want to build a cooperative farm

Onalaska WA

Description

Looking to farm? I’m seeking folks who have a passion for food and farming who might be interested in building a cooperative model for farming. I’m currently managing 220+ acres of organic farmland near Chehalis. My farm is currently focused on commercial microgreen production. I recently started farming this land and the greens provide a quick steady revenue source while simultaneously building out all the corollary necessities involved in running a farm, things like licensing, branding, building sustainable plastic-free packaging designs, insurance, organic certification, a solid customer base in King county and a streamlined distribution process. I went through all of this because I am trying to protect this farm from impending development and generating revenue is putting me closer to preventing this land from turning into a housing development. I’m also working with several land trust organizations to put protective easements on this land and the established forests, wetlands, and salmon runs that flow through the farm. Where do you come in? There’s ample opportunity for others to successfully farm here and I’m looking to build cooperative partnerships that will help save this farm while also being financially successful to all parties involved. What I bring to the table is a lot of certified organic land and an abundance of resources, both business and hard infrastructure. Want to grow mushrooms under a forested canopy and need organic land and existing markets and distribution logistics in place? Great! Big leaf maple syrup production? Perennial tree propagation? Greenhouse wasabi production? Tomatoes? Farm to glass style brewery...convert the historic barn into a brew room. Even cheese? I have access to a steady supply of organic milk and a derelict milking parlor that begs to be converted into a cheesemaking facility. I have the customers who need the product; pitch me an idea and let’s talk. I can bring a lot of resources and infrastructure to your idea. If it's a good enough idea I may even be interested in investing in it. In exchange for utilizing my resources you should be willing to contribute financially to the success of the land. Think of this like a cooperative artists’ studio. You pay for a space in the studio, produce a product (in this case art), and market it. Hopefully, you’ll make some money and be able to help support the land. Handshakes are nice but everything will go into writing for the protection of all parties. What I cannot provide is housing or a place for you to camp or park a bus/trailer. If you need help finding a place to rent I may be able to help in that regard but ideal candidates live close enough to the Chehalis area so that housing is not an issue. I’m just testing this idea and with Spring right around the corner I wanted to see what happens. I’m currently using this cooperative model for honey production and beef. Both ventures seem to be going well. If you want to farm, let’s talk.