Supporting The Dream
Before us now is the opportunity to combine a very unique piece of land on 36 acres in Boulder County, and combine it with a seasoned team of educators in the filed of organic growing practices, such as Permaculture and Biodynamic principles, to promote health, vital, and nourishing food for sale locally, and a global educational program. The aim is to make a local impact in demonstrating the merits and need for organic farming in order to add fresh momentum to natural living practices and to stem the tide of “Big Ag” which is destroying healthy food and healthy soil. This Center is specifically designed to be a lighthouse, a beacon to guide those who are wanting to promote and grow a healthy, non-toxic food supply and to live a healthy lifestyle inside and out.
With the leadership and vision of Rebecca Carlson and Kelley Springer, and the availability to purchase 8661 Yellowstone Rd, along with a complete team of respected industry leading experts in the organic farming world attached, we now need an angel, a sponsor who can align with our vision and with our mission, to fund the purchase of the land and to fund upstart and operational expenses for the first 5 years until we become fully self-sustaining. Our funding request is $8M. $4M for the land trust, and $4M for operations and education.
The current farm and property has hay operations in full swing, and we would benefit from continuing with the current client base. To put up hay we’d purchase from the property owner the equipment used for hay harvesting: a tractor, rake, and mower. There is no loader, however we plan to subcontract the baling service used by the seller.
The current greenhouse operation is fully developed and operational. We’d need to provide some additional shelving and tools for the storage area located at the north side of the greenhouse.
The current garden areas used for vegetable, herbs, and flowers are fully operational. In our vision, we’ll increase the production area by between 400-500%, in order to reach the level of production to sustain the CSA flower and herb sales. This level of expansion in terms of materials, tools, and labor will require funding for the first 5 years to establish a self-sustaining operation.
With regard to educational programs we have all the leadership and educators in place. This team of individuals is outstanding in their own right. They are well-respected, experienced, and knowledgable industry leaders, capable of drawing people both locally, nationally, and internationally into the educational programs we will create. What will take time and investment, is developing the actual programs and learning opportunities that will be offered on-site and online. The back office work to engage marketing and social media, etc, will take initial funding as well.
Overall, our business team, farm operations, staff, and program management, is also already in place. Headed by Rebecca Carlson and Kelley Springer, they will oversee all aspects of the farm and program development. Initial funding is sought to support the efforts to start this great vision and to sustain its operations and expansion until it is self sustaining in 5 years. What follows is a summary of annual expenses and income projections for the first 5 years:
Estimated 5 Year Timeline of Operational Expenses
YEAR 1
EXPENSES INCOME
3.95M Purchase of Property 0.04M Farm Harvest Sales
0.2M Purchase of Equipment and Vehicles 0.01M Educational Programs
0.2M Expansion of Garden Areas
0.10M Barn Improvements
0.25M Staff and payroll / Insurance + Property Taxes/Misc
YEAR 2
EXPENSES INCOME
0.08M Annual Operational Expenses 0.07M Farm Harvest Sales
0.25M Staff and payroll / Insurance 0.02M Educational Programs
+ Property Taxes/Misc
YEAR 3
EXPENSES INCOME
0.08M Annual Operational Expenses 0.10M Farm Harvest Sales
0.25M Staff and payroll / Insurance 0.10M Educational Programs
+ Property Taxes/Misc
YEAR 4
EXPENSES INCOME
0.08M Annual Operational Expenses 0.20M Farm Harvest Sales
0.25M Staff and payroll / Insurance 0.20M Educational Programs
+ Property Taxes/Misc
YEAR 5
EXPENSES INCOME
0.08M Annual Operational Expenses 0.40M Farm Harvest Sales
0.25M Staff and payroll / Insurance 0.60M Educational Programs
+ Property Taxes/Misc
YEAR 6+
Going into year 6 we anticipate becoming entirely self-sufficient…
% Estimates of Total Farm + Program Income by Year 6
• Sale of produce and products – 40% – such as organically certified hay and vegetables, free range eggs, honey, fruit and nuts, nursery plants, and flowers via CSA membership, Farmer’s Markets, and Additional Local Sales
• Educational Programs, Tours & Media Sales – PDC, Workshops, DVD sales – 37%
• Educational Grants 10%
• Cottage Industry contributions - 10%
• Consultancy Service – 1-2%
• Small plant and flower nursery – 1-2%
Comparison of a 5 yr Farm Funding Plan
Based on current research, a 5yr established, smoothly running permaculture-based CSA and market garden with good sales outlets can generate $60,000 to $100,000 annually per acre in diverse vegetable crops and hay.* For Yellowstone, a 35 acre farm actively cultivating 10 acres of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and 19 acres of hay, this could potentially generate $600,000 to $800,000 in annual revenue.
