Experienced farmer(s) with a small farm vision encouraged. We are a retired couple looking for long term farmer or farmers interested in small farm set up with excellent multipurpose barn space and raised beds/pasture land of limited scope. Additional possible income to farmer ( or trade for portion of land/barn lease) for maintenance help around the large(for town) property. We would like a farmer interested in small scale and aesthetics as well as market garden and animal production. Ideal would be Elliot Coleman type approach to cultivation: though land is not officially certified organic, we request organic practices on this land.
Land is a mix of open grazing/grass, with opportunities to plant field of berries, vegetables and or fruit tree and larger mostly conifer/some hardwood forest, and Smaller plot of 6 raised beds, ( fenced) and animal pens & shelter , & larged fenced in winter pasture, from current goat farmer will be left in place. Water is from city. ( There is a vernal pool on property but seasonal). Land and sections of barn have successfully been used for milk goat and dairy farm x 2 years, of limited scope. The house and farm land is one of the early small farms in the area, with a large 5 bay barn( some used for storage by owner , only) , with 3 medium size to small , animal pens designated (accommodated 15 Nigerian Dwf Goats). Barn is wood /hand hewn 1890s , former sheep barn in prior century, and excellent shelter for the recent Nigerian Dairy Goat herd of 15 & Several dozen ducks, for egg sales & chickens. Fruit trees (7+) (Animals not for sale as are being moved to another location). Barn has storage and hayloft, no internal water, and external basement for storage below for large equipment.
Farm is walking distance to Cape Elizabeth town center, and proximity to both the active and supportive Cape Farm Alliance, of which you would want to be members, and surrounding farm markets is attractive, as is the access to Coast for recreation and vistas. (Private dirt road to private pocket beach). Strong opportunity for CSA opportunities in this supportive market, and 15 minutes from Portland's Farmers Market. Structures on property were built in the 1890s and are well maintained. At turn of previous century was a sheep farm, and low clearance in pens on side of barn make the portion available for animal husbandry appropriate for goats, and or sheep. Of note we are not interested in hosting pigs, in barn, and also not larger ungulates, due to the pens low ceiling height (6 feet) . Would encourage sheep or goat /dairy and vegetable, fruit or berry production and possibly mushroom farming in the wooded lot. We would be interesting in accommodating hoop or greenhouse construction, barn use, and also bartering for house yard maintenance. In the future there may be a possibility for accommodations with private bath, several rooms but shared kitchen, though current posting is for farm use only, with obtaining housing in the area, the responsibility of the Farmer. Nice & easy access to greater Portland area.
Equipment available: rudimentary market gardening ( wheel barrels, hand tools) etc. goat shelters, raised beds x 6, fencing, pasture fencing,use of barn space, warming light (kidding/ newhatches) , small seed starting area in basement with grow lights.
