Calley Johnson

I've had an interest in farming and homesteading for many years. My husband and I are looking to transition to farm life where an already established farm has lots of experience to provide and pass on. I'm interested in farming with sheep and goats and/or produce various fiber-producing plants to help keep the traditional homespun and woven craft traditions alive while learning how these fibers are produced, maintained, and harvested for best quality and eco-environment footprints.

Preferred location: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Eaton, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Wexford

Desired Transitional Agreement: Farm Seeker/Farm Owner Partnership, Mentorship, Working arrangement with future partner

Oct 26, 2026

A feminine presenting person with a large ornate folding fan hung on the wall behind them, smiling, with their hair pulled back and various hair ornaments worn, some that dangle, others that do not. Black alpaca fiber spun and twisted into a completed skein on an orange counter A black French angora rabbit sitting on a person’s lap, clean face and ears but very fluffy A light colored angora rabbit with a red-orange face and cream colored body looking at the camera. A spinning wheel flyer and bobbin made of wood and metal materials holding fiber currently being spun Nearly the full spinning wheel made of wood, metal, and other materials showing the bobbin with fiber in the process of being spun A bucket full of various light colored natural fibers that look like a multicolored cloud A bucket full of various light colored natural fibers that look like a multicolored cloud showing the height of the cloud Two small black angora rabbits in a carrier A light colored angora rabbit in a carrier with hay

Desired Acreage

  • 5-10 Acres
  • 11-25 Acres
  • 26-100 Acres
  • 101-250 Acres

Desired Infrastructure

  • Barns or other facilities
  • Electrical Access
  • Farmer Housing
  • Farm Equipment
  • Fencing
  • Irrigation/Water Access
  • Road access

Desired Land Usage

  • Bees
  • Flowers
  • Fruit
  • Fruit Trees
  • Goats - Dairy
  • Grains
  • Hay
  • Hemp
  • Horses
  • Poultry - Layers
  • Poultry - Meat
  • Sheep
  • Vegetables

Goals, Values, Vision

My goals are as follows:

  • learn how to best produce high-quality fibers
  • learn the ins and outs of fiber farming
  • focus on environmental impact
  • focus on improved quality of life and care for fiber-producing livestock
  • focus on improved quality of fiber-producing plants
  • be able to produce high-quality fibers for homespun and woven traditional crafts
  • support my family by farming, spinning, weaving, and selling
  • help continue a legacy into the next generation of farmers

I also have as much intention to homestead/farmstead and produce as much of my family's own food as possible. Self-sufficiency and personal care are just as important to me as taking care of my other animals. I'd like to be able to have space for a family vegetable garden, maybe have some fruit producing trees. I'd like to have access to acreage for hay production for the animals that require it, and space to grow herbs and fiber producing plants. Space for horses and horse drawn equipment would be a huge plus, while also having chickens and milk goats, and helping to contribute to the overall community around me.

While I have not worked formally on any specific business farm, I was raised assisting with the family garden each year as a child, helping my grandparents on their farm, have a hunger for self-sufficiency, enjoy spending time around other animals, and have an open-mindedness and willingness to learn whatever I set my mind to. I'm not afraid to get dirty and work hard.

I do currently have some rabbits of my own that I've been working with for the better part of about ten years now. They are fur babies but also fiber babies.

Farming Status

Current Farming Status

Not currently farming

Farm Experience/Education

No experience farming

Mentoring

I am seeking mentorship

Farming Plans and Practices

Farming Method

Organic Practices

I want to know about both conventional and organic farming methods just to know the difference, but I would rather utilize as natural of farming options as possible.