Ten years of planning, 10 years of want ads and hope and worry, ended one day in October when Don Kretschmann realized it wasn’t going to work; no one was going to step in.
This was going to be the last harvest at Kretschmann Family Organic Farm.
Come spring, the Beaver County (Pa) farm will be idle for the first time since he first turned the soil there in the spring of 1979. Kretschmann is retiring after failing to find someone to take over his 80-acre operation.
“I just thought somebody would come,” the 71-year-old self-taught farmer said. “Nothing worked out there — unless some miracle happens.”
Don Kretschmann, owner of the Kretschmann Family Organic Farm, harvests kale on his farm Nov. 16 in Rochester, Beaver County. Kretschmann is retiring this year after not being able to find anyone to take over or buy his farm where he grew produce organically for almost 50 years. (Alexandra Wimley/AP)
The inability to find a successor surprised him. He was offering a turnkey operation, an opportunity for an entrepreneurial farmer to simply start growing and harvesting by leasing the land. Access to land is the biggest barrier for beginning farmers, along with the cost of equipment — which Kretschmann also offered for lease along with his house.
His only requirement is that the land be farmed organically.
“We ran lots of ads” in agricultural publications, he said. Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Minnesota, Iowa, California. “We went all over.”
A woman from Santa Fe was interested but wasn’t suited to the rigors of farm work. A Kretschmann neighbor expressed interest, but later backed out. And the guy from Ithaca, New York, sounded promising, toured the farm and Downtown Pittsburgh — but later said he didn’t want to leave his extended family.
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how do I contact Don personally, i am very interested in this opportunity.
I would like to talk to Mr. Krestscheman. 1-415-504-0544. Can someone give him my cellphone number? Thank you! Roberto
It’s truly a shame that with a given opportunity such as this no one would even try their hand at working outdoors and doing something of substance. It’s truly a sad epitaph for our country.
I am very interested and available – I want to run your farm!
Don, if you’re reading this, please contact me via email and/or phone – my phone number (landline only) is in your inbox.
Very very interested!
Adam
I will move there and run it. !!
Is the farmer still wanting someone to take over? Also, is he willing to show us the ropes if we took his offer.
I will run it. Just email me.
We’ve been trying to get back to Pennsylvania for over a year. Are you serious. I’d be available to share crop your place. Wow can you get in touch with us please
Aww so sad maybe u should get high school kids to go and learn farming it could turn their life around do back ground check see how they live and where godbless
Hell, Me and my husband and my three kids want an organic farm. We just can’t afford the land/equipment. We’ll do it.
I will work your Farm. Just give me a Call. 337-324-5245
Interested
I will do it! I can move there and start now.
Would love more information please!
I WOULD LOVE TO LEARN HOW TO RUN A FARM
I do not know alot about farming but I would work on it. People lost there will to do anything anymore.
I always dreamed of having a farm but lack money for it😭😭
I’m interested in taking over this farm! I’ve lived on a farm all my life and the timing couldn’t be more ideal. Please contact me! Thank you!
I might be Interested need more info
I am interested though I have no financial backing at this time.
I will go right now
Wow I would’ve loved to have that opportunity. Normal farming doesn’t interest me but anything natural and organic is what I love. Real food, better food; the way it should be.
Hello this is a dream of mine to have farm land to grow on a grand scale. I wish I could help you. Please reach out to me to see if we can help each other
My daughter would be interested
I’m interested but have insufficient funds to do this. I worked greenhouses for years. Some direction, funds and I’d be all in
I am interested in. I am Italian, 35, I have been working for more than 10 years in the family fields back in Italy before moving to London. I will be really happy to ear what this job it is about.
This is very sad and speaks volumes about what has happened to our country. As I’m starting an organic farm in Tennessee, I hope this gentleman finds someone to continue his in Pennsylvania. I don’t understand how the woman thought it was to hard, I’m female and have been small scale farming (less than 50 acres) since I was 4 years old. I’m now 52.
I and my friend can run this organic farm if any opportunity is given to us. But there is a big problem that we live in Turkey. We have been doing organic farming and livestock operation for almost 5 years. We could not stop a big quarry to be mined right next to our leased land. We have been using JADAM methods for three years. It really works. I wrote down my mail adress. May be it is time for you to import some organic farmers…
I grew up on farms livestock someone would have to train me specifically but I would do it but to poor to buy but would really like the opportunity
Should have made it a co-op years ago, or given it to immigrants. Finding americans with money to lease,, who also want to work hard…laughable.
Wish I could help
If it still available I would like to speak with the farmer and see the farm
Please put me in contact with this man I love to farm
That is sad when you work so hard on something n it just falls apart. I think he should have advertised more in different ways people like me would love a job like this but it’s the first I’m hearing about it.
I’m very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you
Hello, how would I contact him?
I have a ministry, grew up on a dairy farm and ra ta the farm myself in Michigan. Almost 26 years ago I moved to Tennessee as the Lord called. Ben wanting to get back into some form of farming. Email me me back if you wish. How big is your farm and what all did you grow.
God Bless
Don
I’ll do it.
Hi and let me start by saying Thank you for all you have done for us over the last 50 years. working long hard hours to provide the best of the best in fresh foods. Has anyone come forward to keep you operation going?
