With the FSA’s monster loan application submitted for review, and the FarmRaiser party behind us, all focus has turned toward preparing for the winter looming ahead of us. The unseasonable warmth we’ve experienced so far this fall can be deceiving, but make no mistake─winter will come to Maine. When it does I intend to be…
Blog
Jang Seeder Giveaway 10.16.2017 thru 11.20.2017
If you are a beginning farmer, a homesteader looking to scale up, or even an avid gardener seeking to increase the efficiency of your labors─don’t miss Runamuk’s upcoming Jang Seeder Giveaway! Beginning on Monday, October 16th, 2017 and running through Monday, November 20th, 2017, dedicated followers and new readers alike can participate to win a…
Meeting at the Somerset County Farm Service Agency
Yesterday morning I had a meeting with Janice Ramirez at the Somerset County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) regarding my loan application, their requirements, and the process involved in government financing of the Swinging Bridge Farm. I’ve visited them 2 or 3 times before, but the representatives there are always patient and kind; they seem…
Change of heart! I have a Sale Agreement!
I’d all but given up on the Swinging Bridge Farm, accepting it as being out of my reach and beyond my control. However, sometimes in life, good things come to us when we least expect it. I was in the process of letting it go─wrapping my head and my heart around the idea that it…
Hesitation over the Swinging Bridge Farm
After 12 days of agonizing back and forth negotiations with the Seller of the Swinging Bridge Farm, I learned last night that they are hesitant to make a commitment with me at this time. When I received the news last night I was at Johnny’s after hours with a few devout supporters who joined me…
How is the Cost of Farmland Affecting Beginning Farmers?
Having spent several years now pouring over real estate listings in search of my own forever farm, I have become painfully aware of the cost of farmland. Farmland prices are rising, and good land for farming is becoming increasingly scarce. This has serious implications for the future of the nation’s farm economy and farm system,…
Negotiations
If you’ve been anxiously awaiting news regarding my bid for the Swinging Bridge Farm, then I am glad for the company. It has been a long week of negotiations and I had hoped to be able to post with cause for celebration, but as of this moment I cannot say if my offer will be…
Making an offer
Swinging Bridge Farm was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. We have decided to make an offer on the old place, in hopes of building the Runamuk Conservation Farm there. On Friday as Paul and I made our way to 619 Middle Road to meet Leah, I couldn’t help feeling that I was…
FarmRaiser launch!
Today the Runamuk FarmRaiser gofundme campaign launches to raise funds for the down-payment on the property that will become the home of Runamuk and the pollinator conservation farm that I have long envisioned. Eeeeeeeeek! The Man Woman in the Arena I’m taking a deep breath and putting myself once more in the ring to fight…








