Doveland Farm

Song remains the same, the farm changes

2010-03-19T09:23:00.005-04:00

And, for the last time (we absolutely mean it), we have switched farms.

After our trying search led us to accept a position at the fantastic-sounding Seven Meadows, we got a second phone call from a place called Mesa Winds Farm. Located in Hotchkiss, Colo., and run by the wonderfully named Max and Wink (Max is the wife), MWF sits on the beautiful Gunnison River and lies in close proximity to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Delicious scenery aside, the farm itself is focused on its fruit orchard for market selling and CSA, as well as a variety of vegetable crops both for the house and for sale. Wink is interested in agritourism and would like help developing a marketing program. And they will be taking on sheep this spring mainly to help trim and fertilize the orchard. (Plus, obviously, there's some fishing to be had.)

Oh, and they offer nearly five times the pay of the stipend at Seven Meadows, plus workman's comp.

Now we had previously said that what was important to us above all was the education. Since Seven Meadows has a farm-to-table dining operation, which is our ultimate goal, and because of their work with "earthship" construction and rotational farming and a number of other factors, not the least of which was a fantastic vibe that we got from talking to Laurie who interviewed us, we thought, you know, this was the place.

But five times the pay and workman's comp insurance? It's a lot to consider.

When we had done our conversations with Max at MWF, she seemed more serious about it, treating it like a job. I looked into their education program and the first statement is that they don't have a set curriculum. All of this was a little off-putting, and it seemed like Seven Meadows was still our best option. But, reading the entirety of what they offer in education, I noticed that MWF does get in guest speakers, offers resources for independent study, conducts discussions on what we're learning, and provides field trips and trades to other farms so that we can broaden our base. Seven Meadows does most of this too.

But five times the pay and workman's comp insurance?

So we thought about it and decided that, starting out, it might be better to work where we can save. After all, we are going into this with virtually nothing and we'll likely be coming out the other side with only what we manage to keep our hands on. Seven Meadows seemed more appropriate for college kids with a safety net waiting back home.

I'm making all of this sound a little presumptuous. After our second phone interview with MWF, we weren't automatically accepted. In fact, we weren't supposed to hear back for another week. And I started getting jittery again. Yeah, the worst that could happen would be that they would say no and we would go on to Seven Meadows, which was still an awesome place to be going. Still, I was also thinking about, well, the money.

I'm not wrong about this, am I? Money is kinda important here. We're not talking about living like kings. We're talking about surviving winter.

I knew the most likely hurdle to us getting a place at MWF was coming as a couple. So Lindsay and I talked about the idea of splitting up for the summer. Would it really be so bad, we thought, if one of us went on to Seven Meadows and the other to MWF? They're only a couple hours apart and then we'd be learning from two different styles.

I wrote MWF and told them that, if they needed to, they could consider only taking one of us.

Apparently, this is what put us over the edge. Max wrote that they had made their decision and our "offer to 'divide and conquer' proves our commitment to farm no matter what." And so we have been accepted to Mesa Winds!

Which comes with a sad little p.s.: They don't want us to bring our cat. So now on to that dilemma.

(The photo at the top comes from the Mesa Winds photojournal of friends of the farm.)

Woo-Finally-Hoo!

2010-03-07T13:04:00.004-05:00

Folks, I gotta tell you, Lindsay and I were getting pretty worried.

After two of the farms we were going out to visit turned us down before we got there, we were left with only the three real prospects. We decided to start applying to more of them. Though I had floated a lot of applications back in October and November, many of them hadn't responded. So Lindsay set about contacting as many as she could, usually about five a day. Just in case.

Of course, we were actually thinking we were going to have to choose between the other three and we were weighing pros and cons. The one we decided we wanted the most was Rancho Durazno.

Then Rancho Durazno turned us down. The problem was housing, mostly, in that it's more of a risk to house a couple and then several other interns than it is to house a bunch of single interns. We certainly understood and we wish them only the best.

We were left waiting to hear back from Frog Belly and Black Cat, both of which would have been excellent.

We never heard back from Black Cat and Frog Belly kept putting off their decision, though everything had gone so well with Frog Belly, we figured we were a shoe in there.

Still, we kept talking to others. A lot of them turned us down without an interview. The big reason seemed to be that this year, there was a massive influx of people like us, so, with so many to choose from, people were avoiding the risks associated with taking on a couple. Or they wanted their interns to be local. Or they realized they wouldn't need full time interns because so many people were coming from around the area and volunteering. All of which makes me smile for the culture, but a little troubled from a personal perspective.

