Military family originally from Traverse City and Maple City relocating back to Northern Michigan and wanting to grow roots for our family and farm.
Preferred location: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Wexford
Desired Transitional Agreement: Farm Seeker/Farm Owner Partnership, Lease, Lease to buy, Sale, Working arrangement with future partner
May 19, 2025
Desired Acreage
- 1-5 Acres
- 5-10 Acres
- 11-25 Acres
- 26-100 Acres
Desired Infrastructure
Desired Land Usage
Goals, Values, Vision
We are interested in transitioning from military life into farming, and give our kids a place to call home. We grew up in northern lower Michigan, Matt in Maple City and Crystal in Traverse City, and our four children were born across the United States, North Carolina, Missouri, Alaska and Kentucky. The military life doesn't allow for much ease in farming, but Crystal grew up in 4-H raising chickens and dairy feeders, and Matt spent many summers bailing hay in Leelanau County.
We are interested in growing crops and flowers, and would also like to grow livestock. We currently raise laying hens, and would like to expand into sheep and open to other livestock. We are currently enrolled in the Heros to Hives program, and will become certified in beekeeping after the completion of the program, and plan to take advantage of educational farming programs offered to disabled veterans.
Farming for us will not only serve the purpose of feeding the local area, but we would also like to focus on mental health, and in the future help provide support to veterans who struggle with mental health.
Farming Status
Current Farming Status
Not currently farming
Farm Experience/Education
Farm employee, Formal agricultural education
Mentoring
I am seeking mentorship
Farming Plans and Practices
If the land is currently certified organic, we will certainly continue that practice. We have been studying regenerative farming practices and see the value in that as well.