It is a such a shame that would be an awesome start for someone who has the drive and determination to make it work. I know I would definitely love to be able to do something like that. So much that could be done.
Hello Keith,
I am interested. In this opportunity. Even though, I am not an experienced farmer. I think I can learn anything. After all, I am a computer scientist.
Let’s talk.
It’s a shame that we are losing farms. Especially since this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I’m interested would like to know more
How do I go about finding out details and contact information?
That is a huge area to run. In some ways those who backed out, probably realised what they were getting into.
Perhaps try again but sell it as an excellent buy for a co-op or a group of people who can roster the work, and appoint a manager.
Sorry I can’t help, I live in another country!
Would love an opportunity for consideration of continuing your legacy.
cant belive that some thing not right,thats the best work
thats the catch
I will work it I’m a very experienced in organic and botany and hardnlabor
I would do it if I had the money to start out with
Good evening,
I would like more information or the possibility to email my interest? This blows me away as an entrepreneur and one with a solid work ethic.
Thank you.
There are a few of us out there! I’m doing just that on a family farm riddled with family issues! Might be willing to take you up on that offer sir! Currently raise egg layers and goats.vegetable and fruit back ground.
The people who would put forward the blood sweat and tears are not the people the banks would lend to. Most who would jump at the chance have student loan debt and/or lack the 20% down payment and good credit the bank requires. People who have money, credit and low debt to income ratio wont want to do the work.
No one wants to work anymore. They want everything for free it’s the new liberal Democratic way. It’s progressive liberalism.
I’ve always wanted to own a farm. I hope he finds someone😊
I’m intrested could u send pics plz
I am interested but am to poor to be able to afford to pay for the leasing of land, home and equipment. I will however say that I have a green thumb that has been passed down to me for many generations. My maternal Grandfather helped to farm on an apple orchard in Wenatchee Wa. My maternal Great Grandmother was very successful in farming countless crops of Heather and selling in the flower markets of San Francisco. My paternal Grandparents had a milk farm and delivered fresh cows milk to the neighborhood. As well as my paternal family always having a farm to run with livestock and crops. I have a passion for farming in my blood but unfortunately not the money it would take. Also I would need to learn to farm but I do consider myself a fast learner given what I have my Masters degree in (Adult Education and Training.) I do hope you find someone to take over your organic kale farm. Its a gift to be able to have something like that.
I would love the oppurtunity to run a massive farm..especially since its already established! Ive always loved the process and the maimtaining of a garden “works my demons out” so to speak…i have no knowledge of organic farming but i learn quickly and i am smart! …
I have no means to lease such a monumental farm, and would bately need more than somewhere to sleep & bath…oh and eat! And i would need a truck!! But i wouldn’t. Mr. Farmowner to leave. I belueve that whoever takes over the place should have to pal around with such expertise!! LEARN SOMETHING FROM HIM!! Im in my 40s and im not fond of kale but i understand its 80+acres…. That’s too much kale…. I would have to insist on a variety of crops.
Amd i would only need parti of the profits. Mr. Farmowner could still profit too!! Mr. K. I hope someone finds their way to ur beautiful farm and enjoys workibg the earth!!
I would take it no problem
I will do it. If theres an opportunity still, id sign up.
I’ll move right in
GOD BLESS you ,you did what you could sad American people don’t want to work they all want to eat but can’t lift a finger to earn it. A shameful society we live in thanks for our government
What I would give
Get in touch with me Im promising, I have 2 boys and ready to save the food chain.
I would love to take it over! It’s a dream come true
I would love to become an organic farmer. It’s the perfect time in my life to do something like that, too. I wish I had an idea how to get in touch with this guy.
My husband and have been dreaming of farming, but with covid restrictions we are now babysitting our grandkids while the parents work from home. We wish you all the best in your retirement, but will keep this in mind should our situation change.
Is this for sale still? Where are you now Don? let’s have a talk!
I would like more info about this. Sounds like a great opportunity do do some good for you and others. I am always willing to help others.
I’ll take it…
I know anything about farming, but I would have loved this opportunity.
If this is a real job via my email and maybe we can discuss the opportunity involved.
This is sad. I would totally do it if I could. Considering I just lost my job and living with my boyfriends mom and step dad for the moment I’m way to broke. Just makes me sad
Then why don’t you pack up and move out there? Its not an easy life to live especially in this day and age. Farming isn’t a sure business as it used to be
I would be more then happy to run this farm
I have farming experience
I would like to run this farm. I have farming experience
Email me back I don’t want a successful farm to be closed
Email me back and I am serious about this
I will run your farm with my 2 boys. I need a place to live and i grow my own organic gardens. I world love to run the farm. Please email me. I’ll come right down now. I have 2 strong boys that works love to help you with that garden. With the 3 of us we could do it
I’m in. What’s the first step?!
Contact me about the farm. I might be interested.
Is this position still available? I have a good friend with a horticulture degree looking to get into this kind of work, but won’t be available to move until February.
I’ve got years of experience in the landscape and irrigation world and within past few years have been into organic diet and interested in this issue or opportunity. I’m willing to relocate upon a few things discussed and agreed on.
Ill Run it !
managed a successful farm in the past making the operation profitable .I Love growing crops and have a great business expertise in it
contact me if you want to make the farm profitable