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Lewellen Creek Ranch is in need of 1-3 summer interns (Stipend and housing provided) and is looking for a long term partner/tenant for a new 7 acre organic/local farming project. The ranch is located in North Idaho's Panhandle one hour from Spokane International Airport.
Lewellen Creek Ranch is a 360 acre jewel located 5 miles due east of Silverwood on Lewellen Creek at the base of Chilco Mountain. The ranch is comprised of approximately 270 acres of producing tree farm along with approximately 90 acres of bottom land. Lewellen Creek Ranch is located adjacent to the USFS and it's recreational access parking lot off of Bunco Road. It is approximately 30 minutes drive to both Coeur d' Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho and their weekly Farmer Markets. It is also due east of Silverwood Theme Park and its 650,000+ annual visitors.
The Ranch has been under the same ownership since 1972 and family members are currently living on the property and managing the tree farm. We have more than adequate barn/shed/shop/pasture facilities to allow a full scope of farming--from vegetables/fruits/flowers to chickens, goats, cows etc.
Our recent caretakers of 7 years have recently purchased a small farm and moved on so we are now looking at moving in a new direction at the ranch and are interested in both short term and long term partners to take leadership over a new local/organic farming project on approximately 7 acres. This acreage has been planted again for the 2nd time in 3 years to oats that will be plowed in this July and then likely fall planted to a winter cover crop in anticipation of a spring 2012 commencement of intense vegetable farming. The 7 acres has more than adequate water available from two creeks with existing irrigation water rights for a low pressure drip system. We have a large 65hp tractor with plows/discs etc. and a smaller new 35hp tractor with a small disc. We are open to acquiring some additional equipment to allow a mechanized cultivation system.
At this time we have both an older unfurnished 4 bedroom 1 bath farmhouse and a 18' newer travel trailer available for summer 2011 housing for summer interns. We can provide most of the necessary furnishings for the farm house for interns. Obviously, if a long term partner presents themselves in the near term they could move into the farmhouse immediately upon completion of a partnership agreement.
In regards to interns we would appreciate any organic farming experience and/or educational knowledge that might contribute to our efforts to get the organic parcel ready for next spring. Mostly you just need to want to come and put in some good effort to prepare the property for next year and our new partners--who knows you might decide to stay on.
In regards to a partner qualification we really would like someone with 3-5 years experience in least a similar sized operation who is ready to provide the day to day leadership on the farming side. We are in a unique location which though typically challenging in terms of growing season etc., will lend itself to both CSA/Farmers Market marketing and "on the farm" sales from visitors and future guests staying on the property in rental accommodations.
In exchange for a minimal land rent we would agree to provide equipment usage, farm house and potentially some upfront capital if needed. We would like to use a year to year farming lease with an understanding that a minimum of 5-7 years would be our goal for your leadership of the new organic farming operation. We do not anticipate at this time that our partners would eventually purchase any of the farmland at the ranch, however, this could be a great opportunity to gain more experience and develop your brand with minimal upfront capital investment.
We will likely be adding to our existing organic blueberry plantings next year and anticipate this developing into a 3-8 acre future U Pick operation to blend in with the organic vegetable/fruit business.
Please contact us by email at buncoroad@gmail.com.
jg
Lewellen Creek Ranch is a 360 acre jewel located 5 miles due east of Silverwood on Lewellen Creek at the base of Chilco Mountain. The ranch is comprised of approximately 270 acres of producing tree farm along with approximately 90 acres of bottom land. Lewellen Creek Ranch is located adjacent to the USFS and it's recreational access parking lot off of Bunco Road. It is approximately 30 minutes drive to both Coeur d' Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho and their weekly Farmer Markets. It is also due east of Silverwood Theme Park and its 650,000+ annual visitors.
The Ranch has been under the same ownership since 1972 and family members are currently living on the property and managing the tree farm. We have more than adequate barn/shed/shop/pasture facilities to allow a full scope of farming--from vegetables/fruits/flowers to chickens, goats, cows etc.
Our recent caretakers of 7 years have recently purchased a small farm and moved on so we are now looking at moving in a new direction at the ranch and are interested in both short term and long term partners to take leadership over a new local/organic farming project on approximately 7 acres. This acreage has been planted again for the 2nd time in 3 years to oats that will be plowed in this July and then likely fall planted to a winter cover crop in anticipation of a spring 2012 commencement of intense vegetable farming. The 7 acres has more than adequate water available from two creeks with existing irrigation water rights for a low pressure drip system. We have a large 65hp tractor with plows/discs etc. and a smaller new 35hp tractor with a small disc. We are open to acquiring some additional equipment to allow a mechanized cultivation system.
At this time we have both an older unfurnished 4 bedroom 1 bath farmhouse and a 18' newer travel trailer available for summer 2011 housing for summer interns. We can provide most of the necessary furnishings for the farm house for interns. Obviously, if a long term partner presents themselves in the near term they could move into the farmhouse immediately upon completion of a partnership agreement.
In regards to interns we would appreciate any organic farming experience and/or educational knowledge that might contribute to our efforts to get the organic parcel ready for next spring. Mostly you just need to want to come and put in some good effort to prepare the property for next year and our new partners--who knows you might decide to stay on.
In regards to a partner qualification we really would like someone with 3-5 years experience in least a similar sized operation who is ready to provide the day to day leadership on the farming side. We are in a unique location which though typically challenging in terms of growing season etc., will lend itself to both CSA/Farmers Market marketing and "on the farm" sales from visitors and future guests staying on the property in rental accommodations.
In exchange for a minimal land rent we would agree to provide equipment usage, farm house and potentially some upfront capital if needed. We would like to use a year to year farming lease with an understanding that a minimum of 5-7 years would be our goal for your leadership of the new organic farming operation. We do not anticipate at this time that our partners would eventually purchase any of the farmland at the ranch, however, this could be a great opportunity to gain more experience and develop your brand with minimal upfront capital investment.
We will likely be adding to our existing organic blueberry plantings next year and anticipate this developing into a 3-8 acre future U Pick operation to blend in with the organic vegetable/fruit business.
Please contact us by email at buncoroad@gmail.com.
jg
