Type of opportunity:

Sale (Standard), Sale (Owner Financed), Lease (1 to 5 Years), Lease (5+ Years), Lease with Option to Buy, Incubator / Mentored Lease, Business Partnership, Employment, Employment with Transfer. More info: Seeking a new property to start a small sustainable farming operation, with primary focus being greenhouse grown produce and trialing specialty crops such as coffee, kiwi, and other tropical produce. Examples include vertical farming systems, regenerative farming practices for field production. I hope to establish a small tree-fruit and tree-nut operation, specifically cold-tolerant pecan trees, cherries, and potential for other tree crops. I aim to incorporate regenerative and conversation-based practices to improve and maintain the integrity of the land and production environment.

Equipment & infrastructure:

Barn, Fencing, Well / Pond / Other water source, Greenhouse, Livestock facilities, Farmer housing, Farm equipment, Processing facilities, Irrigation equipment, Cold storage (cooler/freezer). More info: Any equipment or infrastructure already available would be ideal, however I will pursue ag financing and grant opportunities to purchase any equipment necessary for the farm. I also have a family farm in Nashville, Georgia where I will utilize available equipment and resources when feasible.

Current production on farm:

Aquaculture, Cattle (Dairy/Beef), Christmas trees, Fallow, Field crops, Flowers, Hay or pasture, Herbs, Honey bees, Orchard, Sheep/Goat (Dairy/Meat), Vegetable production, Vineyard, Woodlot or forest products. More info: I plan to build fencing if not already available to establish a small beef cattle herd. If available acreage allows, I also hope to establish a small pecan orchard with cold-tolerant varieties to expand upon my family’s beef cattle and pecan farm in Georgia. An existing barn is also ideal but I have the capability to build one if necessary.

Current farming practices:

Biodynamic, Conventional, Transitioning to organic, Ecological production but not certified. More info: I am seeking a farm that is either hoping to transition to more sustainable practices or just wants to maintain the land’s natural integrity. I am seeking farmland that is either turn-key, i.e. open pasture or cropland, fencing optional, barn/infrastructure optional, tractors/heavy machinery is also optional. I have experience in and connections to acquiring agricultural equipment so if there is little to nothing available, depending on the land situation I would still be interested.

Previous farming experience:

Volunteer, Employee, Manager

Number of years experience:

15

Other qualifications:

Farm business training, Academic degree in agriculture or related field. More info: Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management - University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Major: Entomology Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science - University of Georgia Major: Entomology 3rd generation farmer. Lived and worked on my family pecan/cattle farm and have been involved with the farming business for over 20 years. Served as a manager for an integrated mosquito management business in coastal Georgia. Worked as an entomologist for an insect farming startup raising crickets for human consumption. I am currently managing a greenhouse business in Mills River and I am seeking a place to start my own farm business.

Production goals:

Aquaculture, Cattle (Dairy/Beef), Fallow, Field crops, Flowers, Hay or pasture, Herbs, Honey bees, Orchard, Sheep/Goat (Dairy/Meat), Vegetable production, Vineyard. More info: Vertical agriculture; developing new crop varieties; develop partnerships with sustainable agriculture organizations and agencies to create grants and opportunities for innovation in North Carolina agriculture. I hope to establish a small pecan orchard to grow more cold-weather tolerant pecan varieties as well as expand upon my family’s grass-fed beef cattle operation if grazing/pasture land is available. I also hope to establish a caneberry/blueberry or tree-fruit operation to produce high-quality fresh fruits for local markets and restaurants. I also hope to establish relationships with local/state universities and interest groups to create research/educational partnerships.

Personal experience and production goals summary:

My background in agriculture and entomology has taken my professional journey in many different directions ranging from jobs in public health to conventional row crop agriculture. My expertise lies in integrated pest management, specifically plant-pest interactions and control strategies. I have skills and knowledge in pest identification and surveillance, pest managment, biological control, pesticide handling and application, pecan production, cricket farming, organic agriculture, and social media marketing. My goal in life is to establish an agriculture business on a small plot of land to grow minor or alternative crops close both indoors in greenhouses and outdoors. I hope to use sustainable practices to reduce my environmental impact and lower energy costs through techniques such as solar power, soil conservation and management, biological control, land health improvement and others. I hope to help promote the idea of future generations being able to find success in sustainable agriculture while providing a beneficial service for the world.

Resume:

T. Dorsey resume2023.pdf