I'd been joking that if we'd done this a few years ago, they would have written stories about us on MSN. And that this year, we were following the crowd that had read those stories. Then that stopped being a joke.

We had some phone interviews, and though things always sounded like they were going well, I wasn't ever as sure as I used to be. I just didn't know where our real problems were, or if they were fundamental, like that no one would take a couple ever again.

Then came the rejection from Frog Belly and I began to devolve into breakdown mode.

I certainly didn't want to post about it. Maybe I should have, but it all just felt so depressing. Sure, I could have posted this article about "crop mobs," but my heart just wasn't in it. (Plus my friend Jessica at Orlando Weekly had already posted it. She, by the way, has left OW now, and we already miss her.) I also could have posted the letter that I wrote to the crop mob organization, and then their very heartening response.

But fortunately, right at that time, Lindsay and I got an offer. It was from Mesa Farm Market in Utah. It's a wonderful operation, focused on goats and breadmaking, with diversified vegetable crops and fruit trees. The whole setup is so lovely that we are set within seconds to go out there the first week of May.

And then the good news kept rolling. The next day, we get accepted to Seven Meadows Farm, perfect for us given their focus on farm-to-table dining, their projects with passive solar construction and, well, just the general vibe of everything about them.

There was still some deliberation to be had. Mesa Farm has a higher stipend and we are interested in goats and cheese. Seven Meadows encourages individual projects.

At the end of a lot of discussion, we realized our educational focus should be our top choice, and on April 25, we will be headed out for Seven Meadows in Mancos, Colorado.

Oddly enough, we haven't received any positives since, so it was just the two, but what a wonderful two. Breathing is easier now, and everything looks ... well, we know there are more challenges ahead, but it feels so good to have this one out of the way.

We have farm to go to, folks. We're really doing this.

Doveland Farm, Colorado Edition

2010-02-11T14:18:00.018-05:00

Hello, all! Just returned from our lovely-mazing-tastic visit to Colorado. We got to hang out with friends and experience firsthand a few of the farms considering us for internships.

First of all, can I say that every time someone carries on to you about how gorgeous Colorado is, you can safely assume it's true?

Second of all, we visited a total of three farms.

Frog Belly and Black Cat were both named for animals and both located near Boulder. Black Cat has a lovely restaurant in the city proper called (you guessed it) the Black Cat Farm to Table Bistro. The Happy Doves ate their anniversary dinner in the restaurant, accompanied by James and Joy, their fabulous Boulder hosts. James and Joy are longtime friends of The Happy Doves, and have been living in Boulder about two years now.

We only dream of taking on an internship that allows us to grow and serve such amazing food! Thanks to Eric and everyone on the Black Cat team.

Frog Belly Farm features a number of dairy animals, two controlled climate areas where produce is grown, and several acres of outdoor growing space.

We were lucky enough to arrive around the same time that they hosted a planting festival for St. Bride's Day. We rose early to

help milk the goats, then got in on the fun as guests wove compost materials to offer to Mother Earth and gathered in a circle to sing, dance and rejoice for the coming spring. Thanks to Frog Belly for hosting us!

Rancho Durazno was a four-hour drive from Boulder, nearer to Grand Junction in the small town of Palisade. Like many farms in that area, they grow peaches (who knew?); but they are also a diverse operation that offers a well-stocked Community Supported Agriculture program. We toured the farm, enjoyed an excellent ale at a local brewery, and spoke extensively with the program's directors about what to expect if we're chosen to intern. Everywhere we looked, another gorgeous and completely un-Floridian sight awaited us. We loved the farm, the area, and our generous hosts. Thank you, Rancho Durazno!

Last but not least, thanks to Tamara and Matt, who introduced us to Duffy's Cherry Cricket in Denver (where we had awesome burgers) and then put us up for our last night in town. This allowed us some proximity to the airport and the ability to wander around Denver at our leisure in the morning; not to mention a fabulous breakfast of eggs and scones cooked by Tamara, Trevor's close friend since middle school. Thanks, Tamara and Matt!

Overall we had a smashing good time and hope very much to hear from the lovely farms we visited in the near future.

Farms We Might Go To: Divide Creek

2010-01-26T15:50:00.006-05:00

Howdy, folks, and welcome to the second look in our series on farms Lindsay and I will be visiting next week.

Let me start by saying I'm as disappointed as you are with how unimaginative the title of this series is. This journey really should have some art to it, so I'm going to come up with something better for the series on what each farm was like.

