 inch paths in the style of Jean-Martin Fortier’s “The Market Gardener.”

The farm owner also has an inventory of vegetable production equipment which could be sold to the tenant farmer. This includes:

• a 2016 BCS 749 with a rotary plow and 30 inch flail mower
• five silage tarps (24×100 ft each)
• a wide variety of hand tools such as broadforks, shovels, hoes, etc
• a drip tape irrigation system for in each hoop house & the established 1 acre garden
• a sprinkler system that can cover up to 1/4 acre at a time
• chicken coop & equipment (for those interested in laying hens)
• Salatin-style broiler coops (for those interested in meat birds)
• water tanks and trailer (for those interested in grazing animals)
• temporary electric fencing for the subdivision of pastures

Lease Term:

• 1 year lease term for the first year (as a trial)
• 3 year lease term after first year

Requirements for Candidates:

• min 3 years of vegetable growing experience
• min 1 year of management experience
• a clear business plan
• a neighborly, friendly, and considerate disposition
• willing to occasionally assist with other farm maintenance tasks

Contact Karen Davis for more information.