Karen Nagy

Main interest is in smaller scale operation that uses organic/regenerative/permaculture methods.  At this point I do not feel I can commit to full-time/overtime labor and work schedule needed for a large (for CT) scale profit producing operation that utilizes heavy machinery.  While I recognize the merit for power equipment at times I like to do things by hand and in cooperation with natural processes, for example would prefer to do heavy mulching with biodegradable  materials to control weeds and build/support soil over using some sort of powered equipment/attachment.

Areas of interest (but open to consider others):  greens, vegetables, garlic, orchard, grapes, native plants such as pawpaw,elderberry, persimmon, culinary mushrooms.  Regarding livestock would rather primarily keep egg layers and maybe animals for fiber production, not interested in raising livestock intended for slaughter as source of income.  Would love to try agroforestry. 

I have worked taking care of horses off and on for 25 years, and various other farm animals including donkeys, chickens, sheep, goats - I strongly believe in respectful, considerate, and positive reinforcement approaches to care and training.  I have experience with grounds keeping, pruning, simple carpentry.  

I have two wethered goats (with horns) that can serve to provide weed/brush control (they will actually eat poison ivy, young growth barberry and multiflora rose, bittersweet, etc) and compost/mulch, 8 female coturnix quail and some males that could be quickly increased in number and start selling eggs (these birds mature very quickly), and 5 silkie chickens 2 of which are roosters.   

I would love to find a place that could include housing but granting that being unlikely am primarily interested in finding a place to lease or some other arrangement  that would accommodate the above animals and small scale food production.