Anyway, on to the second place we shall stay at: Divide Creek, owned and operated by Robbie George and Clara Coleman. Clara's father, Eliot Coleman, is an author and the proprietor of Four Seasons Farm, a model for modern sustainability.

One of the big draws to DC is its innovative solar system, which actually sells kilowatts to the local electric company and "renders (them) carbon-neutral for five adults annually." Lindsay and I are interested in learning about alternative energies, and solar is still very much a mystery to me, so this is an attractive tidbit.

What I think I like most about Robbie and Clara, though, is their practical and stoic tone. Take this brief paragraph explaining their philosophy:

"Our slogan is Real Farming, Real Food since we are focused on the positive methods of organic agriculture such as good soil fertility, composting, green manures, crop rotations, beneficial insects, nutritious quality produce, rewarding hard work and selling locally. We believe in the power of small farms nourishing local communities."

Notice the reference to hard work, as well as to details about manure, rotation, insects and etc. These are principles and techniques that I think every farm we're visiting would agree with, but I appreciate the straightforward terms in which they couch their message.

There are other signs of this literal world view throughout their site. For one thing, they mostly let pictures do their talking. Stunning images both stir the soul and provide a clear idea of their reality. They obviously perceive and are grateful for the beauty in which they work, and to me, that's how one gets back to Eden.

And they do little things, like promote the manufacturer of the greenhouses they use. In short, they're business people in a business they (and Lindsay and I) like.

It's the same tone that Clara has struck with me in our communications. She was pleasant, but promptly asked for necessary qualifications and references. She made no bones about the competition that we're up against. And she quickly rejected our cat. :( But she was also courteous in explaining what she was looking for, was encouraging of our endeavors, and she graciously offered us accommodations for our visit.

For anyone curious, they do offer a decent stipend of $100/week. And they do have livestock.

We'll be getting to them on Feb. 2. Should be a great place to get the feel for the truths of farming.

Farms We Might Go To: Frog Belly Farm

2010-01-25T09:42:00.003-05:00

Next week, Lindsay and I are going to Colorado to visit several of the farms we might intern at this spring. It's sort of like interviewing at colleges. They want to make sure you're a serious student and you want to make sure the campus has a reasonable supply of hot chicks and disreputable liquor stores (sort of like that, but not quite). I'm going to post the profiles of the farms we're considering (and that are considering us) every day this week. Any feedback/thoughts people feel like sharing are welcome.

First up: Frog Belly Farm. Located in Longmont, Colo., just outside of Boulder, Frog Belly is part of the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program. Biodiversity, like permaculture, is focused on the natural ecology of a location. It focuses on growing a variety of produce and livestock that work well in conjunction with each other.

The first thing you'll notice about their site is probably the pleasant feminine folk music. Gotta say, I like the vibe of this band and what it portends for a program that otherwise takes itself very seriously.

Explore their site a bit and you'll discover a few things I feel are of note.

1. The site itself is very well designed.

2. They aren't vegetarian (certainly not a problem, I'm just surprised).

3. They have an agricultural festival on Feb. 2, which is actually the day after we will be there.

I have spoken to Jim Barausky, the consultant who handles their education program. He seems very generous. He immediately offered us a place to stay for our visit and spent a while explaining how nice their new bunking facilities are and how comfortable Lindsay and I will be, which is great to hear. He said in an email that they "would probably have space for us" this spring.

They offer a $200-$400/month stipend depending on experience and a "demonstration of skill." (I'm hoping it involves disc golf.) Reasonably, Lindsay and I could take care of our outside obligations with that, given rent-free living with meals.

Also, we would be very close to friends in Boulder, which makes getting around easier (and maybe will help us find a place for our cat).

Farming, Fishing, and Digging a Hole

2009-11-25T08:36:00.005-05:00

Trevor and I just got back from a weekend at Green Flamingo, where we finished digging the aquaponics pond we've had going for awhile. Aquaponics is like hydroponics, only it makes use of animals in the water for purposes of filtration, plant nourishment, and mosquito control. As you can see, it has not been filled yet, but we have lined it with carpet and pool liner so that the water won't seep through the ground.

Other duties included assisting intern Steve with an after-hours trash run...

...and assisting him again when he ran out of gas on the way back :(

Other than that, it was a very relaxing weekend. We visited Green Flamingo's booth at the farmers' market in New Smyrna Beach...

...fished...

...cooked a spicy skillet meal (visit The Chickenless Kitchen for the recipe!)...

...and lied around like the trailer trash we so desperately hope to be one day.

