BEGINNING FARMERS

Disappearing Farmers & Farms:

  • The U.S. has lost 1 – 2 generations of farmers as small family farms disappear due to rural migration to urban areas and evolution of agriculture over the past 50-60 years. The average age of a farmer in the U.S. is now 57.5 years, with 34% of farmers are over the age of 65, and only 9% of farmers aged 35 years or younger.

  • According to the 2017 USDA Agriculture Census, the number of farms in Pennsylvania decreased by over 7,000 in the last two decades, from 60,222 in 1997 to 53,157 in 2017. Most farms are between 50 – 179 acres, while the number of farms with 1,000 acres or more increased 30%. [USDA]

A way forward:

  • The pandemic opened our eyes to food supply chain issues, causing people to rethink where their food comes from. Gardening and backyard chicken flocks increased significantly, as we seek to be more resilient. Farmers markets and buying local are more popular than ever.

  • Everyone knows farming is hard work, with long and sometimes irregular hours, but these challenges are offset by the reward of a lifestyle of self-reliance and personal pride in caring for the land and all it yields. With the broadened array of activities that are now considered within the agriculture/farming sector, we believe 3PF incubator provides a terrific and unique opportunity for new farmers to test their business plans and prepare to operate their own farm.

Why 3 Pillarz Farm

Let our supportive services and environment help you on your journey as a new farmer.

Be a part of our ecosystem.

We are reimagining the future of farming.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, we look forward to growing with you. Our family farm has become an ecosystem for budding farmers, and we welcome the next generation.

We’ve done the leg work to launch your business into our local community. Click throughout our menu to learn more or reach out to us with your creative farming ideas!

  • Need more room to grow? We have plenty of space to expand your business on our property. Schedule a meeting time and see if what we have available can suit your needs.

  • More space to grow your business, or a place to get started, we’re here for you! Schedule a visit to see if our barn or fields would work for raising livestock on our property if you don’t have the space to do so at your home.

  • We have everything you need to get started! (Including the bees!) If you are looking to learn or grow your skills in beekeeping, we would love to see if you’re a fit with 3PF, schedule a visit with us and our bees.

  • Help improve our ecosystem by flexing your composting skills. We have the space and tools to get started, and with your drive to learn and succeed, all of our farmers, animals, and partners will benefit. Visit our farm to explore composting options.

  • Have an idea in mind? Think it’s too wild? We’d LOVE to hear it! We’re the kind of folks who run with big ideas and if it’s a good fit, we’d love to be a part of it. Feel free to reach out to see if your idea is compatible with all we have going on. Whether it’s niche or specialty crops, big event plan, or anything in between, reach out! We’re excited to hear and possibly be a part of your big dreams.

Hear from our growers.

“3PF not only opened up another door in my business, it opened up another chapter in my life. 3PF has helped me learn more about myself as a business owner, working woman, and gardener.”
— Betsy Grinder

Betsy Grinder Your Daily Serving

Our Partners

Practical knowledge to work the land, develop skills, grow your business, serve your community, steward the environment, and raise healthy families.

Cultivating environmentally sound, economically viable, and community-focused farms and food systems.

Invested in giving new farmer trainees and advocates the tools they need to succeed. The world needs more regenerative organic farmers.