Doug Land is a regenerative farmer and ecological designer focused on low-impact, community-driven agriculture. With a background in food forests, carpentry, and sustainable art, he creates mixed-crop systems that restore biodiversity and soil health.
Preferred location: Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, Wexford
Desired Transitional Agreement: Farm Seeker/Farm Owner Partnership, Working arrangement with future partner
May 12, 2025
Desired Acreage
- 5-10 Acres
- 11-25 Acres
- 26-100 Acres
Desired Infrastructure
Desired Land Usage
Goals, Values, Vision
My vision is to develop a small, regenerative mixed-crop farm that operates more like a seasonal camp than a conventional operation—where families or individuals live and work together during the production season. I focus on food forest systems, native and indigenous crops, and low-impact techniques that support biodiversity, soil health, and long-term ecological stewardship.
I’m particularly interested in cultivating high-value niche crops such as reishi mushrooms, native fruits, herbal perennials, and wetland foods like wapato and wild rice—especially suited to calcareous soils and partial shade. My goal is to build a farm that supports both ecosystem restoration and local food economies, serving chefs, educators, and conservation-minded consumers.
My skills in ecological design, carpentry, community organizing, and sustainable artmaking help me create integrated, resilient systems. I bring a hands-on, systems-thinking approach to farming—viewing the land as both a livelihood and a living partner.
Farming Status
Current Farming Status
Not currently farming, Current active business plan
Farm Experience/Education
Farm management
Mentoring
I am seeking mentorship, I am willing to mentor a farmer
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming Method
Certified Organic, Organic Practices
Practice regenerative, low-till farming using principles of agroecology, food forestry, and land stewardship. My methods prioritize soil health, water retention, biodiversity, and long-term ecological balance. I’m well-versed in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which I apply alongside natural pest predators, trap crops, and habitat design to reduce pressure without chemicals.
I also use natural regeneration techniques to restore degraded areas—encouraging native succession, managing invasives thoughtfully, and allowing the land to guide its own recovery where appropriate. My systems rely on composting, cover cropping, and polyculture planting, with minimal mechanical disturbance.
Rather than industrial-scale equipment, I focus on human-scaled infrastructure and seasonal collaborative labor. My crops are chosen to match partial shade and calcareous soils, including native and culturally meaningful species. The overall goal is to build a farm that heals land, feeds people, and creates a model of interdependence between community and ecology.