We still have not decided on an internship for this summer, but for now, Green Flamingo is a fantastic place to be and we are ecstatic to be volunteering our time there. It's hella-difficult to get back to civilization and see ridiculous stuff like this sign outside Cracker Barrel:

Will keep you updated on the internship story as it unfolds!

Pictures from Virginia

2009-10-08T13:08:00.008-04:00

Hello again, finally. Trevor and I just returned from a too-brief stay at a farm in Virginia. Farmer Sandra (who grows Asian pears, artichokes, sunchokes, and asparagus just to name a few) and her animal companions were sweet enough to put us up for the weekend. Theirs is a stunning piece of property, so be prepared for lots of pictures!

An Amish buggy (there is a large Amish population in the neighborhood)

Sandra's cabin: a work in progress

Well house

Classically photogenic tractor

Sandra and Trevor walk down to the lake

Sunset at the lake

Finally making progress with the shy donkeys!

Tobacco barn... isn't this the perfect Halloween picture?! Oooooooooo...

Peeking in the window of the tobacco barn

Inside the tobacco barn

Outdoor kitchen

"Hmm, wonder if I can get away with sneaking into the pig pen?"

"Just a little push..."

"Score!!"

A warm thank you goes out to our wonderful hosts:

Tom the Turkey...

...Puppy-Puppy...

...The rabbits...

...The Malaysian fighting cocks...

...Girlie-Girl...

...the donkeys...

...Daisy the pig...

...the chickens...

...the horse...

...and Sandra!

Remembered the Camera

2009-09-12T11:15:00.006-04:00

Here is the fabled Green Flamingo. I went yesterday while Trevor was at work. We planted broccoli rabe, kale, onions, beans, and four papaya trees; then did some watering, fertilizing, and weeding. Fun stuff!

Shameless Self-Promotion

2009-09-07T17:16:00.002-04:00

I was so flattered that some of you wanted the recipe for my Down-Home-Style Thai Chicken Soup that I went and got a big head about it and started another blog, The Chickenless Kitchen. Check it whenever you need a culinary jumpstart.

Paradise Farm Lives Up to Its Name; Trevor and I Do NOT Live Up to Our Ultimate Decision of the Moment

2009-09-02T15:41:00.016-04:00

Microgreens live here.

The downstairs part serves as a kitchen/recreational area. Didn't see the upstairs. If anyone can figure it out by looking in the windows, let me know.

Jackfruit... bigger than Butch's head!!

The mushroom house.

The gazebo, where charity dinners are served.

Outdoor showers.

Kitchen.

Sadly I don't remember the name of these... they're related to lychee.

Yesterday I toured the lovely Paradise Farm in Homestead, pictured above. This morning Trevor and I had a torturous decision to make: Should we throw away the lives we've built here in Orlando and start from scratch 250 miles south of friends, family, cat, and steady work? Despite the Mosquito Infestation from Hell, Paradise more than fulfills the requirements we thought we had. But in the end, our decision was based on the merits of our current circumstance. Very few people are lucky enough to live as we do, at the heart of a vibrant city surrounded by great people and just a hop-skip-and-jump from our beachside hometown. We've already deemed Green Flamingo a perfect place to focus our volunteer efforts; why not ease into the world of farming by assisting Elizabeth and Mary on weekends? Why not find other farmers in the area? Why jump into a situation that would torch our bridges, leaving us virtually penniless and vagrant? In the end it made little sense. So thank you, Paradise Farm, for your hospitality, and we hope to work with you in the future once we are better-prepared. But for now, I'll sign off with an exhausted sigh and the announcement that O-Town is officially where it's at... until next June, at least...

More to come.

Green Flamingo Trip a Success!

2009-08-30T20:42:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was Trevor's and my first day volunteering at Green Flamingo in Oak Hill... an extremely positive experience, to say the least! Our hosts, farmers Elizabeth and Mary, were exactly the kind of people that we see ourselves being in a few years. They have done a number of internships and volunteer programs around the country, and have finally re-settled in New Smyrna to run this fabulous, 100% organic operation. The four of us spent a full day shoveling/spreading mulch and compost, installing an irrigation system, planting, and harvesting. Above you'll see some of the yummies they let us bring home... bonus!! Here they are after being cooked into a Thai/American Southern fusion dish...

