The Land
Property owner
Private non-farming landowner
Location
176 Richardson Road Orange VT
Total number of acres available with this property
34.5
Acres of cropland or tillable land
6
Acres of pasture
18
Acres of forested land
2
Other open and/or non-farmable land
1300’ elevation at the house, western slope. Most of the arable land was used for sheep and cow pasture or hay, some for gardening, and productive for berries and cold-hardy fruit trees. A few areas are fairly wet seasonally, but space for produce production in other areas and no flood risk. Fields have had manure spread as fertilizer ~7+ years ago, from our family’s sheep, horses, and cows.
The property is divided in two by a road: the house side (~9 acres) has the house, small orchard area, and gardens/additional arable land (minus a leech field). Across the street (25 acres total) contains a 60-bush blueberry patch, fields used for grazing, and forest that abuts a VAST trail.
The property is divided in two by a road: the house side (~9 acres) has the house, small orchard area, and gardens/additional arable land (minus a leech field). Across the street (25 acres total) contains a 60-bush blueberry patch, fields used for grazing, and forest that abuts a VAST trail.
Farm Information
Water sources present
Available
Types of water sources present
- Drilled well
Water sources details
Outdoor access from the barn and a seasonal spigot from the house for garden use.
Farm infrastructure details
Barn (previously used as 5-stall+ tack room, but stall doors and walls have been removed) is available for storage, drying/processing, or for a small goat/sheep flock with infrastructure added. Barn has sand floor.
Barn has water (spigot feed needs repair before use) and power, hayloft, and the solar panels are on the roof of the building.
Chicken coop
Seasonal water spigot & an electric outlet stand at prior site of hoop house.
Some fencing infrastructure exists (high-tensile perimeter fencing), but there are some repairs needed for livestock use, gaps in enclosures, and no energizer.
Barn has water (spigot feed needs repair before use) and power, hayloft, and the solar panels are on the roof of the building.
Chicken coop
Seasonal water spigot & an electric outlet stand at prior site of hoop house.
Some fencing infrastructure exists (high-tensile perimeter fencing), but there are some repairs needed for livestock use, gaps in enclosures, and no energizer.
Farmer housing
Available
Farmer housing details
Long term shared living arrangement in 5-bed, two bath, 1830s farmhouse with a two car garage. One bedroom is within a modern addition that was built for single-floor living and could be an in-law suite, depending on family situation. House has been hooked up to solar and re-insulated in 2024 with heat pumps added, otherwise it has a wood furnace with a gas furnace back-up.
Unfinished basement with a walk-out that is good for storage or other uses, but is also shared with us.
Convenient drive to Montpelier, Barre, and CVH
Unfinished basement with a walk-out that is good for storage or other uses, but is also shared with us.
Convenient drive to Montpelier, Barre, and CVH
Equipment and machinery
Available
Equipment and machinery details
Riding mower, push mower, and snowblower available for use in general property maintenance, but no farm-specific machinery on property.
Is the property enrolled in a current use or other state program that affects property taxes?
No
Is the property protected with any type of Conservation Easement?
No
Is there a forest management plan for forestland on the available property?
No
Is the property certified organic, or does it qualify for organic certification under federal organic regulations?
No
Tenure Arrangement
Tenure arrangement
- Property for lease
Other tenure arrangement
The house is a 5-bedroom, but only 3 bedrooms available as housing, as one of our parents and us keep belongings in the house. We are seeking someone flexible with shared space as we return to VT a few times a year for orchard care to visit family in the area.
We are looking for someone who can continue to manage and tend to the land through use (grazing, haying, farming), but are open to people who want to start small, with a small flock and gardens, and come to an arrangement on the pasture care.
We are looking for someone who can continue to manage and tend to the land through use (grazing, haying, farming), but are open to people who want to start small, with a small flock and gardens, and come to an arrangement on the pasture care.
Additional Information
We are seeking homesteaders, families, farmers with sheep, goats, or poultry, looking for a long-term lease (5-7 years). The property is our family farm, but we live abroad and are looking for folks who will utilize and love it as it should be.
We plan to return to live at and farm the land ourselves in 5-10 years, but would be more than happy to collaborate and continue the lease when we are back with the right fit.
We are flexible with the specific needs of a tenant and are focused on the care of the land and house while helping homesteaders or farmers build up their own projects and community.