Farming Opportunity in Georgia
Farming Opportunity Request for Proposals – Koinonia Farm, 2019
Koinonia Farm is seeking one or more individuals with the vision and capability to manage an ecologically, socially, and financially responsible farm enterprise on the land with which we have been entrusted. We have thought through and are open to a variety of arrangements including cash rentals, crop shares, partnership, and employment. We are looking for a long-term partner. Our request for proposals for this farming opportunity is open to experienced farmers looking to start, expand, or take over management of a certified organic farming business. Koinonia is an intentional Christian community with a long history of farming. We do have onsite housing available if needed.
We currently manage about 500 acres. Around 170 acres are currently in agricultural use, including pasture, orchards, and gardens. In 2005 we stopped using synthetic chemicals on our land except for the pecans. Then in 2012, we began the transition to biological management of our pecans and the orchards have now been chemical-free for over 6 years. We are looking to add a new pecan orchard soon. In addition to pecans, we grow blueberries, grapes, and vegetables. For years we raised cattle, pigs, and chickens that we rotationally grazed through the pastures and orchards. We recently had to cut back on the size of our herd but would love to see another farmer expand the livestock. Most of the soil is classified as a Red Bay sandy loam, with 2 to 5 percent slopes, and good drainage. We have four wells, a barn, 2 greenhouses, a processing facility for pecans, a bakery, plus cold, frozen, and dry storage. The pastures have permanent and/or temporary fencing.
Koinonia is near the center of Sumter County, which has a population of 30,000. We are 8 miles from Americus (population 15,000), 33 miles from Albany (population 73,000), 62 miles from Columbus (population 194,000), 74 miles from Macon (population 154,608) and 146 miles from Atlanta (population 486,000). Koinonia sells products every day of the week at its on-farm Welcome Center, as well as through its online and mail-order catalog. Americus holds a farmer’s market every Saturday morning and Tuesday evening from June to October. Several area restaurants also buy ingredients from local farmers. Koinonia sells to a local grocery store and coffee shop.
We accept applications for the farming opportunity on a rolling basis. All details about the request for proposals and what to include can be found on our website (koinoniafarm.org/start-your-farm-here). We will notify applicants when we have received their application, if we would like to arrange a meeting, and when we have made a formal decision regarding their acceptance. We will prioritize early applicants and those who are ready to begin farming in 2019.
To read the full request for proposals for the farming opportunity, visit koinoniafarm.org/start-your-farm-here
You can also contact Bren Dubay (bren@koinoniafarm.org) for more information.
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We want a partnership to grow vegetables, is it possible?
John,
You will need to contact the farm itself. We just post opportunities here. Their contact information is in the post.