And YES, okay, fine, you caught us... we DID forget our camera when we went to volunteer. We're totally new at this blogging thing; cut us some slack!! We plan on going out again in a couple weeks, at which point we'll take pictures of tranquil groves, truck-chasing dogs, and flying saucer squash that would make E.B. White sob with jealousy. Also, stay tuned for more on the Paradise saga... I will visit Homestead on Tuesday (camera in hand, I promise) to learn more about their facility and see if I can't lend a hand for the afternoon. Unfortunately as great as it was to meet Elizabeth and Mary, and much as we'd love to be in on the ground floor of their project, it would not be feasible to do a full-time internship at Green Flamingo for the coming season; so Paradise is our "ultimate decision of the moment." It's not without its difficulties. For instance, we will not be able to take our beloved kitty cat :( :( :( due to anticipated disputes with the local guard dogs. But Trevor and I agree that it's a wonderful chance to learn more about growing organic produce, not to mention cooking with slow-food techniques. Plus, there will be opportunities to earn extra money while we're there. So we are very excited :)

That's all for now... If I don't have pics of an actual farm for you by Wednesday, feel free to click "unfollow" (is that even a word?)

What a fantastic dilemma

2009-08-23T11:16:00.003-04:00

So how cool is this?

After making our plans to visit Green Flamingo Organics, we get a message from Paradise Farm in Homestead. Seems they are exactly two people short for their season and they could use us starting in September. Our lease ends in Sept., so that is what is commonly known as perfect. They host their interns (sounded like through the productive season, so into spring), meals are provided, and they work a 30-hour week, so we would have time to freelance.

Paradise has been productive for something like six or seven years. They grow avocados, mangos, bananas and other tropical fruits as well as mushrooms and something called "micro-greens," all for high-end restaurants in the area. They also host charity dinners where all the food is prepared in front of the patrons. Lindsay being the chef is particularly interested in this.

I told Gus at Paradise that we had already made plans to check out Green Flamingo, but that if things didn't work out, we'd give him a call.

So we have our first guarantee - a place to stay and work to do. Let the learning begin!

Green Flamingo Organics

2009-08-22T20:05:00.004-04:00

So it looks like we're gonna go volunteer at Green Flamingo Organics next Saturday. Here's the basic description:

Green Flamingo Organics is a small organic farm in the midst of 140 acres of citrus groves located in Oak Hill Florida. This is the first year of production and we are working on growing the vegetable garden, keeping a flock of laying hens, and propagating perennials and fruit and nut trees. As the farm develops we are interested in creating more projects in living systems. New projects we are working towards include rain water catchment, alternative energy, green construction, beekeeping, mycology, and really almost anything that sounds fun, interesting, and produces deliciousness. The farm will produce for a CSA and market this year. We are located 30 miles south of Daytona Beach, FL, in very close proximity to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, and miles of intercoastal waterway.

To Lindsay and I, this is like saying, "Hey, how about you start out in Heaven?" It's located in the most ideal place imaginable for us and it's working on sustainable systems, which is exactly the kind of farming we want to do. If things work out, we might make it our first full-time internship.

Apparently this is their big season. I'm sure they'd welcome extra hands (mainly because they said so). If anybody wants to come along next Saturday, drop me a line.

Giddy giddy giddy giddy!

The Latest Offer

2009-08-21T12:26:00.004-04:00

My biggest fear about this whole undertaking is that we are wishing on a star; that we are hoping to get something for nothing.

Take the most recent contact I've gotten:

King County, Duvall

19 acres for long term lease. Land is within the Farmland Preservation Program. In pasture for last 10 years. River water available. Potential for organic certification. Organic cow manure for fertilizer available. Buildings include: 100’x100’, 30’x150’, and 30’x65’ sheds that could be converted to other uses. 2 bed/1bath single dwelling (700 sf) available. Lots of possibilities. Land owner willing to work with you.

All well and good, but once again sounds like somebody would have to come in with some serious startup.

Is it unreasonable to want to go enter a lifestyle so far removed from your own?

No, that's poor phrasing.

Is it unreasonable to say, "Hey, farming happens. People do it. We're people. We can farm."

Bear in mind, Lindsay and I are not asking for anything even kind of resembling ownership right off. We're not saying, "Give us a lease on spec and if it doesn't work out, then we'll just walk away from it." We're saying that we want to learn. We want to work on a farm. Don't people do that? Are we too old?

I'm thinking we might need more education. So we're looking into internships now. We found this wonderful site that has a list of programs around the country. I'm a big fan of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute in Colorado. They're full until Spring, though.

We have written to Green Flamingo Organics and Paradise Farm, both in Florida. We're probably going to write to two or three a day until we start getting favorable responses.

