After operating our Market garden for 10+ years we are planning to hire an employee or lease our farm and begin transitioning away from intensive farming.
Tierra Vida Farm, has changed size over the years. At our peak of production we operated a 130-150 share 9 month CSA that finished each year just before Christmas. We produced on two acres, delivered wholesale, and managed a flock of 250+ laying hens that produced 100 dozen+ eggs a week. The current iteration is much more constrained and ideally suited for one person, or possibly two with other animal care responsibilities. Although the space is relatively small the income per acre potential is much more ideal. High value crops like early lettuce mix, tomatoes and flowers from the greenhouse. The outdoor beds have low perennial weed pressure and high fertility allowing for quick high quality growth of cut and come again crops and highly productive long season high value crops like carrots.
The employee option: Start as available, as early as November 2026 and work part time taking care of animals and learning the layout of the farm. Animals are the primary responsibility during the winter season until the growing season starts to scale up with tulip planting in February followed by early greens, transplant seeding and by April first we are in full swing. As an employee you will work with me (Daniel Fullmer) broad forking beds, adding compost, transplanting, harvesting, washing, packing, making bouquets, and delivering product. Animal duties include milking goats, cleaning the goat barn, feeding poultry (chickens geese and ducks).
- Start: November 1 2026 or as available
- Responsibilities: soil prep, planting, weeding, harvesting, animal care
- Winter time commitment: 16-20 hours a week
- Spring and summer time commitment: 40+ hours a week
- Compensation: $20/hour, available produce, and lodging potential (see below)
- Non-negotiables: must be interested in market farming, have a good work ethic, honest, self starting, work and manage your self to a high standard on the farm.
- Lodging is available, see below
- Hiring Priority: strong preference to candidates with professional experience and the interest of future year farm lease arrangement (see below).
- Application requirements: cover letter, references, and resume that details professional experience in farming and multi year plans sent to [email protected]
The Lease Option: After 10+ years I am ready for a farm sabbatical but leaving farm responsibilities behind is difficult. Training a replacement to maintain the farm and take care of animals is the only way forward. It will take time to transition responsibilities but for the right person this could be a great experience and learning opportunity before you go invest in land and build your own farm. Gain autonomous experience, make an income, all without taking the risk of building your own farm.
Tierra Vida Farm is an established turn key farm currently growing 8-10 vegetable varieties and about 10 flower varieties for wholesale bouquets. Revenue potential sits comfortably between $40-$60K depending on work hours and crop selection. The farm is one 26x96' heated greenhouse with automated sides and one 100'x100' garden block utilizing well maintained raised beds. Perennial weed pressure is minimal, there are a variety of tools from tarps to flame weeder for the annual weeds. This is a mature turn key farm that had operated 2 acres and 150 member CSA, it has been consolidated substantially, as such all the tools and supplies needed are available. You just need to show up with the experience, work ethic, and time to put the farm to work.
Obviously I am handing over assets and relationships I have built over 10 years of running a small business, doing so is not without risk. As someone who has hired employees and tenants in the past I have standards and expectations based on experience. I reserve the right to be picky. The exchange is for the opportunity for a turnkey farm, proven income, and a unique experience in southwest Colorado.
Tierra Vida Farm is an established turn key farm currently growing 8-10 vegetable varieties and about 10 flower varieties for wholesale bouquets. Revenue potential sits comfortably between $40-$60K depending on work hours and crop selection. The farm is one 26x96' heated greenhouse with automated sides and one 100'x100' garden block utilizing well maintained raised beds. Perennial weed pressure is minimal, there are a variety of tools from tarps to flame weeder for the annual weeds. This is a mature turn key farm that had operated 2 acres and 150 member CSA, it has been consolidated substantially, as such all the tools and supplies needed are available. You just need to show up with the experience, work ethic, and time to put the farm to work.
Obviously I am handing over assets and relationships I have built over 10 years of running a small business, doing so is not without risk. As someone who has hired employees and tenants in the past I have standards and expectations based on experience. I reserve the right to be picky. The exchange is for the opportunity for a turnkey farm, proven income, and a unique experience in southwest Colorado.
- Start: As available and needed for training, fully autonomous by April 1
- Responsibilities: 100% of farm duties from seeding to selling, crop selection to invoicing
- Animal care: 3 days a week required to milk goats and clean the barn, 4 hours a day time commitment - paid.
- Compensation: In a lease scenario the income is yours and depends on your work ethic and competency.
- Lease cost: $800/month. This includes all tools, packaging supplies, wholesale accounts, flower root stock, growing supplies (seeds to compost).
- Requirements: minimum two years professional growing experience, Arriving no later than March 1 2026 for training.
- Expectations: Respectful, responsible, self starting, work ethic, and operating at a high standard professionally.
- Application: Cover letter, resume that detail professional experience and future intent. Include 2-3 professional references and a one page draft farming plan.
- Details: insurance, post season wrap up, repairs, markets. These details will be worked out with the applicant in the lease.
Living space: Operating a farm and taking care of animals is difficult when living off sight. Additionally, to find qualified people I think it's best to offer a place to live for those traveling from other locations (out of state). We have a nice loft bedroom space above our attached garage we have occasionally used as a guest room and office space. It is private, quiet and provides easy access to the main house, kitchen and bathroom through the garage. Given the typically high rent in our area $600 seems very reasonable and ideal for applicants interested in either being a farm employee or leasing the farm outright. This is an all inclusive price, no seperate charges for electricity, propane or internet.
Contact: There are many details left out for no reason other than brevity. serious, interested candidates should contanct me for more information on tools, operating patterns, markets, and more.
- Daniel Fullmer
- (970) 844-0387
- [email protected]