SMOKEY HOUSE CENTER

Updated Spring 2009

Smokey House Center (SHC) is seeking an individual or family with farming experience and an agriculture business plan to lease and operate the former Harrington Farm as a financially sound, sustainable agricultural enterprise compatible with Smokey House Center’s values and educational programs.

SHC is offering a unique alternative model to land ownership that provides the right person(s) with  farmland access, affordability, security, and investment with the following advantages:

• The arrangement offers affordability to the farmer by eliminating substantial down-payment requirements and debt typically associated with purchasing a farm. 

• The long-term lease secures tenure for the farmer and fosters sound and lasting stewardship of the farmed property. 

• A farm equity fund assists the farmer in building equity through means other than land ownership. 

The Farm

The former Harrington Farm is located off Danby Mountain Road within the boundaries of SHC.  This farm consists of 240 acres of mostly prime and statewide important farmland, together with a five-bedroom farmhouse, dairy barn, and outbuildings. The farm has historically been used for dairying, with approximately 80 milk cows and 50 heifers last on the property in 2007.   All of the acreage is currently in hay and pasture.   

Map of Harrington Farm (JPEG), Map of Harrington Farm (PDF), Field & soils information

Background

Established in 1974, the Smokey House Center (SHC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young Vermonters through work-based and applied educational programs and demonstrating sound land use practices.  Smokey House owns nearly 5000 acres of farm and forestland in the Town of Danby, Rutland County, Vermont.  Much of this land has been permanently protected with conservation easements.  Historically, the majority of SHC’s farmland has been leased to local farmers and used primarily for the production of silage corn, hay and pasture.  Approximately 86 acres are, however, used by SHC’s youth workers who learn academic and work skills as they grow organically certified vegetables, market produce through a CSA and at farmers’ markets, produce naturally raised beef, pork, lamb, turkey and chicken, and produce maple syrup and all-natural charcoal.

Application Process 

Please contact Lynn Bondurant, Smokey House's Executive Director, at (802) 293-5121 if you'd like more information about this opportunity.  Interested farmers are invited to submit a letter of interest.

Letter of Interest

It is requested that the letter include: 

A.    Farming Experience – A description of your farming experience, with particular emphasis on practical skills, experience, education and training.  What other non-farm skills, experience, education and training you have that gives you the confidence to successfully operate a farm.

B.     Business Background – A description of your business experience.  This may include marketing, managing financial resources and people, and managing a non-farm business.

C.     Personal History – A brief biography of yourself, spouse or other farming partners, if applicable, and the reasons you are interested in farming the Smokey House property.

D.    Farm Plan – A general plan for farming at the Harrington Farm including methods of production, use of pastures and field and, waste management.  

E.     Plan for Property Upgrades - SHC is in the process of making repairs to the existing infrastructure on the farm and would like to hear from all interested farmers what their specific infrastructure needs would be.  Please indicate any upgrades or improvements you envision as necessary to accommodate your farm operation.

Please address letter of interest to:

Lynn Bondurant, Executive Director

Smokey House Center

426 Danby Mountain Road

Danby, Vermont  05739

Selection Process

Based on our reviews of the letters of interest, Smokey House will invite qualified farmers to submit the following information for further consideration:

1. Business Plan – A business plan for your proposed farm enterprise including but not limited to an expense analysis, income analysis, labor strategy and marketing plan.  Include any strategies for generating non-farm income, including off farm employment by you, a spouse or others.

2. Financial – Your available capital for starting the farm, including livestock and equipment owned outright, existing debt, financing needs, anticipated sources of borrowing, and other financial terms and conditions you may request of Smokey House. 

References – Three references that include his/her name, address, phone and affiliation. 

      Selected farmers will have a chance to present their farm plan in person.

Selection Criteria

Smokey House has developed the following guidelines for persons interested in leasing the Harrington Farm.

A. Farming Practices

• Preference will be given to sustainable production methods

• Farmers shall demonstrate a commitment to sound land stewardship that minimizes soil erosion, protect the quality of surface and groundwater and care for the natural resources on the property.

• Farmers shall demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the terms of a conservation easement which will encumber the property.

• The farm enterprise must demonstrate that it is: a) well suited to the size, soils, and configuration of the farmland; b) is well adapted to local markets for farm products and contributes to the local farm economy; and c) is likely to encourage long-term commercial use of the farmland.

• Priority will be given to those proposals where food or fiber for human use is produced.

B. Social and Cultural      

• Preference will be given to farmers who are willing to create opportunities for youth education and involvement, if appropriate.

• Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with other farmers in the area.

• Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the ability to be good neighbors.

C. Economic    

• Potential farmers must submit a business plan that supports the economic viability of their proposal.

• Preference will be given to potential farmers who have proven farm experience.