The whole thing is, it looks like we're going to have to shit or get off the pot, though we don't have a pot and we're a little constipated.

Got a call ...

2009-08-20T14:28:00.003-04:00

... From another wonderful Virginia woman. She's not really old. She's just alone and has too much acreage to manage herself. She's originally from West Chester, N.Y. Got into this much the same way we would like to (i.e. just picked up and did it).

Here's the specs:

20+ acres
Raises turkeys, rabbits, hogs, and I think I heard cows
Grows everything from high-end peas to high-end artichokes to high-end Asian pears; looking to get into truffles
Building her own house out of old tobacco barns

She wants partners, not employees, but she seemed cool with the fact that we'd be coming into this with no money. I said we'd take a look at her place in October.

I'll keep you all posted.

Piedmont Organics

2009-08-20T13:10:00.004-04:00

So Lindsay and I have wanted a farm for several years now. But the impetus behind our sudden drive for one was this article. It's about a program matching young aspiring hicks like us with older people who are looking to retire. It's got some shocking statistics about how the average age of farmers is 57 and 30 percent of them are over 65 and on and on.

Now, we could pretend that this alarmed us and we need to stem the tied of dying, small-scale farmers, but the fact is we just saw our dream life floating in the concept of "farm matchmaking."

It took some doing (you know, googling) to find out what these programs are actually called. FarmLink. Most states seem to have an individual program and they each have their own requirements (and fees). Some only want state residents, some only want experienced farmers.

One of the most accessible programs we found was the Virginia FarmLink. It's all online and we didn't have to pay an enrollment fee. The process is, we hunt down listings we like and contact the owners with our profile. So far it's actually yeilding responses. One woman, who sounds like one of the greatest, craziest firecrackers in the world, really wants us to come out. However, she hasn't worked much of her land yet and doesn't have anyone else and spends most of her time fending off locals who want to use her land for hunting and poisoning her dogs. It's a sad but hopeful tale, and though we would love to join her, we just don't think we have the experience yet. We'll probably talk more about her later because she is an awesome prospect.

Another one we got was an invitation to Piedmont Organics. This place looks absolutely perfect. The land is ready for mixed-use ... use. It's got most of its commercial viability already set up (delivery trucks, website, near D.C., etc.). It's raring to go (seriously, raring).

The problem is that it's for rent. They want $850/mo. for the house. For that, you would get access to all the land, the equipment, and there would be some people around to help train you.

But Lindsay and I have norhing to start with. So we're scheming. Maybe we could host the place like a timeshare, where people pay to have a place for a month or so. Or maybe we could go public just to support ourselves in the beginning and then buyout the shares once we've established our business. Or maybe we just move there and glue ourselves to the furniture and see if no one notices.

We're looking into it.

We could run the artists retreat. We could run it as a community farm or a teaching farm or a resort farm or maybe just grow sorghum (by which I mean hookers; Simpsons reference, look it up).

If anyone has any ideas, please share. Thanks!

Where the hell is Doveland Farm?

2009-08-20T12:41:00.003-04:00

Doveland Farm is a small plot of land, between 15 and 250 acres.

Doveland Farm lies on rolling green hills overlooking wide pastures. Or it's on a cliff by the Pacific Ocean. Or sprawling across a plain of wheat with a pond-and-tree oasis about half a mile down the creek from out modest farmhouse. Or our yurt.

On Doveland Farm, we toil under a hot Florida sun among the rows of blossoming orange trees that feed the wild bees from whom we harvest honey. Or we hoe our mandala garden beneath a blue Iowa sky. Or we shepherd our flocks of sheep over the rocky paddocks of Colorado. Or goats. Or alpacas.

Or it's this:

Maybe we just have some horses and a trail-riding business. Maybe we have used permaculture techniques to attract fish to our rivers. We sail out in the morning and collect crabs and then return to our mountaintop, Idaho potato farm.

Fact is, we don't know where Doveland Farm is yet because right now it is a swirling mass of imagination and excitement. But somewhere out there is exactly what we're looking for; the ability to carry on America's agricultural heritage and blend it with new methods of organic, sustainable farming.

Lindsay and I want to farm. We're not picky how. We're not picky what (though we do have a few stipulations that I'm sure will come up here later). We just want to learn, make ourselves capable, and build a place worth living in.

Anyone who's interested in our journey, anybody searching for something else themselves, we want you with us. We'll share what we find. Hopefully, this will help other people find what they're looking for as well.

Thanks for joining us. Wish us luck!