I am a retired psychiatrist living in NC with no back ground in farming though a gardener. My son has a PhD in mycology and is currently in a postdoctoral program at the Univ. of California Berkley. We are interested in establishing a small farm growing hazelnut trees. These trees will have been inoculated, as seedlings, with mycelium associated with genetically identified truffle species. I am not aware of a project like this in northern MI. I have family in Leelanau Co.
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, Sale, Working arrangement with future partner
Nov 19, 2025
Desired Acreage
- 1-5 Acres
- 5-10 Acres
Desired Infrastructure
Desired Land Usage
Goals, Values, Vision
I am a 72-year-old retired psychiatrist. I spent many summers in Leelanau County in my youth. After graduating medical school, I worked in Traverse City for a dozen years prior to leaving to become a psychiatrist. I do not have a background in farming. Though, my family owned and managed farms in southern Illinois. I have family living in Leelanau County.
My stepson is completing a postdoc in mycology at the University of California Berkeley. His primary area of interest has been the genetic identification of various species of truffles. For a few years we have talked about the possibility of combining his interests in my ecology, my interest in farming and our doing this in northern Michigan.
We have identified that hazelnut trees would grow well on the Leelanau peninsula. This would be a nut tree that could be successfully inoculated with the mycelium consistent with the truffles we would like to produce. To do this we will need land that is not forest.
We will be using organic farming techniques. I am interested in potentially having a solar powered irrigation system. It will take approximately 8 years 2 propagate the truffles. I am anticipating there will potentially be a cash crop of both hazelnuts and truffles.
Farming Status
Current Farming Status
Not currently farming
Farm Experience/Education
Formal agricultural education, No experience farming
Mentoring
I am seeking mentorship
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming Method
Organic Practices
