My name is Dan Gilliam. I was raised in Armada, MI and have grown up working on vegetable farms, apple orchards, and livestock farms. I have always dreamed of operating and managing a farm of my own, but I have no realistic way to obtain the land. I come from a low-income family, my father was a firefighter. I now have a small, growing family of my own, consisting of my wife, Anna, and our 10-month-old daughter, Sedona. I am 25, healthy, and determined to work the land with heart & dedication.
Preferred location: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Oakland, Osceola, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne
Desired Transitional Agreement: Farm Seeker/Farm Owner Partnership, Lease, Lease to buy, Mentorship, Working arrangement with future partner
Sep 8, 2025
Desired Acreage
- 5-10 Acres
- 11-25 Acres
- 26-100 Acres
- 101-250 Acres
- 251-500 Acres
Desired Infrastructure
Desired Land Usage
Goals, Values, Vision
I pride myself in finding solutions to the impossible. I am fully aware and acclimated to the adversity and challenges that inherently come with running a successful farm. Despite all other potential career paths that I feel I am well-equipped to pursue, nothing calls my name like farming. Although it wasn’t in the cards for my family, I am praying to carry the legacy of an existing farm and collaborate with the owner to carry out their legacy with my daily labor and heart with the land access in return. It has never been about riches for my wife and me; what we desire is a property to work on that provides a roof over our heads and a place to call home. I have studied agriculture and culinary applications or local and seasonal produce. I have competed and won awards in Michigan cider and wine making and have firsthand learned livestock systems from wise generational farmers as well as the art of growing fruit and a wide variety of vegetables. I have visions of my own if land development is needed but am also fully willing to maintain and improve an existing system. If you have land that you wish to see treated with love, heart and commitment. Please call me to allow me to introduce myself. Dan Gilliam.
Farming Status
Current Farming Status
Full Time
Farm Experience/Education
Farm management, Formal agricultural education
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming Method
Organic Practices
I appreciate the quality and ethos behind organic practices, I feel that is where the art of sustainability and nutritional value is most valued however may not always yield the most profit.
On the other hand I can appreciate the innovations made with modern pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers which are typically the preferred way to guarantee yield and consistency. I feel that a healthy mix between both practices are to be considered.
