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We are selling the back 4 acres of Foundation Farm. The farm is 10 acres, of which the back 4 acres have not been utilized and have the same attributes as the rest of it: great soil, access to water and electrical. I- Youtube Movies These 2 short movies made fairly quickly by a friend will give you a feeling for the farm landscape and basic set-up. Here are the links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmkqGob_rro
II- Description/History Foundation Farm was founded in 2006 as a USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture) certified organic farm, following 10 years of experimentation in various forms of organic vegetable growing methods. FF is located in Northwest Arkansas, 10 miles north of Eureka Springs and 50 miles east of a thriving urban area comprising Fayetteville (home of University of Arkansas), Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville. Immediately north of the farm is the state of Missouri. Our bioregion is the Ozarks, with soft landscapes made of hills, pastures, woods (oaks and pines mostly) and good water (lakes, creeks, springs and ponds). FF is in climate zone 6 and gets around 40 inches of rain yearly. The frost-free growing season extends from April 15 to October 15 on average. FF is set on a beautiful 10 acre open pasture, of which six acres are dedicated to farming. The farm is on county land (Carroll County), and within the Eureka Springs' School District (with a school bus-stop nearby). Our two neighbors are Phil, a bee-keeper, who does not live on his land and a family of 4 in a house on 2 acres east of us. There is no “problem” activity in our area such as chemical agriculture or chicken houses (which are otherwise common in our county). The farm is 2 minutes away from a gas station/convenience store and 5 minutes away from a commercial center that includes a supermarket, a hardware store and several restaurants.
Access to the farm is ¼ mile from the highway on a
county-maintained road (CR 244). There is only one home before the farm and one III- Business Summary FF is has been a USDA certified organic farm for 5 years, and was a cow pasture before that. Sales are through the fast-growing Eureka Springs Farmers’ Market and the 35 year-old Fayetteville Farmers’ Market, as well as a large natural food store (Ozark Natural Foods) in Fayetteville and a smaller one in Eureka Springs (Eureka Market). The farm also sells to restaurants in Eureka and Fayetteville. The market place within 50 miles of the farm is vast and largely untapped and includes the Fayetteville-Springdale-Bentonville “corridor” with over 200,000 people and several fast-growing farmers’ markets (Bentonville, Fayetteville). There are several new farmers' markets still in the development phase in Bentonville, Neosho (MO), Kimberley City (MO) and Holiday Island right next door. Also possible in the near future is a Wholefood store in Springdale. The farm is located a quarter mile from highway 23 which is a busy connection between Missouri and Arkansas, where a farm-stand could be established.
IV Farm Fertility/Yield Foundation Farm’s soil is peerless in the area and well documented. High production yields are attained utilizing 60 permanent beds totaling 24,000 cultivated square feet (1/2 acre). FF has produced the equivalent of $100,000 per cultivated acre from 2007 to 2010, in vastly uneven and demanding weather conditions. FF grows a full spectrum of vegetables and herbs (appendix). The soil has never been tilled and has reached a level of high fertility over the years. The farm’s growing system involves several sources of organic matter (mulch, manure, cover crops) to maintain a high level or organic matter. The last soil test taken in February 0f 2010 (appendix) shows that the farm’s organic matter content stood at a remarkable 6.3%. All yearly soil tests have consistently shown no need for further fertilizing following the completion of a full growing season.
V Farm Assets Land: 6 acres, mostly flat, of farmed land surrounded by tree lines on the North and East sides, 4 acres of pasture to the South, and a bee farm (pasture) to the West. Farm Set-Up: the farm is an on-going, efficient operation. The new owner will save a significant amount of money and time for not having to set up the farm systems in place (appendix: set up costs). Well: 400’-deep well, with pump set at 360’, yielding 25 gallon/minute, servicing shed and field with potable water. Soil: as described before the farm soil can be counted as a formidable asset as it stands today as a proven top-yielding medium. Pond: large pond dug in 2006, equipped with submersible pump for irrigation purpose (electrical line extends from the packing shed). Hoop-houses (high tunnels): a large 100' by 30' hoop-house built in 2012; three 100’X16’ hoop-houses built in 2009, all with high-grade greenhouse plastic and galvanized arches. Total estimated value of $15,000. Irrigation System: entire farmed area is equipped with drip-irrigation, low-pressure system. System connects well to field, well to pond, and pond to field depending on the farm’s needs. System includes a “fertigation” bypass allowing fish emulsion or other liquid fertilizer into the irrigation lines. Misc. Farm Supplies: 200 heavy-duty tomato cages, refrigerator, shelving, green-house benches. Buildings: Packing Shed/Greenhouse: 1,600 square-foot shed entirely on concrete pad with (1) attached greenhouse, (2) insulated cool room (includes 2 air-conditioning units). Shed is plumbed for potable water from the well and wired for a 100amp. electrical service. Trainees Cabin: small size summer-cabin includes 2 beds, compost toilets and cold/hot (solar) water to sink and outdoor shower. Utilities: Electrical: (buried lines) to shed with 100 amp service from Carroll Electric. Water: potable water from the farm’s well tested by Health Department (appendix: HD 2009 test results).
VI Price The back 4 acres in pasture are offered for $30,000. The remaining 7 acres including all existing assets will be offered for $70,000 by 2020 (not including any substantial addition to the farm between now and then). A new land survey will be done. Closing and title insurance documents will be executed through the office of Stewart Title Corporation in Eureka Springs. All surveying, and closing costs will be split 50/50 between buyer and seller.
VII Business/Land Agreement As part of the selling agreement, the balance of the farm will be offered to the buyer by the year 2020 for $70,000. During that time, the new owner/neighbor will be able to participate to and learn from foundation farm's operations. An easement will be created for access to the back 4 acres from the county road, along the west property line.
APPENDIX: The following documents can be obtained by regular mail (please, only serious inquiries). Farm founder’s bio. Farm profitability-1st year 2010 weekly, monthly, annual sales by crop. 2010 profitability ranking by crop. 2011 Organic Certificate. 2011 U of A Soil Test. 2006 Well Construction Report. 2009 Health Department Well Water Test. 2006 Farm Set Up Costs Warranty Deed (Land Legal Description) Misc. Land Documents
Contact Info: Patrice Gros
email: mamakapa@yahoo.com
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last modified on: Saturday November 26, 2011 07:00 AM -0600 |