A niche educational center for permaculture related techniques and self awareness practices, with an international values-matched consumer pool** can generate $80,000 to $500,000 per annual season in courses, retreats, and consulting.
Initial start-up costs might be in the $500,000 range for a 10 acre biodynamic-cultivated growing area, and $500,000 for educational programming and business operations.
A starting budget of $1M spread over 5 years resolves to an annual container of around $200,000 which is reasonable compared to the potential revenue a niche educational program and active CSA market garden offer together. That’s a potentially viable profit margin of over 40%.
Factoring in the property purchase of $3.9M together with business, maintenance, organization, and development expenses $500,000 (see budget for breakout), and the $500,000 starting costs for the CSA market garden and Educational Programming, the total estimate of $5-6M for fulfillment stabilizes the opportunity, allowing operations to “hit the ground running”, and increases the viability of a quicker success rate and higher profit margin (40% to 60%) benefiting all involved in perpetuity. Even so, the initial costs that support this proposed holistic fulfillment are still smaller in comparison to the multi-layered costs and associated risks of mechanized mainstream crop production (that perpetuates an unsustainable eco-social structure and limiting mindset as well as ecological and health risks of soil depletion, GMOs, and pesticide use).
The Yellowstone Integral Network, an Integral Level Organization, is open to receiving financial support, either in the form of a gift or a grant, in alignment with its sound business plan, accessible educational programs, healing land, and collective vision.
*Source: https://permacultureapprentice.com/how-to-make-a-living-from-a-1-5-acre-market-garden/)
**Client Lists including: Integral Institute and Affiliates, Local and International PDCs, Local Farms, Local Educational Institutions such as CU, and Childrens’ Schools, & Other Relevant Organizations.
Fulfillment Requirements for Educational & Land Needs
√ Securing Purchase of the Biodynamic Land and Projected Maintenance
√ Securing Provision for Biodynamic Plants, Seeds, and Organic Materials
√ Securing Operations Team Salaries and Administrative Materials for Farm and Program Management
√ Securing Tools, Building Materials
√ Securing Provision for Animals, Bees, and Related Food and Materials
√ Securing Facility Development, Permits and Building Structures for planned community and guest use
Budget
In sight of acquiring and maintaining a flagship center near Boulder, CO, here is the proposed value and estimation of each unique element that contributes to the total value of Yellowstone Farm as a Permaculture Collective & Educational Retreat Center for inspiring nature-aligned supportive community:
VALUE Elements
$3.9M
$500,000
$500,000
$1-2M
$1-2 M
Property Sale : buildings and acreage
Property Tax, Maintenance, Machinery, Materials, Transportation, Tools
Administrative, Farm Operations, Plants, Animals, Materials, and Programs
Facility Development for multi-use purposes, Contracts, Building
Global Digital Database, Multi-Platform Leadership Applications, Member-Use Applications
Fulfillment $8M
Summary
This small scale farming offers the possibility for growing diverse crops and economies of scale to earn money in an organic certification practice for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
This flagship educational center aims to set an example of a keynote portfolio property that draws in the interest of people, which is then channelled into revenue from Educational Programs, a PDC, a local client-worker Cooperative (TLC), and sister center eco-tourism and WWOOFer worker exchange.
This network of integrated educational programming offers uniquely diverse topics and essential content showcasing applicable permaculture based practices, ancient wisdom, and self awareness techniques to build both inner and outer relationships, with each other and with the land. We aim to better discover our true nature as individuals and as a mindful conscious collective aligned with natural systems.
This CSA offers stable membership both for high quality produce yields and local relationships in concert with relevant learning opportunities designed to expand people’s healthy earth-based understanding, self awareness, and local practices which in turn positively impact our social and collective climates.
This TLC (Regenerative Collective) introduces a dependable worker pool and community organizing without the chaos. Introducing a project-labor model that offers trust and harmony for both clients and service providers in the Permaculture based sector through an innovative new structure that features an independent client and worker affiliate program based on Regenerative Dynamics. This group offers the possibility of securing experienced help for clients in permaculture farming and related projects at the intersection of skillful trade and conscious community in a local sustainable marketplace collective.
Thank you for your interest, understanding, and support!
We are available to expand your picture of what’s possible and what is already in motion with regards to Yellowstone. Please contact Rebecca or Kelley to schedule a good time to talk. Let us know how you would like to support and be a part of our Farm + Community! Welcome to Yellowstone Farm + Integral Educational Center!